[Schmidt Altitude]

So the challenge had been set, were we up to the task? We'd been thinking of the NWHikers Traveling Summit Register, all cold and lonely under the snow on Pyramid Peak, for a few weeks when HJT layed down the challenge. Suddenly, our wondering became a possessive need to rescue Reggie Ster! We left Sequim a little after 4:00PM and after a brief errand in Port Angeles arrived at the trailhead on the north shore of Lake Crescent at 5:30. In our excitement we forgot that this trail was in the O.N.P. but the large "No pets, weapons, or vehicles beyond this point" sign reminded us. We left the Alti-Whippets in our vehicle with the keys and instructions that if we weren't back by an hour after dark to drive into P.A. to get help. We were on trail by 5:40 trying not to listen to Kiefer's screams of protest, "no it's too dangerous, you need your trained backcountry canines!" We made great time along the gentle grade of the first third of the trail. Views of the lake played peek-a-boo through the trees to our right and we were surprised to look up and see patches of blue sky. The trail was in great shape and we quickly found out why as the high pitched wine of a chainsaw as well as the smell of sawdust and gasoline assaulted our senses. We came around a bend to find two park employees finishing up cutting their last downed tree of the day. They informed us of the good news and the bad news: 1) they had done a little maintainence along the "slide area" just the day before 2) there were an estimated 70 downed trees across the trail from the slide to the summit.

Making good time

Soon after we came to the dreaded "slide area." After surveying the scene it was clear that you could not go above or below the slide and our ice axes would be of no use if we fell. The pictures just don't paint a true picture of how intimidating the situation is. We steeled up our nerves and proceeded across as quickly yet safely as possible. It wasn't so bad; the path was almost a foot wide !

I don't remember it being this bad

Danger with a view

The good news is, if you fall, the trees will stop you before you go into the lake

Whew, across!

A short distance after crossing the slide we came to a log jam of three mature trees down across the path. This forced us to descend 100 feet down the steep slope, cross the logs, and climb back up the hill to find the trail. If the whole rest of the trail was like this, we would never make the summit. Luckily, the switchback part of the trail up the the ridge crest was free of any more major blockages. We took a short rest on the ridge and celebrated only 700' more to climb.

Into the mist

We didn't do it!

Up till this point the trail had been snow free, but from the ridge crossing to the summit the snow got steadily deeper and deeper. Adding to the adventure was the fact that the mist was freezing into tiny snowflakes. The best part, though, was to discover that the majority of the downed trees were in the last 500' before the summit. Climbed under, over, and around numerous snags, snarls, trunks, branches, and root wads.

How many downed trees did he say?

Oh yeah, this is fun!

Just when it seemed the "fun" would never end we looked up to see the summit shelter peeking out through the trees. We stepped inside out of the snow and had the following conversation: Dude, "Do you remember exactly where they put the register?" Babe, "No, I thought you looked it up" Dude, "Maybe I should have looked again before we came out here" Babe, "Yeah, ya think?" We seemed to remember it being underneath the shelter by one of the corners. A search of the foundation revealed our goal. Finally, we had a hold of Reggie!

Reggie's home

Dude and Reggie

Babe and Reggie

Its mine, all mine, hahahahaha!

A bit of view

Come in out of the weather

View from the shelter

"Nice view...and the lake's not bad either!" says 'Dude.

Of course, going down is faster than going up, especially when you (unintentionally) glissade down the trail on the snow. You just have to make sure you stop before you slide into the downed trees . We had to turn on our headlamps about halfway back. Crossing the large log jam and the slide area in the dark and rain sure added a little excitement to this mundane trip ! Of course, once we arrived back at the car we were promptly mugged by the whippets who luckily hadn't driven in search of help yet, even though we were a little late .

Now we're talking excitement!

Hold still while I take the picture and don't look down

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Lucky trailhead shot (The sign reads Danger: A recent landslide has obliterated a portion of the trail ahead. It cannot be hiked safely at this time.)

Reggie will be staying with us for a few days and will have a new home soon. While he was with us he did get to attend his first NWHiker social !

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Getting to know his host family

[yukon222]

[Ancient Ambler]

Way to go, Dude and Babe! So, was it thoughts of the whippets that drove you so relentlessly upward despite non-stop peril? Did they threaten to snark on you mile after mile on the long drive home, if you dared to come down from the peak empty-handed?

[gone]

Nice work! Those slide shots made my palms sweat! Glad you made it back safely!

[Dayhike Mike]

Nice work, guys! It was fun meeting Reggie last night...

[goats gone wild]

And all this time I thought there were only two whippets in the Schmidt family. Crossing that slide at night, in the rain, and going under and over logs-of-unusually-large-size to the Lookout! I think the whole bunch of you is WHIPPETS! Good thing Alti-Dude could sniff out the register on top. And, no doubt he stopped to mark his territory with a big arrow. CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO!!!!! Your new doggy coats and booties will be arriving in the mail soon.

[wamtngal]

Meeting Reggie was a highlight of the social...hopefully we'll get to meet again some time. Way to be EXTREME you two.

[Backpacker Joe]

Nice work guys.

[Schmidt Alti-Dude]

[bobbi]

totally sorry for not being at lake crescent lodge for your goodies! you guys rock for your brave attempt across the slide but most of all the return trip in the dark, snow, and whatever else! i'll ask mark to check the names of the 2 ONP trail maintenance guys to heartily thank them for making the slide crossing wider and i guess, safer!

[Schmidt Alti-Babe]

Thanks bcfc.....you rock for bringing the goodies for the car ride.

[goats gone wild]

[Schmidt Alti-Babe]

I would by no means call it wide. They did stomp down a flat path though, but plenty of exposure still for the faint of heart. I think their exact words were, "if you fall, you'll die." Okay, then. Made me feel real warm and fuzzy inside. Their hard work was much appreciated, though.

[bobbi]

i wrote wider.........from 5 inches to 5.5 inches! here you go, goats: The trail was in great shape and we quickly found out why as the high pitched wine of a chainsaw as well as the smell of sawdust and gasoline assaulted our senses. We came around a bend to find two park employees finishing up cutting their last downed tree of the day. They informed us of the good news and the bad news: 1) they had done a little maintainence along the "slide area" just the day before 2) there were an estimated 70 downed trees across the trail from the slide to the summit. one must listen between sentences when talking to park folks

[ree]

Nice tr! Looks like a blast. heheh... Tisha looks like she's turning vowels in that trail sign pic. At first I was thinking "Reggie???" Could be "Regina" too.