Mt. Moosilauke via Glencliff - 1/27/13

Dates: 1/27/13

Peaks: Moosilauke (35 of 48)

Trails: Glencliff Trail

Companions: Ted and Sonsie

The Hike:

Hit the trail around 9:30 with only one other car in the parking lot. Started off with no traction on and was fine like that for quite a ways. Nothing of note. No blowdowns. No stream crossing issues. Trail packed hard and wide until the last mile or so, at which point there was some drift, though they were never deep or continuous enough to merit bringing snowshoes. About a mile and a half in we got to a few ice flows so slapped on the Micros and wore them the rest of the way up. Blue skies the whole way and a couple of great views of the south/west through the trees as things got steeper. About time. Been getting only clouds the past few times.

Wind was blowing the whole time but it didn't really affect us until we made it past the south peak, at which point it escalated quickly. By the time we got above treeline I was wishing I'd bothered to put on a neck warmer, but by then the wind was ripping too hard for me to bother. Wind was gnarly, gusting at least into the 80's as MWOBS High Summits had forecasted. Wound't have wanted to be in that situation without a pole to balance myself. Also wouldn't recommend doing it without goggles. Got up to the top, snapped a couple pictures, and headed back down.

Saw three other people on the way back to the south peak, and after reaching that peak, tried to sled a little bit more on the trail. Wasn't as successful this time as I was on Tecumseh because the trail was windier and thinner, so more rocks were exposed. Consequently, Ted's shed busted before reaching the nice flat road section at the bottom.

Recommended Gear: Micros or equivalent, goggles, poles

What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: heated socks

What I Brought But Didn't Need: nothing

Lesson Learned: put on my neck warmer

Mt. Tecumseh - 1/20/13

Dates: 1/20/13

Peaks: Tecumseh (34 of 48)

Trails: Tecumseh Trail

Companions: Dorothy

The Hike:

Dorothy and I decided to shoot up to tag a peak or two this weekend. Originally I had delusions of Lafayette and Lincoln but then the high summit forecast came in with winds gusting over 95 and windchill at 65-75 below. I'm stupid so I was all for it but Dorothy has a couple of rational brain cells to rub together so she talked me out of it. Ended up going with Tecumseh because we were using a rental car, got a late start, and wanted to make sure we'd have it back in time.

The parking lot was a disaster, packed with people skiing, but somehow we looped around only once and snagged a spot right in front of the trailhead. Started out with micros and yak trax, respectively, though one of my micros is starting to tear at one of the eyelets, so I took it off and hiked with just one so that I can repair it before it busts completely. Nothing really of note on the way up other than I dropped my hat when I wasn't paying attention and the wind dusted me with snow a couple of times. Dorothy can't get used to the east coast trail style and what I deem efficiency, going straight up the mountain, so there was mild complaining. A huckleberry hammer gel later she seemed fine. After the switchback near the ski slope I noticed that the trail seemed to be packed out widely, as if someone had been sledding down it. More on that later. Nothing else to note on the ascent - made it to the peak in exactly two hours, snapped a pic, and turned around to go grab a snack away from the wind.

Had some pepperoni slices, babydell cheese, and irish soda bread leftovers for a snack, then took off the remaining micro and busted out some butt sleds I had purchased in giddy anticipation of the downhill. Last hike on Passaconaway and Whiteface I just kept thinking how incredibly fun the downhill would be if I was coasting on a sled. There was slight apprehension about the idea given the possibility of coasting into a tree since Ted had already broken a leg that way long ago. Thought that a sled with the handle brakes would be the perfect solution but search as I might I could not find one. Checked Costco, Toys R Us, Target, Walmart, City Sports, LL Bean, Lowes, and a few other local hardware stores and nothing. Kids these days are apparently riding these boogie board-type sleds with not apparent turning capabilities and no brakes. Anybody know where to find one? Anyways, finally settled for some little plastic sheet butt sled (the kind that look like you're riding a shovel with the handle sawed off). Brakes or not, man was it fun. Scooted about 75% of the way down with no incident other than a sore-ish butt by the bottom. Not a chance in hell I'm ever winter hiking without one again.

Video Here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U__y5yDoHQ&feature=youtu.be

45 minutes after leaving the peak snack area, we were back down.

Snow was packed very well and hard. Full covering the whole way except a couple stream crossings. One blow down but not even enough to make me crawl. Boots would have been possible but any kind of traction  and/or poles would be a good idea.

What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: sled with brakes

What I Brought But Didn't Need: nothing

Lesson Learned: sledding is just as fun when you're 28 as when you're 8

Whiteface and Passaconaway

Date: 1/6/13

Peaks: Mt. Whiteface; Mt. Passaconaway (32-33 of 47)

Trails: Blueberry Ledge Trail; Rollins Trail; Dicey's Mill Trail

Companions: Ted and Sonsie

The Hike: Camped out off trail Saturday night. Tried to build a snow shelter and was pretty far along, feeling excited, then we got to aggressive with the expansion and it caved in. Slept in the tent instead.

Hit the trail with microspikes on at 8:30 am. Everything went well but slow ok the way up. Feeling sluggish and hating the blow downs. Sonsie didn't seem to mind them. Rarely post-holed on the way up but on the way down did it quite a bunch, particularly when not paying attention. No big deal though and a lot of fun glisading on the way down. Really, REALLY, wish I'd brought a sled with brake handle. Going to next time.

Snow was about knee or thigh deep off trail higher up. About 6 or 8 inches down lower. Didn't ever feel snowshoes were necessary, despite the post-holes, because I would have rather have left the weight behind. Sonsie had some snowballing in her paws but no real complaints. Not great views, but very nice temperature and some nice snow to start off the day.

And oh yeah. I accidentally burned a hole through the tent floor with an Altoids candle. I'm an idiot.

Brought my snowshoes and wished I hadn't. Didn't wish I'd had anything I didn't.