As the result of the back off/go around of Big Table Mountain two weeks ago, I now face a resupply dilemma. The distance between Kilgore, where I will begin again, to Pete Creek Divide is greater than any other area to the 241-mile distant Chief Joseph Pass. In the powder snow condition now present on the Continental Divide, I will average less than two miles per day of forward progress.
For those of you unfamiliar with travel conditions in deep powder, I have to drop my pack and sled, and then build a trail through the snow before progressing forward with my gear. If my journey remains the same as two weeks ago, I will travel an average of 4.5 miles to gain 1.5 miles per day. This is the penalty of traveling alone and for making the attempt during the period between December and at least mid-February. In addition, the remainder of February through March is still a threat for powder travel conditions. There are no guarantees.
To get through this area, I plan to carry 12 days of supplies from Kilgore, Idaho to the next resupply. That tallies to a substantial weight, almost 90 pounds. In spite of this large supply, if the resupply near Pete Creek Divide is missing, I may be down to three days of supplies to get me to the Monida Pass area. I could find myself without supplies for four days.
Needing to address this threat as I see it, I have two options. Both look and smell like a bag of rotting groceries. The first option is to skip the ascent to Pete Creek Divide, thereby saving two days of travel, including a 900-foot climb. The other option, should I find that the resupply is missing up there, I could dive off the north face of the Centennial Mountains, down to Centennial Valley on the Montana side of the mountains, and arrive at the winter maintained road. Unfortunately, neither option may be enough. I might still run out of supplies before arriving back on the edge of civilization.
Fortunately, the only decision I need to make today is when I leave to continue the trip. The next decision can wait until I arrive at the first fork on the route, approximately six days into the trip. Unfortunately, much also depends on how quickly I get to that first fork. With the incoming storm, I can only give a partially educated guess concerning how much powder I will encounter, which is likely to be substantial.
I leave for the trailhead in 72 hours.
I admire your tenacity. Great stories always have great obstacles. Beautiful photography, but I would expect little else. Here’s to hoping for a successful journey.
Kody, I can’t help but notice your creative grasp of our English language and insights. Thank you.