Continued from the previous page . . .

THE DESCENT: SLIDING BACK DOWN

I could see folks coming over the last rise when I was about ready to start my descent:

 

That was more motivation for me to leave than cold fingers. They'd probably appreciate having the place to themselves as much as I did.

I got down to the emergency shelter when the first hikers arrived at that point. They were ones I'd passed on my way up. The small group that remained with the rangers arrived a few minutes later.

I stopped there for a few minutes to eat a sandwich before continuing down. My timing was good. I was able to pass everyone coming up through the snow where the path was either wide or I could go on a parallel path that had been made already. That part of the trail is not very steep:

 

 

 

 

Looking down toward the upper part of the glacier

About a mile down from the top the slope is much steeper on the side toward the glacier.

The trail itself is also steeper and the trench through the snow was very narrow today. It would have been dangerous for me to step off the trail for someone coming up, so I'm glad I didn't meet anyone there.

 

I knew this trail would be fairly difficult from its description.

It was more difficult than I expected. I was fine with the distance and elevation gain. The problem was the footing in the snow.

I told myself on the way up to the ice field that if it looked like it would be too difficult or dangerous on the way back down that I’d turn around.

That’s a hard thing for me to do, however! I was pretty determined to see the ice field and the farther I got, the harder it was mentally to turn around.

Above and below:  still near the top of the glacier

In addition, ascents are always easier for me than descents because of my knees. It just didn’t seem all that bad going up. On the way back down I wondered where the heck all those big rocks came from in the first/last mile!!

The snow was soft enough going up that I could dig in OK if there weren’t footprints in the right place. I didn’t worry much then about sliding off the paths made by folks ahead of me.

Although there were some steep places the path was wide and deep enough to feel safe. I did slide around some on steep uphill sections and fell forward several times as I ascended but the snow was so soft it didn’t hurt when I went down. It’s a good thing I had both trekking poles because I really needed them in the snow.

 
Still a long way down, and rather steep; see the trail below the arrow?

Getting a little closer to that lower plateau; this trail has a lot of "false summits."

Coming down was a different story.

By then about 30 more people had come up behind me and packed the snow down, obliterating many of the footprints. I often couldn’t dig my heels in the snow. I slid quite a bit and even butt-slid a couple times (not on purpose) where the trail was quite steep.

It was tense several times as I worried about sliding down very steep, long slopes. These were not places where it would be fun for me to deliberately butt-slide down like I did on Rendezvous Peak near Anchorage.

 

 

 

Some of the crevasses in Exit Glacier are 100 feet deep or more.

Although another dozen people came up that were behind the ranger group I met them where there was more solid footing on dirt and rocks.

Below the ridge with the pretty lupines I met another three dozen people coming up, mostly in groups of two or three. I don’t think most of them planned to go all the way up to the cliffs or ice field. Most weren’t dressed for it and didn’t have day packs. The hikers I saw up in the snowfield all looked prepared.

 

 

   

FINAL COMMENTS ABOUT THIS HIKE

When I got down to the nature center I asked the three employees standing behind the counter if they had a certificate for 63-year-old women who make it up to the ice field and back down in one piece!

They laughed and said no, but stamped my park brochure with an Exit Glacier stamp.

That’s OK. I have photographic evidence that I made it to the ice field and back with Granny Knees. I also earned the pride of accomplishing a difficult hike in all that snow, a challenge for everyone on the trail today.

I’d do it again, too, despite the punishment it did to my knees on the descent. I only wish Jim could have done it with me – and Cody! Dogs aren’t allowed on the trails, not just here but in most national parks. Cody would have enjoyed all the snow and water.

 

I would love to see the ice field on a sunny day with few clouds -- and perhaps climb up there again when the trail has less snow and more flowers. It might not be as memorable as it was today with all that snow, though.

You can see a tiny photo of the ice field on a sunny day on the park website.

The only other mammal I saw today besides the mountain goat was a marmot. They live in rocky alpine areas. I saw several small birds up in the tundra and got a good picture of one of them:

Although hikers are warned about frequent bear activity along the trail in the summertime, I didn't see any bears or signs of bears. I carried a can of bear spray with me and I was extra attentive below treeline through the thick foliage.

UPDATE ON THE MISSING RUNNER

As I passed the airport about 4 PM on the way back to our campground I saw two helicopters take off, still searching for Michael LeMaitre from Anchorage. He was the last runner up Mt. Marathon during the rugged three-mile race on July 4 and he never came back down. He’s been out there four days now.

This evening the big search was called off. Only local agencies, family, and friends will continue to look for him now. Here's a link for today's article about LeMaitre from the Alaska Dispatch website. This is so sad.

Next entry:  more Seward scenes including harbor views on a sunnier day (finally), most of the colorful murals in town, an impromptu tour at the Bear Lake salmon weir, and a hike through Two Lakes Park  

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, and Cody the ultra Lab

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© 2012 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil