Rols
New member
Trail Conditions: The trail was not broken out. It had fresh powder 5 to 8 inches (deeper where there was drifting). It is well broken out now. There is a fork in the trail at about 400' where we lot the trail and then back tracked to pick it up again....stay left at the fork. Several people had followed our incorrect route so the incorrect path has been well traveled. The section above tree line had very hard ice but the MSR's were adequlate.
Special Equipment: We wore snowshoes the entire route. A few after us bare booted and those that did postholed frequently. Snowshoes with excellent traction or crampons were needed for the summit. Full Winter gear was essential.
Comments: Eric (Tuco) and I enjoyed the day. We had planned Washington but changed to Pierce because of the wind forecast. This turned out to be a good decision. It was zero degrees near the summit with 35 mph winds. We made good time even with trail breaking duties. We got a chuckle out of loosing the trail since between the two of us we have taken that route close to a dozen times. It was a perfect way to start Spring hiking....Winter conditions. A great day made even more pleasurable by the friendly hikers we encountered along the day.
Special Equipment: We wore snowshoes the entire route. A few after us bare booted and those that did postholed frequently. Snowshoes with excellent traction or crampons were needed for the summit. Full Winter gear was essential.
Comments: Eric (Tuco) and I enjoyed the day. We had planned Washington but changed to Pierce because of the wind forecast. This turned out to be a good decision. It was zero degrees near the summit with 35 mph winds. We made good time even with trail breaking duties. We got a chuckle out of loosing the trail since between the two of us we have taken that route close to a dozen times. It was a perfect way to start Spring hiking....Winter conditions. A great day made even more pleasurable by the friendly hikers we encountered along the day.
