Dix from Round Pond Sat Feb 12

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Broke trail, 12-15in of snow to Bouquet Lean-to. 3ft of snow or more over 3800ft. took 12hrs to cover 13.6 miles. Started at 7:30 am. Hit round pond for sun rise over mountains, knew it was going to be a long day as we made the steady climb to the junction with the Noonmark trail. Made decent time to Bouquet lean-to. Steady climb to base of slide was exhausting. Pace slowed to a crawl up slide. Took 3 hrs to go last 1 1/2. Literally crawled up mountain, snoeshoes had little effect on this much powder on such a steep slope, switched to crampons for traction. Same 1 1/2 mile took 25 minutes on the way down though, that was a lot of fun. 8hrs up, 4 hrs down. Back to truck at 7:30 pm. More exhausted than when I climbed Basin, Saddleback, Gothics, Armstrong and Wolfjaws in one day in the summer. Incredible day, although a bit cloudy, light snow steady throughout the day. Pack more energy food, more water, headlamps.

 

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what what how was the view

 

[shin murnane]

Dix

I was lucky enough to do Dix a couple of years ago in 6 to 8 inches of fresh snow and I agree with your assessment, what a challange. Unlike you by the time I reached the summit there wasn't a cloud in the sky and there was hardly any wind, so I was even luckier than you were. The high peaks sure are something to behild.