Winter. Table for One.

After my two previous ascents in November and December of last year, I've had it in my mind that I should keep up the pattern and not only continue my monthly check-ups on the summit, but also experience the full scope of a winter ascent. This would be the first time I would have to use winter gear from bottom to top and it would also require a somewhat tedious 4 1/2 mile grunt up Teton Canyon Rd on foot due to the road being groomed for nordic skiing.

My intention was to leave the house at 4:30am, but I hit snooze a couple times and ended up running an hour behind. And given that this outing would take at least 1 1/2 hours more than my last two "half'winter" round trips due to the additional snow and the added length of the approach and return, I was a little aprehensive about reaching the summit and making it back to town by noon for work. My two options: 1. Turn back below the summit and get to work by noon. Or 2. Call work after everyone gets there and tell them I'm coming in a bit later so I can hit the top. For the record, I did ask politely if things would be ok if I came in at 1pm, but my estimate, however, was roughly 45 minutes short so they had to wait a bit longer for me to show up. It was ok, everything was calm thankfully and it didn't appear that I was missed too much. A faithful optimist I am to a fault. Good thing I have a great group of workmates.

I ended up leaving the car at 6am and it took 1:20 to slug my way into the canyon to where the trail begins. My body just wasn't too keen on getting going at first, but I think instinct took over once I got to the trailhead.

There is an unusual lack of snow so far this winter, but everything is definitely covered. The beginning of the trail climbs abruptly through the gap in the trees to the left of the restrooms.

What normally takes 20 minutes in summer conditions took an hour. Clawing up 1,000 vertical feet in under a mile through deep snow with snowshoes is an activity like no other.

It appeared that a few of the south facing walls were letting loose with avalanches after a few warmer days earlier in the week.

Customary view as the mountains pop over the plateau.

4:15 after leaving the car. 2:45 up from the trailhead. 9,500ft.

500 ft and 30 minutes below the summit.

It was a comfortable day on top. Comfortable temps just below freezing, almost no wind, and mostly sunny with wisping clouds.

Looking south across Hurricane Pass and the southern Teton Range.

Les Trois Teton

Cascade Canyon looking into Jackson Hole.

I arrived on top at 11:15am, 3:45 since the trailhead, and 5:15 from the car. I spent 5 minutes enjoying the moment before heading down. The descent took 1:10 back to the trailhead and another hour back to the car (7 1/2 hours roundtrip) which left just enough time to strip off all my gear, change into something a little more comfortable, and get myself to work at 1:45.

8 days in Boise

Just got back home this past Sunday and I still wish I was on vacation. For 8 straight days I went for at least a 45 minute run and, on three occasions, I was out for more than two hours including a tour-de-Boise-foothills jaunt on Dec. 31st that took me out for three and a half. (Oh, and just a sidenote: On Saturday it was 58 degrees and I found myself running along Shaw Mtn Rd in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Because I could!)

So yeah, it was a pretty good trip. Just hung out. No itinerary. No plans. No worries. Just good runnin and relaxin.

Another Table Mtn Ascent

I've been planning another trip up Table since my last ascent a couple weeks ago so I decided to take advantage of a Wednesday morning off from work and set off on another jaunt up the mountain. I was scheduled to be at work at noon so this would require a pre-dawn start to allow for my estimated 3 hour ascent and 1 1/2 hour descent recorded from my last trip.

It was snowy last time and chilly with temps near freezing or slightly below on the summit. I've done this route so many times in summer conditions that even with the added snow and lower temps, it still felt within the norm for an outing up Table. This time, it was only slightly snowier after a little skiff blew through on Tuesday afternoon, but the drastic drop in temperature last night made this trip substantially more serious. It was 13 below zero when I left the trailhead in the dark at 6:21am.

I had the benefit of the full (or almost full) moon and a crystal clear sky (as most sub-zero nights are) so I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder to watch as the moon set, the sky grew lighter, and I climbed higher.

Looking back into Alta, WY and Driggs, ID

I had decided to start out wearing my hiking boots for the first 1,000 ft or so until the snow was deep enough to use snowshoes then change into my skate-ski boots that I had packed along and strap the snowshoes on my feet from that point on. My theory was that the hiking boots were necessary for the rocky lower section and the skate-ski boots would provide me with enough additional insulation to protect my toes from damage. It kinda worked.

The skate-ski boots were indeed much better than my hiking boots, but I'll use my plastic shell mountaineering boots or find some thick neoprene over-booties for next time. My toes were numb by this point. And almost every part of exposed skin felt extremely cold. The area around my eyes was the only place I could comfortably leave uncovered. It was almost 8am, I was around 9,000 ft, and although I don't know exactly how cold it was at this point, it felt much colder here than when I started.

The Grand Teton, Table Mtn, the Middle Teton, and the South Teton

It had been bitterly cold all the way up, but nothing compared to what it was like on top. Not only was there a slight wind out of the north, but I'm sure the ambiant temperature was somewhere under -30 degrees. I had a medium pair of gloves under a thick pair of leather mittens and when I took my right mitten off to take pictures, my fingertips turned ice cold within seconds. I had no feeling in most of my toes. After a few minutes on top, I began to feel the cold air working its way into my core.

When I got back to the trailhead at 11am, my car thermometer read 7 degrees and it felt balmy.

*For this trip, I only wore three layers on my upper body: A lightweight Smartwool longsleeve shirt under a midweight polyester running shirt and a Mont-Bell Ex Light down jacket over that. I was plenty warm and, for much of the time, had the down coat unzipped because it's too warm. If anyone out there is looking for the warmest coat on the planet that won't take up your entire backpack, back seat, or closet, I strongly suggest giving this one a look. Here is a link:

http://www.prolitegear.com/site/xdpy/ssg/Mens%20Clothing/Mens%20Jackets%20&%20Vests.html

Mont-Bell Ex Light Down Jacket