We got dumped on
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:12 pm
A bunch of us from another small forum went into the Mokelumne Wilderness off of the Carson Pass this weekend. We all headed for the Lake Winnemucca area, about 2 miles in, felt a whole lot longer with snowshoes on. Some entered on Friday and the rest of us went in on Saturday. A lady in each group. They were troopers, no whining from them or even the guys. The group who departed the trailhead (just dove off the road) on Saturday had very light snow and wind on the hike in. We needed snowshoes right away, but part of the trail we eventually picked up, shoes would not have been needed, but everyone left theirs on or their skis. I guess Friday night was beautiful, with clear skis and no wind. Saturday night was crazy. First off, after we set up our tents, we gathered under some trees to shoot the bull. We finally had to prepare dinner. Picture this, in the kitchen area, we are being pelted by wind driven snow and seeming to enjoy ourselves. That night was the windiest I have ever been in, in all my years of bping. The campsite was on a small ridge, where some had chosen to pitch there shelter, some had dropped over to the other side, away from any wind. I didn't sleep well, too noisy with the wind a howling and my summer tent was just a crackling and doing some crazy girations. Most of us survived the night. Steve, who was testing a light tent had a broken pole and a snagged zipper which let in spindrift. The tepee tarp, sorry, brain freeze here, went under. The wind got under it and caused the occupants to leave and find shelter with another of our party. One of those guys had left his hammock because it was crazy in it I guess, I haven't talked with him yet. My summer tent only received a slightly bent pole and kept giving me brain freeze if I rolled onto my left side since the snow was piling up and it was surprisingly above freezing inside because I had melting spindrift or condensation dripping on me. We received a little under 2' of snow, could have been more with the wind blowing it away. I thought we had only received 4" maybe, but when I finally got up and made it outside, wow! my tent was in a hole!
With the continuing snow and high wind, we left in the morning without breakfast and proceded on out. Tough going. We had GPS, but had to keep making corrections. In one open area, surrounding by trees, the snow must have been 3' or more. All you could do was maybe 15' in snowshoes, rest, another 15' rest, so forth. That took it out of me since it was my turn to break trail. I was bushed when we got to the parking lot, but more heartbreak was to come. The lot had 2' of snow, had been plowed the night before I am guessing and we were buried. Another guy and his son started shoveling, the rest of us joined a little later after clearing around our vehicles and putting chains on where needed. It took us all afternoon to shovel the 2' of snow, the 200' or so to the road. No breakfast or lunch, just a snack on a break from shoveling in the afternoon.
With the continuing snow and high wind, we left in the morning without breakfast and proceded on out. Tough going. We had GPS, but had to keep making corrections. In one open area, surrounding by trees, the snow must have been 3' or more. All you could do was maybe 15' in snowshoes, rest, another 15' rest, so forth. That took it out of me since it was my turn to break trail. I was bushed when we got to the parking lot, but more heartbreak was to come. The lot had 2' of snow, had been plowed the night before I am guessing and we were buried. Another guy and his son started shoveling, the rest of us joined a little later after clearing around our vehicles and putting chains on where needed. It took us all afternoon to shovel the 2' of snow, the 200' or so to the road. No breakfast or lunch, just a snack on a break from shoveling in the afternoon.