Tom Rankin
Well-known member
Another Club hike today, this time to Blackhead. Several people signed up, but a few bagged out. Anyway, 5 of us set out at 8:00 from the parking lot.
At the beginning, there was almost no snow, with large bare patches. We all barebooted from here. Eventually after a few stream crossings, (that were all really low), we started the true ascent of Blackhead. At this point, people began to put on traction devices. After an hour, we were at the spring, and we took a break. A little while later, we came to the new switchbacks. I explained why they were there to the newer hikers on the trip.
After the switchbacks, we were at the saddle between Blackhead and Blackdome. We felt the wind come up at this point, and layered up. At this point, everyone was wearing 'metal' on their feet. It was a little blustery, and the exposed sections of Blackhead were a little icy, but we all made it safely to the top. We checked out the views, snapped some pics, ate a bit, and then headed back to the saddle.
In the saddle, we met most of the officers of the 3500 Club, including Carol White, Mrs. 'Women With Altitude'! They were also doing Blackhead, unbeknowst to me. We also met Manuel, another 3500 Club hike leader, by arrangement, and handed off one of our hikers to him. They continued on to Blackdome and Thomas Cole.
After the little saddle party, we headed back to the car, meeting a variety of hikers, prepared and unprepared for a winter hike!
We met another 3500 club officer, Elie, and said hi. A few minutes later we were back at the cars. The trailhead is not plowed, but the lack of snow made access fairly easy.
The weather was overcast and temps were in the 20's-30's. Most of the time the wind was dead calm. As we drove home, it started to rain. Good timing!
At the beginning, there was almost no snow, with large bare patches. We all barebooted from here. Eventually after a few stream crossings, (that were all really low), we started the true ascent of Blackhead. At this point, people began to put on traction devices. After an hour, we were at the spring, and we took a break. A little while later, we came to the new switchbacks. I explained why they were there to the newer hikers on the trip.
After the switchbacks, we were at the saddle between Blackhead and Blackdome. We felt the wind come up at this point, and layered up. At this point, everyone was wearing 'metal' on their feet. It was a little blustery, and the exposed sections of Blackhead were a little icy, but we all made it safely to the top. We checked out the views, snapped some pics, ate a bit, and then headed back to the saddle.
In the saddle, we met most of the officers of the 3500 Club, including Carol White, Mrs. 'Women With Altitude'! They were also doing Blackhead, unbeknowst to me. We also met Manuel, another 3500 Club hike leader, by arrangement, and handed off one of our hikers to him. They continued on to Blackdome and Thomas Cole.
After the little saddle party, we headed back to the car, meeting a variety of hikers, prepared and unprepared for a winter hike!
We met another 3500 club officer, Elie, and said hi. A few minutes later we were back at the cars. The trailhead is not plowed, but the lack of snow made access fairly easy. The weather was overcast and temps were in the 20's-30's. Most of the time the wind was dead calm. As we drove home, it started to rain. Good timing!
