Sat, Sep 3 2005 - Mount Temple (View Original Event Details)
|  |
"Should I stay or should I go?"
If a month ago someone told me about Temple, I would take a bow. For me Temple is THE MOUNTAIN, so just imagine how I felt seeing the event posted on the website, started to dream and think hard if I can make it.... "should I stay or should I go?"...
I signed up... talked to Mike 2 nights before. Blanka stayed overnight at my place, so we could both go together to the carpool at 6AM the next day. It was still dark. We took off and got to the Moraine Lake 2.5 hours later. The weather wasn't great (10 degrees at the lake) cloudy... O well. Lets go!!
Sentinel pass after 1.5 hrs > windy, windy, windy.... Time to catch a breath, put the rock helmets, long pants, maybe gloves already. Can anyone show me how to put the helmet on my head??? Ready? The game has started. The trail goes up the scree, we had to climb a veeeery nice rock band (I LOVE IT!!!!). The way up is straightforward, the trail is steep and snow doesn't really help. Yes yes, we had snow on the trail for the last 300m elevation. Just before the more challenging last part Mike said we should take out ice axes and he showed us (me!!!) how to use it. The closer to the summit the more excited I was and tired. "Are we there yet???" Blanka hiking just behind me was cheering me up- thank you for the support, 150m of elevation to go, 100, 50, 10 and Mike for your patience.....
SUMMIT!!!!!!!!!!! SUMMIT!!!!!!!!!! SUMMIT!!!!!!!!!!! WINDY!!!!!!!!! COLD!!!!!!!!! did I mention it was freezing and windy? so what??? SUMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
And of course the 1st thing what I did was trying not to cry (sorry, didn't work). Emotions, emotions. OK, I admit, it was cold, 0 degrees with a strong blowing wind. Unfortunately we couldnt have lunch on the top :-( 15 mins was long enough to take some pictures and admire the georgeous views!!!! It's 2 pm.
Way down > carefull and slow (that's me), hands are frozen from holding the metal part of ice axe (but thanks to Ian who gave me his gloves it wasn't so bad), still cold and windy. 3pm lunch!! Again the rock band (see the photos).We skipped Sentinel Pass trying to stay to the left. For last part to Minnestimma Lake we were "snowboarding" on the scree >> sooo much fun. You can try the moonwalk (right Ian? :-))). Larch Valley, little break, an hour to the parking lot.
Yahoo!!! What a day!!!! 4 of us ended up at the Kilkenny's (9pm), beer is so tasty LOL
Thanks everyone (great people) for making one of my TOP5 days. I want more!!! See you soon!!!
Ps. Aarmaan: how is your ankle?
Marta