Desert Freeze Fest
November is sort of a limbo season for outdoor pursuits. The mountains are snowy but oftentimes not enough for skiing/snowboarding, and the days are too short and nights too cold for [sensible] backpacking. But by mid-November I was feeling antsy for an adventure anyways, so despite a 20º weather forecast I drove out towards Moab to do an exploratory backpack trip I've had on my mind for a few years. My plan was to head up an obscure canyon all the way to a high rim overlooking the Fisher Towers, camping two nights along the way. Between the frigid temperature, fresh snow, rugged terrain, and torturous bushwhacking, the trek ended up being one of the more physically and mentally challenging backpack trips I've done.
I had wanted an adventure and that's certainly what I got on this trip... maybe too much adventure! Was it worth it? Well, I suppose any adventure is worth it when it's done. Would I do this one again? Absolutely not!!!