Ambret has written a very thoughtful report of our escapade on Mallory. As the report notes, small errors can add up to larger problems. Things that stick out in my mind. (1) Time matters a lot; we didn't realize it in the morning, but the late start and the sidetrack up the wrong trail wasted daylight that we later needed. (2) Always pack emergency shelter or blankets; two of us had them but a third member did not, and if the night had been just a few degrees colder, hypothermia would have been a factor. (3) Always take extra batteries; my radio had conked out but, fortunately, Ambret's was still working so we could communicate with Jim* at the camp. And finally (4), always look back when you pass a critical junction so you can recognize it on the return; when daylight finally came, I saw a distinctive cliff hard at the base of Brian's Ledge and realized we had passed right by it early the night before. Live and (re)learn.
nice report.
did you have gps track. and typically I use gps track, and also mark waypoint (something like 2pm lunch lake xxx) then when I return, I reverse it.
Ruvicha - Sep 7, 2015 7:57 pm - Voted 10/10
A few extra thoughtsAmbret has written a very thoughtful report of our escapade on Mallory. As the report notes, small errors can add up to larger problems. Things that stick out in my mind. (1) Time matters a lot; we didn't realize it in the morning, but the late start and the sidetrack up the wrong trail wasted daylight that we later needed. (2) Always pack emergency shelter or blankets; two of us had them but a third member did not, and if the night had been just a few degrees colder, hypothermia would have been a factor. (3) Always take extra batteries; my radio had conked out but, fortunately, Ambret's was still working so we could communicate with Jim* at the camp. And finally (4), always look back when you pass a critical junction so you can recognize it on the return; when daylight finally came, I saw a distinctive cliff hard at the base of Brian's Ledge and realized we had passed right by it early the night before. Live and (re)learn.
hiac - Sep 13, 2015 4:30 pm - Voted 10/10
live and relearnnice report.
did you have gps track. and typically I use gps track, and also mark waypoint (something like 2pm lunch lake xxx) then when I return, I reverse it.
Ambret - Sep 13, 2015 4:43 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: live and relearnRuvicha normally carries a GPS device and tracks waypoints. This time, however, the batteries died ... so it was of no use.