Baxter Peak through the trees. When we arrive at Chimney There have been years when we could linger but mostly it’s
Pond and see that blue wall of ice just below Pamola, we “kiss the cairn” and go!
realize the true gift of winter hiking . . . very few people, no
electronic devices, and a lot of peace and quiet.
Heading down is a relief but being tired is perilous and
that’s when mistakes are made so everyone is particularly
The third day is summit day. If conditions are favorable, cautious. That night in the cabin is a mixture of happiness
which means no avalanche danger, good visibility, winds and dread because tomorrow means going back to the real
that won’t throw you off the tableland, a favorable report world. It also means a 13 mile reverse trip. Yes it’s downhill
from the ranger, and the go ahead from the team leader, we and only takes around 4 hours but it is long haul.
are off.
In the 16 years I have been going on this trip there have
The difference in the Saddle Trail from summer to winter been a few constants, my brother-in-law Doug, his
is like night and day. In the summer rock, shale and gravel brother-in-law Greg, Rob a college friend of Doug’s, my
are exposed. In the winter it is a chute of packed snow and sister Anne and a revolving group of women friends and
ice overlaid with loose snow that has blown off the top. new friends. Last year we invited some young
Climbing without crampons and an ice ax would be nearly people including my daughter Annie, son
impossible not to mention dangerous. The metal fangs on Ben and friend Lowell. We hope this
a set of crampons dig in to the hard pack and reduce the ensures that the trip will keep evolving
chances of a slide to the bottom. (Something you never long past the time when some of us are
want to do.) The ice ax helps to steady you, and if you do too old to even think of leaving our
stumble and start to slide it allows you to self-arrest.
warm cozy houses to attempt the
Once you make it up the steep Saddle you arrive at the trip. The stories though will always
tablelands. \