Mt. EllinorApril 24, 2016
Cynthia and I managed to get up into the misty Olympic muontains to celebrate our anniersary
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The road was clear to within a few hundred feet of the upper trailhead.
Most people were parked at the lower trailhead.
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I don't think I've ever hiked it from the upper trailhead.
It sure made this a relatively easy climb, shortening the hike to about 4 miles.
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The trail was clear of snow for the first few switchbacks.
After that, we were in a winter wonderland.
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It's our anniversary (tomorrow actually)!
We had originally planned to do this hike with Kevin and Evan.
Due to unforeseen events (child-care, injury, weather), we cancalled the hike.
Then, on Saturday evening, the child-care stars realigned (Thanks Meghan), and we decided to brave the marginal weather forecast and just go for it.
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It started snowing on us as we appraoched the winter route.
It was a fast-pelting icy snow. It froze to our packs and helmets.
We stayed dry, and it made for great ambiance.
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Mid-way up the winter route.
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Cynthia reaching the top of the winter route.
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The sun never really came out, but we did catch a few breaks.
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It stopped snowing on us during the last push along the ridge to the summit.
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Seven good years.
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Now for the glissade back down.
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