The three amigas went up on Tues, Mar 8. As is typical this time of year, I started in shorts and t-shirt but carried warm layers, including mittens and of course. We also had poles and traction devices -- Marilyn used microspikes, I used Hillsounds and Sally used Kahtola aluminum crampons. Starting temperature was 51 and tram cam showed 4 to 6 inches of new snow.
First of all, THANK YOU and KUDOS to the folks who fixed the trail below the picnic tables. Sister Sally and miracle Marilyn kindly let me set the pace. It was a beautiful day -- the three Polar Bears us always feel better in cool/cold weather.
The first patches of snow appeared at Potato Chip Point (aka St. Florian's). We enjoyed Marilyn's persimmon bread and reduced fat Ruffles potato chips. From Flat Rock up, we hit pristine sticky snow. At the traverse, we all donned our traction devices. The snow was good -- not icy or slushy. I moved very slowly -- not wanting to risk hurting my repaired shoulder. We lost the route shortly before Coffman's and spent a half hour looking around. From Coffman's on up, the snow became deeper. My shoulder started screaming (muscle fatigue) with about 200 vertical to go -- I was surprised it didn't happen sooner. I passed on scrambling up the rocks to the tram as I use both arms to get to the view point. Engine Joe met us at Grubbs and offered to carry my day pack, I didn't argue
It was wonderful to see my tram family again -- it had been over two months since my last Skyline. After enjoying Angel's Demise IPA, we headed down (thanks for ride Joe) and met Sandy at the original Las Casuelas.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
