How many
chances do you get to hike on Feb. 29th? Well, one every four years I guess. The
weather forecast was calling for 40 degrees and sunny, there was no way I wasn't
hiking. I didn't have to twist Brian's arm either. I was prepared to go solo but
it's so much better with good friends.
Algonquin
had eluded me in October as I wasn't prepared for the ice we encountered. I knew
it wouldn't be long before I was back. We got on trail shortly after 8:30 am and
peaked about 1 pm. We didn't rush, we had all day to do the 8 mile round trip.
The trail was in great shape, groomed by hikers and cc skiers. We wore the shoes
all the way in but probably good have gone bare-boot with crampons just as
easily. Some of the hikers we encountered opted for that.
I got tons of still
pic's and some video on this trip. The views of Colden and beyond are awesome
from Algonquin's bald summit. The wind was fairly strong, but as I understand it
very common for this peak.
We enjoyed a bit of sliding on the way down, and we
both had our moment's of reckless abandon. On one really steep section Brian got out of
control at the point of maximum velocity and became a speeding blur of arms and
legs with ski poles and snowshoes attached. He ended up none the worse for wear!
This makes
#15 on my 46er list and my second winter high peak. I am beginning to develop a
preference for winter hiking I think.
I also did
Algonquin in the summer with the Mountain Goat and Jon. Click here
for the trip report and more great pictures from this awesome mountain.
