Note: Updates to the previous "Upcoming Climbs" (link) entry are at the end of this post, including a catch-up on some other recent hikes/events I've organized.
The Nesmith Point hike I led a few weeks ago for NW Wilderness was originally suggested by my friend Kaitlin as we hiked Katya's Rudolph Spur loop (itself a descendant of an earlier, hilariously disastrous scouting session with Katya) a couple weeks earlier.
A photo posted by Garth Hamilton (@garth_hamilton) on
When I originally posted the invite for this Nesmith Point hike... which was reportedly pretty steep on its own... I mapped out some options to extend the adventure in the event that those who signed up would want a little more. Those extra optional miles, waterfalls, and off-trail viewpoints I offered weren't even necessary.
Our group of nine carpooled to John B. Yeon state park in the Columbia River Gorge, and made our way to the junction of Nesmith Point Trail #428. The adventure was on!
Mylenka, Kirsty, Saurubh, Jodi, Steve, Darren, me, and Li setting out from John B. Leon state park; Amarilis took this photo
A photo posted by Garth Hamilton (@garth_hamilton) on
...occasionally stopping to enjoy the views
Photo by Mylenka
A brief flat stretch, through the lush forest
Messing around at the summit
View from the top, high above the Columbia River Gorge
After Saurubh and I ran downhill for an alternate summit view, Kirsty and I found the "true summit" (Photo by Kirsty)
Kirsty and I break away from the group for the true summit, obscured in trees
Finding something higher to climb for the TRUE true summit? Because we're ridiculous. (Photo by Kirsty)
Lunch break (Photo by Mylenka)
Steve helps Mylenka perform one of his signature summit headstands
Deciding to not make it a longer loop, the group is MORE than content to head back down to the trail head
Here is my brief trip report, as posted on my NW Wilderness event page (that link also has members' post-hike comments and complete photo set):
Great job on Saturday, everyone! Thanks for coming out. You guys were a blast, and we knocked out that somewhat steep trail at a comfortable pace with plenty of time to spare. I'll try to upload my pictures soon (I currently have a bit of a photo backup). Using the GPS unit data I salvaged, I did the best I could to estimate our stats:
Total distance: 11.05 miles
Total time: 6 hours
Moving time: 5:05
Avg moving speed: 2.2 mph
Max speed: 6.73 mph
Elevation gain 3815 feet
And finally, as promised, here are a couple of updates to last month's "Upcoming Climbs" blog post:
1. Our grueling 33.8 mile Mount St Helens circumnavigation went ahead without me. My orthotic inserts badly needed re-repairing, as terrible as the timing was. Organizer Craig and I decided it would be too risky to discover my pain tolerance while trekking off-trail along a remote side of the mountain, with no feasible escape route.
No comments:
Post a Comment