A day to take stock in NH

[Waumbek]

This has been a day to reflect, to replenish, to discover in NH. No, I'm not talking about politics (verboten). I'm talking about the 60F temps in Franconia this afternoon, the melting snow under sunny skies, the clumps of earth appearing in the fields, the re-emergence of things (lawn chairs, etc.) that disappeared early this year, the chance to restock the woodpile without hauling cordwood over snow banks. For hikers, expect open water at low altitude crossings and mushy snow.

 

[kltilton]

Good point Waumbek. I just got back from skiing at Great Glen Trails where it was 63 degrees. Washington is starting to look pretty bare. I'd hate to see what some of the river crossings look like.

 

[dentonfabrics]

I'd hate to see what some of the river crossings look like.

Well, I'm going to find out tomorrow or thursday. I've been trying to hike new areas so I'm I going to snowshoe out to the Province Pond Shelter to check it out, as long as the water crossing(s) are doable. Gosh, I havent been to the mtns in 2 weeks. Will I even need the snowshoes?


bob

 

[Waumbek]

Well, I'm going to find out tomorrow or thursday. I've been trying to hike new areas so I'm I going to snowshoe out to the Province Pond Shelter to check it out, as long as the water crossing(s) are doable. Gosh, I havent been to the mtns in 2 weeks. Will I even need the snowshoes?
bob

You'll be back in the woods (shade) for much of the way, so, yes, take the 'shoes. I haven't been to Province Pond in several years; last time I was there, new roads (paths) were being cut. Some of the water crossings (pond inlets and outlets) were tricky in summer, not dangerous, just messy and muddy and difficult to get across without getting wet feet. Not an issue in summer, given the low terrain and short hike, but something to think about in winter if the crossings are still the same. Great old vintage shelter with vertical log (stick) construction unusual for the Whites.

 

[Cath]

It's definitely like April out there on the trails. It's a mess. Everything is mushy. The warm trend is looking like it will continue through the weekend Snowshoes are most certainly needed, unless you don't care how you leave the trail for whom might travel it after you ~

 

[Tim Seaver]

Postholing with Snowshoes

Snowshoes are most certainly needed, unless you don't care how you leave the trail for whom might travel it after you ~

And even WITH snowshoes, if the trail is really soft, you will trash it anyway.

One of the more amusing moments in the ADK last year was a hike up Marcy with my friend Jon, after a period of thawing followed by a hard freeze. We were barebooting on the rock hard surface of the trail, so that we could avoid the enormous holes made by somebody who had snowshoed during the thaw. The holes had to be a good 12" deep, the entire way up the mountain...but hey, they were following the ADK "rules", so I guess they got a gold star anyway, despite the fact that they ruined the freakin' trail.

Then some dude came clattering down the icy trail, wearing snowshoes, giving us an ugly stare after looking at the lack of snowshoes on our feet. Never mind the actual surface conditions!

Some of those ADK folks can be kinda strange.

 

[marchowes]

Snowshoes are most certainly needed, unless you don't care how you leave the trail for whom might travel it after you ~

Here come the VFTT snowshoe police again! Arrest that person who can't afford snowshoes! Winter hiking is only for those with disposable income! Man, I hope it never comes to that.

 

[blacknblue]

I just got back from skiing at Great Glen Trails where it was 63 degrees.

What thermometer registered 63 degrees?? Was it under a magnifying glass? Lebanon recorded an official record high of 50. My thermometer never got above 43 in Enfield. I just find it hard to believe that it was 63.

 

[Waumbek]

What thermometer registered 63 degrees?? Was it under a magnifying glass? Lebanon recorded an official record high of 50. My thermometer never got above 43 in Enfield. I just find it hard to believe that it was 63.

Here's the daily summary of actual max. temp. for Jan. 8th from wunderground.com for 03580 (Franconia): 62F.



Actual: Average : Record : Temperature:
Mean Temperature 46 °F / 8 °C -
Max Temperature 62 °F / 16 °C 24 °F / -4 °C 39 °F / 3 °C (2007)
Min Temperature 30 °F / 0 °C 3 °F / -16 °C -29 °F / -33 °C (2004)

 

[forestgnome]

Well, I'm going to find out tomorrow or thursday. I've been trying to hike new areas so I'm I going to snowshoe out to the Province Pond Shelter to check it out, as long as the water crossing(s) are doable. Gosh, I havent been to the mtns in 2 weeks. Will I even need the snowshoes?


bob

The dirt road to Province Pond TH is unlowed and gated.

happy trails

 

[blacknblue]

Here's the daily summary of actual max. temp. for Jan. 8th from wunderground.com for 03580 (Franconia): 62F.



Actual: Average : Record : Temperature:
Mean Temperature 46 °F / 8 °C -
Max Temperature 62 °F / 16 °C 24 °F / -4 °C 39 °F / 3 °C (2007)
Min Temperature 30 °F / 0 °C 3 °F / -16 °C -29 °F / -33 °C (2004)

Well, there you have it. The lesson, as always: I'm an idiot.

TWC reported that Syracuse, NY, hit 70 degrees yesterday. I still think it's weird that my little valley was 10-15 degree cooler than most everyone else in the northeast. Even backcountry reporting stations have been consistently warmer than the Lebanon Airport readings.

I miss my old 2007-2008 winter. Can we have it back now?

 

[Waumbek]

I still think it's weird that my little valley was 10-15 degree cooler than most everyone else in the northeast. Even backcountry reporting stations have been consistently warmer than the Lebanon Airport readings.

C'mon up and feel the heat. It's already 40F here....and the melt continues, the rivers are streaming.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Here come the VFTT snowshoe police again! Arrest that person who can't afford snowshoes! Winter hiking is only for those with disposable income! Man, I hope it never comes to that.

The lack of funds for snowshoes was our only logical conclusion, other than insanity, as Marc and I followed a set of bareboot post holes, many of which sank over 3 ft into soft snow and another foot into water, on the Rocky Branch Trail during our hike into Isolation on December 27th. Even moose are not that masochistic.

 

[carole]

The lack of funds for snowshoes was our only logical conclusion, other than insanity, as Marc and I followed a set of bareboot post holes, many of which sank over 3 ft into soft snow and another foot into water, on the Rocky Branch Trail during our hike into Isolation on December 27th. Even moose are not that masochistic.

I’ll argue the point of lack of funds as a logical conclusion…as I posted elsewhere talking to some (male only so far) who won’t wear them, even though they have them, even when sinking thigh deep (or deeper).

But I’ll share another good reason I encountered recently. A large group (10 or so) was preparing to start out (well geared I will add) and I had to pass through them as I entered the trailhead. One stopped me with the question, “You can climb the mountain in those?” I paused and looked down at my feet with my snowshoes on and said, “In snowshoes? Yes.” “Oh, those are snowshoes?” Then the whole group had to look at them, top and bottom, and asked where you can get them and about how much. I couldn’t help the surprised look I had and had to ask, “Where are you from?” “Lowell (Mass.)”

 

[TDawg]

One stopped me with the question, “You can climb the mountain in those?” I paused and looked down at my feet with my snowshoes on and said, “In snowshoes? Yes.” “Oh, those are snowshoes?” Then the whole group had to look at them, top and bottom, and asked where you can get them and about how much. I couldn’t help the surprised look I had and had to ask, “Where are you from?” “Lowell (Mass.)”

Further strengthening the saying, "Don't Mass up New Hampshire."

 

[sardog1]

I’ll argue the point of lack of funds as a logical conclusion…as I posted elsewhere talking to some (male only so far) who won’t wear them, even though they have them, even when sinking thigh deep (or deeper).

But I’ll share another good reason I encountered recently. A large group (10 or so) was preparing to start out (well geared I will add) and I had to pass through them as I entered the trailhead. One stopped me with the question, “You can climb the mountain in those?” I paused and looked down at my feet with my snowshoes on and said, “In snowshoes? Yes.” “Oh, those are snowshoes?” Then the whole group had to look at them, top and bottom, and asked where you can get them and about how much. I couldn’t help the surprised look I had and had to ask, “Where are you from?” “Lowell (Mass.)”

Without casting any specific interstate aspersions, I will tell you that last evening I had a similar experience. I was asked, "What are snowshoes?" I was struck dumb, literally could not articulate a response and had to leave the scene. I have also had the experience of watching a (non)cognoscente point to a wall of 'shoes and tell her companion, "Oh, those are snowboards. They're for sliding down hills."

 

[SteveHiker]

Wait a minute. So you're telling me that there might be someone out there that is ignorant about winter outdoor sports? No way, really?

Not everyone grows up with this stuff. How will they ever know about it, unless someone knowledgeable explains it? Hopefully those of us in the know, are patient and polite in these situations. Instead of complaining about those #$%*! postholers, maybe we can set a good example and not have as many to complain about.

 

[TDawg]

Not everyone grows up with this stuff. How will they ever know about it, unless someone knowledgeable explains it? Hopefully those of us in the know, are patient and polite in these situations. Instead of complaining about those #$%*! postholers, maybe we can set a good example and not have as many to complain about.

Agreed, we are lucky to be in the know. But isn't it a little entertaining to think you are showing people the light? Scary.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Then the whole group had to look at them, top and bottom, and asked where you can get them and about how much. I couldn’t help the surprised look I had and had to ask, “Where are you from?” “Lowell (Mass.)”

Lowell, Mass.? Home of Jack Kerouac!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kerouac

 

[SteveHiker]

Agreed, we are lucky to be in the know. But isn't it a little entertaining to think you are showing people the light? Scary.

oh, I find it highly amusing just like everyone else. Especially thinking of 10 people, jaws agape with puzzled looks, surrounding Carole while she shows off her snowshoes. Perhaps not exactly the way it went down, but it paints an entertaining picture. She probably deserves a commission, since they all went to EMS or wherever the next day and bought a pair.

I also think sometimes people here take themselves too seriously when it comes to this stuff. How many trail conditions reports have you read, where poster says they barebooted all the way to the top, yet they state snowshoes are required equipment and list crampons as essential?