| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 14.00 Miles |
5,580 AEG |
| | Hiking | 14.00 Miles | | | |
| 5,580 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I have hiked this once before, last summer. In my opinion, this 14er is fairly epic for a "trail hike." I love the tundra, the base-camp at the boulder field, the keyhole which marks where the hike becomes a challenging scramble, the hellish chute, and the final accent to the top!
We got a later start, we were at the trail head by 7am; ideally sunrise is the best time to start this hike. We made incredible time, I got to lead and set the pace this time. We met the famous old climber Fred Becky except he had taken a serious fall of his horse on the way up, he was going to free climb the diamond face. We passed a few people that said oh no you cannot make it to the top today, its far too late. We continued on and made it to the top, just as the weather was moving in. We took my traditional summit pictures and realized it was time to MOVE! The hail hit, the summit scramble was so slippery when it was wet, it made the trip down SO treacherous. We traversed the inner basin in the hail, it wasn't difficult but the fall from a slip could have been deadly. It was cold and our hands were numb because it was necessary to use then on this scramble, by the time we reached the chute the rain had turned to sleet transforming it into a stream. We skidded our way down the scree waterfalls. The winds were so strong as we passed through the keyhole, then we used the memorial shelter to take off our soaked rain gear. We rested at base came for about 20 minutes but I was ready to go! I lead, literally sprinting down the mountain! There was some trail construction but never any obvious forks in the road. We were making great time... Or so I thought!
Ugh!  I would rather not explain this part but it was another important lesson to learn. We missed a critical fork in the road and (like a previous experience) I was headed down the wrong side of the mountain. I was ready to hit the tree line when Curtis said "This definitely not right!" I was so sore from the day before and going up again seemed impossible! We cut across hoping to intersect the trail, I was so beat I was using a pole and pulling myself up to it for each step! Then on the final up hill stretch Curtis carried my pack (and his)I was so tired dizzy and my legs felt like Jello from the day before. We saw the trail but it was across a huge basin, snow field, and mountain pond...
We caught the trail at battle mountain and noted the time, this detour took us 2.5 hrs but we reached the treeline. We were exhausted but when we passed the waterfalls the lighting was fantastic. I took a few tired pictures and continued on... My feet bottoms were blistered and really hurt but we sprinted down the trail towards the car! Yay!
Of course I wanted to see the trail head map to see what had happened! Ugh, it had happened that we missed the fork at the area where there was trail construction. I am usually observant and I can certainly follow a trail, but I guess this time my lesson was to check the trail map ahead of time to be conscience and cautious of any fork in the road, especially on the way down when you're tired! |
| _____________________
I don't have a computer… Not because I'm against having one. Really just hasn't been a top priority on my gear list.
I am now attempting to navigate, post, reply (etc..) this site with only an iPhone… Wish me luck! |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
