Mailbox Peak

Strange weather today--a little of everything, and the wet conditions made for some soggy going lower down. The snow up top was heavy and sticky and the talus field pretty manageable as a result (back on February 10th I post-holed a ton, today not too much--hey, whatever happend to THOSE trail notes...?). You can walk in the open snow pretty easily (I forgot my micro spikes but am never without my poles), but picking ones way over the rocks requires some care. The mailbox is exposed once again, about two feet above the snow, after apparently being hidden earlier this month. Steady winds from the southish (?) keep the snow from getting too bad on the talus slope, but make the northish side look pretty corniced.

Special thanks to the two guys who broke trail for me up to about 500 feet short of the summit before turning around. Guys, the wind died down as soon as I reached the top. Thanks also to the couple who didn't make fun of my self-arrest practice. Saw a total of 11 other hikers, one with unleased pooch, in the 4:10 I spent on the mountain. 2:35 up and 1:35 down. Great workout. I'd love to see some of that mud firm up in summer, though--it was pretty squelchy at times--I may have slipped more on the mud than the snow. Getting to really love this hike. Looks like it's gotten a ton of usage since Si had been out of action for a month or so.