This was our first over-night hike for the club. We started with six people but one knew he would only be doing a day hike with us. Five of us made the full trip.
The hike up Eagle Creek was as beautiful as I have come to expect from this area. If you haven't see it, you must. Make sure you plan a day of it and hike all the way to Tunnel Falls before turning around. Tunnel Falls is about the seven mile mark so at two miles per hour you can make it there and back in seven hours. Pack a lunch, there is plenty of water in the creeks.
Our team was getting pretty fatigued by the time we were getting to Wahtum Lake, about 13 miles up and 3700 feet in elevation. As we got close a pair of hikers had apparently turned around due to snow and were warning us of the same. Ten minutes later another pack of hikers that we had been leap-frogging all day had turned around for the same reason. Looking at trail reports on portlandhikers.com, I knew there was some snow. Reports were that it was pretty thin except for some drifts. We decided to press on.
At Wahtum Lake we found one campsite right away but it would have been a little tight for the four tents we needed to pitch. I ran up the hill a ways on the PCT short-cut trail and found a better one. Cross the creek at the west end of the lake and head up the hill. At the second switch-back to the left, look to your right for the large stone fire pit; it's about 12 meters in over a little bluff. The fire pit here has places to sit made of stones. VERY FUN!
Second day we headed up the PCT short-cut trail toward Chinidere Mountain. This is a steep climb and you may have to carry extra water from the lake if the creek that runs past this area dries up in the late summer. A few miles north of Chinidere Mountain is a little clifftop view point that you have to see.
At Benson Plateau, we turned west and proceeded down Ruckel Ridge. This trail is brutal on everything from your toes to your hips and is not an encouraging trail for new hikers.
Our overall average was 1.8 miles per hour which is pretty good for 26 miles in two days with unseasoned legs. The team did such a great job with the lessons learned that I think I will let them share their thoughts below.
From Chuck:
First I want to let everyone know what an awesome hike they missed! Even though we had to alter course and take a shorter route, it was just as spectacular as the original plan. I also wanted to give props to Scott for slugging it out with the trail. "Show that trail who's boss." These skills you're learning now, you'll be able to get your son out one of these days. I'm hoping to do the same with my daughter.
Keith, you kept up a great attitude for the whole trip, which can be a great relief when one is only able to fixate on the pain. I think this trip really let everyone know exactly where they stand against Gena. I think she was a mountain goat in another life! She was basically running up the trail for the entire time! My quads are still reeling from trying to keep up.
I also wanted to thank Jeff for leadership, comic relief, conversations, and someone to judge my fitness level off of. I don't think I saw him or Gena sweat once!
So, things I learned on this trip, yes, I'm still learning, and everyone that hikes will always be.
1) Be able to adapt to what comes our way. It was good that we were thinking ahead and taking in the team's consideration about altering course on Sunday. I think everyone will agree, that going the other way would have sucked; however, I still would have done it.
2) Lots of breaks, not big breaks, but time to catch your breath and deliberately take in some calories and liquid. I have had some bad experiences in the past where I consistently just keep marching on to get to the end and fail to stay hydrated. I fail because I don't take the time to eat and drink something, so once at the end, I've hit the wall and am pretty much useless. With our pace on this hike, it was good that we could take quick breaks along the way to rehydrate and get some fuel ie calories.
3) We are a team, so we have to operate as one. This was the largest overnight hike I have ever been on. We had different skill levels and we had to adjust for it. I guess this is just like #1, but it is important. It will also give us a guage as to what to expect on future hikes. That segways into my next "A-ha!"
4) I am not as in as good of shape as I thought I was. I have to seriously begin a much tougher conditioning program. I thought running 4 miles once or twice a week would be good. I think my cardio is ok, but carrying the pack, I definitely know my muscles got worked over. So, my goal is to hike more with the pack, workout more, and get a little leaner before the next hike.
I think everyone is aware I won't be able to make the father's day hike, but should be able to do the next one after that.
Also, Jeff, I spoke with Tyson about the Timberline trail, and he thinks we will be fine as far as snow level and water sources on the mtn. He said late July is great since there will be good runnoff and the snow should have melted off the trail by then.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
From Scott:
I'm alive! Actually, I am pretty sore and I will fully admit that the hike got me thinking more and more about my readiness levels. I know I complained on the trail a bit, and I'll admit it - it kicked my ass, but I do hope that some of it came across as "comic relief". The trail was challenging, but we all accomplished it - that certainly counts for something. Thanks for standing by me as well, it was and is appreciated.
On the other hand, something else I noticed on the hike. This isn't just for fitness or to say we accomplished something. I'd prefer to remember more of the trip, more details. Many times I found myself focusing on the trail ahead of me and not on what surrounded us. We hiked through some amazing areas and I'm pretty sure we all missed plenty of great things - I'm sure I did. Would like to have more chances to "stop and smell the roses". Part of what got me interested in hiking (besides the fitness and accomplishments) was the photos that I saw of Jeff and Gena's hikes. They've seen some things that many people will never see in their lifetime - because they wouldn't go look. Hiking is a great way to see Oregon and the beauty it has to offer. I want to enjoy it while I'm there, not just from the pictures that we manage to take on the way.
Anyways, off of my soapbox now. Maybe this is my legs aching or a result of only taking 33 pics, or the idea that I still wonder how much wildlife we missed as I stared at the trail in front of me. :) Btw, No blisters!
Some of you have seen this on facebook, but I wanted to share it with the rest of you.
From Chuck:
Thats a great pic! I would love to get a high quality file if possible. I just downloaded a few that I took. Some of the better ones I've attached here. I didn't downsize these, they were taken at around 1MB each.
I also agree with stopping and the smelling the roses. It is good to take your time and enjoy the scenery while you're there. One of my geology professors in college has this discussion when we visited Death Valley. He said that he had been taking classes there for 30 years and every year, he would get responses from other people/tourists that would stop and ask,"what are you looking at, its nothing but desert out here" as he and his class were parked on the side of the road learning of the ecology of the desert.
Your wildlife concern was also valid. As I stated in my previous email, this is the largest group I've ever been hiking with and one of the things I noticed was how loud we were, compared to the forest. I know we were yelling and making a shit ton of noise; but, you will not see wildlife if everyone is talking at normal levels. You pretty much have to be reserved, whisper even, and keep a sharp eye. I do know that we will never have to worry about bears if we hike like we did this weekend. Any wildlife would have heard us from a mile away. I guess its the hunter in me.
Good job on the blister control. If nothing else, your boots are broken in now!
Great notes, guys, thanks!
All I can add is fire tinder. We found some pretty dry wood from a recent blow-down but we couldn't get it to stay lit without constant fanning. We had one candle, several cotton tinder sources, we just couldn't get it to spark. The weather has been very wet lately so it should be expected. I will be experimenting with some new tinder sources for Pacific NW weather.
This area is so hiked that wildlife is seldom seen save migrating birds and small scurrying rodents. Since this was our first trip, all the chatter should be expected as we get to know one-another. Perhaps on the next trip we will aim to move more quietly. It will be about the same distance, but in an area much less traveled so there should be increased chance of wildlife. Details to follow. I am looking forward to my Texas cousin joining us for that one.
As for the views, we should always stop more. I could sit and look out over a ridge line for an hour just studying the terrain, vegetation, and looking for wildlife. Right now we are in the work-ups phase. We need to be able to break 13 miles per day to be successful on our Mt. Hood Hike later this summer. We did that for two days on this trip. We will do it again for two days next trip. Remember the Hood Hike will require this for three days. Once we do that, we will be able to smell all the roses we want and will know we have the skills and strength to make it home as planned.
Next hike: Battle Ax to Bagby Hot Springs. Green Trails Map #524 if you want a head start.
No comments:
Post a Comment