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Wahington's Larch Mt. - The ides of March

Posted: March 20th, 2020, 7:58 pm
by Don Nelsen
We hiked Silver Star from Grouse Vista on the 9th and enjoyed a beautiful day, light wind, blue skies and mild temperatures. What difference a week makes!!

Silver Star on the 9th: No wind, shirt sleeve weather and lots of sunshine:
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Sunday was forecast to be a record-breaking day for low temperatures but with the wonderfully clear weather, we didn't care so away we went.

The snow level was about 1500' as we drove up the 1200 road and snow and ice was well packed at the Grouse Vista TH when we arrived. The temperature was 24 degrees with a very brisk wind blowing from the NE. We wasted no time getting going, since, though we were equipped for this, the initial hit from the temperature and the wind takes a few minutes to get used to.

Near the TH on the 1200 road at about 2200' elev:
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We could see only a couple of tracks ahead of us and before we had gone a quarter mile we encountered a young man coming back down the trail. We thanked him for putting down tracks and he advised us that the drifts were deep farther up the trail.
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Serious drifting as we approached the summit ridge:
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First tracks on the final bit to the summit:
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With a a temperature of about 20 degrees as we headed up the final pitch and a wind of about 40 MPH the wind chill comes out to about zero or so. We got our money's worth on this one!

It's only about 4 1/4 miles RT on this hike but in these conditions it sure counts for more.

dn

Re: Wahington's Larch Mt. - The ides of March

Posted: March 21st, 2020, 5:48 am
by retired jerry
If that isn't a family member, did you follow covid19 protocol, like driving separately?

Sorry to be a nag :)

Re: Wahington's Larch Mt. - The ides of March

Posted: March 21st, 2020, 5:50 am
by retired jerry
okay, from other report Kelly is family member so you're okay :)

maybe someone else will read this and be nagged into doing the right thing :)

Looks nice out there

Re: Wahington's Larch Mt. - The ides of March

Posted: March 21st, 2020, 9:52 am
by Don Nelsen
retired jerry wrote:
March 21st, 2020, 5:50 am
okay, from other report Kelly is family member so you're okay :)

maybe someone else will read this and be nagged into doing the right thing :)

Looks nice out there
Except for the cold it was great day out - with so many folks off work, we were a little surprised more folks aren't getting out. All the bars and restaurants are closed over here on the Washington side and traffic almost nonexistent. Theaters closed too, though I never go to them - too many other things to do. Thanks for the comment.

Re: Wahington's Larch Mt. - The ides of March

Posted: March 23rd, 2020, 8:56 am
by BigBear
Don and Kelly are always great at social distancing...but, Don, you only need to be six feet in separation, not six miles.

Say hi to Kelly for me. The Golden Bears have been in hibernation.