Needing Current Snow Amounts for Our End of the World Hike

NH Tramper · Dec 20, 2012

Planning a big (mostly below-treeline due to the forecast winds) multipeak day on the northern rim of the Pemi tomorrow and was wondering what to expect for snow depths on the trail. We're thinking there has been significant snowfall since on Moriah on the 14th, enough to require snowshoes, but we want to be sure.

Can anyone clue me in to the good ballpark numbers, maybe some one local to the area?

Thanks.

psmart · Dec 20, 2012

At the moment snow depths are highly variable. Yesterday there was about 6 inches of soft snow on Bar Notch road, but there was fresh snow visible on the mountains, with up to 18 inches reported further north. You can see the range here:
www.erh.noaa.gov/nerfc/graphics/snowmaps/html/snow_depth.html

Quietman · Dec 20, 2012

The AMC backcountry trail report is reporting 21" on the ground at Tuckerman Ravine (3,800), and 16" at Carter Notch (3,288) as of this morning.

Also Gray Nob(4,370) is reporting 24" snow depth as of yesterday (12/19).

peakbagger · Dec 20, 2012

6" in Gorham at 1400 feet. This stuff packs instantly and I expect definite ice balling conditions.

NH Tramper · Dec 20, 2012

24" at Gray Knob, wow! Thanks guys, that's a huge help. Snow shoes it is, and it looks like I'll be banging them clean a lot.

akafuzzjones · Dec 20, 2012

psmart said:
At the moment snow depths are highly variable. Yesterday there was about 6 inches of soft snow on Bar Notch road, but there was fresh snow visible on the mountains, with up to 18 inches reported further north. You can see the range here:
www.erh.noaa.gov/nerfc/graphics/snowmaps/html/snow_depth.html

I was looking for this link - thanks.

As I was looking I found this one too.

http://www.weatherstreet.com/weather-forecast/new-hampshire-snow-cover.htm

Hoss · Dec 20, 2012

Thanks for the links!

I was debating on waumbek tomorrow, but the rain has me possibly wussing out.

Kevin Rooney · Dec 20, 2012

Hoss said:
Thanks for the links!

I was debating on waumbek tomorrow, but the rain has me possibly wussing out.

If you get an early start, you may be back down before the rain.

At least that's my strategy ...

Red Oak · Dec 20, 2012

Kevin Rooney said:
If you get an early start, you may be back down before the rain.

At least that's my strategy ...

Do not start before 7:12 a.m.

1SlowHiker · Dec 20, 2012

The AMC backcountry trail report .QUOTE said:
Can someone tell me what "flotation needed" on this sit means? snowshoes?"

sierra · Dec 20, 2012

1SlowHiker said:
The AMC backcountry trail report .QUOTE said:

Can someone tell me what "flotation needed" on this sit means? snowshoes?"

Click to expand...

" Flotation needed" is when the snow depths are so deep, veteran white mountains hikers, slide into a old truck tire tube and secure it around the waist to keep from dissapearing into the depths of snow forever.

Ok it means snowshoes.

Hoss · Dec 20, 2012

Red Oak said:
Do not start before 7:12 a.m.

Totally hijacking the OP, so I apologize for that. But just to make sure, I thought it was 6:12, not 7:12am? Was I wrong?

NH Tramper · Dec 20, 2012

It is 6:12 am.

Red Oak · Dec 20, 2012

NH Tramper said:
It is 6:12 am.

Thank you!Maybe Kevin is right?Get up and get down before rain/snow/etc.If someone could break out Hale for me tomorrow,I should be all set for a try on saturday.Thanks.Good luck to all going for a winter in one!

Lefty E · Dec 20, 2012

It may not be all rain up north and higher elevations as you all know... 20 inches of snow at the stake on Mt. Mansfield in VT, according to WCAX...floatation is also a boating and fishing term!! Hope you enjoy your adventure...

RoySwkr · Dec 20, 2012

JakeD said:
I wonder if spraying them with PAM spray would help with sticking and icing. I do that with snow shovels when the snow is sticky and it makes life easier.

We have done that in the past, with wooden snowshoes - of course metal ones tend to ice up worse

sierra said:
" Flotation needed" is when the snow depths are so deep, veteran white mountains hikers, slide into a old truck tire tube and secure it around the waist to keep from dissapearing into the depths of snow forever.

Ok it means snowshoes.

Or skis, if suitable for the route

NH Tramper · Dec 21, 2012

Didn't have an icing problem so that was good, but thanks for the tip. We did end up doing another hike (the Hancocks) since the forecast was so crappy. Had a good hike. Here's a trail conditions report.

Brambor · Dec 22, 2012

I am wondering how much new snow have we picked up after fridays storm? After reading AMC and MTW conditions it appears that yesterdays storm was mostly rain? Is there enough decent snow for some backcountry ski touring in places like Greeley Ponds or Zealand road??

NH Tramper · Dec 22, 2012

Brambor said:
I am wondering how much new snow have we picked up after fridays storm? After reading AMC and MTW conditions it appears that yesterdays storm was mostly rain? Is there enough decent snow for some backcountry ski touring in places like Greeley Ponds or Zealand road??

From what I experienced yesterday there was no rain in the high ups, just snow, but there was rain at the hairpin turn on the Kanc and somewhat higher (with a sleet band between the two), so I would imagine the trails at that elevation, that of Greeley Ponds Trail, would be slushy to crusty, depending on the temps and time of day.

Brambor · Dec 23, 2012

Plenty of snow on the ground to ski. Although it was breakable crust today some hearty souls broke the trails to the ponds today. I put the skis back into the car and just hiked the Osceolas.

Needing Current Snow Amounts for Our End of the World Hike

Help Support vftt.org:

Member

Active member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Member

Member

New member

New member

New member

New member

Well-known member

New member

Member

New member

Active member

New member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!