IS it possible to have too many Needle Peak TRs? Maybe so. Anyway it was a gorgeous day, with not one other hiker/skier in sight! I guessed correctly that I would be able to walk up the tromped path without snowshoes or skis. The scramble areas were abit sketchy, what with hoar and some ice under the snow. I took afew pics as the cloud and sun was sublime, however my GPS(new technology for me) went all wonky and added zigs and zags like crazy! I hiked about 5 extra miles with this malfunction! Summer trundling
Darn this rock just won't budge!

Looks good

I've been having the same problem with my new unit. I think I've figured out the problem though. The problem is that in heavy tree cover the GPS isn't all that accurate - perhaps within 15-20m or so. Combine that with repeated measurements (I originally had my unit set to take a track reading every 10 seconds), means that it will take a lot of readings in a short distance - and will end up jumping around within the margin for error giving you all sorts of zig zag patterns when you were actually going a straight line. Above the treeline though - with accuracy of 2-3m, you won't have that problem at all.

My solution is to either hike very fast (my downhill tracks are always better than my uphill) or reduce the number/frequency of readings your unit takes. Or just stick to the alpine above the treeline :P

-Ryan

No if you love being there and sharing I do not think it is to many!
Looks good!

Ryan, my problemo is bigger then the variances you've described. I was putting in waypoints every 500' or so. Suddenly my last waypoint jumped out a quarter mile ahead....then it made alot of these(large) zigzags. Once in about 3 minutes I jumped forward 2 miles in total distance travelled. Anyway I'll slowly work at it. Good thing I can route find without one!

Nice shots. Remember that ant song. You can do it.... that rock won't stay in the way too long.

K

All that hoar and ice made the scrambling sketchy, but it resulted in some neat etchy photos. You know, I think you did budge that boulder - be careful, next time it will go for sure [)]

I find this scramble daunting without the ice and frost, good going Ed!

Some cool pics in there. Was the scrambling mostly on rock or were you kicking steps? Would crampons be useful?
Keep posting 'em!

Looks like Pitch 7 of Yak Check hasn't fallen off yet

Yes, I have to agree. These GPSs are trickier to learn to use then one thinks for accuracy. I have to smack mine around once in awhile to smarten it up.
I think it makes a big difference on how accurate you calibrate the starting elevation and I find holding it level for compass bearing and straight up for waypoints is best.
Or maybe I am paranoid.

PS. Where were you trying to roll that boulder to?

Chris, the scrambling was mostly on rock, but rock covered in thin ice or/and several inches of soft snow. Crampons weren't needed just careful placement of feet and secure hands. Looking pretty bony up there. Mark looks like a nice snow and ice route into the depression between the subpeak and main peak of Yak. Some nice fat ice half way up.
Needle Peak summit
NE Buttress

Cool place! I like the rock shot.
Too bad about the gps. I sometimes have no signal in deep bowls and canyons or slots down here.
Whut's hoar?

Whats up Jerry?! I found it funny, but only for a moment that someone would ask about hoar. Well I guess your off the hook not much frost down there. It is funny because we are having a winter storm here. I have close to 10" of snow and its blizzarding hard. This at 100m above sea level!
Anyway hoar frost is simply frost crystals that form on surfaces and objects. They can be very pretty and also deadly within a snowpack.

These pics show one kind of hoar that grows into the wind.

Thanks, Eak! Learned something new.