Summer Coming

2009-04-30 10:58:08.000 – Steve Welsh,  IT Observer

My first sighting of a Cog train this year.

I haven’t been on the summit for three weeks having missed last shift due to a vacation break. Things have certainly changed during this time. When I was last up here it was still mostly winter with crampons needed when venturing outside. The summit cone and surrounding peaks were still covered in snow and ice and the wind still had a bite to it.

Yesterday, thanks to the recent mild weather, we managed to make it all the way up the auto road in our truck and van for the first time this year. It wasn’t easy going though with several ditches (water bars) to cross and some icy patches that, even with chains and 4-wheel drive, had us all wondering if we’d make it. The snow has pretty much gone from the lower elevations now and even the summit is starting to look very bare.

This morning the mild conditions continue and, while outside observing the weather, I saw my first Cog train of the season on a special maintenance run. In the accompanying photo you can see the train stopped between us and Mt Clay while workers inspect the track. Looks like summer is coming.

Steve Welsh,  IT Observer