(Which should only be descended by the highly experienced who, because they are highly experienced, likely wouldn't.)
Been following this thread with great interest but this has to be my favorite line so far.
(Which should only be descended by the highly experienced who, because they are highly experienced, likely wouldn't.)
Once in the spring, I did it clockwise. Upon reaching the stream under Cloudland Falls, the water was so fast, there was no way I could cross. I had to follow the stream down and found a tree to cross on. It was slimy and slippery, I had to hang on for all I was worth. Thank God it was pre-dog days for me, or I would have had to keep bushwhacking down, which is not easy in those woods in rotten snow.
Yes, the initial turn on the Greenleaf Trail leaves due west, however, there are several turns from that point to where it enters the treeline and the cairns are not that large and in poor visibility those turns can be missed My personal choice if the weather may be iffy is to evaluate if I even want to be on the ridge from Greenleaf instead of the end of the ridge. High water would be an issue however, that crossing in full winter is crossed on ice and normal winter flow isn't bad. FW isn't technical or as steep, IMO as going North on the AT down Garfield, South Twin obviously Flume Slide. (Which should only be descended by the highly experienced who, because they are highly experienced, likely wouldn't.)
Just to clarify, the direction off the Lafayette summit down the Greenleaf Trail is magnetic 330, right through the bedrock slot. As others have noted, it is the big turn to the south about 500 ft down, which is commonly wind blown and icy, that hikers miss in white outs and end up losing their footwear (running shoes) while thrashing in the Lafayette Brook drainage.
Why would you follow a magnetic course, or even give a direction in terms of magnetic? Don't have a compass that can be adjusted for declination?
Simpler not to worry about whether declination is set properly, which may or may not explain the erroneous due W comment earlier.
Concerning descending the Greenleaf Trail from the summit of Lafayette, the WMG says: "Descending from the signs at this 3 way junction, Greenleaf Trail follows cairns slightly north of west for 250 yards, then swings right (north) and then left (southwest) around the large ledge mentioned above."
I don't see how 330 degrees equates to "slightly north of west"
Concerning descending the Greenleaf Trail from the summit of Lafayette, the WMG says: "Descending from the signs at this 3 way junction, Greenleaf Trail follows cairns slightly north of west for 250 yards, then swings right (north) and then left (southwest) around the large ledge mentioned above."
I don't see how 330 degrees equates to "slightly north of west"
Oops, you are correct, I have “300” (magnetic) on a piece of tape on the back plate of my compass. So, that is indeed slightly north (about 13 degrees) north of due west. I will edit my post. Thanks!
Those zig zags just below are what draw hikers off trail into the brushy trap of the upper reaches of Lafayette Brook.
Wrong info is how people die!!!
(Just kidding, a little Friday morning levity)
Back in the day I converted his cords in these tables to UTM.
Happy to provide if requested.
As an FYI: He no longer uses this route. His website describes winter Presi Trav going from Greyknob to Pinkham.
Nice 21+ minute interview with NHF&G Sgt Alex Lopashanski, No. 21, as we know him, from the Conway area district.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtRLk7FjdVc
Nice 21+ minute interview with NHF&G Sgt Alex Lopashanski, No. 21, as we know him, from the Conway area district.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtRLk7FjdVc
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