bubba74
03-13-2010, 07:58 PM
First off, I wanted to thank everyone that contributed to my post about high wind conditions. This is my first trip report and I'm not much of a writer, so I'll try my best.
After reading all the forecasts the night before, a group of six of us decided that Iroquois (over Algonquin) was a go. Keep in mind that we have attempted Iroquois twice before, but something always prevented us from reaching it, and good judgment turned us around.
The hike in was pleasant: warm, slightly breezy and partially sunny. I was in a t-shirt for most of the trail. The snow was kinda soft and wet and, unfortunately, full of post holes. We were making great time. As we cleared the ice flow by the alpine warning sign, we could hear the wind up higher on Algonquin. This was no indicator of how windy it really was.
We ended up summiting Algonquin, but it was extremely windy. Windy as in getting knocked over and taking moments on all fours as gusts went over 75 mph. The only reason I know this is because a man on the summit with us had an anemometer. People were falling over and hunkered down by any rock they could find. Figuring that the wind would get even worse as the afternoon progressed (according to NWS) we made the decision not to continue on to Iroquois.
We saw at least 20 people on their way up to treeline as we were heading. When they asked how the summit was, I told them that it was extremely windy and to be careful. Most of them smiled and said "awesome!" I don't think they knew what they were getting into.
Well, I hope my fourth attempt goes better. It was a learning experience to say the least. The good news is Iroquois isn't going anywhere :)
After reading all the forecasts the night before, a group of six of us decided that Iroquois (over Algonquin) was a go. Keep in mind that we have attempted Iroquois twice before, but something always prevented us from reaching it, and good judgment turned us around.
The hike in was pleasant: warm, slightly breezy and partially sunny. I was in a t-shirt for most of the trail. The snow was kinda soft and wet and, unfortunately, full of post holes. We were making great time. As we cleared the ice flow by the alpine warning sign, we could hear the wind up higher on Algonquin. This was no indicator of how windy it really was.
We ended up summiting Algonquin, but it was extremely windy. Windy as in getting knocked over and taking moments on all fours as gusts went over 75 mph. The only reason I know this is because a man on the summit with us had an anemometer. People were falling over and hunkered down by any rock they could find. Figuring that the wind would get even worse as the afternoon progressed (according to NWS) we made the decision not to continue on to Iroquois.
We saw at least 20 people on their way up to treeline as we were heading. When they asked how the summit was, I told them that it was extremely windy and to be careful. Most of them smiled and said "awesome!" I don't think they knew what they were getting into.
Well, I hope my fourth attempt goes better. It was a learning experience to say the least. The good news is Iroquois isn't going anywhere :)