I crossed another peak off my list. I couldn't remember why I hadn't bagged Mendenhall considering I've hiked a few others around the ridge. Anyways, after reading Tekewin's TR dated June 2015, I was inspired to do it.
I met my Wednesday group at Dillon Divide. We started at 7:30am and it was cool. But after the day's events, I wished we had started earlier. When we reached Highline saddle the weather started heating up.
We saw a rattlesnake and opted not to take the ridge ascent, opposite of what Tekewin did. Instead, we took the long, boring road around Mendenhall. On a positive note there were quite a few places to rest in the shade. We arrived at Mendenhall saddle and took a break.
Beyond this point the trail was overgrown but doable. It wasn't like the thick whitethorn that we battled through on Rose Peak. I forgot to put my gaiters on, and I got annoying sticky weeds all over my socks.
Along this route there were three washouts. Nothing too bad except for one gnarly section. It required us to carefully utilize a rock outcropping to boost ourselves up and over, to get back on the trail with a steep drop just below it. After walking a short distance, I found a use path just below an old foundation, and we followed it to the top.
On the peak we admired the views and checked out the abandoned structures. I didn't find a benchmark but someone placed a new register at the high point under some rocks.
There wasn't any trash by the water tank, as mentioned in Tekewin's report. So I'm glad someone cleaned it up.
It was at this moment, when I turned on my phone to see if I had a signal & call Sean, that I found out the devastating news about Colin. My heart sank and I said a prayer.
On the descent we took the steep firebreak which was very slippery and rocky. It started to get hotter but we had a cool breeze for part of the way.
Halfway into the descent one of my friends started having issues. After trying to help, I decided to call for medical attention.
We slowly made it back to Highline saddle and walked a short distance before help arrived. The paramedics attended to her and the rest of us walked back to the cars.
This has been an emotional past two weeks and today didn't make it any better.
Oh yeah, I found what looks like a benchmark descending the ridge route by the water tank.
Mendenhall peak
You were in my neck of the woods!
Yes, that area is going to be *hot* this time of the year. And not a lot of shade either. Not recommended for a summer hike particularly with the temps we've had recently. I haven't quite bagged Mendenhall myself yet but I hope to do so this winter. I'll probably do the ridge line out and the road back.
Yes, that area is going to be *hot* this time of the year. And not a lot of shade either. Not recommended for a summer hike particularly with the temps we've had recently. I haven't quite bagged Mendenhall myself yet but I hope to do so this winter. I'll probably do the ridge line out and the road back.
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Girl Hiker
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- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:46 am
I recommend the ridge route out n back. The other side of Mendenhall is overgrown with a couple of narrow sections and washouts.
I recommend starting much earlier and taking a lot more water. Also, cover up completely to avoid heat exhaustion. It sounds counter-intuitive, but wearing light, long pants and sleeves protects your body from the sun burning you up.
You've just shown your age. Wear light colors, think GLADIATOR.
(This PSA has been brought to you from one of the forum's resident Millennials)
Read Dune 12 years after it was published. I've been dreaming of getting a stillsuit ever since. And curiously enough, there's this bit of background to Dune...
"...he was influenced by the story of T. E. Lawrence and the "messianic overtones" in Lawrence's involvement in the Arab Revolt during World War I. In an early version of Dune, the hero was actually very similar to Lawrence of Arabia, but Herbert decided the plot was too straightforward and added more layers to his story."
"...he was influenced by the story of T. E. Lawrence and the "messianic overtones" in Lawrence's involvement in the Arab Revolt during World War I. In an early version of Dune, the hero was actually very similar to Lawrence of Arabia, but Herbert decided the plot was too straightforward and added more layers to his story."
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Girl Hiker
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- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:46 am
I get the message!
I'm just a shorts kinda girl. However, I do need to shop for some new hiking clothes. Light colors of course.
I'm just a shorts kinda girl. However, I do need to shop for some new hiking clothes. Light colors of course.
Hiking in the upper 90s isn't really safe for anyone. Your body needs a way to cool to 98.6 when exerting itself (generating internal heat) and if the outside temp is near 98.6, body cooling can't happen efficiently or at all if higher. Light color clothing including hats, cooling vests, hiking umbrellas, and shade all help reduce the effective temp, obviously. Some individuals seem to be able to handle the really hot temps, but they are the exception.
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Girl Hiker
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:46 am
True and the ones who needed help that day couldn't handle it. I was fine. Thanks for the extra advice.Some individuals seem to be able to handle the really hot temps, but they are the exception.