I met Tommy in 4th grade, 15 years ago. We were both new to a school and naturally paired up. After our 5th grade year, Tommy invited me to his family’s cabin in Red River, New Mexico. Since then Tommy and his family have had a standing offer for me to join them each summer. Through school, and probably more impactful through Red River, Tommy continued to grow as my best friend. We summited Wheeler (a long time goal of ours) the summer after graduating high school. He was the best man in my wedding.
Fast forward. 3 weeks ago Tommy said he was making a trip out to the cabin and could be the last time since the cabin is now for sell. I had to take him up on the offer has I closely associated Red River with my childhood. I had never been in the winter, it was beautiful.
Though I struggled a bit with altitude sickness my first night there, we collectively decided to trek part of Wheeler Mountain, namely Middle Fork Lake, my second day there. The hike, which I have done several times, is a 1500 foot vertical hike over 2.5 miles to a small lake nestled in the foothills. The hike is generally quite easy, but this time an added 8 inches of fresh snow made the hike treacherous. The next four pictures are from the hike.
On the way up we had good sunlight, but we took turn “cutting” tracks into the snow.
This is usually a flowing waterfall and river. We had to cross a log to get over. It was quite nerve-racking.
This pictures attempts to show the depth of the snow we went through.
My first and probably only time to walk on Middle Fork Lake. My head was killing me, but I was happy to make it to the end of the trail.
This is the view from the cabin. You can see the face of Wheeler, but because of the elevation of where I was standing, you can’t see the peak.
This image (above) is stolen from the internet. You cannot only see the lower part from my perspective above, but also see Wheeler in the back.
Tommy and me. Middle Fork 2009.
by andrew
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