Old Rag Trail Conditions Upcoming Weekend

WARNING
PLEASE DO NOT BREAK YOURSELF!

Mid-Week Old Rag Trail Condition Report

Saddle Trail Conditions Mid Week

Wednesday November 2, 2011.
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Keep in mind that every year there are serious and even lethal falls(concussions) that take place on ice covered level parking lots or sidewalks.

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If you are not experienced with and equipped for icy trail conditions Old Rag may be ill advised this weekend.
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The Saddle Trail is coated in hard-packed snow and ice from Byrds Nest 1 Shelter, down about 3/4 mile north (between Byrds Nest 1 and Old Rag Shelter). Conditions are very slippery. Many hikers contacted were equipped with crampon-like, ice traction devices for boots. All blow-downs are clear from this trail.

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The Ridge Trail was not inspected by the reporting party, however, reports from visitors on the summit indicate that there was some ice covered sections on the switchbacks, and some ice present in the boulder scramble.
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Saddle Trail  Conditions Mid Week

Wednesday, November 2, 2011.

The Saddle Trail on Old Rag just below Byrds Nest Shelter stays shaded from the sun and takes quite a bit longer to clear of ice and or snow than other parts of Old Rag.
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Based on my experience and current weather reports there is a good chance the Ridge Trail switch-backs and rock scramble will mostly clear of ice and snow by this Saturday.
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The Saddle Trail just after Byrds Nest 1 has a probability of still having sections of ice and snow.
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Suggestions:

• DO NOT BREAK YOURSELF!
• USE GOOD JUDGEMENT STAY SAFE!
• Give yourself permission to have a good time!
• If you have them carry or wear your ice/snow traction devices (like Kahtoola Microspikes, YakTrax, Stabilizers) in you day pack if you are going to hike Old Rag.
• Do not have your hands stuffed into your pockets where they can not be used to break your fall.
• Hiking poles become even more useful for helping to keep your balance and or avoid falls.
• Sometimes sitting down and sliding or scooting along on your bottom is a safer choice than risking a fall from a fully erect position. 
• If you do not have ice traction devices try and stay on dirt or bare rock parts of the trail.
• If your related to the Ginger-Bread-Man, Phidippides or Hyper-Inflated-Ego-Person and are going to be doing something extreme like trail running or boulder hopping in snowy/icy conditions you should probably wear some type of traction device on your shoes and a helmet.  While not as important elbow pads and wrist guards might help as well.
• Be prepared to be able to stay warm for many hours in the event you sustain a non-ambulatory injury.
• IF YUR GONNA BE DUMB U BETTA BE TUFF!
•  PLEASE USE GOOD JUDGEMENT STAY SAFE!