1ADAM12
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PICTURES
Date: Saturday August 8, 2009
Friends: Jim C., KIT, TCD and his wife Ellen, Big and Slow and his wife Nicole.
The goal for the day was to hike the Colden Trap Dike and then descend the South East slide. We made really great time from South Meadows to Avalanche Pass and everyone was in great spirits. We sat down admired the awesome views ate a snack and took many pictures. After about 10 minutes some famous people showed up. We had Tom and Laurie Rankin, Prino, Juniper, Mark Howes and a few others.
We all then proceeded to the end of the Lake where we would hook up with the herd path to the Dike. Prino and gang headed towards the marked trail up to Iroquois and Shepherds tooth and we later found out they could see us on the slide from Algonquin. Very cool!
We made it to the base of the Dike and we could not believe what we saw. It looks really steep and in the back of your mind you’re wondering to yourself can we do this. TCD has been up this route a handful of times in winter and summer. He was a wealth of knowledge and very helpful.
Everything went very smooth until the 2nd waterfall. For me this is where it got hairy and scary. You have to climb a short pitch that is very steep and vertical and I had a hard time boosting myself up. After looking 20-30 feet down to what could have been my death I finally made it up the steep and hardest section of the hike. I will admit I was a bit scared and the butt pucker factor played a roll as I have heard mentioned before.
At this point we all regrouped and TCD and Ellen headed out onto the slide with their rock climbing shoes. The rest of us decided to exit at 3800 feet to the not so steep section. At some points we could see TCD and Ellen and we are like that is crazy! It looked so steep.
We finally found our exit point and bushwhacked to the slide. There is a small headwall you have to shimmy up and then you’re on the steep slide. We were all like WOW!!!!!! It is a lot steeper than I imagined and you sure did not want to lose your footing. For most of the hike up the slide we were on both our hands and feet going up. It was a calf burner for sure.
We finally met up with TCD and Ellen half way up the slide and took a nice long break admiring the views. We could see people on Algonquin and wondered if it was Prino and gang. After our break we pressed on to the summit. The upper portion to the summit was one of the hardest sections of the hike for me. It was very steep with lichen and moss on the rock. I finally skirted to the left and found a nice track up.
We all lounged in the sun on the summit admiring the views and good conversation and of course the cheez whiz. Jim C. actually enjoyed it I think. After about 45 min on the summit we searched for the South East Slide. We had a hard time at first but finally after TCD went scouting he found it for us. GREAT JOB TOM!!!!!!! Also, before we pressed on Jim was laughing and he made a comment about my pack. Something about is it heavier. I noticed a slight change but just thought my shoulders were getting sore and tired. Well he had put 2 rocks in my pack hahahahahaha It was funny!
At this point Big and Slow decided to take the marked trail down and meet us at the junction. The rest of us went over to the slide. The top was super steep but the rock was very grippe. IT was definitely slow going but what made the slide worth it were the phenomenal views of Marcy the whole way down. You never lost site of the amazing peak.
The middle of the slide got steep again as well but once down on the bottom of the next steep pitch it was easy sailing. We made it to the bottom and bushwhacked our way to the marked trail. The hike to Lake Arnold was a killer for me. We had all that elevation to go up and my legs were burning. We made very good time and met up with Big and Slow as he had been waiting for us about 45 min.
The rest of the hike was a blur and a death march to the cars. The whole way out all I thought about was the good beer and great food at the gathering. I just wanted to say it was great meeting TCD, Ellen, Nicole, Big and Slow and seeing Jim again. You were all great hiking partners and I look forward to hiking with you all again.
Pictures to come tonight when I get them downloaded. They are awesome too!
Date: Saturday August 8, 2009
Friends: Jim C., KIT, TCD and his wife Ellen, Big and Slow and his wife Nicole.
The goal for the day was to hike the Colden Trap Dike and then descend the South East slide. We made really great time from South Meadows to Avalanche Pass and everyone was in great spirits. We sat down admired the awesome views ate a snack and took many pictures. After about 10 minutes some famous people showed up. We had Tom and Laurie Rankin, Prino, Juniper, Mark Howes and a few others.
We all then proceeded to the end of the Lake where we would hook up with the herd path to the Dike. Prino and gang headed towards the marked trail up to Iroquois and Shepherds tooth and we later found out they could see us on the slide from Algonquin. Very cool!
We made it to the base of the Dike and we could not believe what we saw. It looks really steep and in the back of your mind you’re wondering to yourself can we do this. TCD has been up this route a handful of times in winter and summer. He was a wealth of knowledge and very helpful.
Everything went very smooth until the 2nd waterfall. For me this is where it got hairy and scary. You have to climb a short pitch that is very steep and vertical and I had a hard time boosting myself up. After looking 20-30 feet down to what could have been my death I finally made it up the steep and hardest section of the hike. I will admit I was a bit scared and the butt pucker factor played a roll as I have heard mentioned before.
At this point we all regrouped and TCD and Ellen headed out onto the slide with their rock climbing shoes. The rest of us decided to exit at 3800 feet to the not so steep section. At some points we could see TCD and Ellen and we are like that is crazy! It looked so steep.
We finally found our exit point and bushwhacked to the slide. There is a small headwall you have to shimmy up and then you’re on the steep slide. We were all like WOW!!!!!! It is a lot steeper than I imagined and you sure did not want to lose your footing. For most of the hike up the slide we were on both our hands and feet going up. It was a calf burner for sure.
We finally met up with TCD and Ellen half way up the slide and took a nice long break admiring the views. We could see people on Algonquin and wondered if it was Prino and gang. After our break we pressed on to the summit. The upper portion to the summit was one of the hardest sections of the hike for me. It was very steep with lichen and moss on the rock. I finally skirted to the left and found a nice track up.
We all lounged in the sun on the summit admiring the views and good conversation and of course the cheez whiz. Jim C. actually enjoyed it I think. After about 45 min on the summit we searched for the South East Slide. We had a hard time at first but finally after TCD went scouting he found it for us. GREAT JOB TOM!!!!!!! Also, before we pressed on Jim was laughing and he made a comment about my pack. Something about is it heavier. I noticed a slight change but just thought my shoulders were getting sore and tired. Well he had put 2 rocks in my pack hahahahahaha It was funny!
At this point Big and Slow decided to take the marked trail down and meet us at the junction. The rest of us went over to the slide. The top was super steep but the rock was very grippe. IT was definitely slow going but what made the slide worth it were the phenomenal views of Marcy the whole way down. You never lost site of the amazing peak.
The middle of the slide got steep again as well but once down on the bottom of the next steep pitch it was easy sailing. We made it to the bottom and bushwhacked our way to the marked trail. The hike to Lake Arnold was a killer for me. We had all that elevation to go up and my legs were burning. We made very good time and met up with Big and Slow as he had been waiting for us about 45 min.
The rest of the hike was a blur and a death march to the cars. The whole way out all I thought about was the good beer and great food at the gathering. I just wanted to say it was great meeting TCD, Ellen, Nicole, Big and Slow and seeing Jim again. You were all great hiking partners and I look forward to hiking with you all again.
Pictures to come tonight when I get them downloaded. They are awesome too!
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