This winter has been brutal in Vermont, with file chilly that has made out of doors recreation hazardous, particularly for these of us who prefer to climb mountains. I’ve needed to cancel a number of group hikes up Killington Peak, a Vermont 4000-footer close to Rutland, as a result of subzero temperatures, excessive winds, and heavy snow have made venturing out too harmful even for knowledgeable and well-equipped winter hikers. These situations have additionally put the kabosh on my solo climbs, bringing my progress towards gridding out the Vermont 4000-footers (climbing them every month of the 12 months) to a standstill.
However once I spied a thaw within the climate this week, I cleared my calendar to go hike Camel’s Hump Mountain, a 4000-footer conveniently positioned a few 15-minute drive from my house. It was the right antidote for the winter blues, with clear blue skies and a lightweight northerly breeze.
With valley temperatures forecast within the low 30’s, I made a decision it might be prudent to hold snowshoes on this hike, even when they only went for a experience. When the snow will get gentle in hotter climate, it might flip into mashed potatoes, making it tough to stroll. However there’s additionally the courtesy issue: you don’t wish to be the man making harmful postholes on the path that different hikers can fall into and twist an ankle.
The tail was solidly packed down low, so I placed on a pair of Hillsound Path Crampons for traction and wore them for a lot of the hike. On the final 1000′ of elevation acquire, the snow was a lot much less consolidated as a result of the terrain is extra uncovered. Snow, blown by the wind and falling off the timber overhead, covers the path, offering considerably much less traction, however sufficient that spikes have been nonetheless warranted. This part of the climb can be fairly steep, and the temperature dropped noticeably as I gained elevation.
Whereas Camel’s Hump is a well-liked climb, I solely noticed two individuals coming down from the summit as I climbed, and one other 5 developing the path as I descended. True, it was mid-week, however there are so much fewer individuals climbing the 4000-footers in Vermont than there are within the New Hampshire’s White Mountains, so it pays to be further cautious when gearing up for a winter hike right here. If in case you have an accident, you want to have the ability to fend for your self till assist crosses your path, or is summoned, which can be some time.
There are three elements to each Camel’s Hump ascent. The primary 1000 toes of elevation is straightforward, whereas the second 1000 toes is sort of steep. On the finish of half two, you come to a big open clearing on the junction of the Burrows Path, the Monroe Path, and the Lengthy Path with a transparent view of the sky overhead. From right here, it’s a brief stroll to the summit, passing by snow-burdened Krumholz till you arrive on the summit ledges. The summit is totally uncovered to the weather and infrequently fairly chilly and windy, even in sunny climate.
After I reached the summit, I drank within the views. Mansfield, the best peak in Vermont, positively glowed to the north. The snow stake on the mountain measures 79″ up to now this 12 months, in comparison with a mean of 62″. The complete Worcester Vary, which I’ve but to hike, beckoned from the northeast, whereas Mts Abrahm and Ellen and the Lengthy Path ridgeline have been clearly seen to the south. It was uplifting to take a look at them, dream of future hikes, and bear in mind previous ones.
The wind was out of the north and stung my face as I headed towards the krumholz and the previous down. I hunkered down and was quickly again beneath cowl, prepared for the hike down and again to the enterprise of life after my three-hour sojourn within the sky.
