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Garfield 10-1-06
Garfield has twice evaded me. The first time during my East Franconia traverse in Mid September (ran out of water/sunlight). The second time on my Bonds loop (ran out of energy!). But this time, I won. It seemed as if some force did not want me to climb this mountain. As I started the hike at the altitudes below 2000 feet (trailhead:1550) there were micro bursts of very powerful winds which were snapping branches and knocking down trees. I have never been in the woods during such strong winds and I had a feeling I should leave.. But I pressed on. It threatened to rain the whole way up so I wore my newly bough 2$ Wal-Mart poncho. The trail grade was really easy. 4.9 miles to the ridge trail and .2 from there. Altitude gain was 3000' Switchbacks abound in the steep parts making anything at all challenging nonexistent. I met a couple at the trail junction. We swapped stories, and then I pressed on to the summit (they were not far behind me). I climbed the final semi technical grind constantly cursing at the mount "why are you such as asshol?" I would say at the mountain. I got to the final 40 feet and began climbing rocks. The wind was blowing terribly hard here. Probably about 35-40 mph sustained. I got near the final 10 feet. The wind was intense, gusts which I estimate at 50-60 mph were kicking my ass. My poncho was being whipped around and got torn to shreds as I tried to get to the top. Clearly this evil power was hell bent on keeping me off the summit. There was a small wind tunnel like spot I walked by where the wind was gusting at speeds that I have never before experienced (70-100 mph I have no idea how hard it was, but it was definitely over 70 MPH as I have been in 70 mph wind before and this was much harder). I climbed behind some rocks and put away the now destroyed poncho and changed into my sweater/wind breaker. Good god it was cold up there with that wind chill. I climbed up to the wind tunnel, it had calmed down a bit but was still blowing hard, so I went over to the other side and climbed up to the now empty foundation and claimed my victory prize :). I jumped down into the wind tunnel and took a video of me standing up in it. Winds were still about 60-70 mph, Every now and then a clear spot would break through the fog and I could see the valley below, what a sight! The fog would come at me so fast it was surreal. As I head back to the trail I encountered the couple again. They had watched me climb onto the rocks and told me it looked like I was going to get blown off the mountain. I told them of the tremendous wind speeds and wished them well as then started up the rocks to the top. CLICK HERE to see the video of me in the wind tunnel (gap) (SORRY, its quicktime :( ) Click Here for the Hike Map
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