Snow Summit Solo Mt.Wilson Jan 21

What a grind that was.
I started at 7:00 with 40F from Chantry flats took the little detour to check out the Sturtevant Falls and got my toes wet in the higher than usual stream crossings. I wasn’t sure if I’m going to do the whole thing if I’m honest, but every way point I got to gave me more encouragement until the steep inclines started after the Sturtevant camp. I was to far in to turn around or find an alternate round back down. After the grind up on the switchbacks and encountering more and more snow to make it more slippery it was a welcoming site to find hot coffee or hot chocolate on the Summit. What a life saver. Then back down over Winter Creek, which literally is a mushy creek after snowfall, and just a bit back up for the last 3 miles, which came as a great relieve to my knees after miles of steep decline. It took me 7 and a half hours, which i thought was good considering the slow moving on the snow and ice patches and the half hour break on Top and that it’s my first time trying.
My lessons from this was waterproof shoes if snow is a possibility; Wool really does keep you warm even if it’s wet; I took way to much water and if I’m not sure I’ll ask. Everybody i encountered on the Trail was very friendly and helpful.
#1 down 5 more to go