Solitude on the Snow (SOS) today.

I showed up at Vincent Gap just before 7am. Based on reports I have read over the past week, I wore my Obos Bridger Snow Boots and waterproof gaiters. Just in case I did some post holing. I also brought Katoola Microspikes and Katoola “Hiking” Crampons. Not to be mistaken for Mountaineering Crampons.

There were no cars at the trailhead and I didn't see a single hiker throughout the morning. It was a blissful morning of hiking in solitude.

The first patch of snow I ran into was right around .8 miles and it wasn't even significant. Miles 2 and 3 had multiple patches of snow and ice. Of course it was early and there was a cool breeze keeping the temps down which made some of the patches a little slick. That said, I was fine hiking in my boots with no traction devices.

Right around the beginning of mile 4, the snow and ice was much more consistent and covered most of the trail going up. With the exception of the final ridgeline walk. Most of that snow has been blown away. I decided, mostly for ease of movement and speed to go ahead an put on my microspikes at this point. I could have easily summited without but felt better with them on for the remainder of the ascent.

The depth of the snow on this final mile was roughly 6 to 8 inches. It was hard packed and I was able to ascend and descend while walking on top of the snow. My guess is by early and mid-afternoon, it would get soft enough and anyone hiking then would be postholing. Of course it would only be to about mid-calf.

I kept my spikes on until I had about one mile to go. This allowed me to move quickly and not have to think about slipping or not. I managed to get up and down in under 4 hours and had 2,864 feet in elevation gain.