Noonmark 1/29

Neil · Jan 31, 2005

Noonmark - VFTT ''group'' hike.

Participants: Myself and spouse, Sylvie. Crazymama and two Crazy Garandmamas

Normally, I might not write a TR for a mountain like NM however yesterday's hike was special because of the company.
We got to the TH at 9:00 and there were lots of cars pulling in so I walked around asking people if they were from VFTT and got a few blank stares. Then I remembered: a grey Honda Odyssey van was what I was waiting for, and sure enough in pulls Crazymama. What a surprise when along with Crazymama, two Crazygrandmas piled out. My eye quickly scanned their flatland snowshoes and I thought to myself, ''This should be interesting'' And indeed it was, I was treated to a great day in inspiring company.

The lower reaches of NM are fairly flat and we cruised along chatting and getting acquainted enjoying the warm temps under sunny skies. Gradually the pitch steepened and those flatland shoes were a hindrance, especially with all the ice on the trail. No problem at first, we skirted the tough sections by going thru the bush. Finally it was too steep for the shoes and out came the crampons, 4 point insteppers which were far and away less effective than my wife's and my MSR's (Denali Ascents) which stuck like glue to whatever the trail dished out. After a while it was obvious that those insteppers were nobody's friend so Sylvie and I insisted that Lyle and Nancy take our 10 pointers which weren’t doing anybody any good sitting in our packs.

We were fairly high on the mtn. when the gals made finally accepted (relented) and made the changeover to ''real '' crampons. The words tenacity and determination come readily to mind when I reflect on how they ascended some of those steep icy sections before making the switch.

With everyone wearing 10 pointers or MSR’s we made the summit upon which we lounged, ate, took pictures etc.
(Techie note: MSR snowshoes were far and away more effective than instep crampons yesterday. I’ve never used the insteps but they seemed rather useless in Saturday’s conditions which were ice, covered with an inch or two of semi-consolidated snow)

The descent was handled very well by the MSR’s although I did wind up on my butt once while trying to telemark ski with them. A little coaching and encouragement got the mid-sixties grandmother first-time crampon users (these women had guts!) down without mishap and we ended our day with dinner at the Ausable Inn.

mavs00 · Jan 31, 2005

Thats sounds sooooo great, I wish we could have made it. Lyle is great, ain't she

. Glad it was fun. I've decieded Noonmark will be number 100 for me.

crazymama · Jan 31, 2005

Neil and Sylvie,

The helping hands, lending of equipment, and most of all patience and sense of humor was much appreciated in helping us all make it to the summit.

What a great day and great company! The hike through the woods, with occasional views of Giant and the Great Range was wonderful on such a clear sunny winter day. I especially enjoyed basking in the sun at the summit while we lunched with spectacular views of Dix and the Great Range.

I never thought the day would come when I would say that I LOVE my crampons (my Grivel G-10s), but I do. I learned a lot that day.

I definitely want to hike that one again, next time in summer!

CM

Neil · Feb 8, 2005

Finally, I stoped hiking long enough to put the pics up on my site.

http://www.neil.webcentre.ca/outdoor pursuits/index.html

nanagogirl · Mar 8, 2005

Great Friends Are ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU!

REPLYTOTRIPHI NEAL AND SYLVIE, JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I NOW OWN A PAIR OF 10PT DIAMONDBACK CRAMPONS. WHEN I HAVE EXTRA MONEY I WILL INVEST IN THOSE DENALI SNOWSHOES. I REALLY HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME ON NOONMARK AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN. I'M ON MY WAY TO ITALY TOMORROW FOR A LITTLE R&R BY THE SEA. CRAZYMAMA KEEPS IN TOUCH ALONG WITH KAREN WHO I HOPE TO INSPIRE TOWARD THE SKIES. NANCY SKIFF(nanagogirl) Viewsfromthetop.