xjblue
07-08-2011, 11:29 AM
My (late) May 22nd kick off of the 2010 hiking season in the Wasatch the usual way with good old stairmaster 200,000 aka Mt Olympus up first on the to do list. It was an interesting day weather wise, fresh snow blanketed the mountain after an early morning storm which dampened my motivations but then the warm sun came out and somehow reversed the motivational situation. Olympus gleamed in the morning sun invitingly with it's fresh white coat.
View of the two summits from the lower Tolcat overlook.
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4m2_SOz-ShQ3t_N5QvUd3dijVnTksXD5xcwxrrk5pQsNVujgZcrakW6HOE 1cq5jJvuE42FMPg_pWfm6emv_Qk1_LUlPrhcv7gnxUU_y6dzo4 jUdbXM0-FMLlovu2YQEzt0IjYgD1Ue2Bp4F5TJu70ll2bTHE5TCYv1_69o f7FP8Tw?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/7748/2630444070043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2630444070043863621BEHfLx)
Blister Hill
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/43362/2022876570043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2022876570043863621IuXxVR)
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4medWnHCODbcbej33rjQo2TlrvT5bcpJqHlAYow6VZP7O1YHC yUnNBH9gHqpFyiUC86TPckihICjLynSGCBn03V4P1ME6q0vTZJ N5vpaCwg6x7gUtamalmPxxdScwCbOFujl7zeI3vZo8C2QyWxuP zuYyelIi4WHnzYsUQFIr_Njo?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none
on Blister hill, fresh snow quickly melting, i.e. out of the trees and down the back of the shirt invariably. :cold:
http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/26871/2860939490043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2860939490043863621uHTPWA)
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4mQA8fN_K771tgxgLTCDegqfpY-UmQqL7Mrot0XP7bW324kV3eC0NojDIcOFLUIedXJF8NrOsJ-5aYTjofpB5exyKhdC8_4CPn68wq6ay5_ZPgqJrFobksEZ1zBbH uZxwfWPUN7_Qj66_ObeRGn55KMq9KiNd-hO-_hIlT9GjE_DI?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
Beautiful spring day on the trail.
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4mr-BIdKU0OPlPZTznJ_5fTHthcCcVLLJDdmHXo68dalM0h4b1Uy5j 91wzSsbF5u2WTqx-1EDwVxIqVEfThYVUhQCSGI5AN1Q-qePtG7xFKEK5uA3It24dXND-3SdMsAZm889K2K80mvmiNQmWvdB4dRWYjoELgmuLGdceStzmq_ 8?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
https://chi01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mRHfO_Kv2P8SqZPry3J_dnsVbiqmT8mZLJOcdNCGoLwMy3Hp nK-SbUU6iOKN2y4qpnQ0hyCdC6ne5IU9DTqthIctSgr4SpO-lnZDzCXF3hGffP4cPl4A8QGU5be6fqesG1-gcCR3eNKjXrkgBOStBDRLl-knClW6s-JTBlZYMjag?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mQlM8tdaOX6--gccTWiyueJ8Xzn8iewecGRbbJoffKtPbIeIFMJ-y_MgE8ZbMX45GIgKS06I6KsE8--lRYkswByGd2OZ0_nHyr74LCwGhAr7aJ_v8g0K4MyjJ5eWpXnxd tz3JI89zXJYt_ArqAeSz9ZqPwpajAMMlAXA03gvq5bs?width= 495&height=660&cropmode=none
About to enter the forest, for me this is the half way mark.
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/47857/2982194840043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2982194840043863621UwxoeG)
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mFh8LqXEyghRqxIRQBVn9oYt7GW9UMfHwm3UrSXhUeLmNv9u OzI0Db07mWqMdrMgyQPiCPRzeEhMI0Dk99MIExjNwskIWqlPA3 kvHCyKAW1oZ2Ku5ct5ertphtIi3hPfUwjlMcpYtQk4jBw5LKjg xNqUOyT-P2lEeMsVcQVcfJBM?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none
From the saddle moments before another snow storm rolls in erasing the views.
https://chi01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4m_m65GyGngZ6uE-LlX8-CRgtlie4UNR89sRE_VLQhyWVJFXbdwWy0ibgRazAgygGghRLZ9 aAlA9727S2lq7at_gP3qOfXNHOdqp1rkLR-iT779skchSKoAqCxtOYLxc3fsOA7Inj6Ay75vFqXFGvEDvx1-8EZqYSsxnLgVBpxV9Y?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/44329/2223203140043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2223203140043863621cbVNMg)
On the S. summit, surrounded by the din of an unseen city.
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mGou95EZUFT_2RnrldYqVGUVxX3SVnK3uZzDFP3tHZS0HYKT MFkxsYd0cXak8bIHs85NVs9Ox-ZWIoFDj66rxvdWUrkYMAIEj1q_kZyGuUnAG5cPNLxv3Wxs-JVBOsbiSXY9oXL4rMjr6IlAYJ0P2M5-SrTfP8pFKDGN39nqiyAQ?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/32819/2661354620043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2661354620043863621FEYwZR)
The snow continued to melt out of the trees with seemingly perfect aim for the vulnerable neck line while fresh flakes fell. The trail now obscured from the warmth of the sun quickly iced over, becoming a super slick rock strewn skating rink. It would take longer to get down than it took to get up this time. I was very thankful for gore-tex during this hike but wished the skywalk II tread with only one season left on them underneath those Vasque boots could have been suddenly studded like snow tires.
Glacier Lilys emerged from a wet and heavy blanket of melting snow.
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mZKJEMMElfzGrjem1yL5eS-t_-dD53d_H03oS0mu-Y-9R6Ypk0wIUcq_Mn0RKjVXvoK6xqsS4ki4qZ4Sc0zDbuWbAX102 L8WIsoOhoGmGJVqhuAH45hN5HYFAAftA5yy0P6oqnoQKG8bRPg EyCpnnX-DDR4G_h9s60SMbUGe1FqI?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/48399/2561024080043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2561024080043863621yLxNTs)
View of the two summits from the lower Tolcat overlook.
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4m2_SOz-ShQ3t_N5QvUd3dijVnTksXD5xcwxrrk5pQsNVujgZcrakW6HOE 1cq5jJvuE42FMPg_pWfm6emv_Qk1_LUlPrhcv7gnxUU_y6dzo4 jUdbXM0-FMLlovu2YQEzt0IjYgD1Ue2Bp4F5TJu70ll2bTHE5TCYv1_69o f7FP8Tw?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/7748/2630444070043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2630444070043863621BEHfLx)
Blister Hill
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/43362/2022876570043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2022876570043863621IuXxVR)
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4medWnHCODbcbej33rjQo2TlrvT5bcpJqHlAYow6VZP7O1YHC yUnNBH9gHqpFyiUC86TPckihICjLynSGCBn03V4P1ME6q0vTZJ N5vpaCwg6x7gUtamalmPxxdScwCbOFujl7zeI3vZo8C2QyWxuP zuYyelIi4WHnzYsUQFIr_Njo?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none
on Blister hill, fresh snow quickly melting, i.e. out of the trees and down the back of the shirt invariably. :cold:
http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/26871/2860939490043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2860939490043863621uHTPWA)
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4mQA8fN_K771tgxgLTCDegqfpY-UmQqL7Mrot0XP7bW324kV3eC0NojDIcOFLUIedXJF8NrOsJ-5aYTjofpB5exyKhdC8_4CPn68wq6ay5_ZPgqJrFobksEZ1zBbH uZxwfWPUN7_Qj66_ObeRGn55KMq9KiNd-hO-_hIlT9GjE_DI?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
Beautiful spring day on the trail.
https://ch3301files.storage.live.com/y4mr-BIdKU0OPlPZTznJ_5fTHthcCcVLLJDdmHXo68dalM0h4b1Uy5j 91wzSsbF5u2WTqx-1EDwVxIqVEfThYVUhQCSGI5AN1Q-qePtG7xFKEK5uA3It24dXND-3SdMsAZm889K2K80mvmiNQmWvdB4dRWYjoELgmuLGdceStzmq_ 8?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
https://chi01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mRHfO_Kv2P8SqZPry3J_dnsVbiqmT8mZLJOcdNCGoLwMy3Hp nK-SbUU6iOKN2y4qpnQ0hyCdC6ne5IU9DTqthIctSgr4SpO-lnZDzCXF3hGffP4cPl4A8QGU5be6fqesG1-gcCR3eNKjXrkgBOStBDRLl-knClW6s-JTBlZYMjag?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mQlM8tdaOX6--gccTWiyueJ8Xzn8iewecGRbbJoffKtPbIeIFMJ-y_MgE8ZbMX45GIgKS06I6KsE8--lRYkswByGd2OZ0_nHyr74LCwGhAr7aJ_v8g0K4MyjJ5eWpXnxd tz3JI89zXJYt_ArqAeSz9ZqPwpajAMMlAXA03gvq5bs?width= 495&height=660&cropmode=none
About to enter the forest, for me this is the half way mark.
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/47857/2982194840043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2982194840043863621UwxoeG)
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mFh8LqXEyghRqxIRQBVn9oYt7GW9UMfHwm3UrSXhUeLmNv9u OzI0Db07mWqMdrMgyQPiCPRzeEhMI0Dk99MIExjNwskIWqlPA3 kvHCyKAW1oZ2Ku5ct5ertphtIi3hPfUwjlMcpYtQk4jBw5LKjg xNqUOyT-P2lEeMsVcQVcfJBM?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none
From the saddle moments before another snow storm rolls in erasing the views.
https://chi01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4m_m65GyGngZ6uE-LlX8-CRgtlie4UNR89sRE_VLQhyWVJFXbdwWy0ibgRazAgygGghRLZ9 aAlA9727S2lq7at_gP3qOfXNHOdqp1rkLR-iT779skchSKoAqCxtOYLxc3fsOA7Inj6Ay75vFqXFGvEDvx1-8EZqYSsxnLgVBpxV9Y?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/44329/2223203140043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2223203140043863621cbVNMg)
On the S. summit, surrounded by the din of an unseen city.
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mGou95EZUFT_2RnrldYqVGUVxX3SVnK3uZzDFP3tHZS0HYKT MFkxsYd0cXak8bIHs85NVs9Ox-ZWIoFDj66rxvdWUrkYMAIEj1q_kZyGuUnAG5cPNLxv3Wxs-JVBOsbiSXY9oXL4rMjr6IlAYJ0P2M5-SrTfP8pFKDGN39nqiyAQ?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/32819/2661354620043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2661354620043863621FEYwZR)
The snow continued to melt out of the trees with seemingly perfect aim for the vulnerable neck line while fresh flakes fell. The trail now obscured from the warmth of the sun quickly iced over, becoming a super slick rock strewn skating rink. It would take longer to get down than it took to get up this time. I was very thankful for gore-tex during this hike but wished the skywalk II tread with only one season left on them underneath those Vasque boots could have been suddenly studded like snow tires.
Glacier Lilys emerged from a wet and heavy blanket of melting snow.
https://chi01pap002files.storage.live.com/y4mZKJEMMElfzGrjem1yL5eS-t_-dD53d_H03oS0mu-Y-9R6Ypk0wIUcq_Mn0RKjVXvoK6xqsS4ki4qZ4Sc0zDbuWbAX102 L8WIsoOhoGmGJVqhuAH45hN5HYFAAftA5yy0P6oqnoQKG8bRPg EyCpnnX-DDR4G_h9s60SMbUGe1FqI?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/48399/2561024080043863621S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2561024080043863621yLxNTs)