First snow hike 2019: Tiger 3

On its first snow outing, the Fit showed good control, but it's not a CRV.

Today I took the plunge and drove the Fit to Tiger Mountain to explore its use in winter weather and to see how my changing eyesight would perform. This was my first snow hike (not counting my snow shoeing adventure in January at Mount Baker). I wore my larger backpack. Instead of snow shoes, I relied on microspikes over my Asolo hiking boots.

I didn't feel particularly energetic, but I made it to the 2.2 mile mark, after deciding to go on from the 1.1 mile marker. I could have summited, but I didn't want to get home late and fight for a parking spot, given the conditions. I ate light on the hike and drank little water; probably too little.

Events and reflections:

• The frigid silence was broken by the rapping of a woodpecker seeking his next meal in trees 30-40 feet above me.
• I had brought along a magnifying glass tied to my compass, and that made compass readings significantly easier.
• I wore my computer glasses with one lens removed. That helped for reading, but the lens fogged up from my steaming sweat and the cold air.
• The water tube in my platypus froze and I had to tuck it inside my shirt to thaw it out. The bladder was against my back and that may have kept it from freezing.
• Microspikes on my Asolo boots made hiking poles unnecessary. They were marvelous.
• I brought the wrong map -- Mount Si, instead of Tiger Mountain
• My nose ran constantly from the cold. I made great use of the "farmer blow and wished I had more kerchiefs.
• I maintained a pace of about 1 mph getting to the one-mile mark and to the 2-mile mark as well. Coming back I seem to have doubled my pace. 
• Afterward, in reviewing the topo map for the hike, I found my eyesight insufficient. I have to figure out how to compliment my lens implants.
• Telephone:  Photos to Larisa and Joanie; telecon with Joanie and with Roger. Roger said he has a hankerin' to take another run at Mount Adams. Is this the year we make it?
• Hand Warmers: I neglected to bring them. My hands got cold. But the rest of my body was comfortable, with balaklava, Puma baseball cap, red outdoor jacked buffered with long-sleeved down shirt, wool socks and long underwear.
• As I was hoofing it down hill to the trailhead, some sort of rodent ran right in front of it across the trail, leaving what appeared to be a small snow cave and entering another. It was there, and then gone. I don't think it was a marmot, or a pika. Maybe a mountain beaver.

Statistics for the day:

Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation gain: At least 1,100 feet. 
Conditions: Cold,dry air, with mostly clear skies.
Load: Probably 12-15 pounds
:

Statistics, year to date:

Distance: 17.8 miles

Elevation gain: 5,100 feet