Vivian Creek Site
In the morning, after a much-deserved cup of coffee, I headed up Vivian Creek as if I was heading towards Gorgonio. I threw the snowshoes on to test them out, but had I stuck to the trail (which was harder packed), I wouldn't have really needed them. In the area surrounding the trail, you were postholing quite a bit without them.
Vivian Creek Trail
About halfway to halfway camp, I stopped seeing signs of travel except for the occasional rodent or rabbit. I spotted some iced-up trees on a high ridge to my left, and decided to just "go there". It looked high, it looked steep, so why not? As I progressed, the snow quality got worse and worse, at least for ascending. I starting out going straight up, then switched to alternating angled ascent. It seemed like I slid down 30% of my gain each time. I was determined to make it up, and just focused on the spicy beef and mac I was going to cram in my face at the top. Even with the shoes on, I was sinking in quite a bit in the areas exposed to a lot of sun.
I'm estimating around a 35 degree incline on average, which seemed to be just about the limit for me based on the snow. Had it been iced over, with my crampons instead, this would have been a hell of a lot easier. All told, I climbed 2500 feet from this turnoff to just under 10000 feet on this side of the ridge. I'm not sure what spot/peak this was, but I took GPS coords for a search later on. The winds above 9000 feet or so were brutal on my candy cheeks and nose, and were blowing the snow around like a champion.
I hurried to set up the tent, and I learned how great trekking poles, floatation tails, and an ice axe work for snow anchors. I bunkered in about 6 pm, and went right to sleep.
During the night, high winds shook the tent and blew the 3-4 more inches of snow that fell in my tiny vents on top of my tent. That was a treat...either suffer the condensation sealed up or suffer the snow showers from the screen above me. I guess no tent is perfect. Ice from the short pines around me broke off and hammered the fabric of my tent all night, but no visible damage was found. I woke up to beautiful sights - the camera never does it justice, but I didn't stick around long to take many shots.
Camp at the top
It looked like some weather might be moving in, so I hurried to take things down and head back down the hill. The crampons made easy work of the iced over snow in the early morning, and I resisted the urge to glissade as I was alone and had no helmet. The trip back to the car was beautiful and uneventful, and Mill Creek seemed about the same level on the crossing back.
Things I learned:
1. Spend the money on the boots: I love these things, little to no break-in period needed, were really comfortable on the approach, did well with the snowshoes and crampons, and kept me warm but not too warm.
2. Be very aware of the extra time winter travel takes: You've got to allow for slower foot travel and the funk
3. 4-season tent = condensation: That's the deal, you suffer a little wetness to stay secure otherwise.
