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In Memoriam to a Deceased Member
Al D and I spent 14 hours breaking out the Gale River and Garfield Ridge trails on 2/25/09 to bag these two NH 100 peaks. Lack of consolidation, and relatively warm temps made for heavy going, especially on the ridge.
We left Beaver Brook outhouse and parking area off Rte 3 at 7:45; the first 1.1 miles to the Gale River trailhead were skied and sno-mo'd out. Gale River trail had a good firm base, and we were breaking only 6-8 until we got up high.
Reached the junction at 12:15, (5 miles from start) then the fun began. Garfield Ridge sees little action in the winter, and it's not always easy to follow. We did get off it a couple of times within a quarter mile of the junction, but then persevered and found it. Bushwhacking was not an option with all that snow, which usually was knee-deep, and on the steep uphills was waist-deep.
Made it to the height of land at East Garfield, decided to bag it in case we ran out of time. The 'whack is only 250 feet, but it was fairly nasty, with traps and stick forest. Luckily it was beautiful day, with warm sun and spectacular views of the Twins, Galehead, and the peaks along the Kanc.
Found the bottle, signed in, and were back at the trail by 14:30. Headed west, over several bumps. Lost trail, found it again. My memory of a summer bushwhack to West Peak was that it was steep and thick; turns out it was 400 feet of not-too-bad going. We were on the flat summit at 17:25, made a broad sweep to find a bottle, no luck, but the snow was within a foot or so of the bottle on East, so maybe we just didn't see it, if there is one there.
Heading out, we turned on the headlamps in the col between East and West. Back at the junction at 19:30 (2 hours from West), and then the interminable slog down Gale River, which I swore grew a mile or more during the day. Hiking with a headlamp, short of calories, everything wet from the snow (but I was warm), and the trailhead seems to recede as you approach it; we were glad to see the sno-mo trail!
Back at the car by 21:30, about 14 hours, close to 14 miles. 2 more NH 100 winter peaks bagged, bringing Al down to 9 and me to 12. Enough said.
We left Beaver Brook outhouse and parking area off Rte 3 at 7:45; the first 1.1 miles to the Gale River trailhead were skied and sno-mo'd out. Gale River trail had a good firm base, and we were breaking only 6-8 until we got up high.
Reached the junction at 12:15, (5 miles from start) then the fun began. Garfield Ridge sees little action in the winter, and it's not always easy to follow. We did get off it a couple of times within a quarter mile of the junction, but then persevered and found it. Bushwhacking was not an option with all that snow, which usually was knee-deep, and on the steep uphills was waist-deep.
Made it to the height of land at East Garfield, decided to bag it in case we ran out of time. The 'whack is only 250 feet, but it was fairly nasty, with traps and stick forest. Luckily it was beautiful day, with warm sun and spectacular views of the Twins, Galehead, and the peaks along the Kanc.
Found the bottle, signed in, and were back at the trail by 14:30. Headed west, over several bumps. Lost trail, found it again. My memory of a summer bushwhack to West Peak was that it was steep and thick; turns out it was 400 feet of not-too-bad going. We were on the flat summit at 17:25, made a broad sweep to find a bottle, no luck, but the snow was within a foot or so of the bottle on East, so maybe we just didn't see it, if there is one there.
Heading out, we turned on the headlamps in the col between East and West. Back at the junction at 19:30 (2 hours from West), and then the interminable slog down Gale River, which I swore grew a mile or more during the day. Hiking with a headlamp, short of calories, everything wet from the snow (but I was warm), and the trailhead seems to recede as you approach it; we were glad to see the sno-mo trail!
Back at the car by 21:30, about 14 hours, close to 14 miles. 2 more NH 100 winter peaks bagged, bringing Al down to 9 and me to 12. Enough said.
