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| Hiking | 5.50 Miles |
2,200 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.50 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 1.57 mph |
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| 2,200 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | 16 LBS Pack | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Bob kindly posted the 10 year anniversary of my first Mother Lode. I'd been looking forward to this one for some time. Cold weather and fresh snow put "The Veta Madre" into uncertainty. The committed manned up and the show went on.
We met three days before the hike or maybe it was 4:30am... shortest day of the year so do what ya gotta do. Karl delivered us safely to the evil empire of patchy kryptonite ( eskimos call it snow ).
With thermal pants under pants, two pairs of socks, three shirts, balaclava and goretex waffle stompers it wasn't too bad. Well save the howling wind. Bruce lent me his secondary windbreaker and Bob lent me his secondary set of warm ski gloves. I never got cold in the terms of what I expected... kill me now type of screaming cold if you are wondering.
We made excellent slow time to the saddle. Luckily everyone seemed fine with taking it easy so we wouldn't sweat then freeze. ( lesson learned on Jacinto )
Up in the chute it wasn't the worst case scenario with solid ice. It was light snow and slippery rock. Bruce and Karl didn't want to risk it. I think Bruce's decision was highly influenced by his wet feet. I'm sure many of us can relate to that feeling.
We took the defunct #253 ending on #130 on the way back. Blue skies opened up for awhile. Then we heard birds flying low through the brush chirping up a storm. In the past this has played out to a storm rolling in. Sure enough the skies darkened up and it was snowing on our last leg of the hike.
Interestingly it was more fun today than torture for a change. For the first time I can sort of understand how this type of experience is intriguing. Might even consider our experience today as... lucky. AutoRotate, Hodlofski and the Walrus missed out!
Carried 3 quarts water, maybe consumed 4 ounces
Karl isn't having the greatest luck with Mother. The third time will surely be the charm. Hope to be there when he meets that victory! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
