Oncoman
Active member
Hi everyone out there. Just a short report to let you know that I have not hung up my hiking boots for the winter. My objective for this winter is to do as many NE100 peaks as possible, but hopefully completing the Whites 48 and possibly the Vermont 4K.
So far have done 22/100.
26 Dec. – Cannon/Cannonballs/N. & S. Kinsman, under icy rain all day, with Réjean.
27 Dec. – 2 Osceolas in AM and 2 Hancocks in PM, with Réjean, no views on summits.
28 Dec. – Passaconaway/Whiteface/Sleepers/Tripyramids. A long 11h30 hike with Réjean, including a 90 min. unplanned detour to Square Ledge, both of us were still asleep & took wrong turn in trail.
6 Jan. – Moriah/Carters/Wildcats traverse again with Réjean in 13h30. Came out via ski slopes at 20h30. Tough one. Very icy but very warm. Trail conditions would have required to put our crampons on & off all day. Too time consuming. On the other hand keeping our crampons on all day would have caused much wearing out, due to minimal snow on trails. So we stubornly & I must confess stupidly bare-booted all the way except for the downhill on ski slopes where we finally decided to put our crampons on; we had not brought our snowshoes along due to the lack of snow on trails. Needless to say we both had numerous falls, nothing serious however, though a 20-30’ longgg belly slide on never ending icy rocks made my rib cage sore for a good 3 days. Sure learned to fall securely like real professional ice skaters. Stabilicers were a must, but neither of us had them…
13 Jan. – Moosilauke in AM (4h10), Sandwich Dome & Jennings in PM (4h02), Tecumseh in evening (3h15). Solo raid, but met numerous hikers on trails including group of 8 near Sandwich Dome. Only Jennings summit offered nice views, other pks were in clouds or darkness for Tecumseh. Very warm down below in valleys. Saw jogger in shorts along hw. Only 2-4’ snow on trails.This time wore stabilicers all day. Had learned my lesson the hard way. Lovely spring conditions on way up Beaver trail to Moosilauke with enchanting fog lifting off brook. Haevenly sight. But strong fierce 40-50 mph cold winds on Moosilauke summit freezing your face off within minutes. Facial mask an absolute necessity. Worned all lightly spring-dressed hikers on my way down. In evening was totally alone up Tecumseh under headlamp, though noise & lights from machinery on nearby ski slopes spoiled somewhat my solitary trip. Even had on my way down about ½ hour before reaching parking lot, at precisely 19h30, the surprise of a 15 min. fireworks from the ski resort. This unexpected event actually annoyed me, appearing as being completely out of place both to my eyes & ears. Quite a visual & auditory agressive experience. Brought to my mind reflexions I had read about of guys who, after months at sea in their sail boats in total solitude, felt not joy but instead anxiety, if not pure fear, upon being greeted by euphoric agressive crowds at the arrival point.
Now that we finally had a good snow fall, I just can’t wait to do a winter Presidential traverse, weather permitting of course.
Good winter hiking to you all & enjoy!
Pierre
So far have done 22/100.
26 Dec. – Cannon/Cannonballs/N. & S. Kinsman, under icy rain all day, with Réjean.
27 Dec. – 2 Osceolas in AM and 2 Hancocks in PM, with Réjean, no views on summits.
28 Dec. – Passaconaway/Whiteface/Sleepers/Tripyramids. A long 11h30 hike with Réjean, including a 90 min. unplanned detour to Square Ledge, both of us were still asleep & took wrong turn in trail.
6 Jan. – Moriah/Carters/Wildcats traverse again with Réjean in 13h30. Came out via ski slopes at 20h30. Tough one. Very icy but very warm. Trail conditions would have required to put our crampons on & off all day. Too time consuming. On the other hand keeping our crampons on all day would have caused much wearing out, due to minimal snow on trails. So we stubornly & I must confess stupidly bare-booted all the way except for the downhill on ski slopes where we finally decided to put our crampons on; we had not brought our snowshoes along due to the lack of snow on trails. Needless to say we both had numerous falls, nothing serious however, though a 20-30’ longgg belly slide on never ending icy rocks made my rib cage sore for a good 3 days. Sure learned to fall securely like real professional ice skaters. Stabilicers were a must, but neither of us had them…
13 Jan. – Moosilauke in AM (4h10), Sandwich Dome & Jennings in PM (4h02), Tecumseh in evening (3h15). Solo raid, but met numerous hikers on trails including group of 8 near Sandwich Dome. Only Jennings summit offered nice views, other pks were in clouds or darkness for Tecumseh. Very warm down below in valleys. Saw jogger in shorts along hw. Only 2-4’ snow on trails.This time wore stabilicers all day. Had learned my lesson the hard way. Lovely spring conditions on way up Beaver trail to Moosilauke with enchanting fog lifting off brook. Haevenly sight. But strong fierce 40-50 mph cold winds on Moosilauke summit freezing your face off within minutes. Facial mask an absolute necessity. Worned all lightly spring-dressed hikers on my way down. In evening was totally alone up Tecumseh under headlamp, though noise & lights from machinery on nearby ski slopes spoiled somewhat my solitary trip. Even had on my way down about ½ hour before reaching parking lot, at precisely 19h30, the surprise of a 15 min. fireworks from the ski resort. This unexpected event actually annoyed me, appearing as being completely out of place both to my eyes & ears. Quite a visual & auditory agressive experience. Brought to my mind reflexions I had read about of guys who, after months at sea in their sail boats in total solitude, felt not joy but instead anxiety, if not pure fear, upon being greeted by euphoric agressive crowds at the arrival point.
Now that we finally had a good snow fall, I just can’t wait to do a winter Presidential traverse, weather permitting of course.
Good winter hiking to you all & enjoy!
Pierre
