In Attendance:
Karen B
Martin W
John F
Brandy D
From Brandy:
An Adventurous Expedition Amidst Slushy Snow
The New Year’s Day run to the Henness Pass was a challenging adventure, marked by rainy conditions and a landscape blanketed in very slushy snow with rivers flowing underneath, and downed trees blocking the path. And yet, it was a fun day, as these things tend to be!
We met at Wendy’s at about 8:05, and believing we had everyone who wanted to attend (Brandy, Martin, Karen), we left. A reminder: it's important to wait until the appointed departure time, as illustrated by our experience of leaving Frosty behind. Fortunately, a timely text message arrived, and I was able to tell Frosty we were not too far ahead of him and to meet us at staging.
From the outset, the trail conditions were… interesting. The snow was exceptionally slushy and deep in places, causing frequent sinking into the underlying mud and road. Our convoy broke trail down FR-98, pushing through until the conditions became too deep, steep, and off-camber to continue. The conditions definitely tested my skill and grit, and I personally had one of the best days ever breaking trail and figuring out what the jeep can do, what I can do, when to push on, and when to ask for help or a break.
After a while, we opted to turn around and head back the way we came, and Martin let us know there was a side trail that would lead us back over to Henness Pass without going all the way back FR-98. We took turns breaking trail up this road and broke through to Henness Pass just in time for the rain to start up again (off and on all day). The day was punctuated by numerous downed trees blocking our path. Armed with Frosty’s chainsaw (with the chain on correctly) and sheer determination, we cleared all but one of these obstacles. The one tree we couldn’t remove, we managed to maneuver around without causing off-trail damage.
Karen acquired substantial tow strap and recovery practice, assisting Brandy who repeatedly tried to slide down the sides of the hills. It is always good to practice recovery, as it builds skill and confidence for recovery operations and builds trust in those adventuring with you! Thanks to the team for waiting for my stomach to feel better after my adrenaline decided to dump and do me in for a few minutes. I did not like being that close to the side of the hill. Good reminder that we never know what is under the snow, and to be mindful when cruising!
One lesson I take away from every run is always to acknowledge and communicate your limits. Off-roading can be unpredictable, and knowing when to stop or seek assistance is crucial for safety and for learning. Our team made decisions based on collective input and individual comfort levels, ensuring a safe yet adventurous experience.
It was a longer day than expected, with the group airing up and heading home around 4:45. Everyone had fun and hopefully slept well last night. Happy New Year!!