Tiger 3: temperate lowlands; frigid summit; landmarks

Yesterday, Tiger was all about carrying weight -- 34 pounds. Today it was about making it to the summit, moving quickly, and naming some landmarks. There are some distinctive features along the route that deserve names. Perhaps the names I introduce here will become common over time.

This is how the hike looked in the lowlands:

This is what it looked like as I approached the summit:

And this is what the summit was like -- gray, windy, frigid.

I set out at 9:56 a.m. and  three miles later, I arrived at the summit at noon. That averages to 1.5 mph. I carried a 14-pound pack that included extra warm clothing. I wore rain pants over my heavy safari pants; two layers of underwear on my torso along with a long-sleeved winter cover of artificial fabric with zippered neck; a down-filled long-sleeved zippered cover, a fleece vest and a wind-breaking water proof hooded rain jacket. I started cold but warmed up quickly. But at the top the wind chill quickly got to me and I realized I didn't want to stay there. I donned microspikes and headed back.

I didn't use trekking poles for almost the entire descent and my legs held up well, although the muscles did feel the extra work. I descended without my glasses, which I put away for most of the trip because the cold air was causing me to tear up. Again, my nose was quite drippy. I returned to my vehicle in approximately an hour, which figures to a 3 mph descent rate.

The landmarks I chose to name:

The twins, two rocks located within a half mile of the trailhead

The dead umbrella -- a tree carcass with root ball  along the trail prior to the one-mile mark.

The hairpin, a sharp turn before the 2.2 mile signpost

Statistics for the day:
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Weight carried: 14 pounds
Distance year to date: 45.7 miles
Elevation gain year to date: 12,165 feet.