"Epic" winter

[Grayjay]

Well its been a great winter to experience the Whites. What was the highpoint (literally or figuratively) of your winter in the mountains? I'll have to think about it myself.

 

[poison ivy]

My highlight was finally finishing the winter 48 on Mt. Bond... after too many tries to count. It was nice to have the rest of the winter off from list chasing!

- Ivy

 

[J&J]

Our highlight was completing the winter 48.

Going into the 2007-2008 winter season we had one peak remaining- Jefferson. We were waiting for one great day where we could enjoy the hike and and not suffer through it. We certainly got our one great day just in the nick of time.

Last Tuesday March 18 (just a couple of days before the end of official winter) was an incredible day to hike Jefferson. Relatively warm, no wind, blue skies. An outstanding day. And as a bonus peak, after we did Jefferson we did Washington again because it's so close and it was just too nice a day not to do it.

 

[una_dogger]

Cripes...my "epic" winter day doesn't involve hiking and didn't occur in the Whites! I am at a loss for an epic to fit this mold...all I can say is that my perfect day this winter involved a foot of fresh fallen snow, some great new equipment, eight wonderful mountains strung together by trails, a wonderful person to share it with, and a swirling outdoor hot tub and beer at the end of the day.

J&J, congrats on your finish! Sounds like a magical day !

Amy, you certainly earned Bond. Way to go! Speaking of "chasing", we did see you passing us yesterday, and we *tried* to catch up....

 

[bubba]

Congrats to all above.. yeah, you too, Sabrina - you found a new sport!

I don't know that mine was epic, either. I guess my most memorable was the 46r assault on February 9th in memory of Neils's son Dominick. Six of us pressed onward to summit Big Slide through wonderful trails that had seen 10 inches of snow the few days prior. Absolutely beautiful scenery and wonderful company on a very special day to remember the loss of a very special young man.

Maybe the partying afterwards qualifies for epic, though!

 

[Bob Kittredge]

The Rock Pile

I'm not especially rough and tough, so I figured that bagging Mount Washington in winter would involve several tries and/or waiting for ideal conditions. But there I was at Pinkham the first weekend in January and it was sunny with temps in the teens and winds below 50. Didn't even need face protection. I almost feel guilty about claiming it as a "winter" 4K

 

[NewHampshire]

The High Point for me was being present for my buddy Scoutmaster Gary'sany season 48 finish last weekend.

As for this years literal high point....Garfield. The last of my 6 winter peaks I added to my total this season.

Brian

 

[forestgnome]

I'd say this hike was my favorite of the season. I saw huge bull moose, met Rocket 21, a really intelligent and hardy hiker, on a summit on a beautiful day, had a nice visit with gray jays, had a great bw when I found a fresh antler and hung out with another bull moose. Very memorable

happy spring

 

[Mattl]

The hike I did with Grouseking up Tom was really pleasant, fresh snow on trees and incredible snow depth. I think the overall memory of this winter is the snow depth of 4-8 feet that was just amazing to see. -Mattl

 

[rocket21]

I'd say this hike was my favorite of the season. I saw huge bull moose, met Rocket 21, a really intelligent and hardy hiker, on a summit on a beautiful day, had a nice visit with gray jays, had a great bw when I found a fresh antler and hung out with another bull moose. Very memorable

happy spring

I second that - it was a great day to be out on the trails and I met a legend! Perhaps I can coax the legend into hitting the ski slopes soon

 

[peakbagger]

To me the most "epic" thing of this winter was the fact that it was a winter that returned to "normal". Real snow all season. Local struggling businesses getting a shot in the arm with the return of snow after two marginal winters. Ski areas grooming natural snow instead of pumping down the local aquifer. New winter hikers getting a chance to learn why breaking trail is a whole other art form in the winter .

To refer to a post of mine from November


"Hey folks, up in the Northern Presidentials, it actually is starting to act like a real winter after the last few years of extended fall weather into January. I am probably jinxing it for all but the temperatures actually have been cold and the snow that has fallen has not melted away on the first sunny day. Sure is different than hiking in shorts in December, an occurence that was pretty predictable for the last few years.

With that in mind, some of the equipment that you havent needed for the last few years in December, needs to be brought along on trips now. Ice is getting plentiful and the snow cover isnt consolidated enough to cover it, so traction aids arent optional. Not time for snowshoes until after a few big storms."

Well I guess I didnt jinx it!

 

[bryan]

peakbagger hits upon what i found "epic" about this winter. i have only been getting out regularly in the winter for the last few years and though i had experienced lots of cold, wind, ice, etc. i had not gotten to experience the types of snow depth i did this year. being someone who hikes almost exclusively solo (a whole other thread....) i found that hiking mid week i had to do a lot more breaking and route finding that in the past and i had some of my hardest days in the mountains. i also had lots of beautiful views and quiet woods which made it all worth while. getting up to jefferson on that unseasonably mild day last week wasn't to bad either. a good winter.

bryan