We began our climb up the 3 thousand feet on a trail of numerous switch backs. Patches of snow soon covered the trail, and then up high snow totally covered any trace of a trail. We headed straight up kicking steps in the melting snow. After maybe ten minuites we found the trail again and cruised toward the summit. Our climb went rather smooth and our experience climbing and hiking on snow made this seem casual. For other hikers we heard stories of getting confused on their location and really struggling on the snow.
The summit has a marker to pay honor to the man whose name it bears and who started Boy Scouts. As an Eagle Scout I guess I had to pay some sort of homage. The summit marker has among other things a list of the 12 points of the Scout law. A Boy Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courtious
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
I think I'm doing pretty good on all those except maybe "Clean". Jess thought it was funny that one was even in the list in the first place.
Leaving the summit we admired this tree believed to be around 1,500 years old. It was pretty gnarled, but seemed to look good for it's age.
We walked along a ridge with more snow patches and stunning views. As a full moon was rising we made camp near the summit of Mt. Williamson in a soft bed of pine needles.
Total Miles: 387.8
Today's milage: 18.3
Camp 22: Magical Full Moon
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Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
4 comments:
We loved this post! After all those years of Boy Scouts, you got to climb to the summit of a mountain named to honor Lord Baden-Powell! His influence helped inspire you to love the outdoors and learn the "outdoor skills" needed for a hike like the one you are doing this summer. Don't forget the Scout motto "Be Prepared" as you face high winds, blistering heat, snow, gushing streams of melting snow, snakes, wild life, etc. We admire your pioneer spirit and love of the trail!
Love Mom and Dad
Happy anniversary! Your anniversary is the same as my birthday. It is fun reading your hiking blog---keep it up. From one eagle to another, clean means more than clean of body, of course!
We were with Andrea and Jeremy as Andrea graduated from seminary Saturday (and Keith Jagger graduated also). Andrea was one of three student speakers (10 min each) for baccalaureate.
Wow, that sounds pretty intense. You guys are troopers. I agree with Jess, clean should not be on the list, hehe. Miss you guys. Hope you are having fun and that you aren't too cold.
3 yrs. Congrats!
Pretty soon (Mojave/Tehachapi) you'll be picking up where Coach, Chelo, and I hiked in '02.
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