Fairchild

 

With storms starting up again this month, we set off at 3am to hike Fairchild. Quiet, with only the sound of our footsteps and breathing, we hiked the first 6.5 miles to breakfast at Lawn Lake. Finally the first bird called and the rocks and trees along the trail came into focus.

From Lawn Lake, we headed up the steep trail to The Saddle and then turned left to Fairchild. Slowly advancing over the rocks, we made progress. Just when we were ready to give up, the slope became a little less steep and finally flattened out. A few more rocks to the summit and we were ready to hibernate in the shelter to eat our lunch. But first, Neil received his 500 mile patch!

At the chilly summit, Henry, Ed, and Neil in the backrow, Morgan, Maggie (with Muneca) and Ritchie in the front row.

On the way down, we stayed on the southern edge, overlooking Crystal Lakes. Vertical gullies are cut into this side, allowing us to look over 1000 feet straight down. 

The wind died down and the sun came out for some amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Crystal Lakes and Lawn Lake were shining in the valley below us while Mummy stood over the scene. Once we reached Lawn Lake in the distance, we retraced those 6.5 miles we had done in the dark.