Snowshoein'
Feb. 11th, 2023 06:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deemoyzaI did my snowshoe hike today! It was a lot of fun, and the area is gorgeous! It was my first time actually being in the snow -- I've seen it fall a few times, but it never accumulated -- so I was out clomping around in it like a little kid before the hike organizers even got there! XD
The only downside to the morning was that I was not able to complete the loop. I get altitude sickness, and it generally kicks in at a gain of 6,500-7,000 feet.
I first discovered this in Flagstaff, which sits at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet. I visited from my hometown, which is only 100-odd feet above sea level. I was okay for a little while, then the queasiness started, and was exacerbated by my becoming dehydrated during a hike, and then I wound up in the ER, where the prescription was, "Get off the mountain."
I live at about 2,000 feet above sea level now, and have adapted, so I was hoping the altitude sickness might not get to me (as much). But with a starting elevation of 8,400 feet, I could only make it about 3/4 of the way up the trail. A volunteer offered to wait with me while the group went up and back so I could return with them, and I got to spend time next to a little creek, listening to the birds, so it wasn't bad at all.
I also picked up some facts about the area from the guide, and learned how to waddle about in snowshoes. I think I did pretty well, for a first-timer! :)
On the way back, I stopped at a pullout with a scenic view to snap a few pictures, then decided to return to the head of the trail I hiked back in November to just frolic about in the snow for a while, at a more manageable elevation. Without the snowshoes, however, I sunk in up to my knees at one point, and flailed about for a few seconds before trudging out; I'm sure at least one of the other people up there saw this and laughed. I know I was laughing at myself! XD
I also come bearing pictures, if anyone would like to see!
Deer Creek, Spring Mountains:
Spring Mountains, view from Deer Creek Highway (NV 158):
Echo Trailhead, Mt. Charleston, Spring Mountains:
The only downside to the morning was that I was not able to complete the loop. I get altitude sickness, and it generally kicks in at a gain of 6,500-7,000 feet.
I first discovered this in Flagstaff, which sits at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet. I visited from my hometown, which is only 100-odd feet above sea level. I was okay for a little while, then the queasiness started, and was exacerbated by my becoming dehydrated during a hike, and then I wound up in the ER, where the prescription was, "Get off the mountain."
I live at about 2,000 feet above sea level now, and have adapted, so I was hoping the altitude sickness might not get to me (as much). But with a starting elevation of 8,400 feet, I could only make it about 3/4 of the way up the trail. A volunteer offered to wait with me while the group went up and back so I could return with them, and I got to spend time next to a little creek, listening to the birds, so it wasn't bad at all.
I also picked up some facts about the area from the guide, and learned how to waddle about in snowshoes. I think I did pretty well, for a first-timer! :)
On the way back, I stopped at a pullout with a scenic view to snap a few pictures, then decided to return to the head of the trail I hiked back in November to just frolic about in the snow for a while, at a more manageable elevation. Without the snowshoes, however, I sunk in up to my knees at one point, and flailed about for a few seconds before trudging out; I'm sure at least one of the other people up there saw this and laughed. I know I was laughing at myself! XD
I also come bearing pictures, if anyone would like to see!
Deer Creek, Spring Mountains:
Spring Mountains, view from Deer Creek Highway (NV 158):
Echo Trailhead, Mt. Charleston, Spring Mountains:
no subject
Date: 2023-02-12 08:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-03-03 09:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-02-13 02:53 am (UTC)Congrats on your first romp through heavy snow! It sounds like you had a ton of fun (sickness aside) and the view for some of those shots is just gorgeous. :D
no subject
Date: 2023-03-03 09:37 pm (UTC)