...continued

Back at the saddle, we paused for a little brew up.


We used a Soto OD-1NP Muka stove, the latest thing from Japan.



Trash at Smith Saddle. We removed all the trash except the four (six?) person car camping tent seen at the right. The tent was simply too large and too heavy for us to be willing to carry it out.


Looking back at Smith Mountain. The gray rocks that can be seen are the "crux" of the route. One must scramble up these rocks en route to the summit.


On our descent, it clouded up and began snowing. As we descended further, the snow gave way to light, intermittent rain. Just minutes after we got back in the car, the heavens opened up and it began to really rain. Good timing on our part.

In all, a really fun hike with lots of good views.

HJ