Halfway
across Avalanche
Lake.
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Back at our camp. Lots of
snow. Before heading to our camp, we hiked a bit down the trail to
see if any of the lean-tos were available. One
was, so we
decided to haul all our stuff from our camp to the lean-to. Just as
we were, we met this couple who'd just hiked in and looking for
a place to stay. Though technically we're supposed to share the
lean-to, we offered our old campsite and they took it. And
yeah they were
French Canadian. She did all the talking until we
headed out with the last of our stuff and he finally said thank
you.
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Ah the lean-to.
Now we didn't have to worry about getting cold and wet as the
snow fell on us. This happened to be the same lean-to Jen and
I
stayed at back in 2003.
GPS
Coordinates: N44 08.835 W73 57.304
Elevation:
2636ft
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Technically we don't have to set the tent up
inside, but it does make for a real cozy
shelter.
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Our view at breakfast.
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Hiking out
through Marcy Dam. I tried feeding the Chick-a-dees, but there
weren't any on this
trip.
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A look
back at Mt. Colden from Marcy Dam. Colden is the white rocky looking
point in the center with the snow blowing off of it. The slide
is
Avalanche Pass.
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In Keene Valley
there's the Noon Mark Diner. Great food before or
after a trip to the High Peaks. We stopped in for lunch on our way
out.
While we were there, all the local rangers stopped in for
lunch as well. Apparently they'd made a rescue that night/morning.
Some guy had
tried to climb a bunch of peaks over the weekend. He
went fast and light (not much gear). Somewhere along the way, he got
lost, then got
really cold in the middle of the night. At two in
the morning, they were headed into the wilderness with the
snowmobile. Turns out he was
a thousand feet higher in elevation
then he thought when he radioed for help. He was at 4,000ft. That's
a cold place to be with only a
hammock tent. Hauling him out
they told him all his accomplished peaks were null and void for that
weekend. If you have to get a ride out
because you got lost
and cold, they don't count.
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I took a bunch of self-portraits on the
trip. I think it's fun to see the conditions of me as the trip
progresses. No better way then expressions.
I put them, with
captions, into this little javasript spin
control.
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Beginning of the trip. It's all fun in the sun.
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Here's a map detailing where we were on this
trip and our attempts on Mt. Colden. Mt. Colden is only the 11th
tallest peak in the High Peaks.
We keep trying it because it's
convenient to our location. Maybe one day we'll get it, maybe we
won't. As long as I'm around to talk
about it, I don't really
care.
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Lessons
Learned
| Propane |
Propane burns really
hot (actually it's boiling temp is really really
low.) and melts snow easily. Great winter
camping resource. Too bad they don't make smaller lighter
versions. |
| Gore-Tex XCR |
Gotta have dependable
waterproof/breathable shell. If it's snowing you'll get wet
and can't wear down, which means you'll get cold.
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| Chemical Heat Warmers |
If you get to the point
of hypothermic cold, your body can no longer create its own
heat. Sure you can climb in your sleeping bag with a down coat
on, but your core isn't warm enough to warm yourself
up. Unless you want to crawl in an already claustaphobic
bag with someone who is warm, chemical heat warmers could
be used to bring enough heat to your core and hopefully
get you out of the hypothermic state. At least
enough till help arrives. I didn't bring any with me
on this trip. I didn't need them, but they're an emergency
necessity. |
| Wet Clothes |
At night you stuff your
wet clothes with you in your sleeping bag to dry them. The
first night my clothes weren't that wet. The second night,
after hiking and climbing everywhere, they were pretty wet.
When I first got in my bag, it was toasty warm. After about 10
minutes. I got cold. I was actually shivering in a -20
sleeping bag. I figured it was the wet clothes and as soon as
they dried, I'd be warm again. Sure enough. I slept fine
without getting cold in the middle of the night. In the
future, it would be smart to put the clothes in the bag, put
on your down coat and "hang out", play cards or something till
the clothes dry enough to keep you from shivering. It was a
little un-nerving going to sleep with chills in a -20 degree
sleeping bag. |
| Jeff |
Jeff and I have been
backpacking together since college. We compliment each other
very well. Each of our strengths and weaknesses matching where
the others need them. I may have had more fitness and resolve
to get to the top of Colden, but Jeff wasn't having it. That's
fine. Without him, I wouldn't be doing this at all - I
wouldn't get to enjoy the beauty of the north woods in winter.
At camp, I was done. I get really cold and miserable when I'm
not moving enough. Sitting around waiting for snow to boil
takes me down. I was ready to pack up and head out to a motel.
Jeff said no way. He was comfortable and fine. I would be too.
We've been doing this long enough to figure out what's right
and safe for both of us, because there's no way either of us
are doing it
alone. | |
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