Reflection Lakes, 3/22/09, 8 miles
It was supposed to be an easy afternoon snowshoeing. We were supposed to be back home by dinner. It was supposed to be an enjoyable scouting trip on a well known trail. But things don't always turn out how they're supposed to, especially in the outdoors.
Michael & I have been to Reflection Lakes several times during the winter and know the route well, so when our friends Heather & Dave asked if we would scout out the trail with them we happily agreed. A bad day snowshoeing is far better than a good day doing yard-work. Because of prior commitments, we didn't leave the windswept parking lot at Paradise until 2:30. But we weren't too concerned as we knew the afternoon was longer than the trail. Silly us.
We made it to the snow covered lake with plenty of time to spare by going up and over Mazama Ridge. Then after a stroll around the lake we decided to head back to the cars by way of the road. Even though there is a steep avalanche slope along the road, Michael & I have never had any trouble navigating past the slope. We also wanted to show Dave & Heather an alternative direction to take their group later.
Part way along the road, Heather realized she didn't have her camera any longer and must have dropped it back near the lake. Dave, our leader, gallantly went back to find it for her and said he would meet us not back where we could wait for him but at the cars thus splitting our group for the rest of the day. As we were all comfortable with each others skills, Michael & I didn't think we'd have problems doing just that. Once we saw the avalanche slope and it's steepness, we knew we'd never be able to traverse to the other side. We immediately turned around and started back he way we had come, hoping maybe we could catch up with Dave.
It was supposed to be an easy afternoon snowshoeing. We were supposed to be back home by dinner. It was supposed to be an enjoyable scouting trip on a well known trail. But things don't always turn out how they're supposed to, especially in the outdoors.
Michael & I have been to Reflection Lakes several times during the winter and know the route well, so when our friends Heather & Dave asked if we would scout out the trail with them we happily agreed. A bad day snowshoeing is far better than a good day doing yard-work. Because of prior commitments, we didn't leave the windswept parking lot at Paradise until 2:30. But we weren't too concerned as we knew the afternoon was longer than the trail. Silly us.
We made it to the snow covered lake with plenty of time to spare by going up and over Mazama Ridge. Then after a stroll around the lake we decided to head back to the cars by way of the road. Even though there is a steep avalanche slope along the road, Michael & I have never had any trouble navigating past the slope. We also wanted to show Dave & Heather an alternative direction to take their group later.
Part way along the road, Heather realized she didn't have her camera any longer and must have dropped it back near the lake. Dave, our leader, gallantly went back to find it for her and said he would meet us not back where we could wait for him but at the cars thus splitting our group for the rest of the day. As we were all comfortable with each others skills, Michael & I didn't think we'd have problems doing just that. Once we saw the avalanche slope and it's steepness, we knew we'd never be able to traverse to the other side. We immediately turned around and started back he way we had come, hoping maybe we could catch up with Dave.
Once we got back to the lake though we knew we wouldn't catch up with him and stopped for a snack. However, Dave had taken off with the pack and Heather's extra food and water and equipment. Michael & I shared what we had, dug out our headlamps, sandwiched her between us and made our way back over Mazama Ridge. Then we had the decision of returning to Paradise by the trail or by the avalanche sloped road. Michael's legs were beginning to cramp - probably from the cold and dehydration - so we chose what we believed to be the gentler slope.
The day was fading fast and soon the wisdom of our choice was in question - avalanche after avalanche had obscured the path. I knew I needed to keep us going for turning around and heading the other way would take too long and put undue strain upon Michael. I kept trudging, following the intermittent ski tracks through the darkening twilight. The wind continued to blow obscuring those same tracks. I began to feel the pressure of getting us out safely through cold, avalanche slopes, and darkness.
Finally we followed the curve of the road over the creek at the head of Paradise Valley to find ruts in the snow. All of us breathed a communal sigh of relief. A light beacon shone through the wind swept snows guiding us home. Stars glistened in the velvety night sky as we crested the hill to the parking lot. Dave had gotten there hours before us asking for help when he realized we were far later than we should be. It was the rangers who gave our beacon.
Looking back, we were nervous but at least we were prepared - even the rangers remarked about that. But it was a good experience to have under my belt. And the stars were marvelous.
No comments:
Post a Comment