Monica and I stayed up in Gorham so we could get an early start for Saturday, which promised to be a nice weather day. We grabbed breakfast at McD's and pulled into Pinkham right around 7:00, which was good enough to get a spot on the right side of the main lot. We booted up and headed out by 7:20. Monica was on alpine gear so she was carrying skis and boots and wearing hiking boots. I planned on skinning in tele gear so I had my tele boots on and carrying skis for the bottom section. I was able to skin from about 1/3 of the way up to Hojos.
Me, skinning up
It was raining slightly as we left Pinkham, and it gradually turned to snow as we climbed. The hiking/skinning temperatures were great, we didn't over heat or get exhausted, reaching Hojos in 1:25. Just a short break there as we wanted to beat the crowds and we climbed up to the Bowl, arriving by 9:15 or so. Left Gully was our objective so we headed up to some rocks below the Chute and started our change over. There were some folks up in the Bowl but not that many, only a few people we skiing already. The Crevasse below the Lip was nasty looking and I was amazed at the people climbing below and through the area.
Arriving at the Bowl
We spent some time rearranging packs and leaving unneeded gear before headed up the empty boot ladder. There were only a few folks above us, maybe a dozen at most. The climb was as usual, steady, slow, and enjoyable. Just below the top out was quite steep; we were using our hands in the foot holds above us. By the time we reached the top there was nothing but sunshine; a completely blue bird day! We watched a few folks who had arrived before us drop in while we rested and hydrated. Eventually the top was clear so we put our skis on and got ready. Monica skied the run without stopping so I have no pics of her. I took my time with a few stops along the way. Conditions were prime; soft corn on top of a pretty firm base.
Left Gully boot ladder
Steep section at the top of Left Gully
I met up with Monica at the bottom of the run and we marveled at how many people were now streaming into the Bowl. The TRT looked like the line for Space Mountain and maybe it was. We picked up our gear and dropped a bit lower so we could eat lunch out of the wind. By then the boot ladders were filling up for Left Gully, Chute, and Right Gully. Very few folks were attempting the Lip or Lobster Claw.
Getting ready to drop in
Well earned rest
Crowds arriving in the Bowl
Chute boot ladder
After lunch we headed down to Hillmans which promised some great skiing and fewer people. Ran into Marta on the hike down to Hojos (Little Headwall was not an option) who confirmed our decision. Stopped only for a few seconds at Hojos before heading up to Hillmans - this would be my first run ever there. Ran into a work buddy coming down after his run, small world. We again reorganized our packs for the climb and started up. The climb was further than either of us really expected, but there wasn't a huge amount of traffic on the boot ladder so it was OK when we wanted to rest. Topped out in the beautiful sun and took a well deserved rest. We both knew this was our last run so we enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was so much more quiet here in Hillman’s. We had taken the right fork, although the left fork also looked quite good. Enough waiting around, time to ski!
Goodbye to the Bowl
Hello Hillmans
Hillman’s was also skiing fantastically, a little heavy up top but nothing to mess you up. It is a nice long run, more enjoyable than Left Gully but without that pucker factor up top that is so alluring. As I stopped to take photos of Monica I heard my name from the boot ladder, and chatted with Greg a friend from NET. He was on his 4th run of the day (Hillmans, Duchesse, Dodges, and Hillmans) so I tipped my hat to the energy of youth and kept going. We had a great time on the run, but the moguls at the bottom finished me off. That was all I had in me that day. Ran into Marcia and Rich (Harvard caretaker) at the bottom of the run and caught up a bit. We drank more water, ate more chocolate, and started down.
Monica ripping it up
On Sherby, Hillmans in the background
You could carefully pick a line down from Hillmans to the Sherby, and then cruise pretty well until the rope about halfway down. Some folks took skis off at the two muddy patches but I did some careful grass skiing and kept them on until the rope. Big crowd there taking off skis, very festive atmosphere. The TRT was much softer than in the morning as we descended, first on snow and then dirt/rock for the last ½ mile. A beer in the parking lot was extremely welcome, lots of tired bodies and smiles all around. We finished around 4:45 under beautiful sunshine and minimal wind. Couldn’t ask for a better way to end April.
All the Pictures Sorry for the large image size.
Lots of video to follow.
Me, skinning up
It was raining slightly as we left Pinkham, and it gradually turned to snow as we climbed. The hiking/skinning temperatures were great, we didn't over heat or get exhausted, reaching Hojos in 1:25. Just a short break there as we wanted to beat the crowds and we climbed up to the Bowl, arriving by 9:15 or so. Left Gully was our objective so we headed up to some rocks below the Chute and started our change over. There were some folks up in the Bowl but not that many, only a few people we skiing already. The Crevasse below the Lip was nasty looking and I was amazed at the people climbing below and through the area.
Arriving at the Bowl
We spent some time rearranging packs and leaving unneeded gear before headed up the empty boot ladder. There were only a few folks above us, maybe a dozen at most. The climb was as usual, steady, slow, and enjoyable. Just below the top out was quite steep; we were using our hands in the foot holds above us. By the time we reached the top there was nothing but sunshine; a completely blue bird day! We watched a few folks who had arrived before us drop in while we rested and hydrated. Eventually the top was clear so we put our skis on and got ready. Monica skied the run without stopping so I have no pics of her. I took my time with a few stops along the way. Conditions were prime; soft corn on top of a pretty firm base.
Left Gully boot ladder
Steep section at the top of Left Gully
I met up with Monica at the bottom of the run and we marveled at how many people were now streaming into the Bowl. The TRT looked like the line for Space Mountain and maybe it was. We picked up our gear and dropped a bit lower so we could eat lunch out of the wind. By then the boot ladders were filling up for Left Gully, Chute, and Right Gully. Very few folks were attempting the Lip or Lobster Claw.
Getting ready to drop in
Well earned rest
Crowds arriving in the Bowl
Chute boot ladder
After lunch we headed down to Hillmans which promised some great skiing and fewer people. Ran into Marta on the hike down to Hojos (Little Headwall was not an option) who confirmed our decision. Stopped only for a few seconds at Hojos before heading up to Hillmans - this would be my first run ever there. Ran into a work buddy coming down after his run, small world. We again reorganized our packs for the climb and started up. The climb was further than either of us really expected, but there wasn't a huge amount of traffic on the boot ladder so it was OK when we wanted to rest. Topped out in the beautiful sun and took a well deserved rest. We both knew this was our last run so we enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was so much more quiet here in Hillman’s. We had taken the right fork, although the left fork also looked quite good. Enough waiting around, time to ski!
Goodbye to the Bowl
Hello Hillmans
Hillman’s was also skiing fantastically, a little heavy up top but nothing to mess you up. It is a nice long run, more enjoyable than Left Gully but without that pucker factor up top that is so alluring. As I stopped to take photos of Monica I heard my name from the boot ladder, and chatted with Greg a friend from NET. He was on his 4th run of the day (Hillmans, Duchesse, Dodges, and Hillmans) so I tipped my hat to the energy of youth and kept going. We had a great time on the run, but the moguls at the bottom finished me off. That was all I had in me that day. Ran into Marcia and Rich (Harvard caretaker) at the bottom of the run and caught up a bit. We drank more water, ate more chocolate, and started down.
Monica ripping it up
On Sherby, Hillmans in the background
You could carefully pick a line down from Hillmans to the Sherby, and then cruise pretty well until the rope about halfway down. Some folks took skis off at the two muddy patches but I did some careful grass skiing and kept them on until the rope. Big crowd there taking off skis, very festive atmosphere. The TRT was much softer than in the morning as we descended, first on snow and then dirt/rock for the last ½ mile. A beer in the parking lot was extremely welcome, lots of tired bodies and smiles all around. We finished around 4:45 under beautiful sunshine and minimal wind. Couldn’t ask for a better way to end April.
All the Pictures Sorry for the large image size.
Lots of video to follow.
