Mount Tom, Fields and Willey 2-19-2006

[kmac]

Mt.Tom, Fields and Willey on a cold blustery day!!
Satori and I had a comfortable stay at the Lyon’s Bunkhouse on Rt. 3 and after having a hot bowl of oatmeal and coffee, we were on our way.

We decided that we would ascend via the Avalon Trail to the A-z trail and continue on the Willey Range trail and down the Ethan Pond Trail, we spotted a car at the EPT and parked one at the Highland center.

We got on our way about 8:20, after hiking some we shed a few layers and continued onward. The day was overcast and the winds and temperature were making for a cold ascent to all 3 peaks. Breaks were short and sweet for fear of catching a chill, both Satori and I downed our hot soup at the base of Willey before ascending and once there, took our pics and moved on.

The trails were well traveled and there were few to no blowdowns, even after such a windy Friday and Sat. The trail to Mt Field was covered by blowing snow but didn’t impede our progress. We opted to wear our crampons for the entire hike. We definitely needed them on the descent of the Willey Range Trail, very steep in some places.

Even though are views were limited to what was basically in front of us, we had a wonderful day. The trees were all covered with snow and just the quietness and beauty of the forest made it all worthwhile.

Satori finished 7-8-9 of her winter peaks and for those of you who know her, she was randomly jumping for joy!

And I almost forgot, while staying at the Lyon’s bunkhouse we had the pleasure of meeting Unfrozen Caveman and Big Earl, it was a delight talking to you both. I was glad to read you both successfully finished your Sunday travels safely. : ) Congrats to you both!!
kmac

pics:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hikerunkmac/album?.dir=/b836&.src=ph




**For those of you who haven't yet discovered Lyon's Bunkhouse on Rt.3 it's quite a find. Rates are $20 for a shared bunkroom and there is a common kitchen with all the amenities of home.

 

[Double Bow]

Nice TR! Glad you had a good time and made it out and back safe and sound!

 

[BIGEarl]

KMAC,

Nice report. I sense you had a very enjoyable hike even though the conditions were a test. Glad you hiked all three.

I really enjoyed meeting you and Satori as well.

We made it through Sunday without any problems, mainly because we didn't hike. After leaving Lyons we went to the Highland Center at about 4:30am and checked the forecast that was posted while we were there. It wasn't particularly attractive to us so we decided to call it a weekend early.

Oh well.

We'll have a fresh start this weekend - again at Lyons!

Hope to see both of you again soon.

Earl

 

[BIGEarl]

One more thing.....

KMAC,

Satori was mentioning a serious problem she was having. Do you happen to know if she has figured out voicemail on her cell phone yet?

 

[yam]

good trip report! thanks for sharing.

 

[kmac]

KMAC,

Satori was mentioning a serious problem she was having. Do you happen to know if she has figured out voicemail on her cell phone yet?

No, I can't say that she has : ) she needs a class in "cell phone 101" : ) for sure I needed that when I first got my phone.
For goodness sake, I thought for sure I read something, I am sorry you guys didn't get to hike, you should have joined us. Maybe next time: )

kmac

 

[UNFROZENCAVEMAN]

Nice job girls!

Great meeting you two and chatting into the night. And Satori, if you read this.......you had me thinking, "God I like females!" The work you did on my lower back was appreciated more than you can imagine. That stetch you showed me has really been helping, thanks again!

As for hiking that day......well I think our legs and feet really needed some downtime, and there wasn't really anything that we could get that would have made sense so we took the day off in preparation for this coming weekend, see ya at Lyons.

 

[BIGEarl]

Actually, as for not hiking on Sunday....

It was called because of the weather forecast that we got at the Highland center early in the morning, which agreed with the forecast on the Weather Channel. There was at least one other hike that made sense, even on a short day. The decision was based on the expected weather conditions.

Tired legs and feet had nothing to do with it. We had a very short day on Saturday.

Earl