docross
In Memoriam to a Deceased Member
Had an enjoyable long weekend with the Boston chapter as we got 2 of 3 New England Hundred Highest peaks. Actually we did both peaks of Elephant, just to be thorough (thanks, Joe!), both peaks of Baldpate (that's where the trail goes, duh), and we missed Goose Eye by a long 0.4 mile when we passed our turnaround time.
Photos and GPS tracks at http://community.webshots.com/user/docross2243 in the album Elephant and Baldpate.
Conditions on Baldpate before the snow of 1/15/07 were a bit dicey on the ledges; not really enough ice to get a satisfying bite with the clampons, so most skirted in the snow to the north of the cairns. Aside from that the trail was in good shape.
On Elephant, the road was driveable almost the whole way to the usual parking spot. The blue track on the GPS map shows my route in October 04 to the west peak, (the one that counts). The red route shows our meanderings on 1/13/07, as we headed up to the col and then to the east peak, found the attachment for the register, back down to the col and up to the west peak.
The blue route is the one I would choose if I had to do it again.
The only comment about the Wright trail to Goose Eye is that it was the wrong trail for us. A 1.5 mile road walk followed by interminable ups and downs until the trail hit the cliff and decided to gain elevation. Breaking trail in about 2 inches and increasing snow, after 2 previous days of hiking.
When we reaching the ledges on the AT below the bump to the east of Goose Eye, we decided to call it a day. The wind was up, the ice was very thin on the steep rock, it was 1:15 and we all faced a multi-hour drive home. Good decision. We got back to the cars just before we needed headlamps.
Thanks to J Dillman J Comuzzi and T. Roaix for leading the trips.
Photos and GPS tracks at http://community.webshots.com/user/docross2243 in the album Elephant and Baldpate.
Conditions on Baldpate before the snow of 1/15/07 were a bit dicey on the ledges; not really enough ice to get a satisfying bite with the clampons, so most skirted in the snow to the north of the cairns. Aside from that the trail was in good shape.
On Elephant, the road was driveable almost the whole way to the usual parking spot. The blue track on the GPS map shows my route in October 04 to the west peak, (the one that counts). The red route shows our meanderings on 1/13/07, as we headed up to the col and then to the east peak, found the attachment for the register, back down to the col and up to the west peak.
The blue route is the one I would choose if I had to do it again.
The only comment about the Wright trail to Goose Eye is that it was the wrong trail for us. A 1.5 mile road walk followed by interminable ups and downs until the trail hit the cliff and decided to gain elevation. Breaking trail in about 2 inches and increasing snow, after 2 previous days of hiking.
When we reaching the ledges on the AT below the bump to the east of Goose Eye, we decided to call it a day. The wind was up, the ice was very thin on the steep rock, it was 1:15 and we all faced a multi-hour drive home. Good decision. We got back to the cars just before we needed headlamps.
Thanks to J Dillman J Comuzzi and T. Roaix for leading the trips.
