| Via Windy
Peak |
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Leaving the truck,
the dogs are already gone! |
| Snowshoe trip: RT 7.0; 2.45 up. It had been
awhile since our last
escapade up a summit with our lovely Spaniels. Since we were not
heading out on any big trip this weekend, we decided to pack up the
camping gear and take the hounds to the Front Range. Following a really
long drive through Turner Valley, we reached our destination where
Fab's cousin was waiting. The dogs were ecstatic; as usual, they were
ready to go! There was a lot more snow than the last time we came;
luckily, the dogs weren't postholing too much. The weather was sunny
and mild but it was windy. Travel was fine on snowshoes. A short
section of treed terrain preceding Windy Ridge proved difficult for the
dogs as they punched through the isothermal snow. Daisy whimpered a
little, we tried to get her to follow in our track... Soon we reached
the wind-swept ridge and the dogs resumed tail-wagging activities. We
made it to the summit of Windy Peak and kept going, dipping to the
saddle connecting with Saddle Mountain's north ridge. With more snow
still, the dogs were starting to fatigue; Fab decided to look for
shelter in a cluster of trees and wait for us. I unloaded the dog
blanket and food from my pack and turned on my 2-way radio. The trek to
Saddle Mountain's double summit is easy, we encountered some firm snow
on the ridge. After ascending both peaks, we quickly returned to Fab
and the roaming hounds. As we descended from the ridge, Lincoln came to
greet us. We climbed back up Windy Peak; the wind had definitely picked
up a lot. It was so windy that we couldn't walk straight; constantly
braced to avoid being knocked down to our knees. Any loose straps and
airborne dirt and snow slapped us in the face. My snowshoes were
ripped off from my pack; the wind was ludicrous, it was hard not to
laugh about it! Back at the truck, we drove to Willow Creek area for a
quiet night around a bonfire. The following morning we awoke to some
sun but by the time we had every thing packed up, a substantial
blizzard was upon us, snow was accumulating... never a dull
moment! |
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Approaching a bit of
bush before we gain the ridge. |
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Above treeline; dogs
are no longer postholing, off they go again! |
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Back for treats... |
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A picture atop windy
Windy Peak. |
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We continue towards
today's objective. |
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Dipping down to a
connecting saddle. |
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Fabrice decides to
wait at the saddle with the hounds; Rupert is recovering from a strain
and Daisy is tired... |
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Gentle grassy Front
Range ridge. |
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Saddle Mountain's
double summit ahead. |
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At the top of the
northern, higher peak. |
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The southern peak is
only 15 minutes away. |
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Just about there. |
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View south-east. |
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Heading back. |
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Along the ridge. |
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We can hear the dogs
barking, Lincoln is running to greet us. |
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Going back up Windy
Peak. |
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Holy moly, the wind
picked up... |
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... it's ludicrous! |
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A long break in a
sun patch, sheltered in the forest. |
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More dogs! |
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Returning at the
truck. |
| Back
to home page |
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