PA Ridgerunner
Active member
Fran and I had been planning on hiking Dix this day for about a month, so naturally we changed our mind. We thought it might be tough to get a parking spot at the Rt. 73 TH and we also just thought that on a holiday weekend Cliff we would be less crowded. We left the HPIC at 6:30 and had a very pleasant climb up and over Lake Arnold pass (is it actually called that?). Shortly after beginning our descent it started to rain lightly, but enough to make us put on our pack cover. Ten minutes later we were donning our rain gear. Still, it was all good. Very nice trail conditions. No trouble with the wet sections along the Opalescent...the spot with the bridge out was easily crossed on rocks. Saw our first hikers of the day heading up to Colden, one from Panther Gorge, and another pair from Feldspar leanto.
The rain was short-lived, but everything was soaked, so we kept our rain gear on until the Uphill leanto. Based on previous TRs we were expecting mud on the HP, so while breaking for a quick sandwich, we put on gaiters for the ascent. Good call.
I had been quite concerned about the cliffs on Cliff, and was grateful for HOL's advice which was spot on. "Nothing too bad, just stay focused, and take your time." It proved to be pretty challenging, but a lot of fun! ...and a little scary...
Here's one of Muddybottom (living up to her forum name) on the descent!
We hadn't seen any bugs until we reached the cliffs, when they started to appear, but were just a mild annoyance. A little deet kept them at bay. We ran into at least 6 or 7 people who had summited before us and all of them were kind enough to warn us of the false summit(which we knew about) and the black fly welcoming committee at the true summit(which HOL had warned about)! No dummies, we, Fran and I put on our head nets in col before the actual summit. Upon first footfall within sight of the summit sign, we were swarmed! :wtf:
A couple quick summit photos and we were outta there! The Clif bar was a prop...there is no way in hell either of us was gonna lift that net!
Enjoyed some very nice views on the descent.
More fun scrambling and sliding down the cliffs.
Stopped at Feldspar brook on the way out, filtered some water(delicious!), and headed back up the way we came, past Lake Arnold and back out to the Loj. In spite all the grumbling we've heard about that return route, we both found it to be very pleasant this day.
This peak was #36 for us, so now the countdown begins! Looking forward to an exciting summer and finish to this initial journey in the high peaks.
Here's the link to the slideshow: http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/577834491mzngKU?mediaPosition=1
The rain was short-lived, but everything was soaked, so we kept our rain gear on until the Uphill leanto. Based on previous TRs we were expecting mud on the HP, so while breaking for a quick sandwich, we put on gaiters for the ascent. Good call.
I had been quite concerned about the cliffs on Cliff, and was grateful for HOL's advice which was spot on. "Nothing too bad, just stay focused, and take your time." It proved to be pretty challenging, but a lot of fun! ...and a little scary...
Here's one of Muddybottom (living up to her forum name) on the descent!
We hadn't seen any bugs until we reached the cliffs, when they started to appear, but were just a mild annoyance. A little deet kept them at bay. We ran into at least 6 or 7 people who had summited before us and all of them were kind enough to warn us of the false summit(which we knew about) and the black fly welcoming committee at the true summit(which HOL had warned about)! No dummies, we, Fran and I put on our head nets in col before the actual summit. Upon first footfall within sight of the summit sign, we were swarmed! :wtf:
A couple quick summit photos and we were outta there! The Clif bar was a prop...there is no way in hell either of us was gonna lift that net!
Enjoyed some very nice views on the descent.
More fun scrambling and sliding down the cliffs.
Stopped at Feldspar brook on the way out, filtered some water(delicious!), and headed back up the way we came, past Lake Arnold and back out to the Loj. In spite all the grumbling we've heard about that return route, we both found it to be very pleasant this day.
This peak was #36 for us, so now the countdown begins! Looking forward to an exciting summer and finish to this initial journey in the high peaks.
Here's the link to the slideshow: http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/577834491mzngKU?mediaPosition=1
