The sun is out, but as I stop to top off the gas tank before heading south, I can't help but notice the blowing snow from off the surrounding peaks. The plume blowing off Cedar Mountain above Shirts' canyon is especially impressive, with the delicate powder covering the treeline like low-lying clouds. I've started many trip reports in January and February with the statement, "all things being equal, I'd rather be skiing." And that is still true today; however, watching the wind, I'm glad I'm heading south toward a warmer climate.
Just past Mesquite, NV, where the elevation drops from my current 5,800 feet down to 2,100 feet, I plan on climbing a peak named "Little Davidson Peak." You won't find the name on any map; however, I reference this peak and others by their unlisted notation of elevation. A local author has gotten in the habit of naming everything he climbs, and unfortunately, the website I use to find and track my assents has included his titles as part of their database. Thankfully the site differentiates the two with quotation marks allowing me to add an "aka" acknowledgment to my notations.
I attempted to summit UNP3849 precisely a year ago tomorrow; however, by that time last year, I had already scheduled my knee replacement surgery and had decided to keep hiking to a minimum. My reasoning was simple: my ligaments and muscles were good; the knee joint was terrible. I assumed the doctor could rebuild the knee joint with little or no effort; dealing with broken tendons and torn muscles was something else entirely. Furthermore, the summit of "Little Davidson Peak" rests atop a rocky cap. As I concluded a year ago, I would need to circumvent the cliff band by walking northwest along the base, crossing several ravines to gain access to the mountain's peak.
“Following the cliff band” copyright BrickBarnBlog2023
I returned today with high hopes (and a new knee) of accomplishing the short climb. The sky is cloudy, but thankfully little wind as I park my jeep next to the towers just south of the summit. Most peaks with communication towers; the tower base is the peak, or the highest point is nearby. I pick a good hiking line by following the third cliff band off the high saddle to no avail; backtracking, I join the faint track along the base and zig-zag through several ravines until a short class 3 climb enables me to move above the final stone cap. Nevada rock is sharp, and I have difficulty crawling over the steep incline; however, once on the northern leeway, it is only a short hike to the top.
“Summit view south” copyright BrickBarnBlog2023
The air is crisp as I stand less than a quarter mile from my jeep. The round-a-bout took almost an hour, longer than I expected in my unconditioned state. The tasteless Nevada desert stands in sharp relief to the blue mountains covered in stark white snow. Desert mountains don't see much moisture; however, this winter has been a much-needed exception. I'll need to mark my calendar and be sure and return when the spring flowers are in bloom.
“Snowcapped desert peaks” copyright BrickBarnBlog2023
Written February 26, 2023