The day is overcast and cool but not a bad way to start our hike up Baldy. We heard that our sister crew was unable to make the climb a few days earlier due to bad weather so our hope is that the clouds will break up by the time we near the summit. We don't have to tear down camp but we do need to bring two empty packs that can be filled with our next supply of food which we will pick up at the Baldy Town commissary on our return to Miranda. We leave camp by 5:45 as we are told that we need to be at a certain point by 8:00 am as they don't want hikers going up late in the day when weather can change quickly. Each person is to take four liters of water as this climb is challenging, especially if you are not accustomed to the elevation.
 |
| Final water refill at Black Horse Camp |
Along the way to Black Horse Camp we realized that we missed the sign-out sheet at Miranda.
Turning back would easily add an hour to our hike which might jeopardize the Baldy hike all together. Since we had Sean in camp resting his knee and staff checking up on him, we decided to push on as our whereabouts could be easily tracked. We also had to borrow water purification tablets from an Illinois crew on their way down to Miranda. Fortunately water tablets are available at every staff camp so they could easily replenish their supply.
 |
| Mining building |
 |
| Panoramic view |
 |
"11" 11,000 ft
As we clear the mining camp and continue the accent on Baldy the skies clear
and we are left with a picture perfect day. We started the day at Miranda which is
8920 ft and we stopped at the 11,000 ft mark to take a picture. |
 |
| Bundling up before the final accent. Very windy and cold! |
 |
| Slow and steady wins the race |
 |
| Dylan takes in the view |
 |
| We did it! |
 |
| Crew 621S01 on top of Baldy Mountain - Elevation 12,441 ft |
http://www.philmontexplorer.com/campsite-information/baldy-mountain-peak
 |
| Westward view |
 |
| Panoramic view |
 |
| Southern View - Note the smoke from the small forest fire at Pueblano. |
 |
| Decent down the north side of Baldy |
 |
| The Ridge and our way home |
 |
| Off the mountain top but still very windy |
 |
| Baldy Mountain looking south from the Ridge |
 |
| Chatting with a crew from Virginia |
 |
| Lunch after getting off the ridge. No wind here. |
 |
| Baldy from the east |
 |
| One tired crew leader |
 |
| Downhill switchbacks |
We stop at Baldy Town to get our food for the next few days, the load fills our two packs and a couple of bear bags that we brought along just in case we needed more room. There are showers at Baldy Town so the adults came prepared and enjoyed the first shower of the hike. From Baldy Town it's a manageable hike through Black Horse Camp and then downhill to Miranda.
 |
| Captivated by mountain streams |
 |
| Back to Miranda after being gone for almost 12 hours |
Mountain Ball - A game with no real purpose
When we return to Miranda, tired and hungry we find that Sean has gone back to base camp for further evaluation. The accomplishment of today's hike feels amazing but it's bittersweet now that one of our crew members could not make the journey and now he has left the trail. Perhaps with some luck he can recuperate and rejoin us somewhere down the trail. The night concludes with a rousing game of Mountain Ball while the adult advisers enjoy hot drinks and cookies on the cabin porch. Sleep should not be a problem tonight.
No comments:
Post a Comment