Rainman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2012
- Messages
- 153
- Reaction score
- 1
After watching sunrise from the parking lot at the hairpin turn on the Kanc. we headed off on our journey one person short. It was a cool morning, but clear and dry. Several minutes up the trail, our missing member arrived, she had gone to the wrong meeting place. Luckily she realized her error, and was able to join us. We made good time up the Hancock Notch Trail, turned onto the Cedar Brook Tr, and were soon at the Hancock Loop Tr. Everyone was warming up nicely by this point, and we were at the split quickly. We turned right and headed up the South Slide. Peekaboo views from the slide were not disappointing, and were surpassed by the views from the summit outlooks. The ridge walk was enjoyable with the limited views through the trees.
After lunch on the North peak, we put on our gloves and safety glasses, pulled out the maps and compasses, and headed into the trees. We were drawn to the right by easier walking and found ourselves heading into the Crystal Brook drainage. Luckily we noticed the error early, and were able to slab around to the left to regain the ridge without having to climb significantly. The ridge was a mix of open woods, bands of spruce and hemlock, with a few piles of blowdown mixed in for good measure. We tried to find a clear path both to the east and west of the ridge top, neither side worked for very long. After the col, the ridge narrowed noticeably, and we made our way up to the summit. Amazingly, the log revealed that we were the THIRD group on this summit today! (October 7, 2012)
We discussed our exit route, and decided to head south on the west side of the ridge, after the col, and intersect the west slide. This worked well generally, although walking across the steep slope was tough on the ankles. We inersected the slide near the top, and headed down. This slide is quite loose, with a mix of sand, and small rocks. The erosion from a significant rainfall is very apparent (Irene?). From the bottom of the slide we followed the brook to the Cedar Brook Tr. which we reached a good half hour before dark. The hike out from here was uneventful. It was a wonderful little adventure.
After lunch on the North peak, we put on our gloves and safety glasses, pulled out the maps and compasses, and headed into the trees. We were drawn to the right by easier walking and found ourselves heading into the Crystal Brook drainage. Luckily we noticed the error early, and were able to slab around to the left to regain the ridge without having to climb significantly. The ridge was a mix of open woods, bands of spruce and hemlock, with a few piles of blowdown mixed in for good measure. We tried to find a clear path both to the east and west of the ridge top, neither side worked for very long. After the col, the ridge narrowed noticeably, and we made our way up to the summit. Amazingly, the log revealed that we were the THIRD group on this summit today! (October 7, 2012)
We discussed our exit route, and decided to head south on the west side of the ridge, after the col, and intersect the west slide. This worked well generally, although walking across the steep slope was tough on the ankles. We inersected the slide near the top, and headed down. This slide is quite loose, with a mix of sand, and small rocks. The erosion from a significant rainfall is very apparent (Irene?). From the bottom of the slide we followed the brook to the Cedar Brook Tr. which we reached a good half hour before dark. The hike out from here was uneventful. It was a wonderful little adventure.
