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.