The Sikes
Member
I guess I had a momentary laps in judgement because at the last minute we changed our minds about joining everyone and joined the group at the Ark for the winter weekend. I'm glad we did because we had a great time visiting and meeting new people but oh, the trip up Phelps on Saturday was interesting.
Starting off with blue skies, we thought the forecast had changed and we were very excited. It was very warm but we knew it was going to get colder as the day progressed. All geared up we headed off from the LOJ. We put snowshoes on almost immediately not because of the snow but because of the ice. I was wishing that I had put on my crampons but didn't feel like changing them. The trip to Marcy Dam was pleasant as the kids chatted and threw snowballs at each other. Poor Eric was suprised to hear we were almost at Marcy Dam. He realized just how much more there was to go. It did seem longer than in the summer but that is because we were walking with the snowshoes?
After a discussion of weather to swap to crampons or not, we continued on. The rain had been off and on. We were hoping for more off than on but that didn't happen. By the time we got to the Phelps junction, we opted to just do Phelps. We were all pretty wet and the weather didn't look like it was going to get better. Matter of fact, the temps were dropping and it was still raining/freezing rain. We started up and Eric had a spill right on his knee and decided to head back. He wanted to go to the top so badly but it was tough going today. We were dwindling. The rest of us trudged on. Phil (I forget his trail name) was with me and the kids. Mav and his wife were ahead. But when we started getting closer, the boys went ahead. Mav00 was already on his way back down when he said he would help the kids up the top part of the trail which was covered in ice. I finally had to stop and put my crampons on because I couldn't go up or down. Thanks to Phil for helping me lace them. I forgot how to do it! Then up we went. By the time I got to the top, Adam, Beth, Nick, Ashley and parents were heading down. Adam was chilly and had to get out of the biting wind and wet. Phil and I tagged the top, took a picture and also headed down. I wanted to catch up with my kids to make sure they were ok. Since this was only my second time on crampons, I was more careful. I met them at the really large ice area. Adam said he was good so we all continued on. Once we were back at the junction, the walk was just that...a walk out with a mix of rocks, snow and ice and the rain still coming and going. What a mess. We made it to the car. I was glad we were all safe and that noone got hypothermia or worse. I have to say these were the worse conditions I've hiked in and normally I wouldn't have hiked in them if it weren't for others with us. Adam said it was the best miserable hike he's done. (He hates rain) I'm glad we went despite the conditions. We learned alot and will adjust accordingly. As we came down, we finished with snow coming down. What a day! 3 seasons in a day!
ONE DONE IN NY. Don't worry Marta, we won't be doing these like we did the summer ones.
Starting off with blue skies, we thought the forecast had changed and we were very excited. It was very warm but we knew it was going to get colder as the day progressed. All geared up we headed off from the LOJ. We put snowshoes on almost immediately not because of the snow but because of the ice. I was wishing that I had put on my crampons but didn't feel like changing them. The trip to Marcy Dam was pleasant as the kids chatted and threw snowballs at each other. Poor Eric was suprised to hear we were almost at Marcy Dam. He realized just how much more there was to go. It did seem longer than in the summer but that is because we were walking with the snowshoes?
After a discussion of weather to swap to crampons or not, we continued on. The rain had been off and on. We were hoping for more off than on but that didn't happen. By the time we got to the Phelps junction, we opted to just do Phelps. We were all pretty wet and the weather didn't look like it was going to get better. Matter of fact, the temps were dropping and it was still raining/freezing rain. We started up and Eric had a spill right on his knee and decided to head back. He wanted to go to the top so badly but it was tough going today. We were dwindling. The rest of us trudged on. Phil (I forget his trail name) was with me and the kids. Mav and his wife were ahead. But when we started getting closer, the boys went ahead. Mav00 was already on his way back down when he said he would help the kids up the top part of the trail which was covered in ice. I finally had to stop and put my crampons on because I couldn't go up or down.
Thanks to Phil for helping me lace them. I forgot how to do it! Then up we went. By the time I got to the top, Adam, Beth, Nick, Ashley and parents were heading down. Adam was chilly and had to get out of the biting wind and wet. Phil and I tagged the top, took a picture and also headed down. I wanted to catch up with my kids to make sure they were ok. Since this was only my second time on crampons, I was more careful. I met them at the really large ice area. Adam said he was good so we all continued on. Once we were back at the junction, the walk was just that...a walk out with a mix of rocks, snow and ice and the rain still coming and going. What a mess. We made it to the car. I was glad we were all safe and that noone got hypothermia or worse. I have to say these were the worse conditions I've hiked in and normally I wouldn't have hiked in them if it weren't for others with us. Adam said it was the best miserable hike he's done. (He hates rain) I'm glad we went despite the conditions. We learned alot and will adjust accordingly. As we came down, we finished with snow coming down. What a day! 3 seasons in a day! ONE DONE IN NY. Don't worry Marta, we won't be doing these like we did the summer ones.
