…pack warm clothes! The summit forecast called for a high temp of 30° F, with a windchill of 19° F, and I believe it!
This summit was well-earned, given the fact we made the error of following the groups ahead of us, which led us off trail. Finding our way back to the trail meant a 7 hour ascent to the summit. The early portions of the trail were pleasant, though we knew it would be short-lived. The lenticular clouds blanketed the peaks on arrival and didn’t budge. So, unfortunately, there were no views to be had from the summit, beyond what we could see in the immediate vicinity. The strong winds at the summit were a reminder of how high up we were. Heading back down ended in darkness, making for an 11 hour round trip adventure. Definitely need to do it again on a clear day, and without venturing off trail.