RickB.
Active member
We took 19 Mile Brook to the Carter Dome Trail and ascended Carter Dome by that trail then took the Carter-Moriah Trail over to Mt. Hight and back down to the Carter Dome Trail which we descended. 19 Mile Brook and Carter Dome Trails to Zeta Pass were well-packed and pedestrian. Carter Dome Trail to Carter Dome was firm but in the treetops which were covered with heavy ice and bending across the trail. Same for Carter-Moriah Trail to Mt. Hight. The initial descent from Mt. Hight was an icy chute which required caution. Many blowdowns in upper sections. Stream crossings well bridged.
We wore Microspike ST's all day and they were perfect for the conditions, in general. They were inadequate, though, for the initial descent from the top of Mt. Hight and we took to the woods with some comic spruce trap action. Snowshoes not needed today.
Even with the hand-to-hand combat with ice covered branches, today was as good as it gets. Although we've seen it even bigger in a few other years, the snow ridge on Carter Dome afforded much better views than in the summer and the trees up there were draped with huge icicles. Lots of ice on the trees at other elevations putting on a show, too. Clear distant views in all directions.
RickB., Sarah and Matthias, Giff, Gary and Mike B
[email protected]
We wore Microspike ST's all day and they were perfect for the conditions, in general. They were inadequate, though, for the initial descent from the top of Mt. Hight and we took to the woods with some comic spruce trap action. Snowshoes not needed today.
Even with the hand-to-hand combat with ice covered branches, today was as good as it gets. Although we've seen it even bigger in a few other years, the snow ridge on Carter Dome afforded much better views than in the summer and the trees up there were draped with huge icicles. Lots of ice on the trees at other elevations putting on a show, too. Clear distant views in all directions.
RickB., Sarah and Matthias, Giff, Gary and Mike B
[email protected]
