[Hikingqueen]

I've been talking about doing a snow camp somewhere at Paradise for about 3 years now... the weather was perfect conditions for it and no time like the present, it's a new year, time to knock off my wish list now! I asked a few people no one could come But that's never stopped me before..Solo it is! I was nervous about my 3 season tent, haven't made the investment yet in 4 season gear until I knew i would like it... I ended up buying snow anchors and used dead man anchor for tent stakes in places. That was my biggest concern the tent blowing away while i was off snowshoeing. I got my permit at Longmire in 5 mins flat. My pack weighed 25 lbs, not bad for winter. I tend to run hot always so i wasn't too concerned about the cold. I did stop and buy one more pack of hand warmers, thank goodness i did, it was a 4 hand warmer night and i wished for 4 more body size one's. But i survived and it wasn't so bad that i was miserable. Ok, on to the good stuff....

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My camp Mazama Ridge MRNP 1/4/14 solo girl power!

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My first snow camp @ Mazama Ridge MRNP 1-4-14

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Snow Camping Fun! Amazing sunset, stars, moonlight...

Sunset 1/4/14 from Mazam Ridge

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Cresent Moon from Camp

The stars, moon, skies, and mountain were brilliant. I've never seen anything like it in my life! I will remember these images forever. I could see climbers headlamps, i felt like i had the whole ridge to myself. I did see 7 other campers in the area at times but it all was quiet by 7 and it was heaven on earth. Absolutely breathtaking to say the least. And as long as i kept walking it wasn't cold a bit. I heard howling of dogs of somekind in the distance and that was it...coyotes i'd imagine. Morning was not as brilliant as the sunset but still decent. I packed up and headed out early. Morning light

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Sunrise from Mazama Ridge 1-5-14

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trail marker just after the bridge where you make the way up to mazama

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I'm so glad I went. I had no issues except 2 broken nails. I would do it again in a heart beat and know what to adjust with my gear. I'm excited for the new year and all the new and old trails I will meet.

[bobbi]

it's bad enough having to overnight somewhere in the summer and figure out what to do at camp when going at it solo....set up camp, hike somewhere, read, cook, read, clean up, read, get ready for bed, read, sleep. snow camp...i supposed it depends on how far you hike/snowshoe in. so after setting up camp, snowshoe some more, cook (did you cook something hot?), photo session, get ready for bed at 5, maybe 6, sleep, up at 5, hot breakfast? AWESOME photos not for me but sure glad you got this one checked off your list

[Hikingqueen]

I wandered under the moonlight for a while then turned in and had internet so it wasn't all that bad. I had hot coco and a shot and a few bites of sandwich (leftover meatloaf) but wasn't very hungry and didn't want a big hot meal. It was alot of time in the tent but i expected that and also had electronic yatzee, always fun! With more company i probably would have wandered longer and farther but just taking it all in was very enjoyable to me, never once did i get bored or want the time to pass.. well maybe at 4 AM when i was freezing

[the Zachster]

YOU DIDN'T ASK ME!!! You KNOW that snowshoeing under a full moon is still at the top of my to do list... So what sleeping bag did you use, and how cold did it actually get?

[hikerman]

Nice! Looks like you had a great time.

[Magellan]

Looks great, Queenie.

[Gabigabs]

Great pics. Worth the little bit of cold.

[touron]

Nice photos! Any idea what the temperature was?

[Hikingqueen]

I didn't bring my thermometer on purpose I think.

[HitTheTrail]

[ragman and rodman]

Spectacular!!

[joker]

Nice. Winter nights are beautiful from a high dark spot. FWIW, per the NWAC telemetry, it was only around 30-ish at Paradise in the wee hours on the 5th - a pretty warm night for such an outing, assuming you were there on the 4th/5th. I've had much colder in October... Even Camp Muir only got into the low 20's in the wee hours on the 5th. It was down in the teens on the wee hours of the 4th at Paradise, on the other hand. So if you were out Saturday night, it turned out to be a pretty good choice for a non-severe winter camp outing!

[GeoHiker]

Excellent , you picked the perfect weather for your first time. Can't beat the pics. Looking forward to your next adventure.

[EastKing]

Nice job!!

[rosies]

I would have gone! great photos!