2016122995093757-1.jpg20161229_122305.jpg20161230_161309-1.jpg20161229_113137.jpgA few weeks back I posted if anyone was interested in a 1 nighter to Stratton Pond Vt but no one was interested and I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. I'm 62 and I don't know how long I will stay at this level of conditioning or have the desire to push myself. Fortunately the temps by Vt standards where mild, highs in the 20, low 15 ,snow and wind made for a challenging experience. I started hiking up about 9:30am with light snow no wind so I chose wool sweater, poly T shirt and a light Merino wool turtleneck. A base layer tight under a Sporthill Xcountry tight. Wool sox and Sorel pac boot. Wool cap, waterproof mitten shells over light gloves. Inside my ULA Circuit was HG 0* UQ, 20* TQ, Dutch Hexon1.0 net less hammock , WB Sock and a Mt Wilderness Silpoly Monster Fly. Also my boreal hoodie
The trail had packed snow so I choose not to wear the snowshoe's after an ½ hour the snow got heavy the wind blew hard so I put on my Paka. It took me 3 hrs before I got to the top of Stratton Mt soaked with sweat and hungry. There was crazy winds and lunch wasn't pleasant even hunkered down in the pines. I brought my Grand Trunk micro stool so I wouldn't be sitting in the snow but it sunk into the snow. I planned a 20 min break but with the wind and being wet with sweat I was concerned with Hyperthermia so I ate while on the move. Going down to the pond was easier but it was snowing harder. The trail was steep and I was thinking it might be tough coming back up tomorrow snow covered and maybe I should stay on top. I decided to keep going and arrived at Stratton Pond a little before 4. Down at the pond the wind was light and setting up went as usual but dark came early due to the cloud cover. Changed out of my wet clothes and worked on building a fire. With vaseline covered cotton balls I was able to get enough fire to muster enough of a fire to melt snow. Dinner was Sardines, fig bars and hot apple cider. It was 7:00 I was getting chilled so I got in the hammock where I was the warmest I was all day. Watched a movie on the Kindle. This was the first time I brought the Kindle but I knew with the weather I wasn't sitting around a fire. I slept with the wet boot inserts from sweat, my water, cooking fuel, hat and gloves. At that point, there was 15 inches of snow and wind had blizzard conditions.
About 1 am I woke from the wind blowing crazy and my tarp violently flapping but holding tight. Other than the wind and the flapping tarp the Sock kept me toasty. About 3 am I woke with snow on the Sock and the tarp line pulled out. Good time for a pee break, tie the line off and back in the cozy sock and hammock. Didn't sleep much and glad to see sun up, left my sleeping clothes on added outer layer top and bottoms and started breaking down. With snowshoes on I was going too have breakfast at the shelter just up the trail unfortunately the snow was deep and slow going and the shelter was off the trail but how far so I ate a pre made sandwich and keep going. It took me 4 hours getting to the top, and I'll tell you climbing a mountain wearing snowshoe's isn't fun. It's 2:00 I have 3 ½ miles to go still snowing strong winds and all down hill. By 3:00 I was tired moving slow had 1 1/2 miles left about an hour and mentioning to God that I don't want to spend the night out here. It was 4:15 when I got to my pick up with my wife waiting with hot coffee.
This was the hardest 15 miles I have ever done, learned a lot about myself and have appreciation for Shug and others who share there experiences on videos so other's can safely enjoy deep winter backpacking. Thank you
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by TrailSlug
Bookmarks