Previous :: Next Topic |
Author |
Message |
Karen Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Karen
Member
|
Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:56 pm
|
|
|
I will never go snowshoeing with BJ or Solohiker again, not ever!!
When we met today we couldn't figure out where we wanted to go so they forced me to go to Commonwealth Basin against all my wishes (I had no choice, Solohiker was driving).
Just kidding!
It was probably one of the BEST snowshoeing trips I've done in years. Conditions couldn't have been better, the mountains couldn't have been more beautiful than they were today.
We took the old Cascade Crest Trail route into Commonwealth Basin and went up into upper Commonwealth Basin for the views of Kendall Peak, Red Mountain and big stretches of fluffy, white, untrammeled snow.
Lots of snowshoers were out over the weekend because we were able to follow tracks (snowshoe tracks) much of the way and we didn't have to work that hard. Crossing Commonwealth Creek has never been easier - there is so much snow, you couldn't drown if you wanted to. Snow bridges are in good condition, the best ever, at least for now.
It was very cold, though. That's the price you pay to snowshoe through such a pretty scene - the sharp blue skies, the white, white snow, the greenish blue shadows the trees cast on the glittering snow and ice. Cold. Darn cold.
Had to keep taking the gloves off to work the camera and my fingers were screaming. Yet we couldn't stop taking pictures.
Lunch was on a rounded bump (we couldn't decide whether it was an ancient igloo, a rock or a fat tree) with views of Kendall Peak and Red Mountain and oh yes, the notch between Red and Lundine (looks like someone took a bite out of the ridge).
We stayed mostly in the trees - we could see avalanche slopes/chutes on the surrounding peaks but we there was no danger where we were, at least not today. The snow was great for snowshoeing - no problems at all.
It's hard to figure out mileage when snowshoeing but it was probably about 4-5 miles round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain to our high point (according to my analog altimeter).
A good time was had by all, including Tika who got another chance to frolic in the snow.
My gosh, it was beautiful up there.
Karen
A view of Guye Peak from old Cascade Crest Trail A view of Red Mountain from upper Commonwealth Basin A view of Kendall Peak Upper Commonwealth Basin Lower Commonwealth Basin Looking down on Commonwealth Creek Lower Commonwealth Basin Frozen Commonwealth Creek Texture, Commonwealth Basin Snowy scene, Lower Commonwealth Basin
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sabahsboy Member
Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 2484 | TRs | Pics Location: SW Sno County |
|
Sabahsboy
Member
|
Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:06 pm
Commonwealth Basin snowshoe trek
|
|
|
Nice going, BJ and Solohiker! Glad you "shanghai'd" Karen! She has done an admirable job....even "artsy-fartsy" (I cite photos 5 and 9). Great job on the photos and soulds like it was a grad adventure on the ol' trail...er....snow slog. Wish I was there!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Schmidt Alti-Dude 4th class poster
Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 1361 | TRs | Pics Location: Looking for Adventure 201! |
Karen:
Tisha received a pair of PossumDown gloves from Demo as a Christmas present. She absolutely loves them. They are thin enough to manipulate the camera buttons yet very insulating. She says they are warmer than her thick winter gloves.
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
Anything stated by me in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of my wife
|
Back to top |
|
|
Karen Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Karen
Member
|
Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:22 pm
|
|
|
Thanks, Schmidt Alti-tude -- they are out of stock apparently but I will certainly check back.
The gloves sound perfect for my needs and they are affordable, too.
That was about the only part of my body that was complaining today, my darned hands. Usually my wool gloves suffice but they didn't help at all.
Karen
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
|
Back to top |
|
|
Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
|
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
|
Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:29 pm
|
|
|
Gorgeous pictures. Thanks for the TR Karen!
|
Back to top |
|
|
Bryan K Shameless Peakbagger
Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 5129 | TRs | Pics Location: Alaska |
|
Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger
|
Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:36 pm
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
|
Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
|
Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:13 pm
|
|
|
I like the curvy snow bridges on the "Looking down Commonwealth Creek" photo.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
|
Back to top |
|
|
greg Member
Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 1159 | TRs | Pics
|
|
greg
Member
|
Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:30 am
|
|
|
I helped break that trail for you Karen, was up there with a group on Friday -- gorgeous then too!Guye Peak on the left
|
Back to top |
|
|
cartman Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 2800 | TRs | Pics Location: Fremont |
|
cartman
Member
|
Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:39 pm
|
|
|
Man, I wish all my trips sucked like this one.
|
Back to top |
|
|
cartman Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 2800 | TRs | Pics Location: Fremont |
|
cartman
Member
|
Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:44 pm
|
|
|
Schmidt Alti-dude wrote: | Karen:
Tisha received a pair of PossumDown gloves from Demo as a Christmas present. She absolutely loves them. They are thin enough to manipulate the camera buttons yet very insulating. She says they are warmer than her thick winter gloves. |
I've noticed when using my OR Windstopper fleece gloves (fleece inside and out with a layer of Windstopper between them--not made anymore) that my hands tend to be warmer than with thicker gloves. I think this is due to no nylon or other sort of barrier, thus there is some heat exchange between the fingers--in other words, each finger isn't completely isolated from all the other fingers. Toasty.
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sabahsboy Member
Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 2484 | TRs | Pics Location: SW Sno County |
|
Sabahsboy
Member
|
Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:00 pm
gloves
|
|
|
Yikes! I may have been duped by nice lady employee at REI. Purchased pair of "windproof, weatherproof 'SOFTSHELL' by SEIRUS" gloves at $45 when shopping Christmas presents at Redmond store. I found no need to wear until recent cold weather. Low....they are colder than when NOT wearing them! They seem to transfer ambient temp. of air and keep skin COLD! And...sharp wind cuts right through. I went for these based on the raves by employee salesperson, "...this is the 'hotest' item we have this year....a super fabric for any use....". I Q'd her since I walk my dogs at night and it would be most appealing to have gloves that kept hands warm and still could do the handling (esp. 'pickup brigade' duties). She thought it ideal. I have misplaced or dispatched the sales slip/receipt. Someone thought I could beg REI for refund...is that possible? I have tried on these gloves and walked short distances until my fingers got so cold I couldn't stand it...I have switched to walking dogs with my hands in pockets and hope for the best!
I have not yet tried using the gloves as liners...which may work. My old gloves really were cheap and are now falling apart...but might be useful as outer gloves. My very fine ski gloves have been on the "missing list" for 3.25 years since moving. I sure wish I did not talk with the sales person...and had gone for the nice, bulky ski mitts for a few dollars less....and would have happy hands. I still need warm gloves for mountain travel if I go x-c ski/snowshoe. Lesson learned...I think.
|
Back to top |
|
|
solohiker Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1081 | TRs | Pics Location: issaquah |
If you used your REI number when you purchased the gloves, they will have it in their computer and be happy to exchange for something you like better (adjusting for any difference in price, and no begging necessary) or refund you the amount you paid. Actually it might be store credit which you can use at any time rather than straight cash refund - I'm not sure - I've never needed straight cash because there's always SOMEthing I'd like to buy there, so store credit's as good as money to me.
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
|
Back to top |
|
|
solohiker Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1081 | TRs | Pics Location: issaquah |
And Sabahsboy fwiw the thin pair of gloves I bought from REI are "Mountain Wear - Polartec." They're great for walking the dog - keeping my hands plenty warm yet fingers are nimble enough to handle scoop duties, leash adjustments, etc.
Sorry for the thread drift - back on topic - yeah it was a glorious day - except for Karen fussing about how "awful" it was. (She was in a peak bagging mood, but it was windy and being a bit of a wuss I voted for the basin where we'd be protected from the wind, still have plenty of views, we'd just have to look up for them instead of down).
The amount of depth of snow on the ground is phenomenal. I've never seen it so easy to cross the creek(s) in that basin.
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mark Griffith (Embrace yourself)
Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 853 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Karen Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
|
|
Karen
Member
|
Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:46 am
|
|
|
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the photos! Being there was worth the "price" of cold fingers.
Not sure (yet) what to do to remedy the situation (gloves) -- if all else fails, I'll just put up with the cold fingers. It's usually not that cold anyway. (All kidding aside, this was one of my "best" trips in a while --though I cringe to use that over-used adjective).
Karen
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
|
Back to top |
|
|
|