Here goes for the first hike of 2019… First off what a cold, clear, and windy day to start the 2019 hiking season. Along the trek up good old Baden Powell my water froze solid inside my drinking tube within the first mile (I know better than to leave the tube exposed when it’s below freezing and yet I still fell victim to complacency ), at mile 3 I pulled out my phone and all was well and making good time….. Got up a little higher and low and behold my phone froze to death apparently (This May be attributed to placing my phone in my outer shell pocket versus in my pants pocket). I must say I’ve Had my phone turn off in the heat of SoCal but this was definitely a first and why my pic is at the bottom post hike. So I have a couple of lessons learned already for 2019 like don’t expect your camelback or your cell phone to work when it’s 16 degrees out and windy. Brrrrrrrring in the New Year in the mountains!!

Note: spikes and poles are highly recommended right now as 2/3 of the trail is covered in snow/ice. There are a couple of downed tree limbs but nothing impassable. Double check the winds before you go up. Just because it seems calm near Vincent Gap it’s a whole different story along the ridge leading to the summit.

Be safe out there and Happy New Year!!!