Moat Mt and Flume Slide- Liberty Mt 2/20/16
I take a nice solo stroll to the summit of North Moat. Its a beautiful day and aI don't see another person on the trail all day.
I break trail through a thin fresh layer of snow and am rewarded with a beautiful summit view. After the hike out I drive across the Kanc highway to meet up with Amanda and Andy. Tomorrow we are climbing Flume slide to the summit of Flume Mt and then hiking across to the summit of Mt Liberty.
After a 5 am wakeup call and the pushing Andys car out of the snow as a warm-up we head into the woods.
After the 4 mile approach hike we arrive at the base of the Flume slide. Armed with only microspikes and 2 mountaineering ice axes I work my way slowly up the Slide trail. (WARNING: Do NOT attempt climbing the Flume Slide in winter without full crampons. Microspikes are not a suitable traction device for an ice pitch this long and steep).
Taking a lot of care to grind my feet into good placement and putting my new ice axe to work, I methodically pick my way up the route. Luckily I was able to follow in the footsteps of a couple that were climbing ahead of me so I got a preview of where the good and bad snow was and where the ice was thick or thin.
Lost in my own world of climbing rhythm (and not able to take a good rest anywhere due to lack of suitable traction devices on my feet) I make short time to the summit of Flume.
With the temps at the summit dropping and the wind and snow picking up, I was too cold to sit and wait for Amanda and Andy to arrive at the summit (Amanda was teaching Andy some Ice anchor building technique so they were a little ways behind me due to breaks that I didn't take). I take off towards the summit of Mt Liberty.
Upon arriving at the summit of Liberty I am greeted with colder, windier, snowier conditions (I also realized that I had left my Cubano wrap that I was going to eat for lunch in the car). Onwards I go. Towards warmth, the car, and my Cubano wrap!! I arrive back at the car around 4:00pm. I melt some snow for water, drink 2 PBR's, eat my wrap, and write in my journal while I wait for Amanda and Andy to arrive. After our reunion we head out for some food and the long drive back home until the next time the Mountains call.
Read MoreI break trail through a thin fresh layer of snow and am rewarded with a beautiful summit view. After the hike out I drive across the Kanc highway to meet up with Amanda and Andy. Tomorrow we are climbing Flume slide to the summit of Flume Mt and then hiking across to the summit of Mt Liberty.
After a 5 am wakeup call and the pushing Andys car out of the snow as a warm-up we head into the woods.
After the 4 mile approach hike we arrive at the base of the Flume slide. Armed with only microspikes and 2 mountaineering ice axes I work my way slowly up the Slide trail. (WARNING: Do NOT attempt climbing the Flume Slide in winter without full crampons. Microspikes are not a suitable traction device for an ice pitch this long and steep).
Taking a lot of care to grind my feet into good placement and putting my new ice axe to work, I methodically pick my way up the route. Luckily I was able to follow in the footsteps of a couple that were climbing ahead of me so I got a preview of where the good and bad snow was and where the ice was thick or thin.
Lost in my own world of climbing rhythm (and not able to take a good rest anywhere due to lack of suitable traction devices on my feet) I make short time to the summit of Flume.
With the temps at the summit dropping and the wind and snow picking up, I was too cold to sit and wait for Amanda and Andy to arrive at the summit (Amanda was teaching Andy some Ice anchor building technique so they were a little ways behind me due to breaks that I didn't take). I take off towards the summit of Mt Liberty.
Upon arriving at the summit of Liberty I am greeted with colder, windier, snowier conditions (I also realized that I had left my Cubano wrap that I was going to eat for lunch in the car). Onwards I go. Towards warmth, the car, and my Cubano wrap!! I arrive back at the car around 4:00pm. I melt some snow for water, drink 2 PBR's, eat my wrap, and write in my journal while I wait for Amanda and Andy to arrive. After our reunion we head out for some food and the long drive back home until the next time the Mountains call.
