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While decidedly fall at the base, full winter conditions on top. Valley Way was fine to Watson cut-off, a bit muddy, a bit icy, but easy to avoid tricky spots. After Watson, ice flows covered trail in a few sections-- most of us were using microspikes by then. Snow steadily increased but was well-packed and crusty, maybe 8 inches or so drifting much deeper above tree line.
The wind was wicked. It was recorded between 50-65 on Washington about that time and seemed similar on Madison. Most of us were able to stand to summit, but some crawled. Traction required-- microspikes or crampons. Temps in the high teens at top, so it was COLD!
By the time we reached tree line the cloud cover was blowing away so we were treated to robin's egg blue skies. There was really nowhere at Madison hut to get fully out of the wind, and despite an open door for the on-going construction, no shelter for hikers. The most sheltered spot was between the trees just below or just after the hut.
We ran into some younger men who were unable to summit Adams because of the wind, but did fine on Madison.
All in all a great day, albeit one that seemed more like February than October!!!
The wind was wicked. It was recorded between 50-65 on Washington about that time and seemed similar on Madison. Most of us were able to stand to summit, but some crawled. Traction required-- microspikes or crampons. Temps in the high teens at top, so it was COLD!
By the time we reached tree line the cloud cover was blowing away so we were treated to robin's egg blue skies. There was really nowhere at Madison hut to get fully out of the wind, and despite an open door for the on-going construction, no shelter for hikers. The most sheltered spot was between the trees just below or just after the hut.
We ran into some younger men who were unable to summit Adams because of the wind, but did fine on Madison.
All in all a great day, albeit one that seemed more like February than October!!!
