1/18, Saturday. I walked almost 30 minutes to the I-5 exist at Columbia St for a pick-up at 6:15am, because, the driver is taking this exit in order to pick up another person in First Hill. She refused to walk less than 10 minutes to wait at the exit. We had to waste 10 minutes going through small streets looking for her building, and came back to I-5 for the same exit. This is not the first time. Seems many folks expect to be picked up from their home, and happily wasting others' time.
9 of us met at South Hill P&R in Puyallup. Then, we drove to a Starbuck's for coffee and bathroom (and wasting some more time).
Chilly. Great sunrise on the way.
Then we drove to Longmire for permit (in the museum building). That took awhile, due to 2 parties ahead of us.
One more person joined us. She drove from Yakima.
Parked at Narada Falls, and walked down to see the falls. 10:45am already.
Continued onto Wonderland Trail towards Reflection Lake, where we had a long lunch break.
Of the Chinese couple, the wife complained about frozen feet, lagging behind. The husband walked a heart shape on the lake for them to take photos when she arrived.
The others were happily snapping pictures at the jays who were stealing food.
Finally we got going again. There are tracks to follow. This is a winter route going up the the saddle below Castle. More skiers than snowshoers. Good view once above the trees. Mount Rainier right behind us.
At one point, there was a pink ribbon on a tree branch. There, I realized that I lost my phone.
Immediately I went back down to look for it. All the way back to the lake. The people sitting where I was sitting said that they didn't see a phone.
Despondant, I returned. There, at the junction to the road, I saw my phone.
I caught up my group when this photo was taken.
At the saddle by Castle, the view is grand.
When we all arrived, M.R. checked the route to Foss, and decided we'd set up camp here.
It's a good call. I don't think the group is capable of moving further, especially with heavy pack.
It was getting late, already ~3:30pm.
I quickly pitched my tent (away from others). Thankfully, not much wind, so I didn't need to stake it well.
Packed spikes, emergency blanket, some food, water bottle (already ice inside) and the thermal bottle.
Ice axe in hand, I headed down alone. Already past 4pm.
No more tracks. Some ski tracks here and there.
Losing ~250' to Foss Lake. M.R. initially wanted to camp on the knoll north of this lake.
I continued south of the lake.
Going up to Foss Peak requires ice axe now. There are 2 bumps a little too steep without it, especially near the summit.
Snow wasn't hardened enough to support my weight, at least deep enough for the axe to get a hold.
I had to take off snowshoes on my way down here, and put them back on later.
Maybe I didn't choose the best route, no track to follow.
Reached the summit just as the sun set.
This summit is too small to setup camp. I didn't have time to explore, went back immmediately.
Need clouds for a better sunset.
Back at camp, already dark. Finished setting up my tent with headlamp.
Changed to clean clothes. My legs were cramping: didn't drink enough.
Carried my bear can and foam mattress to the trench to cook dinner.
Experimented with my new phone. It managed to catch some stars. The sky was brilliant.
Some light pollution from NW and NE.
1st, down botties are cold walking on snow. I walked in my boots, and changed to down bootieds while sitting on my pad, when I can rest my feet on the pad.
2nd, hiking pants over wool base layer is not enough for this weather. I shall bring my down pants, or lay sleeping bag over my lap.
3rd, it takes forever to boil water.
I ate potato chips, roasted seaweed (for salt) and 2 bars while waiting for the water to boil. Once I got my 3/4 bottle of hot water, I had no desire sitting out in the cold to boil another cup for dinner. Went back to my tent, and crawled into my 0°F sleeping bag in all my clothes, top and bottom. With the closed tent door, and hot water bottle, I felt better soon. Tried to go to sleep shortly after 8pm.
1/19, Sunday.
Got up ~3am, the half moon was so bright, that I didn't need a head lamp. Some clouds. Not any colder than dinner time.
Up again ~5am, too bright.
Got out ~7:30am to wait for the sunrise. Went back into my tent to eat breakfast.
Tried to cook snow, but I ran out of gas. Ate my frozen sandwich and 2 more bars.
Stayed inside my sleeping bag, until the time to pack up.
I was ready ~9:30am when I went to the group. Only one person had tent down.
Here's my happy group eating breakfast at their dugged seating.
Finally, everyone was ready, and we headed back to car, after a group photo. The husband and wife decided not to wear snowshoes. I gave my microspikes to the wife so she wasn't slipping. Then, we (except for the lady from Yakima) drove to Chili Thai in Puyallup (near the P&R) -- the 3rd choice of M.R.'s. The servie is good, but food no. Too much sugar and too much garlic. Seems they don't know how to make food tasty without being spicy. Mine has chicken, shrimp and tofu. The chicken is as tough as cardboard. 20% tip automatically added. The restaurant is clean and bright. My team member spent so much time sharing photos, that our lunch lasted over 2 hours. I got dropped off downtown ~5pm. Already getting dark. Walked a mile home.
Total, 7-8 miles RT, ~1700'. For Foss Peak, maybe 2 miles and 700' extra. Not much.
Lessons:
- Need more fuel in freezing weather. Typical isobutane gas turns to liquid at −11.7°C (10.9°F), thus un-usable. Or use my "upside-down" stove.
- Down booties are not good to walk on snow without a thick sole (cold below). Better bring 2 sturdy plastic bags to wrap over thicker socks, in boots.
- Maybe pack a thin wind breaker for walking, and a shell for my legs when sitting at camp. I have this plastic rain pants over feet.
- May need a 4-season tent if windy. Just ordered Air Rise 1 for the future windy/snowy outings.
- Need a bit more salt in my water bottle.
- Pack more salty snacks.
- Will not bring the bear can next time as long as someone else in the group carries one (in cased checked by a ranger)
- Even for backpacking trip, I shouldn't sign up for easy ones. These folks are nice, but more into getting their photos taken and socializing than hiking. Wasted a lot of time.
- Avoid trips with lots of Chinese: no concept of privacy. They love to share their life stories, and want to know yours.
- Avi gear — Transceiver (Required), Probe, and Shovel
Hard-sided bear-proof food container (required by the Park Services)- Snowshoes (Mountain terrain)
- Trekking poles with 3” baskets (only good on powdery snow, less than 45° slope)
- High gaiters
- Headlamp & extra batteries
- Full-length foam pad (also used outside of tent), along with air mattress (fold under butt and feet)
- Puffy down jacket and layers
- Fresh base layer for camp
- 0–10°F sleeping system (M.R.'s thermometer says 14°F
- Nalgene bottle (hot water bottle)
- Stove & extra fuel (required)
- Windproof shell (both top and bottom)
- Mittens and Waterproof gloves
- Snow tent pegs
