The next day I decided to try a solo ascent onto Alta Peak (11204 feet). I started from Wolverton (about 7000 feet), below you can see me during breakfast. It was not very relaxing however, because a mountain lion ran through the wood only a hundred feet away.
From about 8000 feet upwards, the trail became more and more difficult to follow. This was where I met a Hungarian group, which also wanted to hike Alta Peak that day. They were glad that I could set some footsteps in the snow, getting the correct direction using the GPS. While going up, I lost the trail regularly. It was like walking a few yards on a trail and then hiking blindly on snow fields or through brushwood trying to find the trail again. One time after loosing the trail, I saw my first wilderness bear. I wished that this was happening some time, but I didn't want this to happen, when I was all alone off the trail in the forest. Well, I wasn't all alone - of course this wicked little fighting dog was with me! This must have been the reason why the bear was afraid, and wasn't keen on meeting us. Instead it ran away, unfortunately the same direction as the trail was going...
As the conditions didn't get better, I was multiple times close to resigning. Hiking additional routes to find the trail was exhausting. From about 9500 to 10500 feet the trail was easier, because there were no more trees and it was on the south side of the mountain. Therefore most of the snow had already melted. But from 10500 feet upwards, it was all a big snow field. The only traces in the snow I found up here were bear traces. The air was getting thinner, so I had a hard time fighting my way up to the top through the snow. Below you can see Cindy lying in the snow, behind her the top of Alta Peak.
After 4 hours I was finally at the top of the 11204 feet mountain. It was a relieving feeling, neither me nor Cindy ever got that high.
Going down was a bit easier, especially at the upper part. I should have brought my skiers with me! At about 10000 feet I met the Hungarian group again and informed them about the conditions on the top. Then it was again a bit like straying through the woods. Now there were however some more footsteps and I had better knowledge of the terrain.
Unfortunately I lost my watch, while hiking down. A branch must have taken it off my wrist. After 7 hours Cindy and I were back at the car, the total length of the trail was about 15 miles with about 4200 feet difference in elevation.
2 Kommentare:
don´t risk so much!
don´t go alone!
"Don't go alone!" means also "Don't go alone with Cindy!". Dogs which are perhaps not even bearproof aren't valid hiking companions.
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