So the boy has a special friend. Said special friend is from a line of what we refer to as "pavement people." They are not crazy for the mountains like us. They do "normal" things like "sports". So what are we to do? That's right. We make them do things like us.
So it was that HOS managed to convince Hetzel that they should come with us for a weekend adventure. (NOTE: This is not a "weekend morning adventure" like we normally do. Just your average adventure that happens to be on a weekend.) I did my normal where-can-we-go-with-no-people thing and after I realized my chosen trail was a wee bit too sketch we decided to go to the pika fields.
The big downside to the pika fields is the first bit shares a trail with one of the most popular trails in the state: Snow Lake. Close to Seattle, easy parking, easy trail, huge payoff, insane numbers of people. Oh well. We got going and that crowded first mile and a half passed quickly. Pretty quickly after the crowds had turned to switchback up the headwall we were left in peace to hike through increasing snow with increasingly great views.
I always love taking non-hikers to places like this. They are almost passé for us. We've seen them too many times. But for someone seeing the towering peaks surrounding the basin for the first time it's a wonderland. Hetzel was suitably impressed. (Or at least fooled me into thinking so.)
When the snow got slick, Hetz donned microspikes and started using the poles. The boy was an excellent guide and provided tips without being patronizing. We found some dry rocks and dropped our packs. Now the education could begin.
The syllabus consisted of the following lessons.
- Pikas
- Marmots
- Glissading
- Edible snow
- SCIENCE!
The student passed with high marks and only a few moments of excitement. (No first glissade should be without a touch of fear.) We watched as climbers descended from Pineapple Pass and Tink tried to sniff out the location of various bits of wildlife (with no success). When we could feel the sunscreen starting to fail, we headed back to the shade of the trees and the crowds. (Was the shade worth the people? No, but we didn't have a choice.)
All indications are that much fun was had. The real verdict will come when HOS invites Hetzel on another trip. Stay tuned.
📍 On the lands of the Wenatchi people.
