Yesterday, I went and tackled Dial and Nippletop for winter credit. The last time I attempted this, I got about 3 miles in and couldn't get my heart rate down, even when relaxing on Noonmark's shoulder, so turned around. This time I was solo and got was feeling much better. Started the day with the 1.6 mile road walk to the trailhead in bare boots. At that point, I put my spikes on and started up the HG Leach trail. This was thinly covered with snow and spikes were just fine for the first half mile or so.
This day, I attempted to do Dial and Nippletop. The day started out as usual, with a quick walk up to the trail register and down lake road to the turn off for the Leach trail. Going up the Leach trail is not bad, but there were a few icy spots that made it adventerous. After the icey spots were over, switched over to snowshoes for the climb up Noonmark's shoulder. This climb just killed me. I couldn't get my heart rate down, and was really struggling.
Sunday, I had an ambitious day planned. Dial, Nippletop Colvin, and Blake (with a repeat of Colvin and Bear Den which is not a 46er on the way to Dial). I got to the AMR parking lot about 630, and was on the trail shortly after. When I got to the trail register, about 1/2 a mile of road hiking in, I realized I left my poles in the car. That mistake made some of the downhill a bit slower than I usually do...