| Peak(s): |
Mt. Bross - 14,178 feet Mt. Cameron - 14,248 feet |
| Date Posted: | 04/28/2009 |
| Modified: | 04/29/2009 |
| Date Climbed: | 04/28/2009 |
| Author: | jesse |
| Peak(s): |
Mt. Bross - 14,178 feet Mt. Cameron - 14,248 feet |
| Date Posted: | 04/28/2009 |
| Modified: | 04/29/2009 |
| Date Climbed: | 04/28/2009 |
| Author: | jesse |
| 80mph winds lucky I had the Bear Suit |
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Thinking it would be cake to add 3 miles on to the hike attempting to climb Bross and Cameron and ski/ride down to kite lake. Very high winds made it much harder than expected. Justine and I started at the road closure at ~5am just as the sun was rising.  Oh snowshoes the snowboarder's skins.  Clouds rolled up the valley while we snowshoed to kite lake this was the first time we we're able to peek at Democrat.  By the time we reached the summer trailhead the clouds had retreated down the valley replaced by bright bluebird sky.  We opted to ascend Bross' SW ridge route following the nicely frozen snow.  Happy to be climbing again!  As the sun first lit the basin the winds started to get stronger.  I was amazed to see such little snow on Bross as we we're climbing here the winds became very difficult to deal with. Especially with our skis and snowboard, we we're pushed down to the side and, far too little, up the ridge.  On Bross' summit I was very glad to have the bear suit as another layer of protection from the ferocity of the strongest winds I've ever experienced above treeline.  Trying to dodge the winds we kept ducking down and enjoyed very little respite from the gale.  As the clouds started to form early we rushed to climb Cameron by the fastest route possible. Beaten by multiple wind crashes and exhaustion from fighting them to stay standing we abandoned the idea of climbing Lincoln.  Justine brought menus from Whichwich a sandwich shop on the hill, if you bring them a picture of you with their menu on top of a 14er they put if up on the wall and you get a free sandwich!!!  The decent from Cameron towards the saddle was sadly to thin and rocky to ride, the snow was mildly soft here and had a thin layer of windblown powder on top.  Ready to ride and get the hell out of the wind this is where we started quite close to the saddle.  Justine's first ski decent!! The wind knocked me over at the end of this video ('  ') It was fairly decent riding down the basin semi slushy snow interspersed with small amounts of windblown powder.  By wrapping the wriststrap of the camera on a conveniently placed small sign we were able to get this shot. Without the sign the camera would have been blown away very quickly.  Much more fun to descend the fast way!  Get out there while there's still snow!!  We rode halfway along Kite lake, Justine was able to push I walked to the summer parking lot. I was able to ride roughly 1.5 miles down the road and drainage with the help of my hiking pole. We arrived back at the car at 3:45 the wind slowed us tremendously, although I cursed it during I'm stoked to have experienced another amazing day above treeline!! The descent route.  Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow): 
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