|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 5.85 Miles |
1,907 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.85 Miles | 4 Hrs 37 Mns | | 1.55 mph |
| 1,907 ft AEG | 50 Mns Break | 5 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Casual Hiker and Lurker of HAZ for a while. Thought I'd join HAZ and start things off with a first... that being my first trip over Pass Mountain Ridgeline.
Been to Windcave numerous times, always gazing up to the luring Ridgeline. Something about those high places and spectacular views. Well, today, curiosity and motivation got the best of me, and I bit. Hadn't really planned on it, originally heading out around 830am, intending to just get up to the South peak above Windcave. Got up onto the South peak (edit: 3127), took in the sights, and on the way back off the peak, met a couple on their way up. They were the last people I'd see before getting back to the parking lot hours later. Instead of climbing back down to Windcave, the Ridgeline called to me... it didn't look so bad, and other HAZ-ers had been through there, I figured I could do it. Armed with downloaded GPS routes, 72 oz of water, a couple Clif bars, brand new hike boots, I went for it.
First challenge - the climb just past the large slot. No way around it. Took it nice and slow and careful, got through it, whee. Got up further, crossed the interesting "high plains". Followed by more climbing, then meandered over to the "East" Peak (edit: NOT 3127, not sure what it is?) and visited the Cairn. Guess I missed the Guestbook by passing up the (edit: "Highest") Peak 3312, oops, there's reason to go back now.  I was feeling like it was time to proceed and get back down. Continued North, eventually choosing the route posted by Hansenaz to get off the Ridgeline. Next challenge was getting down an area of stepped tuff, just enough drop to cause injury in a slip/fall, a bit nerve-wracking. Beyond that, it was a consistent, rapid descent down scree-ville, but it felt like it took forever. Had the traction to keep upright the whole way down, but that cooked my leg muscles pretty good! Relieved to finally meet up with Pass Loop, but still a couple miles N of parking lot, pretty warm out at this point, sore legs/feet, low water. Took my last drink 10 min before arriving at Parking Lot.
It was rather spontaneous, and not well planned, but I'm glad I took the bait and pushed through it, looking forward to doing it again. I recorded my route - if I figure out how to post it - I'll contribute it. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
