Now with more success than last time
Having been stymied by Nippletop exactly three weeks ago, I decided that we needed to have another showdown. I performed my usual preparations last night, being especially careful not to leave out any emergency gear. I read 127 hours over the weekend and am a little paranoid, being careful not to go out without sufficient emergency equipment. My pack, of course, weighed a lot more than I wanted it to, but that could not be helped.
I left home this morning at about quarter to five. I wanted to get to the trailhead at about daybreak in order to use the most daylight. Dawn had just broken when I pulled into the parking lot at the bottom of Ausable Road. Quickly putting on my hiking outers, I heaved my pack on my back and started hiking. I was better able to gage how many layers would keep me comfortable from my trip three weeks ago as temperatures were similar. I signed in at the trailhead at the Lake Road at 7:45 and tramped off down the road. There was an inch or two of snow on the Lake Road and it was pretty well traveled. I kept my MicroSpikes available, but bare-booted it all the way up to where the Gill Brook trail left the Lake Road.
When I got to Gill Brook trail, I paused to put on my MicroSpikes, grab a bite to eat and drink a little water. I bullied my way through the snow up to elk pass. I was feeling much better than I had three weeks ago which was good news. At elk pass there was about three or so inches of snow. I put my snow shoes on as much for the elevator bars as much as anything else. Having turned around at this stretch last time, I paced myself and made it to the top without a problem. I contemplated leaving my pack at the junction with the Nippletop spur, but thought better of is because then I could stop a little longer on Nippletop and eat a snack. I made good speed and covered the .2 miles to the summit. My first winter peak!!! I was awed by the panoramic views. It was one of those amazing views accentuated by the sun beaming down, glinting off the snow held captive by the trees.
I snapped a couple pictures and pulled out one of my two Snicker bars. I had warmed it up inside my jacket so it wouldn’t be completely frozen. As I sunk my teeth into the soft, chewy, chocolaty, nutty, caramel goodness, I was struck by a brilliant idea. I set a goal to become the first person in the history of the planet to eat a Snickers bar on each ADK high peak during the winter months. (If anyone has done this before I will be severely disappointed.) After finishing my delectable snack I pressed on to Dial.
The trail to Dial was mostly downhill. I thought I must have passed it without knowing because it seemed I had gone so far. I pulled out my GPS that had, until now, laid unused in my pack. It put my position as well before Dial’s summit so I pressed on.
Hiking by myself gives me time to reflect about a great many things. I often let my mind wander wherever it wants and sometimes I cogitate on particular things. I was lost in a maze of thought when suddenly someone said, “hey.” As usual when accosted out in the wilderness, I almost jumped out of my skin. It’s always surprising to bump into someone after not seeing anyone for several hours. The acknowledgement had been uttered by a man who was accompanied by a woman. We talked for a short time about trail conditions and went our separate ways.
We had meet right where Dial started to rise out of the col. Lifting the elevator bars on my snowshoes I easily make it to the top of Dial. It was almost disappointingly easy, but I didn’t feel like complaining. I pulled out my second Snickers bar and joyfully chomped away. Two down, forty-four to go!! I moved along to Bear Den Mountain, no view, no comment. On to the shoulder of Noonmark; there was a great view over the forest fire residue. More descent after that; my knees start to grumble under the stress I’m giving them. I made it to the lake road sooner than I thought I would. It’s always a nice surprise to be further along than one thinks.
Between this morning and the time I came off Noonmark at least two snowmobiles had gone up and down the Lake Road and tore it up. No X-country skiing down there until we get a good heavy snowfall or you are willing to sacrifice your base. I made it out to the register, signing out at 3:45 I noticed that only two other parties signed in after I did. Slow day in the mountains.
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