E
El Caminante
Guest
Date hiked: March 16, 2008
Lot's of snow but its spring-time in the mountains. Easy hike from Gray Knob hut to Edmonds' Col - crampons and poles used - could've done it with stabilicers. 30 degree temp and light wind in fog. Ice axe on Jefferson would've been useful - crampons a must.
The steep scramble up the Gulfside trail on Jefferson was totally covered with snow - one steep slope with almost no cairns or stones to orient yourself. Going up was relatively easy - only one way to the top!
Coming down was troubling - an infinite number of directions to go. Up and down aren't symmetrical I learned! Visibility was 50 feet at best, and our tracks were wiped out. The cairns were sparse - either covered by snow or not visible. We were often at a loss as to where to go. However, the three of us - Brian, Matt and me - spent our time thinking, talking and fanning out. We maintained our wits and eventually made it back to civilization, i.e. Edmonds Col. Spookiest moment was a very steep, icy slope - thoughts of tumbling down into Jefferson Ravine flashed by. Had problems with glasses freezing over with ice, goggles were fogged up. Whew!
Lessons learned: 1. Take a compass bearing when going up so going down is easier. 2. Have plan to deal with frozen glasses.
Suggestion to Brain and Matt: slow down so you can smell the flowers even if they are covered with rime.
Dr. Ball's words from his 3 nights on Mt Washington in 1855 rang so true:
All was alike to me; there was no reason why I should go one way rather than another; and I could have no prejudices to bias me in favor for or against any particular way.
What can I do? What is best to be done? What ought I do? for I am yet free to move and act. There is no reason why I should act impulsively or without thought, but rather from sober judgement.
Lot's of snow but its spring-time in the mountains. Easy hike from Gray Knob hut to Edmonds' Col - crampons and poles used - could've done it with stabilicers. 30 degree temp and light wind in fog. Ice axe on Jefferson would've been useful - crampons a must.
The steep scramble up the Gulfside trail on Jefferson was totally covered with snow - one steep slope with almost no cairns or stones to orient yourself. Going up was relatively easy - only one way to the top!
Coming down was troubling - an infinite number of directions to go. Up and down aren't symmetrical I learned! Visibility was 50 feet at best, and our tracks were wiped out. The cairns were sparse - either covered by snow or not visible. We were often at a loss as to where to go. However, the three of us - Brian, Matt and me - spent our time thinking, talking and fanning out. We maintained our wits and eventually made it back to civilization, i.e. Edmonds Col. Spookiest moment was a very steep, icy slope - thoughts of tumbling down into Jefferson Ravine flashed by. Had problems with glasses freezing over with ice, goggles were fogged up. Whew!
Lessons learned: 1. Take a compass bearing when going up so going down is easier. 2. Have plan to deal with frozen glasses.
Suggestion to Brain and Matt: slow down so you can smell the flowers even if they are covered with rime.
Dr. Ball's words from his 3 nights on Mt Washington in 1855 rang so true:
All was alike to me; there was no reason why I should go one way rather than another; and I could have no prejudices to bias me in favor for or against any particular way.
What can I do? What is best to be done? What ought I do? for I am yet free to move and act. There is no reason why I should act impulsively or without thought, but rather from sober judgement.
