[pct-l] Good Ice Axe - Old Snowy

[kdpo at pacbell.net (Ken Powers)]

Here is a picture of what it looked like Sly. You were probably a day or so
ahead of us at that point. Also our best picture of Mt "Rainy-er" on the
entire trip. It was taken from Goat Rocks. We still refer to whiteouts as
another view of Mt Rainier.

Ken
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Slyatpct@aol.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 1:39 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Good Ice Axe - Old Snowy


> In a message dated 12/21/2003 11:20:52 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> m.karon@comcast.net writes:
>
> > >Yes and no. Actually, there are two PCT trails diverging near the site
of
> > >the formerYelverton Shelter. One trail goes across the face of the
> > Packwood
> > >glacier (the old PCT route); the other (the new PCT aka the high route)
> > >climbs another 550 vertical feet to go over the north shoulder of Old
> > Snowy.
> >
>
> I'm not sure how I missed this one.
>
> I believe according to the guidebooks circa 2000, the glacier route was
the
> PCT at the time.  I distinctly remember leaving the shelter and starting
to
> climb, except I wasn't supposed to gain much, if any, elevation.  On a
fogged in
> day I couldn't see the glacier and the soft cut trail across, until I was
> above it looking down, at which time I retraced my steps from the
immediate flanks
> of Old Snowy and proceeded gingerly across, no ice ax in tow, just using
my
> hiking poles to maintain balance.
>
> Due to the fog, from the glacier itself, I had no idea of the drop off or
had
> any idea that Mt Rainier would be in view along Goat Rocks until I saw an
> awesome photo after my hike.  I think I was lucky to even see the route at
this
> point as the clouds were blowing through.  Even though my views were
limited I
> still thought Goat Rocks was one of the best areas along the trail in
which to
> hike.
>
> As it was, I didn't see Mt Rainier on any occasion except once, with Mt
Saint
> Helen's and Adams from the trail in Oregon, and until I was well past it.
> Both times, it only blip on the horizon.
>
> I wish I had a camera to capture the magic, but my had broke way back in
the
> High Sierra and I didn't get it replaced until a little later in the trip.
My
> film is still undeveloped.  Think it's any good?
>
> Sly
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