Bombadil
Active member
3.19.11
Sometimes it’s funny how fast we can push the envelope and redefine what we as hikers think we’re capable of. Just a few months ago I was less than 1/3 of the way through the W48 after one winter, setting out to tackle as many peaks as I could muster this winter without going overboard. I had a number of solid hikes in mind for the winter, but as recently as a few weeks ago I still couldn’t fathom doing something like a winter presidential traverse. But after a few ‘stretch’ hikes, we decided if we got a good weather window we’d seize the opportunity to make a run at a traverse. I had hoped to finish the W48 with a traverse but bad weather and work kept me from getting out this past week to do the one other hike I needed so on Friday with the great forecast it came down to a) go for a traverse or b) finish the W48 on galehead/twins. We went for option a) and I don’t regret it one bit!
I had hoped for a fairly early start but Alton, myself, and Andrew settled on a 5:15 am meetup at the Highland Center and were on our way up Valley Way by 6:15 am. I must say that as we ascended in a light wind and a light but steady snow maybe the slightly later start wasn’t such a bad idea afterall. This notion was further reinforced when we got to Madison Hut sometime after 9 still enveloped in the clouds, a solid wind, cold temps, and no immediate show that the sun was about to poke through as was forecasted. We dropped our packs, put on crampons, and headed up for Madison. Up above the hut the wind only got worse and I felt the drain of the big climb and the early warning pains of the cold on exposed skin. I was beginning to silently wonder if the weather would improve in time so that we could go for the traverse. By the summit we crossed paths with a group of 3 who had hoped to do the same hike but similarly expressed minor reservations.
Back down at the hut we agreed we’d head for tstorm jct and then make a turn for Adams and hopefully have a better idea about conditions. About ¾ of the way towards tstorm jct we took a more direct route up a set of snowfields to the summit. On the summit of Adams it was a bit on the cool and windy side but there were hints of the sky getting lighter as we took a shortcut to descend to gulfside.
Working our way up Adams
By the time we reached Edmands we could get occasional glimpses of the Great Gulf and Washington to the south and Castle Ravine to the north.
Views down to Castle Ravine
Alton led us up to the north of Jefferson, briefly starting out around Cornice but cutting uphill via snowfields to bypass the steep sideslope areas encountered on Gulfside.
A shot 'mid-bushwhack' up Jefferson
Taking it all in on our way up Jefferson
By the time we hit Jefferson we were basking in the sun and without saying a word we all knew we were going to have a heck of a day.
Soaking up the sun on Jefferson
We hung out for a bit above Monticello lawn out of the wind (more like a strong breeze on our backs at this point) to refuel for the climb up Washington. Here our competitors (Alton politely informed them they were in a race) jumped in front of us and went up and over Clay whereas we elected to stick to Gulfside. All was well and good until the upper end of the Clay Loop where my energy hit the low for the day. That last mile always seems to drag on and on with the summit buildings seemingly just a stone’s throw away.
Andrew taking a moment to rest his head
Awesome view of our next targets as we head down off the summit cone
Quick refuel on Eisenhower
Back down into those green things that grow out of the snow as we say goodbye to the view.
At Lakes of the Clouds we took our big break of the day and shortly thereafter we were up on top of Monroe and then charging ahead to Eisenhower getting ever closer to our goal, and going toe-to-toe with our friendly group of 3. We were all feeling a little beat by Eisenhower but in seeing how close Pierce and Jackson were compared to how far we’d come we were riding a bit of a high in knowing that we were making good time and had an outside chance of finishing under daylight. With that in mind we pushed up over the little bump of Pierce and thankfully Webster Cliff was broken out. En route to Pierce we jumped in front of our 3 friends one last time, I regret we never asked their names but it was great to have a friendly game of leapfrog to motivate us throughout the day. Great hike guys! After Pierce we fought through the tree tops a bit in getting to Mizpah and now below treeline the rest of the hike was a blur but there was definitely a giddy atmosphere as we charged downhill, reaching 302 just after 7:30. All three of us agreed in a bit of surprise that we expected to be considerably more fatigued and sore at the end of the hike. The excellent firm conditions certainly had a large part to play in that.
All in all we managed to take in some amazing views while proving to ourselves we have the tenacity, strength, endurance, and teamwork to band together and accomplish something most people would never attempt. So thanks for the nudge Alton, until recently I didn't know I had it in me. I liked the idea but it still seemed abstract and now we've done it and done it well. Que up the next challenge!
Sometimes it’s funny how fast we can push the envelope and redefine what we as hikers think we’re capable of. Just a few months ago I was less than 1/3 of the way through the W48 after one winter, setting out to tackle as many peaks as I could muster this winter without going overboard. I had a number of solid hikes in mind for the winter, but as recently as a few weeks ago I still couldn’t fathom doing something like a winter presidential traverse. But after a few ‘stretch’ hikes, we decided if we got a good weather window we’d seize the opportunity to make a run at a traverse. I had hoped to finish the W48 with a traverse but bad weather and work kept me from getting out this past week to do the one other hike I needed so on Friday with the great forecast it came down to a) go for a traverse or b) finish the W48 on galehead/twins. We went for option a) and I don’t regret it one bit!
I had hoped for a fairly early start but Alton, myself, and Andrew settled on a 5:15 am meetup at the Highland Center and were on our way up Valley Way by 6:15 am. I must say that as we ascended in a light wind and a light but steady snow maybe the slightly later start wasn’t such a bad idea afterall. This notion was further reinforced when we got to Madison Hut sometime after 9 still enveloped in the clouds, a solid wind, cold temps, and no immediate show that the sun was about to poke through as was forecasted. We dropped our packs, put on crampons, and headed up for Madison. Up above the hut the wind only got worse and I felt the drain of the big climb and the early warning pains of the cold on exposed skin. I was beginning to silently wonder if the weather would improve in time so that we could go for the traverse. By the summit we crossed paths with a group of 3 who had hoped to do the same hike but similarly expressed minor reservations.
Back down at the hut we agreed we’d head for tstorm jct and then make a turn for Adams and hopefully have a better idea about conditions. About ¾ of the way towards tstorm jct we took a more direct route up a set of snowfields to the summit. On the summit of Adams it was a bit on the cool and windy side but there were hints of the sky getting lighter as we took a shortcut to descend to gulfside.
Working our way up Adams
By the time we reached Edmands we could get occasional glimpses of the Great Gulf and Washington to the south and Castle Ravine to the north.
Views down to Castle Ravine
Alton led us up to the north of Jefferson, briefly starting out around Cornice but cutting uphill via snowfields to bypass the steep sideslope areas encountered on Gulfside.
A shot 'mid-bushwhack' up Jefferson
Taking it all in on our way up Jefferson
By the time we hit Jefferson we were basking in the sun and without saying a word we all knew we were going to have a heck of a day.
Soaking up the sun on Jefferson
We hung out for a bit above Monticello lawn out of the wind (more like a strong breeze on our backs at this point) to refuel for the climb up Washington. Here our competitors (Alton politely informed them they were in a race) jumped in front of us and went up and over Clay whereas we elected to stick to Gulfside. All was well and good until the upper end of the Clay Loop where my energy hit the low for the day. That last mile always seems to drag on and on with the summit buildings seemingly just a stone’s throw away.
Andrew taking a moment to rest his head
Awesome view of our next targets as we head down off the summit cone
Quick refuel on Eisenhower
Back down into those green things that grow out of the snow as we say goodbye to the view.
At Lakes of the Clouds we took our big break of the day and shortly thereafter we were up on top of Monroe and then charging ahead to Eisenhower getting ever closer to our goal, and going toe-to-toe with our friendly group of 3. We were all feeling a little beat by Eisenhower but in seeing how close Pierce and Jackson were compared to how far we’d come we were riding a bit of a high in knowing that we were making good time and had an outside chance of finishing under daylight. With that in mind we pushed up over the little bump of Pierce and thankfully Webster Cliff was broken out. En route to Pierce we jumped in front of our 3 friends one last time, I regret we never asked their names but it was great to have a friendly game of leapfrog to motivate us throughout the day. Great hike guys! After Pierce we fought through the tree tops a bit in getting to Mizpah and now below treeline the rest of the hike was a blur but there was definitely a giddy atmosphere as we charged downhill, reaching 302 just after 7:30. All three of us agreed in a bit of surprise that we expected to be considerably more fatigued and sore at the end of the hike. The excellent firm conditions certainly had a large part to play in that.
All in all we managed to take in some amazing views while proving to ourselves we have the tenacity, strength, endurance, and teamwork to band together and accomplish something most people would never attempt. So thanks for the nudge Alton, until recently I didn't know I had it in me. I liked the idea but it still seemed abstract and now we've done it and done it well. Que up the next challenge!
