Chip
Well-known member
A friend and co-worker from Boston and his brother were going to join me for my hike on Sunday but were running late and decided to "do Washington" from the Cog lot. They are both athletes and snow-boarders but lack winter hiking experience. Sometimes we learn the hard way. This would be one of those times.
They had their snowboards and decided to carry them and do some 'boardin up top !
They had no snow shoes or crampons, but the boards would play an important roll in the adventure. The hike began at about 10:30 and despite the lack of traction they made good time to Lakes of the Clouds. Anyone who was up high Sunday knows it was snowing pretty good mid-day, just a light wind and moderate temps, but enough snow for near white-out conditions.
Now, I'm not sure about this part, but apparently they had no map or compass and lost the trail after Lakes of the Clouds pretty quickly and soon summited...Monroe ! Realizing their mistake they headed back to the hut and made the decision to continue on to Washington. After an hour or so of wandering around they were now ready to forego the summit and start heading down. So that the weight wouldn't be a waste the decision was now made to break out the boards ! But "downhill" gets you no where except below tree line when you're not on a trail. Momentum and mad skills carried them deep into the powder below tree line. Briefly separated and sinking up to their necks in powder, I have to believe a bit of panic began to creep in. Luckily they extricated themselves and reunited. Believing they were just north of the Ammo they spent the next 3 hours wading and shoveling their way south and down through the light, deep powder. Out of water, the dry snow provided very little relief. They finally popped out around the pool. Running low on day light they again employed the boards to sit-ski the trail as much as possible. They made it back to the lot just after dark.
Joe, if you're reading this, I'm glad you both survived. Time for some gear purchases !
They had their snowboards and decided to carry them and do some 'boardin up top !
They had no snow shoes or crampons, but the boards would play an important roll in the adventure. The hike began at about 10:30 and despite the lack of traction they made good time to Lakes of the Clouds. Anyone who was up high Sunday knows it was snowing pretty good mid-day, just a light wind and moderate temps, but enough snow for near white-out conditions. Now, I'm not sure about this part, but apparently they had no map or compass and lost the trail after Lakes of the Clouds pretty quickly and soon summited...Monroe ! Realizing their mistake they headed back to the hut and made the decision to continue on to Washington. After an hour or so of wandering around they were now ready to forego the summit and start heading down. So that the weight wouldn't be a waste the decision was now made to break out the boards ! But "downhill" gets you no where except below tree line when you're not on a trail. Momentum and mad skills carried them deep into the powder below tree line. Briefly separated and sinking up to their necks in powder, I have to believe a bit of panic began to creep in. Luckily they extricated themselves and reunited. Believing they were just north of the Ammo they spent the next 3 hours wading and shoveling their way south and down through the light, deep powder. Out of water, the dry snow provided very little relief. They finally popped out around the pool. Running low on day light they again employed the boards to sit-ski the trail as much as possible. They made it back to the lot just after dark.
Joe, if you're reading this, I'm glad you both survived. Time for some gear purchases !
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