August 11 Trip Report

[Brad]

On Saturday a friend of the family (actually we consider her another daughter) and I did Ammo - Lakes of the Clouds - summit - Gulfside - Jewell. This was the perfect example of excellent weather when we started - right up to when we approached the summit. Then it closed in tight. We recorded a wind chill of 43 degrees and a maximum wind speed of 50 mph.

If you were prepared for a hike in the sun with nice weather it would have been fine till you were caught above tree line with the temperature going down - wind going up - and everything getting wet as you were in the clouds. We saw plenty of people who were not prepared well. One pair of woman went by with one saying "I am so cold".

As we headed down you would look down at your feet and the clouds were going by.

In spite of all that it was a great day - long - but very nice. Here are pictures from the hike
http://public.fotki.com/bradbradstre...11-washington/

Here is a Conditions image as we were heading down the Jewell.

[Charlie]

very nice day . the summit looks so far from the hut but when looking down on the hut from up top it does not look that far .

and how did they let you in the kitchen ,did you get to have some cookies

[Steve M]

Looks like you guys had a great time. Best of both worlds...clear view for a while, then into the soup. Great diversity of photo's. You took some time getting some nice shots.

[Rich]

Once again...just proves you have to pack for all conditions!

Great shots Brad, nice to see you in some of them for a change! Looks like you both enjoyed yourselves. Thanks for sharing.

[Brad]

Great shots Brad, nice to see you in some of them for a change!

You sound like my wife. I get back from a hike and she asks about pictures that I am in - none - nada. Well, we made sure we fixed that with this trip.

very nice day . the summit looks so far from the hut but when looking down on the hut from up top it does not look that far .

and how did they let you in the kitchen ,did you get to have some cookies

Getting in the kitchen, crew quarters, amazing pantry - are all a part of the MWO tour. Plus, you get to go through the Weather Room and up in the tower. The full tour is a great experience for everyone. Become a member and you can get a tour next time you go to the summit.

Jessica and I went into the Weather Room - no one there. Then Dan (summer intern) came up the stairs. I started to say that I was a member and he said, "Brad, great to see you again!" Now that is a very warm welcome for a member. Jessica just laughed.

The day turned out to be an excellent example of how the weather can change up there.

[Tim&Val]

Brad,
Great pictures as always! I think that the Ammo trail is the just wonderful, and you captured it beautifully.
Valerie

[Charlie]

that is nice to be a member and have a welcome like that .
i forgot that being a member you can see all that stuff when we go up there.

looks like you had a fun day .

[KD Talbot]

Just checked out your shots from this hike. You have some exceptionally beautiful stuff there, what a crystal clear day it was at the start! Glad you had a good trip! I think those pine-cones had been stripped by red squirrels, like corn on the cob for them. Does that make 52? Or more?
KDT

[lwa11]

Nice shots Brad. And reassures me of being prepared rather than just doing the light hiking. Slower but prepared.

[Brad]

Just checked out your shots from this hike. You have some exceptionally beautiful stuff there, what a crystal clear day it was at the start! Glad you had a good trip! I think those pine-cones had been stripped by red squirrels, like corn on the cob for them. Does that make 52? Or more?
KDT

STP was #50 to the summit so this was 51. Some day I will get up to my age.

I shot most of the pictures with a wide angle lens at 15mm.