docross
In Memoriam to a Deceased Member
Mike Milos and I led an AMC NH Chapter hike to these NE HH peaks. We chose beautiful weather for the hike, except for the predicted 10-20 mph wind with gusts to 30. Temps were in the teens or lower.
Because of the wind, we elected to go up Horn Pond Trail and do a clockwise circuit, coming down the Fire Warden trail. We had read the post on VFTT that a group had done the traverse last weekend, and were glad that the trail was partially broken out. However, over night we had about 6 to 7 inches of new snow, so we definitely stayed warm breaking trail.
The Horn Pond Trail was somewhat difficult to follow below the campsite, and there were occasional thigh-high drifts on the steep slope up to the North Horn spur. Once we attained the South Horn, we had spectacular views, and, since the wind seemed to be less than predicted, we made the decision to head for the main peaks.
Heading down to the col west of West Peak was a blast, butt-sliding and glissading on our snowshoes. Once we reached the summit cone the wind picked up of course, but it wasn't bad enough to require face masks or goggles, and we were pleased with our decision to go from west to east, keeping our backs to the wind.
The sun was shining as we crossed West, and headed down to the col. At that point one of Pete's elderly Sherpas bit the dust, the binding shearing off at the hinge point. No way to repair that with duct tape and cable ties, and so he opted to stay in the col with Mike M (who didn't need Avery in the winter in any case).
The other 5 of us headed up to Avery, again facing the occasional deep drifts, crossed over the first bump and made it to the blockhouse. The wind again was less than predicted, and although nobody wanted to linger for a sunbath, the conditions were entirely tolerable.
We headed back to the col, picked up Peter and Mike M, and headed down the Fire Warden. This trail didn't seem to be broken out at all up high, there had been so much snow. Again we had a blast screaming down the steep parts on butts and glissading. Well after we reached the level part the sun set, and we finished the hike in full dark at about 7:10 pm, taking 11:30 hours to do the 17.5 miles.
Photos and GPS track available at: Bigelows and Saddleback Feb 07
Notes: we probably could have driven in to the parking lot closer to Stratton Pond, but we didn't want to risk getting stuck on the unplowed road.
The water crossing at the Stratton Pond outlet was easy and we left our shoes on.
Thanks to Mike M, Mike D, Mike L, Joleen, Peter and Al for making this a great hike!
Because of the wind, we elected to go up Horn Pond Trail and do a clockwise circuit, coming down the Fire Warden trail. We had read the post on VFTT that a group had done the traverse last weekend, and were glad that the trail was partially broken out. However, over night we had about 6 to 7 inches of new snow, so we definitely stayed warm breaking trail.
The Horn Pond Trail was somewhat difficult to follow below the campsite, and there were occasional thigh-high drifts on the steep slope up to the North Horn spur. Once we attained the South Horn, we had spectacular views, and, since the wind seemed to be less than predicted, we made the decision to head for the main peaks.
Heading down to the col west of West Peak was a blast, butt-sliding and glissading on our snowshoes. Once we reached the summit cone the wind picked up of course, but it wasn't bad enough to require face masks or goggles, and we were pleased with our decision to go from west to east, keeping our backs to the wind.
The sun was shining as we crossed West, and headed down to the col. At that point one of Pete's elderly Sherpas bit the dust, the binding shearing off at the hinge point. No way to repair that with duct tape and cable ties, and so he opted to stay in the col with Mike M (who didn't need Avery in the winter in any case).
The other 5 of us headed up to Avery, again facing the occasional deep drifts, crossed over the first bump and made it to the blockhouse. The wind again was less than predicted, and although nobody wanted to linger for a sunbath, the conditions were entirely tolerable.
We headed back to the col, picked up Peter and Mike M, and headed down the Fire Warden. This trail didn't seem to be broken out at all up high, there had been so much snow. Again we had a blast screaming down the steep parts on butts and glissading. Well after we reached the level part the sun set, and we finished the hike in full dark at about 7:10 pm, taking 11:30 hours to do the 17.5 miles.
Photos and GPS track available at: Bigelows and Saddleback Feb 07
Notes: we probably could have driven in to the parking lot closer to Stratton Pond, but we didn't want to risk getting stuck on the unplowed road.
The water crossing at the Stratton Pond outlet was easy and we left our shoes on.
Thanks to Mike M, Mike D, Mike L, Joleen, Peter and Al for making this a great hike!
