It's hard to believe, but the 2004 season is already six hikes old! Not only that, but the TNAB ranks continue to swell with new blood: nine hikers turned out last week - the newcomers outnumbering the old guard five to four (it should have been even, but someone's brother decided to bail at the last minute..). Clearly, TNAB has survived the departure of Matt (to whom all thanks/blame should be assigned) and Gretchen (major recruiter) and has taken on a life of its own. Very cool! Oh, yeah, about the hike...
Once again, we had unseasonably great weather for the hike: sunny and warm. At the trailhead to Bandera (Exit 45, cross under I-90 and take a left and follow it until it ends) the Eastgate group of four met up with Mike's crew of five. It took a bit of time to make all the introductions, so here's the list:
Mike, Alicia and John (new vets), Jeff and Tom (Issaquah newbies), Chris, Don, Mark and Russ (the old timers).
BTW: It only takes two hikes to become a TNAB "vet" - Dan's one-timer Microsoft buddies set the standard...
Introductions done, it was off to the races. The group took to the "improved" Bandera trail a little after 6:00 PM at something approaching a trot (or so it seemed). The wide, soft and gently sloped switchbacks take you about 2/3's up the mountain before connecting with the "old" Bandera trail - narrow, steep and rocky. Ah, that's more like it! The first signs of snow had appeared a few switches before, but not enough of it to be an issue. On the treeless hillside, the route to the ridge was covered with hikers both ascending and descending. The exposure and bright sunlight made for a very warm climb.
Relief was soon to come, however, as the route along the ridgeline was covered in snow. Conditions along the well established path were good - solid footing, little slippage, except for the parts where the snow barely covered the lurking talus. Proceed with caution! A short jaunt through the woods, climb another crest and - wow! we're on top! Already!
Views from the top were good, but not great. Some cloud cover obscured the peaks to the North, but things were clear locally, to the East, and the South. Rainier, of course, dominated. McClellan's Butte looked very imposing from this vantage, as well.
The majority of us had made it to the summit in 90 minutes give or take a few minutes . Mike, however, has adopted the TNAB ethos of hike as fast as you want to, summiting in @ 75 minutes. Woo! General concensus: Mike, you should meet Matt. :)
The descent was like the ascent, fast. We were back to the parking lot by 9:00 PM, accompanied by an awesome crescent moon in the early evening sky. Most made it back without the aid of a headlamp, always a plus. It was tempting to go after West Defiance as well...but saner minds won out. Once again - great hike! I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying that...
THIS WEEK: MAILBOX PEAK
Need I say more? Weather outlook is good....see ya Thursday!
-Mark
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