Pilot Peak
My old friend Keaton invited me to hike to the top of Pilot Peak with his brother at the end of March. It's just over the Nevada line out by Wendover, and it's an "ultraprominent" peak, meaning that there is a difference of more than 4,900 feet (1500 meters) between the top and the surrounding plain. In this case, you start on the desert floor at about 5,000 feet and then climb over 5,700 feet to the peak, which is at 10,720 feet.
A little more about the peak: It was used by travelers in the 19th century as a guide for "piloting" their wagons across the west desert. As the story goes, in 1845, explorer John Fremont sent Kit Carson across the desert to see if it could be done. He made it and lit a huge bonfire from somewhere on Pilot Peak. This was the first time Euro-Americans traversed the west desert.
Our own traverse began early Saturday morning when we met up out by Saltair on I-80, and then we piloted our way across (in a Subaru, not a covered wagon). It was my first trip out that way, and it is beautiful, desolate country. There was still a bit of standing water on the miles and miles of salt flats, and it definitely fits the description "other-worldly."
We got to the base of the peak, parked, and I soon realized I had miscalculated the nature of this expedition. I am a desert adventurer, so the extent of my gear for most hikes is a running t-shirt, shorts or hiking pants, wool socks, old running shoes, and a Camelbak. I soon realized the other dudes were way more geared up than my hoodie and hiking poles. I'd even neglected to bring gloves. When Keaton offered to let me borrow an ice ax and crampons, I thought, "HUH?" But off we went.
It started out as a basic hike along a dirt track, then a scramble up the mountainside on loose shale. (There's not really a trail.) Soon, however, we hit patches of snow and ice, and not long after that, deeper snow. After a couple hours, I felt like I was basically scaling Mt. Everest in a bathing suit. In some places, it was very steep and we had to kick holes in the ice and go up and down like a ladder. (The other two did that, actually - I was basically always at the back of the group, taking advantage of their trailblazing.) I was kicking myself for not wearing/possessing better gear, but I did my best to keep a good attitude, and we made it to the top.
For much of the ascent we were surrounded by increasingly dense fog, and by the time we made it to the top, we could only see a few yards in any direction. It was still beautiful, though.
The hike down was pretty brutal. I was cold and tired, but then we got to "glissade" down the mountainside, or basically slide on your behind, using your ax to stop yourself. That was fun. What followed was the most grueling part of the hike: a seemingly never-ending boulder field on sharp, slippery rocks. I very nearly gave up and called for a helicopter rescue.
Finally we made it back to the car and headed for home. I walked in the door during dinnertime. All in all, a grand adventure, although I will stick to desert excursions until I can afford to fork out the money for better gear. I was reminded of what was said recently at the funeral of a fellow in our neighborhood: he was all about "high-adventure activities using low-adventure equipment."
A little more about the peak: It was used by travelers in the 19th century as a guide for "piloting" their wagons across the west desert. As the story goes, in 1845, explorer John Fremont sent Kit Carson across the desert to see if it could be done. He made it and lit a huge bonfire from somewhere on Pilot Peak. This was the first time Euro-Americans traversed the west desert.
Our own traverse began early Saturday morning when we met up out by Saltair on I-80, and then we piloted our way across (in a Subaru, not a covered wagon). It was my first trip out that way, and it is beautiful, desolate country. There was still a bit of standing water on the miles and miles of salt flats, and it definitely fits the description "other-worldly."
We got to the base of the peak, parked, and I soon realized I had miscalculated the nature of this expedition. I am a desert adventurer, so the extent of my gear for most hikes is a running t-shirt, shorts or hiking pants, wool socks, old running shoes, and a Camelbak. I soon realized the other dudes were way more geared up than my hoodie and hiking poles. I'd even neglected to bring gloves. When Keaton offered to let me borrow an ice ax and crampons, I thought, "HUH?" But off we went.
It started out as a basic hike along a dirt track, then a scramble up the mountainside on loose shale. (There's not really a trail.) Soon, however, we hit patches of snow and ice, and not long after that, deeper snow. After a couple hours, I felt like I was basically scaling Mt. Everest in a bathing suit. In some places, it was very steep and we had to kick holes in the ice and go up and down like a ladder. (The other two did that, actually - I was basically always at the back of the group, taking advantage of their trailblazing.) I was kicking myself for not wearing/possessing better gear, but I did my best to keep a good attitude, and we made it to the top.
For much of the ascent we were surrounded by increasingly dense fog, and by the time we made it to the top, we could only see a few yards in any direction. It was still beautiful, though.
The hike down was pretty brutal. I was cold and tired, but then we got to "glissade" down the mountainside, or basically slide on your behind, using your ax to stop yourself. That was fun. What followed was the most grueling part of the hike: a seemingly never-ending boulder field on sharp, slippery rocks. I very nearly gave up and called for a helicopter rescue.
Finally we made it back to the car and headed for home. I walked in the door during dinnertime. All in all, a grand adventure, although I will stick to desert excursions until I can afford to fork out the money for better gear. I was reminded of what was said recently at the funeral of a fellow in our neighborhood: he was all about "high-adventure activities using low-adventure equipment."
Doesn't look so bad from down here.
A rare break in the clouds
Are we having fun yet?
Here I am at the top. Look at that view!
Are we there yet?
My well-heeled comrades
Shortcut, glissading down a chute
Boulder field - stuff of nightmares
Keaton made me into a meme. I would have written "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me to the Top of This D*%& Peak!"
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAhahahahaha. The view! I'm dying over here. Way to be a good sport, Nate! hahahahahaha
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