Learning how to reason and debate is a good life skill. Logic isn't political. Helpful website: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/
If a bunch of very confident mediocre white guys people yelling into a computer isn't your thing, I suggest consider going for a hike. :)
And meteorological winter Is December 1st thru the end of February. :)
Re: The 'Patch' - whomever gives out the patch gets to set the standard. So, AMC says start after the Winter Solstice, finish by Spring Equinox, those are the rules for that patch. Don't like it, make your own! :)
I think...
The wildest part is seeing the summit treeless - that's wild! I wonder what the summit was like before it was logged (how tall were the 'old growth' trees at that elevation?).
Given the choice, I'd probably follow the trail in this circumstance. But I'd also read the guidebook and study the map ahead of time. The turn at Gem Pool is well noted.
I had a friend lead a group astray while attempting to do Isolation at night via Glen Boulder. We ended up hiking the...
I think they try to keep it below 50 or so to help manage moisture. The care taker manages the stove and usually lights it up to help people dry off their gear and then let's it die off overnight. I have found it to be cozy in my late winter trips.
Gray Knob got new mattresses last winter -...
At gray knob I just use my 20-degree bag and I am usually plenty warm. I usually only stay on Sunday nights so I imagine with a full house it might get even warmer.
If you stay at Crag you'll definitely want a 0 or -30 bag depending on how cold it is supposed to be since there is no heat...
In terms of icy mess, the Swift River in Tamworth (south of the distillery) is now dammed up and flowing each of it's usual channel. It was neat to walk on the 4+ feet of ice that now fill the main channel.
Also, looking at the USGS gauge from 1/24, it looks like an ice dam might have broken...
I know the terms "intoxicated" and "drunk" are generally used interchangeably, but to me intoxication feels more like a technical term (presence of alcohol in the blood), while drunk feels more like a behavioral description (someone acting drunk). There are studies that have shown that...