Snow camping practice 12/11-12/12

[iceman]

Looks like a great trip. Hope to make it out on the next one.

[d_baker]

Kiefer, nice "Call of the Wild" shot!!
Britt, I think that summit picture w/me in it is about the best summit shot/expression I've seen on my face EVER!
I would have posted a picture of Mike (Mad Mike), but it's only a black blur.
I'm very happy the mountain had enough snow on it so the flames coming off of his heals did not burn it down.

I hope we can do another trip later this winter, oh wait, it's still fall. Hmm.

-Darin

ps...Steve, when are you going to give out the "Best Beard" award? I think I came in second. What's the prize?

[greenwok]

I'll admit, I'm a tad bit jealous from looking at the snow in the pics and that you guys got a summit. Gotta love studying for finals. Congrats on everyone that made the trip and or the summit!

Super nice those of you who went on the adventure! I too am a little jealous - and while I wasn't studying for finals as Eric was, I was in between work travel providing bookends to that weekend, and at that spent 6 hours working Saturday evening (Violins playing I know) - but only after hitting the Incline and doing a little shopping at Mountain Chalet - so still had my priorities a little straight

Thanks for posting the photos - I had been looking forward to seeing them all weekend!

Cheers!

KG

[Dancesatmoonrise]

Thanks for the photos, you guys. Great!

And congrats on a wonderful, successful, and safe outing!!!


Jim

[Johnson]

Kiefer, nice "Call of the Wild" shot!!
Britt, I think that summit picture w/me in it is about the best summit shot/expression I've seen on my face EVER!
I would have posted a picture of Mike (Mad Mike), but it's only a black blur.
I'm very happy the mountain had enough snow on it so the flames coming off of his heals did not burn it down.

I hope we can do another trip later this winter, oh wait, it's still fall. Hmm.

-Darin

ps...Steve, when are you going to give out the "Best Beard" award? I think I came in second. What's the prize?

I totally agree about the shot of Steve! Classic!

As for Mike, the shutter speed on my camera was too slow to catch him.

Darin, I wish I had gotten a shot of your icy beard but I think Cooper won on the "ice-covering-the-fur-thing!"

[zoriloco]

Does anyone have an idea of the tempetures at the summit and wind velocity at the summit on Sunday? I know that I was pushed around a several times by the wind. But have no clue as to specific numbers.

thanks!

[Johnson]

Does anyone have an idea of the tempetures at the summit and wind velocity at the summit on Sunday? I know that I was pushed around a several times by the wind. But have no clue as to specific numbers.

thanks!

I could estimate some numbers for you. I'd say mid 20's and 15-20 mph? I think it's fair to say there were many gusts to 35 along the route with an occasional 45 jolt to knock you down. On the positive side, the coarse dry blowing snow in my face saved me money on having to buy and ex foliating cream.

Funny thing was that the summit was not particularly windy compared with the rest of the trip.

[zoriloco]

Thanks for the number, I was really thinking we had lower tempetures. I remember starting to shake at the top because of the cold.

[Johnson]

Thanks for the number, I was really thinking we had lower tempetures. I remember starting to shake at the top because of the cold.

Allen, I would humbly defer to another number. But like I said, the top was "mild" compared with the rest of the climb for some reason. IMO. If it were 20 degrees with a 20mph wind it would feel like 4 degrees. One gets cold standing around taking pics and sight seeing at 4 degrees.

[zoriloco]

Ohh yes I agree that it was because we were moving around that I didnt feel as cold during the climb. It amazing how much heat our body produces while in movement. I did pretty much the whole thing in a base layer and that top shell. Im sure if I would of put on a mid layer or even my down jacket at the top I would of been fine.

[sgladbach]

The Slumgullion snotel site (11,440') puts the temps at 22F at 11AM when most summited. Since the temp drops abot 3.3F for every 1000' gain, the summit temp was near 12F.

The winds were about 25 mph sustained w/ 60 mph gusts.

That puts windchill at about 10-20 below near the summit. Frostbite danger becomes more significant about 17 below. That is consistent with the pre-cursory typical white patches we saw on one nose.

Also, Snotel puts the overnight low around 20F at the elevtion of our camp. No wonder we slept warm.

Steve

[WIclimber]

Any lessons learned or surprising revelations to share would be appreciated. Looks like an interesting outing.

Learned: I can sleep warm on a winter hike.
Still wondering:
1. Was it the double layer of ThermaRest or the warm bodies on either side of me? (I was fortunate to be the middle person in a 3-person tent.)
2. How could we have kept our sleeping bags and tent walls dry? We awoke to damp sleeping bags from the condensation inside the tent. It wasn't a problem this weekend because we packed out after the summit, but another night in a wet sleeping bag would have posed difficulties, to say the least. What are the tricks to staying dry?

Learned: Chemical warmers are a hot (pun intended) commodity on a winter hike. I took 2 sets and could have used at least two more. The "Grabbers" brand (available at REI) worked; a hiking partner's Walmart brand did not.
Learned: Hot water bottles feel really good inside your sleeping bag. Use them.
Learned: Always bring a water & wind proof layer on winter hikes. Staying dry is key.
Learned: Susan Joy Paul was right again. "...camping is highly addictive. I think I sleep better on the ground any more, than I do in my own bed." This was just downright fun. From trudging in, to tamping down snow to make the tent pad, to summiting after a tough hike. I'm hooked.