2020-04-17 42 -79

Location

Next to High Power Lines, North of Jamestown

Participants

Pedalpusher
Simon the dog
Myka the dog

Expedition

When the hashpoints were published in the morning, I looked them over and this looked very reachable, but it would be a long drive after work. It was cold and rainy the day before and today was also pretty chilly so I haven't been taking the dogs out to the park at lunchtime. I figured this could be a good substitute today. As the workday was wrapping up, I got a message on a ticket requesting help and thought I may run out of time to go if I'm stuck working extra. Fortunately, it was just requesting quick advice so I was still able to end at 17:00. Heading downstairs to get ready, I looked out the window and saw the snow falling and I sort of lost my motivation. But I asked myself, "what would I be doing otherwise? Just lounging around on the couch watching TV before bed?" With that response, I mustered enough encouragement to get myself out the door.

The drive down was mostly uneventful, but the snow definitely got thicker the further south I drove. I even heard on the radio that the snow could fall up to an Inch/Hour in places where I was heading. Wow, what month is this?

Finding the Powerlines, there was a place right where they crossed the road where I could pull off and park. This looked to be one of the areas getting a lot of snow because there was probably about an inch of snow already on the ground and it was sticking to everything but the road. The hill next to the road was a bit steep, but it looked like we wouldn't have too much trouble getting up by the powerlines.

Looking out at the first support structure, I didn't really see a clear path down the clear-cut area. Just a LOT of thick brambles and shrubs. Looking up near the forest line, there appeared to be a narrow but flat section so I headed in that direction. It was sort of a walking path, but sharp brambles were starting to take over and we had to be careful. Walking down the path, there were the occasional streams that cut through on their way down the steep hill to the road. Most only cut out shallow depressions where we were crossing but one was a very deep and extremely steep ravine. Wasn't able to cross here...Denied by Mother Nature just short? Looking up into the wooded area, the stream seemed to start cutting the ravine right at the path in front of me. So if I could scramble up the steep but short section and get into the woods, I should be able to get by. With small and somewhat slippery footholds, I was able to manage my way up the steep area only slipping two or three times. Crossing the stream, it was an easier way back down to the path and we were able to continue. It was then that I realized I didn't remember which side of the power lines the hash was. If it was in the middle of the clear-cut, I would definitely not be able to make it as there was a very steep drop-off on that side of the path we were on which was also completely filled with brambles. Checking the Hash-Droid app, I was relieved to find it just slightly in the woods.

Getting close to the hash on the path, I again found a spot up the steep section into the woods to reach the hash. Getting to the hash area, the land flattened out somewhat so it was easier to do a quick hash-dance. Getting a good reading, I got some pictures and made my way back down to the path.

I had my gloves in my back pocket on the way to the hash, but with all the snow coming down and the temps hovering right around the freezing mark, my hands were starting to get a bit chilly. Grabbing my gloves to put them on, I only found one in my pocket. I was pretty sure it had probably fallen out on the way, but I didn't want to get back to the car and not find it on the path. So I scrambled back up the hill to the hash area to look around. Not seeing anything, I made my way back to the car following my footsteps. About halfway back, I found a large bramble that I had ducked under which had grabbed my glove right out of my pocket and was still holding it. Happily, I grabbed it back, shook off the snow and we made our way back to the car. Had I not put on my gloves earlier, I'm sure I still would have seen it as I walked by, but I'm glad I was on alert anyway.

The drive home was uneventful, but the snow was still falling and for a time it was those giant clumps of snow you want to catch on your tongue. It certainly was a winter wonderland for a day or so in mid-April (or as I saw on Facebook later on someone else's photos: "Apruary").

This is also the start of a short Consectutive streak: Tomorrow's expedition (Pt. 1)

Photos

Starting up the hill, the dogs are always happy to explore somewhere new.
One of the three or four creeks we had to cross to get to the hash. The bigger ones didn't really show how steep and deep they really were in the pics.
Made it!
The dogs chewing on sticks at the hash as they wait for me to get moving again.
View South from the hash. The view North was very similar.
Standard Stupid Grin.
On the way back, a view of the path along the Power Lines. You can see the drop-off on the one side and the steep but short section up to the woods.