chapter 514

12/8/2018

Mount Olga

winter walking

We got to the top of Mount Olga late in the day the view was nice. Didn't think it would come out very good but I was able to remove a lot of the sun glare post edit. The little crosses on the mountain tops far right are wind turbines. Olga is 2418 feet high but you don't see a view until you climb the fire tower. This is within the Molly Stark State Park 20 miles east of Bennington Vermont in the Green Mountain National Forest. Molly was a Revolutionary War hero. [ Olga also my Grandmother Nana's real name ]

It was a chilly day hovering around 15 degrees but the sun was out and with no wind it was bearable. Still snowy after the recent storms though we still only have grass at home.

It was a pleasant hike of 3 miles over moderate terrain in a leisurely 2 hours. Just kept moving to stay warm. Hot chocolate in the fire tower.

We used the MSR smaller more nimble shoes for going up the mountain. The smallish footprint works well here although we might have gotten away with just microspikes. At this park winter overnight camping is allowed, not ready for that yet.

My L.L. Bean Winter Walkers failed last week shearing off a metal rod that runs under my foot. The company failed to live up to their "lifetime guarantee" but did send me a used replacement rod. Replacement was tedious with grinding, sawing, drilling, cutoff pliers, and pop rivet replacement but I succeeded. Took 2 hours running around to try to find the right size pop rivet. That even failed, but a modification worked. Not happy with the Beaners - and filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Bureau. Doubt that anyone cares but...

It was down the trail on the right where the Beans fizzled. A fine winter play ground with few tourists to bother. The weather forecast was for an icing event. I'd gone back afterward looking for some spectacular shots in the sun but it was merely a melting situation.

The wider shoes were needed last week when the snow was deeper.

This small stream flows out from Adams Reservoir at the Woodford State Park.

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