3/13 Iroquois Attempt #3 was a failure

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

ADKeagle · 03-13-2010, 08:33 PM

I was up on TT and Phelps today, and boy was it windy! I was on Phelps in the afternoon and the winds had definately picked up. You made the right choice if you weren't comfortable with the conditions. As you said, Iroquois will be there for next time!

timmus · 03-13-2010, 08:53 PM

All true.

I was on Marcy today, and I had to stop 400 feet from the summit. I usually don't bail out, unless I really don't have fun anymore. In fact I couldn't walk, and I tried to crawl but I was rolling instead.

Still a lot of fun, but my best moment was on the summit of TR, with great views and only little wind.

Thanks for posting the speed of wind, I was wondering how bad it really was.

procook131 · 03-13-2010, 09:51 PM

I like the read but hate the title

Never a failure when you make it out in harsh conditions unscathed, learn important lessons and most of all have a good time. Doesn't sound like you are giving up on any goals or anyone anytime soon, so don't sweat it! Sheesh.... look at my avatar. That was Iroquois, first week of January 2010. All I gotta say is BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! When we started it was in the negatives, summit temps estimated at -40*F.......frigid. I have heard from very experienced hikers that Iroquois is no cake walk, and luckily on that day the cold was ALL we had to contend with. I was thankful we did not encounter some of the typical white out conditions that the Macs are so well known for, due in part to the winds. I think you all getting "Algonqin"

was a GREAT day!!!

And btw, Iroquois was the first intended summit that I ever missed. In summer nonetheless

bubba74 · 03-14-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by procook131

I like the read but hate the title

Never a failure when you make it out in harsh conditions unscathed, learn important lessons and most of all have a good time.

Yea, I was trying to find a better word than failure but couldn't. All in all, it was a fun time. I've never regretted a hike, and this one was no different. I gotta say that the adrenaline was flowing after we ame down off of the summit

Adirondack Ladies · 03-14-2010, 08:28 AM

Nice trip report and good decision. Better safe than sorry. Any photos?

bubba74 · 03-14-2010, 09:16 AM

Lol my girlfriend has a very short video of people getting blown around on the summit. Unfortunately I have no photos. I was too busy being freaked out

Can I post videos here?

timmus · 03-14-2010, 11:08 AM

I took a photo showing the signs of bad weather on top of Algonquin that day

lenticular clouds

bubba74 · 03-14-2010, 11:18 AM

awesome picture

JoeCedar · 03-14-2010, 11:32 AM

What I come away with from an experience like yours is a greater respect for the power of nature. But even carefully checking the weather forecast and thinking it would be OK, I have been turned back on Marcy, Haystack, and Algonquin.

Don't take it personally and it is certainly not YOUR failure. Sometimes nature just wins, and turning back is the right thing to do.

flipflop · 03-14-2010, 12:03 PM

Funny enough, hardly any wind on top of Nippletop and Dial. We even had lunch on the Nipple!! Same as on Wright on the day of the Gathering... I think wind stays clear of me, for some reason!

03-13-2010, 07:58 PM	#1
bubba74 Climbing Ox Join Date: May 2009 Location: Guilderland, NY Posts: 52	3/13 Iroquois Attempt #3 was a failure 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

03-13-2010, 09:51 PM	#4
procook131 Commander Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stowe, VT Posts: 1,200	I like the read but hate the title Never a failure when you make it out in harsh conditions unscathed, learn important lessons and most of all have a good time. Doesn't sound like you are giving up on any goals or anyone anytime soon, so don't sweat it! Sheesh.... look at my avatar. That was Iroquois, first week of January 2010. All I gotta say is BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! When we started it was in the negatives, summit temps estimated at -40*F.......frigid. I have heard from very experienced hikers that Iroquois is no cake walk, and luckily on that day the cold was ALL we had to contend with. I was thankful we did not encounter some of the typical white out conditions that the Macs are so well known for, due in part to the winds. I think you all getting "Algonqin" was a GREAT day!!! And btw, Iroquois was the first intended summit that I ever missed. In summer nonetheless __________________ “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” John Muir "Not the kind of "fun" you have to force yourself to remember you're supposed to be having, but the kind where you realize for the last half a day you've had this idiot grin on your face that you just can't seem to shake." -Mirabela

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03-13-2010, 08:33 PM	#2
ADKeagle Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ballston Lake, NY Posts: 8	I was up on TT and Phelps today, and boy was it windy! I was on Phelps in the afternoon and the winds had definately picked up. You made the right choice if you weren't comfortable with the conditions. As you said, Iroquois will be there for next time!

03-13-2010, 08:53 PM	#3
timmus Hiker maker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: South shore of Montreal Posts: 595	All true. I was on Marcy today, and I had to stop 400 feet from the summit. I usually don't bail out, unless I really don't have fun anymore. In fact I couldn't walk, and I tried to crawl but I was rolling instead. Still a lot of fun, but my best moment was on the summit of TR, with great views and only little wind. Thanks for posting the speed of wind, I was wondering how bad it really was.

03-14-2010, 08:28 AM	#6
Adirondack Ladies Adopter of Poco Lean-to Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 893	Nice trip report and good decision. Better safe than sorry. Any photos?

03-14-2010, 09:16 AM	#7
bubba74 Climbing Ox Join Date: May 2009 Location: Guilderland, NY Posts: 52	Lol my girlfriend has a very short video of people getting blown around on the summit. Unfortunately I have no photos. I was too busy being freaked out Can I post videos here?

03-14-2010, 11:08 AM	#8
timmus Hiker maker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: South shore of Montreal Posts: 595	I took a photo showing the signs of bad weather on top of Algonquin that day lenticular clouds

03-14-2010, 11:18 AM	#9
bubba74 Climbing Ox Join Date: May 2009 Location: Guilderland, NY Posts: 52	awesome picture

03-14-2010, 11:32 AM	#10
JoeCedar Commander Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Keene, NY Posts: 1,964	What I come away with from an experience like yours is a greater respect for the power of nature. But even carefully checking the weather forecast and thinking it would be OK, I have been turned back on Marcy, Haystack, and Algonquin. Don't take it personally and it is certainly not YOUR failure. Sometimes nature just wins, and turning back is the right thing to do.

03-14-2010, 12:03 PM	#11
flipflop Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rosemont, Montreal Posts: 52	Funny enough, hardly any wind on top of Nippletop and Dial. We even had lunch on the Nipple!! Same as on Wright on the day of the Gathering... I think wind stays clear of me, for some reason!

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