5.7 miles/3,303 vert./1:33:38 (45:47 to true summit of Bear/11:40 to SoBo/9:48 back to Bear/26:20 down) Garmin Data
After getting up Bear on Friday and totally enjoying the snow drifted ridge, I could not wait to get out there again to enjoy.
From Cragmoor TH, up Fern to Bear/SoBo and back. Nice day, pretty warm, but a little windy again above the saddle. A little bit of everything out there for trail conditions, ice, bare ground, packed snow, slush, wind drifted powder, wind packed crust, frozen post holes, you name it. We need either a foot or two of snow, or a week of 80 degree temps (I would truly prefer the feet of snow right now).
Went high side of moderate on the up, flirting with the low side of hard at times, especially fighting the snow drifts on the ridge and piffy pow on the way up SoBo. Took it pretty mellow on the descent due to the variable conditions and lack of confidence in my rounded Microspikes (even crab walking through the steep section with the log steps). Once I crossed the Mesa Trail, I just removed the spikes, which was mostly a good choice, but made for some slow and careful stepping in spots, especially on the Cragmoor connector.
I was glad to have a day away from that after the double diamond skiing down the other day.
ReplyDeleteI contemplated Bear on Saturday (hike) but it gets a bit creepy back there near dusk.
ReplyDeleteSeasoned runners may be able to navigate the slopes without spikes, but when students go to orientation at CU, they should give each one a pair of Microspikes. I don't think I've ever seen a student who wasn't sliding down on their arse.