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Great day in the Northern Presidentials!!!
Castle trail was great, initial river crossing getting real thin, icy down low, but punching through the clouds at the first castle was nice. Some post-holing, but made it to Jefferson bare-boot without difficulties, though some light traction helped. Party of two on top when we got there around noon, saw some more folks headed down the Gulfside towards Clay.
Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Israel Ridge were all a similar mix of soft snow, slush, and waist deep post-holes. Snowshoes were great for this stretch. NOTE: coming down Jefferson Loop there were some really nasty icy spots, one of us opted for light traction, the other 2 of us put on points. Summit cone of Adams was easy rock hopping. Ran into a duo headed for an overnight in the Sphinx Col area.
More of the trifecta mix of snow-slush-ice to the Madison Hut, met a party of three, 1 at the hut and 2 on Madison. More of the trifecta, with a few big ice patches under the surface. Nice to meet a few other Mass- yeah, natives up there.
Valley way was a FAST mix of soft snow, slush, and icy spots. Just a thin ice layer down low. Bare-booted the whole way out in a little over an hour without any problems.
Sunny, bluebird day up high!!! Can't even imagine how much melt-out will change the shape of these trails day by day!!!
Enjoy the final few days of winter!!!
[email protected]
Castle trail was great, initial river crossing getting real thin, icy down low, but punching through the clouds at the first castle was nice. Some post-holing, but made it to Jefferson bare-boot without difficulties, though some light traction helped. Party of two on top when we got there around noon, saw some more folks headed down the Gulfside towards Clay.
Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Israel Ridge were all a similar mix of soft snow, slush, and waist deep post-holes. Snowshoes were great for this stretch. NOTE: coming down Jefferson Loop there were some really nasty icy spots, one of us opted for light traction, the other 2 of us put on points. Summit cone of Adams was easy rock hopping. Ran into a duo headed for an overnight in the Sphinx Col area.
More of the trifecta mix of snow-slush-ice to the Madison Hut, met a party of three, 1 at the hut and 2 on Madison. More of the trifecta, with a few big ice patches under the surface. Nice to meet a few other Mass- yeah, natives up there.
Valley way was a FAST mix of soft snow, slush, and icy spots. Just a thin ice layer down low. Bare-booted the whole way out in a little over an hour without any problems.
Sunny, bluebird day up high!!! Can't even imagine how much melt-out will change the shape of these trails day by day!!!
Enjoy the final few days of winter!!!
[email protected]
