Please follow the Mount Ida page creator's advice about thunderstorms: This is an exposed ridge and would draw considerable fire in bad weather.
However, I respectfully disagree with the statement that there is no cover to be had at all on the mountain: in certain sections of the hike, there is opportunity to bail to the west toward Jackstraw Mountain. The gulch between the Ida north slope and Jackstraw is choked with timber, which, if entered, would reduce your threat of being singled out by Zeus. In places along the trail, the slope is too severe to bail into this gulch, but there are points at which it is possible. It would not be a bad idea to keep an eye on these escape routes on your ascent, in case of terrific storms on the descent.
Remember, however, the page creator's more-than-reasonable warning: If the weather looks sketchy, simply turn back. This is an alpine hike.
Kruck - Jun 30, 2008 3:27 pm - Voted 10/10
A few bail zonesPlease follow the Mount Ida page creator's advice about thunderstorms: This is an exposed ridge and would draw considerable fire in bad weather.
However, I respectfully disagree with the statement that there is no cover to be had at all on the mountain: in certain sections of the hike, there is opportunity to bail to the west toward Jackstraw Mountain. The gulch between the Ida north slope and Jackstraw is choked with timber, which, if entered, would reduce your threat of being singled out by Zeus. In places along the trail, the slope is too severe to bail into this gulch, but there are points at which it is possible. It would not be a bad idea to keep an eye on these escape routes on your ascent, in case of terrific storms on the descent.
Remember, however, the page creator's more-than-reasonable warning: If the weather looks sketchy, simply turn back. This is an alpine hike.