Group Members: Rod & Kerra
We had planned on doing the Swampy Lakes Long Loop this day, but with the best weather ever, decided to do Tumalo instead because we knew the views were going to be spectacular.
We headed out from a packed Dutchman Flat's parking lot just after Noon. Santa had brought both of us new snowshoes (MSR Lightning Ascent). I had broken mine in the week before on a miserable climb of Bachelor (see trip report - Dec. 23rd). Kerra was using hers for the first time. Both sets of 'shoes' had heal-raisers, which takes the stress off your Achilles tendons on the way up (because you're not stretching your tendon as much). Usually after a mountain climb in shoes, my A. tendon is sore - not this time.
We climbed at a comfortable pace, frequently stopping to take pictures. I've been out on many nice days, but this one was extra special. We reached the 7800' summit in 2 hrs. & enjoyed what I knew would be an unprecedented view. Although this was a Monday, it was New Year's Eve & hence we were not alone on the summit.
After soaking in views that will last a lifetime, we headed down, taking only 50 minutes to get back to the parking lot.
The snow was compacted such that it kept us from post-holing on the way up, yet gave us knee cushioning on the way down.
Trip stats: 2 hrs. to the top, 3 hr. 15 min. total, 1450 vert. feet, 3.0 miles round trip.