Re: Snow Travel for the Inexperienced
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:51 pm
Just returned Yosemite, albeit a few days early (TR to come...promise), with a few pertinent thoughts on this exact subject.
Now, I am somewhat skilled on ice and snow/ have practiced self arrest/know the importance of getting it done - now! Once upon a time, even took a class or two at Mammoth...never had to use it but...hike safe always my motto. I do have some backpacking experience; wear Vasque boots and carry poles - no ax or 'pons this trip. Anyway, just returned from this summer's route that foolishly included Red Peak's Pass, ..the north side was the only snow to be encountered...starting at Quartz Mountain TH, ending in Yosemite Valley.
FYI, Hiking solo sometimes requires some big Brass "Huevos"; even with all the self-knowledge and confidence, sometimes you just have to make that leap from granite to snow and hope.
There I was, atop the frickin’ 11,000 foot pass- solo, maybe 10:30 AM, not a cloud in the sky, looking down on 2 miles, maybe 2000 feet of elevation to immediately lose… the known trail lost somewhere under a stubborn white blanket, maybe 5% granite poking through, mostly just miles of snow with ‘cups.
The first 1/8 mile went well – a teaser…little did I know I was focked. Well, those big Brass ones soon came into contact with maybe 50 post-hole-to the-crotch delights (Big Brass soon turns into shrinking BB’s). Looking back, it would have been easier to go up immediately and abandon the route, but foolishly still thought it “easier” to go down.
There were three types of snow/suncups encountered that day: the ones that hold your weight, the ones that are snot-slick and ice-solid, and the ones where water has percolated beneath and appear solid, but are, in fact, only a dangerous crust. The trouble is that all three looked/look exactly the same.
I suppose that the worse part was falling through to the armpits, feet flailing, ice cold water visible …having to take off the pack…hoping not to watch it fall through…(it was the only way to get free). This happened twice. It took me 4+ hours to cover those 2 miles. I actually kissed the trail when I found it - dry.
The moral here is, no matter how experienced you are, traversing snow can be tricky and unpredictable. Be extra careful out there.
Now, I am somewhat skilled on ice and snow/ have practiced self arrest/know the importance of getting it done - now! Once upon a time, even took a class or two at Mammoth...never had to use it but...hike safe always my motto. I do have some backpacking experience; wear Vasque boots and carry poles - no ax or 'pons this trip. Anyway, just returned from this summer's route that foolishly included Red Peak's Pass, ..the north side was the only snow to be encountered...starting at Quartz Mountain TH, ending in Yosemite Valley.
FYI, Hiking solo sometimes requires some big Brass "Huevos"; even with all the self-knowledge and confidence, sometimes you just have to make that leap from granite to snow and hope.
There I was, atop the frickin’ 11,000 foot pass- solo, maybe 10:30 AM, not a cloud in the sky, looking down on 2 miles, maybe 2000 feet of elevation to immediately lose… the known trail lost somewhere under a stubborn white blanket, maybe 5% granite poking through, mostly just miles of snow with ‘cups.
The first 1/8 mile went well – a teaser…little did I know I was focked. Well, those big Brass ones soon came into contact with maybe 50 post-hole-to the-crotch delights (Big Brass soon turns into shrinking BB’s). Looking back, it would have been easier to go up immediately and abandon the route, but foolishly still thought it “easier” to go down.
There were three types of snow/suncups encountered that day: the ones that hold your weight, the ones that are snot-slick and ice-solid, and the ones where water has percolated beneath and appear solid, but are, in fact, only a dangerous crust. The trouble is that all three looked/look exactly the same.
I suppose that the worse part was falling through to the armpits, feet flailing, ice cold water visible …having to take off the pack…hoping not to watch it fall through…(it was the only way to get free). This happened twice. It took me 4+ hours to cover those 2 miles. I actually kissed the trail when I found it - dry.
The moral here is, no matter how experienced you are, traversing snow can be tricky and unpredictable. Be extra careful out there.