MacNaughton 7-23-11

[DougV]

Headed in from Upper Works on the Indian Pass trail. Planned on following the brook that flows out of Wallface Pond. Estimated the distance/time from the lean-to just before where the brook feeds into Indian Pass Brook and figured about 5 minutes give or take. Well, about 5 minutes past the lean-to I come to a brook, must be it, on with the whack. Screwed that up as soon as I stepped off the trail. The correct brook would be a little further up the trail. In hindsight I should have been able to recognize that the brook out of Wallface should have been bigger, but this was a flowing brook, so without thinking or checking I just took it.

It was generally heading the right direction, but was increasingly hard to follow as it had several small branches and it was difficult to tell which was the main brook. After quite some time I was thinking I should be near the vly where the brook/terrain flattens, but ended up in a terribly thick steep ledgy gut. I had planned a 310 degree bearing from the vly to the summit. From where I was, 310 would take me straight uphill so that’s where I went. Finally summited what I was hoping to be the east end of MacNaughton, but I could tell that wasn’t right because there was a much bigger bump to the north. At that point I was pretty sure where I went wrong – right when I started!

As I’m sure many of you are aware, the area is located in the corners of about 4 of the USGS quadrants. So instead of hauling all those maps, I printed off one of the mountain and a small surrounding area. I figured that would be all I would need for such a simple hike.: But once I was off course I didn’t have enough map to triangulate my position. Well, when in doubt go up! But I had to go down quite a lot first to get to the next higher bump. Finally got on that one thinking , there now I got it, when off in the distance I could see a much bigger mountain that looked suspiciously like MacNaughton. A little more map review and down again and finally reached the east summit right at the view ledge. A couple pics and off to the true summit, I had it to myself!! Hung around for a few minutes and then took a bearing toward Hunter Pond.

The downhill was a relentless mess of thick spruce and blowdown from top to bottom. I kept thinking I should hit some hardwoods eventually and the going would get easier, but that never happened. I tried traveling in the brook for a while but that wasn’t good either. Hit the Duck Hole trail dead on at Hunter Pond and didn’t follow the trail 100 yards when there were huge cliffs just below where I came off. They would have taken some substantial rerouting to get around. So I guess I lucked out a little. I was wishing I had some catchers shin guards because I have the “bashed up shins” to remind me.

After my initial mistake I probably wouldn't have found this mountain if the skies weren't clear. I probably would have wandered around for a while and ended up taking a bearing that would bring me back to a trail. So, all's well that ends well.

[Dan J]

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing!

[Gregory Karl]

Quite an adventure! That descent toward Hunter Pond can be nasty. I stayed high above the brook and angled down the slope, which worked pretty well. Have you reconstructed where you were the whole day?

Anyway, congratulations on scoffing at adversity and getting it done!

[DougV]

Yes GK I had a new toy with me, just picked up a map 60CSX. It was in my pack tracking me. I didn't use it for the hike . . . obviously . I didn't use it for the hike. Oh, guess I said that already. Anyways, I didn't use it for the hike, but I did review the track when I got home and it confirmed exactly what I thought. I had considered staying west of the brook on the gentler slope, but that would have been farther and the thickness of the ground cover is one of those things that you can't see on a topo. So I just bee lined it.

[TFR]

Originally Posted by DougV

Yes GK I had a new toy with me, just picked up a map 60CSX. It was in my pack tracking me. I didn't use it for the hike . . . obviously . I didn't use it for the hike. Oh, guess I said that already. Anyways, I didn't use it for the hike, but I did review the track when I got home and it confirmed exactly what I thought. I had considered staying west of the brook on the gentler slope, but that would have been farther and the thickness of the ground cover is one of those things that you can't see on a topo. So I just bee lined it.

Is it ok to post track logs that are to be avoided?

Having done McN 2x, I would be curious to see your route, seriously.

[randomscooter]

Sounds like you earned it.

Seeing as how you went where no man has gone before, I'm curious if you found any flagging? All in the interest of scientific inquiry of course.

[vieWseeker]

Definitly well earned... congrats

[DougV]

Originally Posted by randomscooter

Seeing as how you went where no man has gone before, I'm curious if you found any flagging? All in the interest of scientific inquiry of course.

Nope no flagging. But on my way down I did find an old rusted out square shovel blade laying on a rock. At that point I was thinking how stupid I was for being there, then I see that some dope lugged a shovel up there.

[JoeCedar]

I know you, Doug, you will always find the hardest way to climb a peak!