Haystack 3/14/11

Four of us did this hike from the Loj via the Van Hovenberg trail. Trail conditions are good. The snow is well packed and even with no ice until the base of Little Haystack. Both Little Haystack and Haystack itself were generally covered in an icy crust. Reaching the summit of Little Haystack is possible but the back side is treacherous. The route around the right side of this bump is far preferable. The icy crust is now somewhat stomped down along this route to the right. Haystack is doable with snowshoes that have aggressive crampons; however, full crampons might be safer.