Brrrrrr!

This is the South Horn in the Bigelows and where Al, the dogs and I were headed on Sunday, taken from Stratton Brook Pond.  We had to choose a sheltered hike, as the wind was whipping.  We knew we would want the woods for shelter and warmth.  We knew from the start that it would be cold.  It was 5 degrees and windy as all get out - we figured it was well below zero all day.
 

West and Avery Peak in the Bigelows

The packs were heavy with winter gear, snowshoes, winter boots and lots of food and water.  We skied about three miles in then changed into winter boots, stashing Nordic boots, poles and skis in the woods a little way off the trail.  From there we hiked a little under 4 miles up to the summit of South Horn.

While moving, we were plenty warm. 

We snagged the summit quickly and then scurried down to the lean-to for lunch and "shelter".  There was no shelter - there was no warmth - there was very little lunch.  PBJ was frozen solid - once boiling tea was ice-cream-headache cold - packs were crackling with the cold, zippers were functioning about as well as fingers.  It was cold.  We got a few bites in and then hit it.  Once moving, we warmed again.  Covered the same 6+ miles out and were warm in the car by 2:30 pm (we started at 8:30).  Coffee drinks at Al's and all was well.

Jack - on the AT - near the summit of South Horn

Brrrr - see Jack jumping up?  And that yellow blur is Dixie.  As one of my students said today as we hung out during my prep period (she comes in during her Study Hall and sits opposite me - she draws me a picture every day and I talk with her and TRY to get work done) - she said, talking about Al - she could never be replaced, could she?  Nope.  No one I know is up for big days in the bitter cold like she is.