I did it, White Pine pt 2

The nap wasn't so much as a snooze, rather a ponder of a safe way to reach the pass into the lake.  I was on the edge of a little ravine so I followed that up.  I looked for the least likely spots of slides and rollers.  I spotted someone else's track from the previous day cutting across the basin.  I headed that direction.  I cut a switchback or two of my own and joined the traverse to the pass.

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Okay, this altitude got me huffing along with the slope.  I confirm, I am in shape.  The way down will be a combination of shuffle and butt slide.

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I tracked through the pass.  Standing on 7 to 10 feet of snow.  Shuffled to a view of the lake, it's bathed in snow with splinter of turquoise at the edges.  The lake is covered with more snow then I've seen at this time years last. I explored up high not going to the lake always aware of my surroundings.  I was actually closer to the lake at my lunch spot.

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Backcountry skiers this is the place for a while longer.  If you want to play, come. 

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As I began to examine my route down, a gal was on my tracks as they joined the lower basin.  I head down, chatting it up for a bit with her.  With her and everyone I passed within reach of the lake, I let them know to keep an eye up hill and exercise caution when things begin to move.  It's not a mater of if, it's when.  As the sun warms the slopes the danger increases.  I doubt it's refreezing over night, now.  PS I was out of the danger zone by 1:15.

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The first time here years ago, I had roller balls, yeah not fun and not a smart day.  Since then, I've made a point for this time of year to get up and down early from any snowy slope.

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By the time I reached the trees, I passed 5 others.  By the time I got a mile beyond, another half dozen excluding a couple who turned back for the reflection off the sun began to become a bother.

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The further down I went the less info I gave.  At the trail split for White and Red Pine, the day hikers and families gathered.  I spoke with one couple who turned back at the next trail split of Red Pine for the sloppiness of the snow.

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My recommendation for the next two weeks; go early and turn back as the snow softens or choose a different trail set.  There are lots of snow free trails in the Wasatch.  Some trails are in the front country while others are at the lower elevations of the backcountry.

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Never push one's safety.  If one becomes disabled, they put others in danger.  This is the thought that kept crossing my mind as I made my way across the snow fields.  I have no formal training.  I am an experienced hiker who chooses to err on safety than to push my limits.

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I mentioned using my hand as a guage for angles, I may explore this in a different post.

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Gangster on a mountain? Sure, ever have a sunburnt mouth?  Who makes sunscreen for the roof of the mouth?  Let me know in the comments.

White Pine Lake

At this time of year when I approach White Pine Lake, it's about 50/50 if I actually get to the lake.  I'm sitting within 100 meters of the dam on a boulder for lunch.  I traversed a major snow field to get here.

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Behind me is the actual trail, buried under snow.  The trail as it exits the trees is about a mile of exposure, open to tumbling rock, snow rollers (roller balls), and wet sluf avalanches.  Red Baldy from the Valley looked pretty clear of snow which gave indication the trail could be safe.  Err, yeah, no! Not yet.  A few rollers, cartoon like, have come down since I got here.  These didn't quite across the trail or path I would have taken but, why chance it.  The day is warming up and the danger is increassing.  Evidence of activity from yesterday can be seen in the photo.

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The glare off the phone made it hard to see if I got this image smartly.

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I do like this boulder field and basin.  This area reminds me how small I am in the grand scheme of things.  It also reminds me that humans can impact the landscape.  Just on the other side of this mountain is Snowbird Ski resort.  They've changed their section of mountain from pristine to less than something.  I'd love to see this canyon designated as wilderness to protect it.

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As I sit here and as one may read this, if I'm within 100 meters of the dam why don't I go there?  Easy, I've got a deep ravine before the face.  The dam is actually small and is part of someone's water rights, which may have held this area up in the past from becoming wilderness to my understanding.  The slope is such if one made an 'L' with one hand, from the top joint to the thumb tip is the approximate slope.  The slope the trail crosses  below is the angle appropriate tip of the finger to tip of the thumb.  Both slopes today are yeah, no's.

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I think I'll just nap a little longer.  I've already put hot noodles and tea away from lunch.

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Anyone up form some spring time sledding?   We may have two more weeks of this snow up here.

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Hike wise and leave no trace of your travels.

Last minute overnighter

Three o'clock rolled up at work.  Without a plan for the evening, I checked the weather, 50's for an overnight low at Snowbird.  Not having been to Lake Blanche for a while I decided to rush home, grab the rick, and head up.

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A brief detour  to grab hard bread and fresh Smart Water bottles,  I was almost on my way.  I emailed my HOA on a stinky issue and spoke with two of my neighbors about it.  I hope this issue is cleaned up quickly.

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Mill B South parking area over flowed to the hignway.  I tugged on the new ULA-EQUIPMENT pack with Utah Red material.  I can't mis-place it now.  I headed up, thinking I am out of shape, I checked the photo time stamps of when. I left and arrived at LB's dam, 1 and a half hours.  This is a quick day hiker's time.  I'd passed a small group of Scouts and two gals struggling with not so over burdened packs.  Plenty of day hikers headed down.  The gals made it just at sunset.  They said this hike took them 4 hours, yikes.

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I found a spot to cowboy camp under the stars.  The half moon providing restless sleep for a while, I knew.

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I set a pot of water to boil on an alcohol stove powered by tabs, while setting camp.  Tonight, soupy pasta sides with Esbit flavoring, yuck.  I've got to store these Esbit fuel tabs elsewhere.  Egyptian licorice tea for my warm drink, ah refreshing with a hint of Esbit.

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I hope everyone I  the Valley caught the fire in the sky like sunset.  From the rocky outcroppings, the sun reflected off the Great Salt Lake.  I haven't seen such a glorious water sunset since my sailing days with Mercy Ships.  Sundial Peak glowed as well.

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Sleeping regularly in a hammock taught me to enjoy sleeping on my back.  Due to the bight moon, I rolled over a few times and a few times I rotated off my ground sheet.  Snowbird's low was spot on.  With a 3/4 Thermarest and a 20 degree quilt, I slept soundly, only my shoulders got chilly as I did not snug up the top.

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I rolled over a few times for night photos.  I doubt they're any good.  When the sun hit the top of the Sundial, I popped out of my cocoon.  Breaking camp in 5 minutes.  I took my pack to the day use area to brew coffee.  2 packs of Starbucks instant is too strong for 10 oz water.  This too had a hint of Esbit.  1 Esbit tab brought the lake water to a roaring boil.

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Taking my coffee for a wander, I caught the reflections of fresh light on the peak on the water. Over night ice quickly melting.  Yes, it was cool enough to support some ice growth near other ice that was present. The Scouts were out fishing, catching fish not much bigger than my phone.

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I spotted a few things that chafe me.  Graffiti tags on the rocks, what the hell?  This area sees hundreds of people on a warm summer day, why screw it up for others.  Next sloppy campsites.  Leave no trace principles are huge for me.  Sloppy campsites include fire rings, strewn gear, and trash.  These are unsigjtly.  I doubt these pervs will clean up their mess much before leaving.  There fire ring will attract more fire rings and the trash, rodents which will bother others.

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I've tried to attach photos to emailed blog posts before and they don't quite work.  I'll tray again.

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Funny story, on my way up, I reached around, grabbed my water, opening it I proceed to spray myself.  I'd grabbed sparkling water not bottled regular water, bawha.  No matter, I let it fizz for a moment, enjoyed the refreshing liquid coat my throat.  I then wiped up my fizzy hands and trekking poles.

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As I sit, now 10 am, lands of day hikers are cresting the dam and seeing the reflection off the lake.  The sounds of awe Echo with each hiker.

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Enjoy, hike wise and hike smart.

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