Synopsis from Emily Schmitt:
26 December 2006

The day was scheduled to begin around 7:00 am, but activities were delayed for an hour due to one half of the party getting anxious about the weather, which was quite cold and overcast and was given no signs of improving later in the day. Regardless, the Francis & Schmitt expedition to Tray Mountain hit the road around 8:30 am and continued with little interruption, save for a brief stop to put the hood of the Tahoe back down again.

Upon entering White County and beginning the winding ascent into the mountains, the elements became increasingly icy and snowy; however, it was no hamper to the progress. It was actually sort of delightful. The expedition pressed onward into the frost-covered trees, past the 2,000 foot elevation mark.

Upon reaching the trail site, Francis & Schmitt disembarked and proceeded on foot, remarking upon the intensely cold atmosphere and the staggering difference of scenery that a few thousand feet of altitude can make. The surrounding landscape was thickly coated with a wet frost—2 to 3 inches perhaps—as the expedition mounted the trail and began the journey to the top of Tray Mountain. One of the members of the party was beset with fatigue, hindering the speed of ground covered. With summoned fortitude and no small amount of encouragement, the party hoofed along, pausing once halfway at a picturesque viewpoint to admire the scene and snap a few photographs.

From thence in a few minutes time, the summit was at last reached and the expedition conducted themselves with more photographing and even an instance of brief yodelling. The sky was still very overcast and not much was to be seen (or could be seen) of the valleys and villages below. Still, it was a remarkable journey that could not have happened on a better day. After a short while of admiration and brief reflection, the party began to make their way down the trail again, this time with a little more ease. Upon arriving back at the Tahoe, both were glad to be out of the elements and in good time started the journey down the mountain once more.

February 4, 2007