March 9th was planned to do my second attempt to do Ontario Peak in winter time. And since I dont have a lot of experience to climb we start (Pedro and me) earlier to have some extra time 5:AM, we start the hike from Icehouse Canyon trailhead and just before we reach Columbine spring we took a right to cross the creek and we start to climb towards Kelly Campground, it was a punishment but I did it, once we reached Kelly Campground we took a break and restart our hike towards Bighorn peak to take a right at the ridge towards Ontario Peak from here we had a beautiful clean view from Inland empire and Santiago peak. We kept going and we finally reach Ontario we stay there for about one and half hour, we had lunch and hot coffee/cocoa, after that we rest for a while and NEVER show up another person at all, AWSOME felling to have the entire site for us, picture time and enjoy the views. After our rest we head down towards Falling Rock Canyon and almost halfway down the snow just dissapeared find it just some small patches, when we were able to see Sugarloaf Peak, we notice it didn't have no snow at all, it was inviting to do it, but honestly I was really tired and decide to leave it to another ocasion. We kept going thru Fallingrock Canyon where I learn how to run in the gravel field going down and sideways (amazingly didnt fall once) we finally came to Icehouse trail and finish our mission: Ontario Peak done in winter conditions.
I try a new set of Goretex boots from Tecnica and they perform awsome to me, kept my feet dry and wearing the microspikes I had a good grip and feeling.
I learn some techniques new for me, then Pedro tought me how to run down and sideways the gravel and basic rock climbing. The day was cold and luckily no rain.
8 miles total, 5 miles going up and 3 miles going down and an elevation gain of almost 4,000ft.
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