Tuco
New member
I've been stuck on 41 for my all season for months now so I decided a month ago to do Cannon to add another on. Additionally, I needed to get home early so that seemed perfect. Earlier in the week, Rols emailed and tempted me with doing Mt Clay- we had enjoyed being up there during last years Presi Traverse and we had great luck with spring hikes on the Presi Ridge last year. So I gave up the list again and we headed to Clay- that of the non-48 eligible variety.
There were reports of possible heavy winds so we geared up appropriately. We left from Base Station and the trail was packed nicely. Somebody had postholed on the side of the trail all the way up to treeline- it was easy enough to get around but that guy looked like he had a real bad time. We put on Stabilicers since the surface was a little crusty and it helped move along quicker. It was warm in the woods, but as we headed up we started to hear the wind coming from the north as you move towards treeline. Then Paul fell victim to a spruce trap, the grand posthole, where his leg disappeared all the way in. After we stopped to eat and gear up for treeline, we put on facemasks, heavier gloves and took out goggles. We broke out and the views were great. We could see for miles and could see Mt Lafayette's snow covered cap in the distance. Shortly after heading up above treeline, the snow dropped off and there was a mixture of bare rock and ice. We barebooted and that worked fine. We moved on to the Gulfside trail junction and saw Washington sitting there, starting us in the face, but decided not to try since I had to get home early. Instead of going around to the Clay loop, we headed straight up Clay and around the side and caught up with the loop trail between the two bumps (being very careful of course to avoid the alpine vegetation) There were a couple of unnerving snow fields on Clay that went straight down to the Great Gulf so we stayed to the outside of them.
We summited and low and behold, blaring warm sun and light winds. We definietly didn't need goggles and facemasks were not necessary either. We stayed on the summit for nearly 45 minutes and took lots of pix and enjoyed the views. Paul and I agree, The summit of Clay is a great place to see all of the presis and have great views of all the Whites and beyond. I look forward to being there again soon. (and Paul, thanks for the cake!).
Heading down we put traction back on since the warm sun made the trail a little slick and it improved our time. Lower on, the trail was slushy at times as it headed down but there was almost no problem of postholing.
This was one of those great days that you remember on the trails, even better when you get surprised with the weathers cooperation.
Only down side was I lost a Stabilicer coming off of Clay- I have no idea where but if you find one let me know!
pix of the trip here http://tuco.smugmug.com/gallery/2651004#140151277
attempt at 360 summit video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L2MaxxAXL8
There were reports of possible heavy winds so we geared up appropriately. We left from Base Station and the trail was packed nicely. Somebody had postholed on the side of the trail all the way up to treeline- it was easy enough to get around but that guy looked like he had a real bad time. We put on Stabilicers since the surface was a little crusty and it helped move along quicker. It was warm in the woods, but as we headed up we started to hear the wind coming from the north as you move towards treeline. Then Paul fell victim to a spruce trap, the grand posthole, where his leg disappeared all the way in. After we stopped to eat and gear up for treeline, we put on facemasks, heavier gloves and took out goggles. We broke out and the views were great. We could see for miles and could see Mt Lafayette's snow covered cap in the distance. Shortly after heading up above treeline, the snow dropped off and there was a mixture of bare rock and ice. We barebooted and that worked fine. We moved on to the Gulfside trail junction and saw Washington sitting there, starting us in the face, but decided not to try since I had to get home early. Instead of going around to the Clay loop, we headed straight up Clay and around the side and caught up with the loop trail between the two bumps (being very careful of course to avoid the alpine vegetation) There were a couple of unnerving snow fields on Clay that went straight down to the Great Gulf so we stayed to the outside of them.
We summited and low and behold, blaring warm sun and light winds. We definietly didn't need goggles and facemasks were not necessary either. We stayed on the summit for nearly 45 minutes and took lots of pix and enjoyed the views. Paul and I agree, The summit of Clay is a great place to see all of the presis and have great views of all the Whites and beyond. I look forward to being there again soon. (and Paul, thanks for the cake!).
Heading down we put traction back on since the warm sun made the trail a little slick and it improved our time. Lower on, the trail was slushy at times as it headed down but there was almost no problem of postholing.
This was one of those great days that you remember on the trails, even better when you get surprised with the weathers cooperation.
Only down side was I lost a Stabilicer coming off of Clay- I have no idea where but if you find one let me know!
pix of the trip here http://tuco.smugmug.com/gallery/2651004#140151277
attempt at 360 summit video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L2MaxxAXL8
