tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post1874200018102354974..comments2024-03-24T14:10:13.944-04:00Comments on 1HappyHiker: Hanging Out on the Side of Vose Spur1HappyHikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-34296392106996039262013-06-06T20:49:25.028-04:002013-06-06T20:49:25.028-04:00Hi Rita,
Yes, regarding that first photo, “what y...Hi Rita,<br /><br />Yes, regarding that first photo, “what you see, is what you get”! The talus fields on Vose Spur are indeed VERY vertical!<br />And yes, I know what you mean about the sky and the clouds being almost too “picture-perfect”. Even when viewing these scenes in-person, it appeared as if Mother Nature was doing a bit of ‘photoshop’ work right before my eyes!<br /><br />And lastly, you’re so astute in guessing that the gorgeous day played a role in my decision to launch such an adventure on a very tight schedule. I felt compelled to at least give it a shot, especially since it might be several days before we see the sun again due to the rain that is forecasted for the upcoming days.<br /><br />As always, thank you for taking time to read and comment on my Blog reports.<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-50248609319148275502013-06-06T16:51:20.383-04:002013-06-06T16:51:20.383-04:00From your first photo it looks like these talus fi...From your first photo it looks like these talus fields are nearly vertical! This was definitely a case of speed hiking by my standards. But I can see why you attempted this hike on such a gorgeous day. The sky and the clouds are so perfect it looks like they could have been photo-shopped onto your pictures!<br /><br />I've hiked on talus more than a few times and found that the footing can be very tricky. Luckily you didn't have any "slip-ups"—it could have added considerably to your time!<br /><br />I enjoyed this read about another of your adventures, John! One Day in Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06908834658716123640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-23516103359512762122013-06-06T15:55:04.117-04:002013-06-06T15:55:04.117-04:00Thanks Joe! Not sure if I deserve praise or ridic...Thanks Joe! Not sure if I deserve praise or ridicule for this rather bizarre adventure! :-) <br /><br />Probably would never have even considered doing this in such a compressed time frame if I was unfamiliar with the trails to be travelled. From previous experience, I knew it was possible to average about 3 mph on the trails I’d be travelling. Also, knew that generally can average about 1 mph when bushwhacking through hardwoods. This trek involved about 6 miles on-trail + about 1.5 miles off-trail. So, 6 miles on-trail @3mph = 2 hrs + 1.5 miles off-trail @1mph =1.5 hrs, which gives a total hiking time of 3.5 hrs. Adding 1.5 hrs for driving to/from trailhead gives a grand total of 5 hrs. Since I had 6 hours to play with, that left an extra hour for photos, unknowns, etc.<br /><br />Admittedly, this was a very tight schedule which could have been ‘blown out of the water’ even if just one thing went slightly wrong! This type of “speed hiking” is unlikely to become my norm. But, I’m very happy that I did the hike, and even happier that things went as planned! :-) <br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-57203070195488663362013-06-06T12:02:31.459-04:002013-06-06T12:02:31.459-04:00I'll have to second the kudos on accomplishing...I'll have to second the kudos on accomplishing such an adventure in your time frame. I too have hit the higher talus when summiting Vose Spur. Beautiful photos. I love cloud shadows for some reason.<br /><br />And I too would be interested in knowing how talus forms from no obvious source. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing,<br />JoeJustJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07657236449099527872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-5825549892248250752013-06-05T20:27:33.580-04:002013-06-05T20:27:33.580-04:00Hi Steve,
Thank you for the compliments.
It was ...Hi Steve,<br /><br />Thank you for the compliments.<br /><br />It was “risky business” trying to make this hike fit into my time frame. Actually, on the way out, I’d already resigned myself to being ‘in trouble’ for a late arrival at home. But, as often happen on the return leg, things can happen quicker than anticipated. Wouldn’t want to make a habit of doing things like this on such a tight schedule. The pressure is a twin-edged sword, i.e. exhilarating, and nerve-racking! The nerve-racking component removes a bit of joy from the adventure. :-)<br /><br />Please shoot me an e-mail and/or post what you find out from Thom about talus fields that form in the midst of thickly wooded sloped with no obvious cliffs above them.<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-77023462287223889012013-06-05T19:37:59.789-04:002013-06-05T19:37:59.789-04:00Wow, great report and photos, John! Amazing that y...Wow, great report and photos, John! Amazing that you were able to squeeze that in during your time frame. Love the way the view south is framed by the Carrigain Brook valley.<br /><br />I take it you were on the lower, paired talus field shown in your photo from Carrigain. The upper one is the one Vose peakbaggers hit, I believe. Mike D. and I hit that one when we did Vose.<br /><br />Talus fields like this and the ones on Zealand, Owl's Head (east side), West Bond and West Tecumseh are interesting in that there are no obvious cliffs above them. I'll have to ask Thom Davis how these develop in the midst of thickly wooded slopes.<br /><br />Steve <br />Steve Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com