Post by bluefish on Jan 2, 2020 9:51:21 GMT -8
Though we had little time, we decided to hike into a shelter using headlamps in a State Forest to the south of us in Columbia County, NY. The forecast was badly off. It was supposed to clear up and be relatively calm. Instead we ran into numerous utility vehicles repairing downed lines, including the dirt road we turned on to to get to the trailhead. We managed to squeeze by a boom truck to turn on to the access road and the parking area was open , but slippery. If it wasn't for 4 wheel drive, we would not have made it off the highway. The trail in was filled with smaller branches and a few blown down pines. It sleeted on and off and everything was coated with about 1/2 " of ice. The shelter was fine and the trees around appeared OK, with the exception of a small birch bent down on to the roof. We set up, made dinner, took a walk farther along the trail, then prepared to settle in. I sat up and listened to coyotes howling and the wind picking up. Soon it was snowing hard, sticking to the frozen branches and the sounds of larger trees going down punctuated the constant barrage of ice chunks on to the roof of the shelter. Much as I was loathe to do it, I asked my wife to get up and start packing . I was afraid the shelter would have a tree fall on it, or my truck would be hit or we'd be trapped on the access road. I really lamented not having thrown a chainsaw in the truck, something easily done had I the least suspicion. We walked out and midnight and 2020 arrived with us at the truck. We did enjoy the walk out , as the smell was very strong and Christmasy with all the broken pine branches. Silver lining. The ride home involved some detours around accidents, as the roads were sketchy in spots, with occasional whiteout bursts. We've backpacked on New Year's for quite a few years in a row, didn't want to end the streak, but I wouldn't have gone had I gotten an accurate forecast. My area was untouched and we got home safe and sound. Looking back, I don't regret hiking out, as I never would have slept. Last New Year's was an ice storm in the Adirondacks for us, though it wasn't windy and was only 1/4" cladding on the trees. Better luck next year.
