Distance: Washington Trails Association shows 4 km to Skyline Lake, based on non-winter weather.
Time: 8 hours.
Weight: Approximately 30-35 pounds. Used 85-liter backpack, crammed with first aid gear, mountaineering harness for rope descents, lots of backup dry clothing and cold weather survival clothing, etc.
Weather: Clear sky and sunny. Unexpected. I had packed for cold and rain, and the temp was in the 50s at least.
Elevation gain: Roughly 1,000 feet, based on pass elevation of about 1050 feet and elevation of Skyline Lake at 5092 feet.
Accumulation elevation gain for 2016: 25,944 feet.
Accumulated distance hiked: 207.43 km
Food: Consumed during hike: Some mini candy bars and a tuna sandwich.
Notes: This was a training day. We practiced glissading and all four scenarios of ice-axe arrests, climbing up and down the small slope to practice the skill. This included an arrest with full backpack, which I performed on my back with my non-dominant arm.
Afterward we hiked to the Radio Tower, took a bearing on Skyline Lake based on the map pictured above, and then hiked there. I was wearing long underwear, safari pants and ski pants, so I was over dressed and I believe the heat contributed to my being the slowest of the group. I took my old winter jacket with lining and wore a safari shirt, sweater and a vest. I later discovered the shirt and undershirt were soaked with sweat and I replaced them.
Comfort: Fran Fisher had given me some "Hotties" pocket warmers, and these were very useful in warming my hands inside some new gloves until the day warmed up. I had sprayed the jacket and the gloves with a sealer to keep water out. While the weather was good, I believe this kept moisture from seeping into the gloves from contact with the snow; although they became damp, probably from sweat.I wore a balaclava much of the day, (I likely could have used the Buff headwear I purchased in New York instead and been less hot) under my helmet, and used sun block, so I don't believe I sustained any sunburn.
Exertion: The day was exhausting, probably because I over packed and also because snow scrambling was new for me. I was likely the heaviest in the group, which means I would plunge deeper into snow. Enroute home I sustained at least one charlie horse in my right leg, and an attempted charlie horse in the left. Emily Guyer, a Capitol Hill woman who provided a ride to the location, pulled over on the freeway in Kirkland to help me walk out of it. I think I should have drunk more fluids and taken more salt capsules, but I also was using different muscles walking on snow.
Altimeter readings: My altimeter app showed Skyline lake at 1551 meters, or 5,118 feet. The Mountaineers map showed 5,092 feet, 26 feet lower. That's a 26-foot difference, but the reading was taken above the lake, so the discrepancy is likely smaller. The app on my Droid phone is remarkably accurate.
Special note: One of the instructors is planning on hiking Mount Adams in May. I asked her to keep a look out for Wilson.
Time: 8 hours.
Weight: Approximately 30-35 pounds. Used 85-liter backpack, crammed with first aid gear, mountaineering harness for rope descents, lots of backup dry clothing and cold weather survival clothing, etc.
Weather: Clear sky and sunny. Unexpected. I had packed for cold and rain, and the temp was in the 50s at least.
Elevation gain: Roughly 1,000 feet, based on pass elevation of about 1050 feet and elevation of Skyline Lake at 5092 feet.
Accumulation elevation gain for 2016: 25,944 feet.
Accumulated distance hiked: 207.43 km
Food: Consumed during hike: Some mini candy bars and a tuna sandwich.
Notes: This was a training day. We practiced glissading and all four scenarios of ice-axe arrests, climbing up and down the small slope to practice the skill. This included an arrest with full backpack, which I performed on my back with my non-dominant arm.
Afterward we hiked to the Radio Tower, took a bearing on Skyline Lake based on the map pictured above, and then hiked there. I was wearing long underwear, safari pants and ski pants, so I was over dressed and I believe the heat contributed to my being the slowest of the group. I took my old winter jacket with lining and wore a safari shirt, sweater and a vest. I later discovered the shirt and undershirt were soaked with sweat and I replaced them.
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Route for Mountaineers snow scramble, showing Stevens Pass parking area, location of self-arrest practice, and path traveled that day, including to the Radio Tower and Skyline Lake. Countour intervals are 40 feet. Droid altimeter app was within 25 feet of accuracy at Skyline Lake. |
Exertion: The day was exhausting, probably because I over packed and also because snow scrambling was new for me. I was likely the heaviest in the group, which means I would plunge deeper into snow. Enroute home I sustained at least one charlie horse in my right leg, and an attempted charlie horse in the left. Emily Guyer, a Capitol Hill woman who provided a ride to the location, pulled over on the freeway in Kirkland to help me walk out of it. I think I should have drunk more fluids and taken more salt capsules, but I also was using different muscles walking on snow.
Altimeter readings: My altimeter app showed Skyline lake at 1551 meters, or 5,118 feet. The Mountaineers map showed 5,092 feet, 26 feet lower. That's a 26-foot difference, but the reading was taken above the lake, so the discrepancy is likely smaller. The app on my Droid phone is remarkably accurate.
Special note: One of the instructors is planning on hiking Mount Adams in May. I asked her to keep a look out for Wilson.
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