#2015wtcgroup5

[jazminortega]

Beer & Gear night at Golden Road Brewing! We had an entire section away from the crowds to unpack and share what we're taking to snow camp. Amy brought gear to sell (I snagged an inflatable pad, a day pack and down booties); Scobie, Anne and Homer gave us tips on what to bring and what to leave at home. Great idea for socializing and getting ready!

[jazminortega]

The Snow Travel Day That Really Was

It didn’t look very promising as we drove up the Angeles Crest Highway. The morning was crisp, but there was no sign of snow on the road. Beth had joked in class that it would be "Travel Day" without the snow.

Earlier, the WTC Group 5 crew had gathered at La Cañada,where the road began its climb into the mountains. We inspected each other’s boots. Some had applied waterproofing wax or spray. I brought my Sundance snow boots, that I had only worn once for four days, three years ago. I was afraid they would be too heavy and snug to go hiking. One thing was certain: they were warm.

We carpooled to the trailhead, with Ben driving, Abby riding shotgun, and Jordana and me in the back. We talked movies (50 Shades of Gray), careers, people we knew in common, the hiking we’ve done or hope to do. It was exciting to know that the Pacific Crest Trail snaked its way along these mountains. At less than an hour from home, this may be the closest point to access the PCT, and I’m already planning on hiking there as soon as I’m able.

Just beyond the Buckhorn campground, we stopped and unloaded our packs. Some of us got snowshoes to strap on our packs. I got a snow shovel to carry. After a quick bathroom break at the vault toilet (which in these parts is a luxury), the bundled-up crew gathered to answer the inevitable questions from Homer or Scobie: “So… where are we?”

The better navigators amongst us settled on a spot on a map before a bend in the road, and decided to meet the trail through a gully just in front of us.

That first mile carrying a pack was the toughest. The altitude coupled with the weight made my breathing more labored than I expected. It was a good moment to recall the Whitaker Wheeze. Stopping along the way to adjust layers and check the map were more than welcome respites from trudging along the fire road. No sign of snow yet.

But once it did arrive, as we spread out for lunch along a clearing, the snow fell softly adding layers of white along everything it touched: the trail, the branches, the creek, our jackets and packs. It was beautiful to be in a snow globe, so close to home.

The snow was also the backdrop for an exercise in wilderness first aid. Our resident nurse, Annie, was our injury victim, feigning a broken leg for us to practice our first responder skills. Luckily Denise had recently gone through a NOLS wilderness medical workshop and handled the situation beautifully. My best hope in an emergency is to do no harm and be of help to someone who does know what to do.

The hike back was under a steady snowfall, pairing up in twos and threes, we carried on conversations, then fell under the quiet spell of our surroundings. The ski lift area, a drab brown only a few hours ago, was now a bright white. It was here that Alex delivered his delayed Lightning Lecture, and after this break under a pine tree, we began hiking again. There were no other hikers on this trail, so it was surprising to see a Subaru Outback making its way uphill, then back less than 10 minutes later.

We could see the road from that point. After we turned a corner, the roadblock told us we were done. Almost. Homer took a moment to show us how to tamp down a camping spot in the snow, and how to bury snow stakes. After another quick restroom break, it was off to pizza and beer!

It’s safe to say we got lucky this weekend and were able to practice snowshoeing, self arrest and post-holing under better conditions than anticipated. It was also a more realistic practice run with our snow camp gear. It still feels daunting to do this over three days, but I’m definitely better prepared!

[jazminortega]

Scobie, Amy and Brett give us a snow camp packing demo. We’ll be practicing during snow travel day a week from Sunday. Let’s hope for snow.

[jazminortega]

Last Friday, the crew and I gathered for a Mt. Whitney clinic, learning the ins and outs of applying for permits, the kind of physical conditioning needed to make the trek, different routes we can take, and what gear we really need (hint: not as much as you think!). The anticipation is building and making it out to Adventure 16 West LA just made this Mt. Whitney challenge all the more real. After dinner at Plan Check we pinned down some dates, and this week we’ll be applying for permits on Recreation.gov. One of the many take-always from Dr. Murray’s presentation is that an unsuccessful permit application doesn’t spell the end of the dream. Like climbing Mt. Whitney itself, there are many routes to get there, if you know where to look.

[jazminortega]

#tent demo. #bw ⛺️#camping #2015wtcgroup5 #scwtc #PeopleStaringatStuff #TakeMeBackpacking ❄️#snowcamp❄️preview. (at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church)

[jazminortega]

WTC Conditioning Hike

If there was any doubt the WTC would be as much a mental as a physical challenge, I give you Exhibit A, the 12-mile long conditioning hike that took us through Rubio Canyon, up the Echo Mountain incline to the resort ruins, up to Inspiration Point and the East Mt. Lowe trail, down back to Echo Mountain via the old Observatory, before cutting through a more recent trail back to Rubio Canyon. Memories of racing downhill (and falling) on Echo Mountain came back, to be replaced by happier, new memories with Group 5. I was in charge of the weather report, announcing the high of 75 in Altadena and mid 60s on Mt. Wilson, with 25-35 mile and hour gusts of wind, that really only materialized a couple of times. The rest of the day it was hot, especially on the descent from Echo Mountain. That made the pizza and beer taste all the better at the post-hike feast and debrief.

Group photo by Taka Ohyama.

[jazminortega]

@scwtc Conditioning Hike packing begins with the 10 Essentials:

1. Navigation (map and compass) 2. Illumination (headlamp, flashlight) 3. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) 4. Nutrition (extra food) 5. Hydration (extra water) 6. Insulation (extra clothing) 7. Fire (waterproof matches, firestarter) 8. Emergency shelter 9. Repair tools and kit (leatherman tool, duct tape, etc.) 10. First aid kit.