I was able to finally wrangle the summit of Mount Powell in a seven hour epic on Monday, reaching the top on my fourth attempt! Accompanying me, all the way from St. Michael's, Maryland, was U-Turn the crab (a donation from the Powell family in the same city)! He had been with me on the rained out, stormed out Saturday attempts and now he reaches his rightful place in the firmament atop this lofty peak. Fare thee well young crabby, may you rule over all you gaze upon, until an ambitious marmot chews your eyes outThe next day was the coveted summit of the Mount of the Holy Cross, so named because of its huge, intersecting snowbands on the east face that resemble a cross. It was cold and stormy, but I had just enough time to snap a sunny photo before the bad storms moved in! The two hikes in two days equaled over 9,600 feet of altitude gain! Egah! As for today, I'm off for a four (five?) pack: Peak One and Tenmile Mountain Traverse, Hahn's Peak, Mount Zirkel, and Fool's Peak. Be back Tuesday!
