A co-worker wanted to take his stepson on a first "significant" backpacking trip. One with a purpose rather than out for the night. He chose to try to climb the summit of Pecos Baldy on a 2 night trip. Given the time of year and possible snowy conditions the primary goal of the expedition was to reach the lake at the base of Baldy peak (approx. 1200' lower in altitude than the summit).

The total group of 4 left at 11:00 on Friday afternoon. Headed up to the Pecos Wilderness via Pecos and Cowles, New Mexico. Started hiking about 3 pm and stopped about 5:30 to set up camp about 3 miles into the park. Would have liked to have gone further but the group decided to take a good place in lieu of having to camp in an undesirable place if still on the trail at dark. There was no water at this location but rather plenty of snow. After dinner the remainder of the evening was spent melting snow for water for use until we would come across a stream.

The first night of any backpacking trip is miserable. I tossed and turned for 8 hours. You're not accustomed to sleeping on an inflatable pad and not tired enough to sleep well. The wind blew all night but we were sheltered enough not to get the brunt of it.

Ate breakfast, broke camp and headed out about 11 am the next morning. About 3/4 of a mile up the trail we hit a pleasant little stream crossing and rested while we filtered water. This would end up being our campsite for the night, but we would lug our packs up the trail another mile before deciding - "post-holing" some of the way. Post holing is the act of walking across snow drifts and sinking in. Maybe 1 inch, 6 inches, 12 inches or at a max up to your crotch. The best strategy is to step where someone else has hoping that the snow is strong enough there. Nothing is a sure bet. I did the "crotch level" slide at least 20 times, problem being to get out one has to step 3 feet up on snow that is just as unstable with a pack on your back. Not a good situation for making good time or good humor.

The two more "fleet" people in our group left their bags on the trail for the less "fleet" people (me being one) to find and headed off in an attempt to get to the lake. They were turned back short of their destination by deep snow and the realization that the group needed to find camp for the night. It wasn't very hard to pick a site as we knew the first suitable place back down the mountain with water.

Camp was pitched in a small meadow with the wind blowing in the trees above us. During the night we could hear stronger gusts building steam in the trees and some would shudder our tent. Other than that slept well. In the morning we were awakened by the sound of (other than snoring) sleet on our tents. Must have been 1/4 inch distributed from the time we awoke, ate and broke camp. It was accompanied by overcast skies and a chilling wind.

Got on the way to keep warm and get back to the trailhead. The sleet and early morning temperatures had solidified the tops of the snow drifts somewhat so that post-holing was not as much of a problem going out. Took my picture in some "over knee" holes we made the day before. Was smiling, that's how you know it was posed. Will try to post that later.

Got out of the snow and hit the trailhead where the sun was out but the wind was still blowing. Ate a little then headed back to Albuquerque. We're over 40 and do this for fun???