Eric
02-22-2006, 08:57 PM
Snow fairly deep (several inches) by the time at Indian falls. Snow very deep at times at base of Marcy. Crusty snow. On other side very very slippery. MSR's worked well, crampons would be better to use. Rik took a good fall, thank goodness not hurt. We bushwhacked to Gray. Snow very deep but managable. Many spruce traps. Lake Aronold frozed solid. Snow plentiful all around. Skylight trail had a lot of snow, Snowshoes all the way. Again plenty of snow all the way to Lake Arnold and then some. Snow Shoes necessary for trip, crampons would be helpful for MArcy, not needed on Skylight. Maybe you would like them better for yourself on that summit, I used MSR's and no difficulties. It was winter today. Some snow flurries, some sun. Very skiiable today as well once you are passed Marcy damn area. Marcy, Gray, Skylight now open for business.
RIK'S BIRTHDAY TODAY :drink:
Rik and I set out on the trail from the ADK loj at about 7:40. We bare booted to just past the Phelps trail head. Here snow became somewhat deeper. When we reached Indian falls we walked over to take a peek, views were pretty good, fairly cloudy day with breaks of sun. As we continued on to Marcy the snow became very deep at times due to snow drift. Some spots the snow was a dusting to a foot to thigh high, well for someone 5'10, waist for Rik, just kidding. As we followed up the side of Marcy we walked along some crust which helped, not very slippery with MSR's. Didn't stay to long on summit, it was not very windy, just couldn't see much. Our plan was to walk from Marcy over to Gray. We were able to due this but it did take some time. I kept thinking to myself, the summit was right there from Marcy why is this taking so long. Well the many spruce traps didn't help. In some areas you could see faintly an old trail. The sighn for Gray was below my knee, a yellow disk was up much higher. I guess the yellow disk would help if you were digging for the canister that is no longer there. This route was interesting compared to taking the summer herd path. We followed off and on a faint trail through the snow down to Lake tear in the Clouds. At the Lake we dropped our paks and headed to Skylight. Here again the snow is plenty and will remind you that it is winter. As we headed up Skylight Rik and I bumped into a couple young guys camping this weekend. They had just finished Marcy and Skylight. We let them know that Gray was now open for business. They stated that they would definately go now since when they had come up from that direction this am they did not know where the trail head was and the trail was not broken out. One kid stated that he was robbed by a pine martin and wanted Rik and I to let the P-Martin know that this kid was upset about the stolen soup and other items. Up on top of Skylight the wind was low, no problem. Visability was fairly good. Redfield, Mac's, Marcy all in good view. Today was Riks birthday so we celebrated on top with cup cakes. A great place to spend your birthday. When down Skylight Rik and I walked across Lake Tear in the Clouds. When I got to my bag all was well, I wish I could say the same for Rik. Appearently Rik was too robbed by a Pine Martin. His cheese was all gone (The Power Of Cheese). Bag and All. After some time watching Rik look for this Martin I had another snack and a drink. About 10 minutes into Rik moaning the Pine MArtin decided to make an appearence. The Martin was not very shy and came up to us, well about 5 feet from us, enought to take about 12 photos. Rik was even able to have a photo op with the Martin that Rik named Mr.Martin. After spending some time with Mr. Martin, Rik giving an inquest we headed down to Lake Arnold. We made good time in fairly deep snow. When at the MArcy damn Rik and I talked for about half hour with Ron, local Rescue worker and other things, talked about some rescues in the adk's he participated in over a good number of years. He was a very nice guy as was his friend. What was his name??? sorry. Back at the car, dry clothing.
#43-winter today.
RIK'S BIRTHDAY TODAY :drink:
Rik and I set out on the trail from the ADK loj at about 7:40. We bare booted to just past the Phelps trail head. Here snow became somewhat deeper. When we reached Indian falls we walked over to take a peek, views were pretty good, fairly cloudy day with breaks of sun. As we continued on to Marcy the snow became very deep at times due to snow drift. Some spots the snow was a dusting to a foot to thigh high, well for someone 5'10, waist for Rik, just kidding. As we followed up the side of Marcy we walked along some crust which helped, not very slippery with MSR's. Didn't stay to long on summit, it was not very windy, just couldn't see much. Our plan was to walk from Marcy over to Gray. We were able to due this but it did take some time. I kept thinking to myself, the summit was right there from Marcy why is this taking so long. Well the many spruce traps didn't help. In some areas you could see faintly an old trail. The sighn for Gray was below my knee, a yellow disk was up much higher. I guess the yellow disk would help if you were digging for the canister that is no longer there. This route was interesting compared to taking the summer herd path. We followed off and on a faint trail through the snow down to Lake tear in the Clouds. At the Lake we dropped our paks and headed to Skylight. Here again the snow is plenty and will remind you that it is winter. As we headed up Skylight Rik and I bumped into a couple young guys camping this weekend. They had just finished Marcy and Skylight. We let them know that Gray was now open for business. They stated that they would definately go now since when they had come up from that direction this am they did not know where the trail head was and the trail was not broken out. One kid stated that he was robbed by a pine martin and wanted Rik and I to let the P-Martin know that this kid was upset about the stolen soup and other items. Up on top of Skylight the wind was low, no problem. Visability was fairly good. Redfield, Mac's, Marcy all in good view. Today was Riks birthday so we celebrated on top with cup cakes. A great place to spend your birthday. When down Skylight Rik and I walked across Lake Tear in the Clouds. When I got to my bag all was well, I wish I could say the same for Rik. Appearently Rik was too robbed by a Pine Martin. His cheese was all gone (The Power Of Cheese). Bag and All. After some time watching Rik look for this Martin I had another snack and a drink. About 10 minutes into Rik moaning the Pine MArtin decided to make an appearence. The Martin was not very shy and came up to us, well about 5 feet from us, enought to take about 12 photos. Rik was even able to have a photo op with the Martin that Rik named Mr.Martin. After spending some time with Mr. Martin, Rik giving an inquest we headed down to Lake Arnold. We made good time in fairly deep snow. When at the MArcy damn Rik and I talked for about half hour with Ron, local Rescue worker and other things, talked about some rescues in the adk's he participated in over a good number of years. He was a very nice guy as was his friend. What was his name??? sorry. Back at the car, dry clothing.
#43-winter today.