| Peak | Cucamonga Peak |
|---|---|
| Group | The Hiking Vikings (aka me and my husband Frank) |
| Trailhead | Ice House Canyon |
Ok so here is the 411. After reading about the current conditions on Cucamonga we returned our mini spikes and coughed up some extra dough for Hillsound Trail Crampons and I am so glad we did. Then we rented a couple of ice axes from REI. Also a great idea. I have never used either of these things before, and I was a little apprehensive but I really wanted to give the peak a go.
The trail to the saddle is super pleasant – beautiful and not too difficult. We put on our crampons and started the journey toward the peak. We crossed several snow fields and at this point I was feeling really good. We made it up a few switchbacks and suddenly the trail was gone. The only the way to the peak was straight up a snow covered, steep slope. A few others were attempting it and so despite my fears, we headed out. I was soon informed by a Paul Bunyan looking type who was already on the way down that there would be no hiking form there on out – “only mountaineering.” So step by step I plunged my ax into the snow and pulled myself up. I did this for a mile and a half!! It was grueling and slightly sketchy for a casual hiker like me.
There are five things that got me up that mountain: 1) The fact that I signed up for the 6 pack of peaks 2) Stubbornness 3) Prayer 4) The gentle and calm prodding of my husband who continued to reassure me that he would not allow me to slide to my death 5) Not allowing myself to think about getting down.
As you can see from the picture we made it! The view was absolutely indescribable! We were blessed with blue skies and almost no wind on the peak. We stayed a little too long on top and started the journey down. This is when for me things went from slightly sketchy to super terrifying. The steepness of the slope was magnified by having to stare at the abyss below me on the way down. I was sliding and struggling and super tired. My husband made good on his promise at one point and literally stopped my fall with his legs. It was super brutal and it seemed as if it would never end. But it did! I have never been so happy to see a switchback in all my life.
It took us so long to navigate the snowy accent that we were actually racing against the setting sun as we made our way down. So after reading this post there are two possible responses – both equally valid. Response #1 – “Dang that’s nuts I think I will wait until the snow melts” or “Shoot – if she can do it so I can!” Whichever one you choose I wish you happy hiking!
