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| Hiking | 5.50 Miles |
1,957 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.50 Miles | 3 Hrs 45 Mns | | 2.20 mph |
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| 1,957 ft AEG | 1 Hour 15 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | |
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| partners | | Since I usually do this hike closer to mid-year I was beginning to wonder if I'd keep my record alive of climbing Brown's Peak at least once each year. So although the weather was very unsettled, with a rare day off together we had already decided this was the hike we'd do.
On the drive out AZ 87 things didn't look good, with Four Peaks completely smothered in dark clouds. On the 19 mile drive out four Peaks Road it changed from low clouds, to clearing, to heavy dark clouds to bits of the sun peeking through so we kept our hopes up.
Once at the trailhead it appeared it might continue clearing so we didn't waste any time hitting the trail. On the climb to the saddle again we experienced the changes, one moment we could see the top of Brown's Peak, a moment later it was engulfed in thin clouds. Looking in the direction the weather seemed to be coming from when we hit the saddle it seemed we might finally have caught a break and it would clear. So we began the last part of the hike. As we went through the narrow area across to the chute the winds were whipping through at a furious pace but we soldiered on. But once in the the chute, the farther we climbed the denser the cloud became until it was practically a mist. When we were within 175 of the summit and couldn't see more than 50' while the wind was still whipping by, we decided it was best to turn back.
After exiting the chute, again we were met by high winds through the narrow section. Once we cleared that and started back down toward the saddle it was all we could do to stay on our feet. Then a short distance later we met a solo Scot from Ireland on his way up to the summit. As overcast and windy as it was, he reminded us that in Scotland it would have been a calm, sunny day. 
From there we took our time and by time we reached AZ 87 again the sky was clear above Four Peaks. Later I found out the Scot did in fact summit Brown's Peak, albeit with a few moments of his own.
Not many photos worthy of note but I'll post a few on HAZ, the full set here:
http://www.changephoenix.com/11/2011-10-26BrownsPeak.html |
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Route Editor
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