U
Unregistered
Guest
Date of Hike: 3-4 Jan 2013
Trail Conditions: All packed or very light new powder (no ice yet!). Hale Brook trail from Sugarloaf access road was well-broken and very passable all the way up Mt. Hale. Descent to Zealand Falls hut via Lend-a-Hand trail was well-broken and passable with good instep traction (snowshoes). Heading west on Twinway from Zealand Falls hut, trail was well-broken as far as Zeacliff overlook. Broke new trail between Zeacliff and Zealand Mt. through ~ 1 ft new snow and 3-4 foot drifts in places. Lost trail twice in the clearing immediately west of Zeacliff. A few downed trees in places but nothing impassable. The two very steep pitches on the ridge up to Zealand Mt. were easily navigable with traction. Descending those same pitches was a challenge and I ended up glissading not so gracefully on my posterior. All water crossings frozen solid or very easily passable.
Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes with good instep traction - essential. Brought, but did not need crampons. Compass useful for navigation in clearing west of Zeacliff.
Comments: Great trip despite the very cold temps.
Your name: Jamie
Your E-mail address: james.r.collins(at)aya(dot)yale(dot)edu
Trail Conditions: All packed or very light new powder (no ice yet!). Hale Brook trail from Sugarloaf access road was well-broken and very passable all the way up Mt. Hale. Descent to Zealand Falls hut via Lend-a-Hand trail was well-broken and passable with good instep traction (snowshoes). Heading west on Twinway from Zealand Falls hut, trail was well-broken as far as Zeacliff overlook. Broke new trail between Zeacliff and Zealand Mt. through ~ 1 ft new snow and 3-4 foot drifts in places. Lost trail twice in the clearing immediately west of Zeacliff. A few downed trees in places but nothing impassable. The two very steep pitches on the ridge up to Zealand Mt. were easily navigable with traction. Descending those same pitches was a challenge and I ended up glissading not so gracefully on my posterior. All water crossings frozen solid or very easily passable.
Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes with good instep traction - essential. Brought, but did not need crampons. Compass useful for navigation in clearing west of Zeacliff.
Comments: Great trip despite the very cold temps.
Your name: Jamie
Your E-mail address: james.r.collins(at)aya(dot)yale(dot)edu
