TDawg
Well-known member
Ok short and sweet...
Started 11am and went up Falling Waters. Snow from the very start (very wet heavy snow) only got deeper with elevation, MUCH deeper. I wore snowshoes from the start and followed 2 sets of tracks who's owners were a couple of crampon-wearing, postholing (deep postholing) knuckleheads all the way up to Little Haystack, which was frustrating at times. It was very tough going basically breaking the snowshoe track all the way by myself, would have been easier if this wasn't my first hike in almost 4 months! The sidehill sections of FWT were tricky with the snow giving away on me at times. Sounds of snow falling of trees accompanied by dripping water off trees made it a little more pleasant. Temps were very warm and a cool breeze kept my temp regulated nicely. Took 2.75 hours to get to Haystack.
Upon breaking treeline I was rewarded with fine views in all directions into Vermont and across the Pemi. Across the ridge I barebooted, just not enough constant deep snow for the shoes, but where there was snow there were deep drifts (interestingly shaped) and good sized cornices on the western side of the ridge left from the past storm. Made it to the Lafayette summit around 3:30ish and soaked in the views for a good 40 minutes. Aside from the usual suspects (peaks) of the Pemi, all Vermont peaks were visible, including Killinton, Abraham/Ellen (SugarBush), Camels Hump, and Jay. This is also where I saw the only soul all day........a mile away and a centimeter tall, descending Lincoln
.
Greenleaf from summit to the hut was a mess of wet snow, postholing wasn't too too bad. Took a break at the hut and put on my showshoes again. Upon starting down the Bridle Path I was greeted by the postholed mess that was the trail. It was pretty bad in parts, but the snow was soft so I was able to power through it with out too much trouble and only a few curse words towards the snowshoeless folks who created the holes. Back at car at 6:30, 8.8 miles 3850ft. elevation gain, 7.5 hours, AWESOME DAY. Oh yea I also got buzzed by a couple A10s on the south shoulder of Lincoln. Cool stuff.
Wish I could put up pics because it was my best day ever on the ridge. But unfortunatly I lost my camera recently and only had a camera phone for pics.
Started 11am and went up Falling Waters. Snow from the very start (very wet heavy snow) only got deeper with elevation, MUCH deeper. I wore snowshoes from the start and followed 2 sets of tracks who's owners were a couple of crampon-wearing, postholing (deep postholing) knuckleheads all the way up to Little Haystack, which was frustrating at times. It was very tough going basically breaking the snowshoe track all the way by myself, would have been easier if this wasn't my first hike in almost 4 months! The sidehill sections of FWT were tricky with the snow giving away on me at times. Sounds of snow falling of trees accompanied by dripping water off trees made it a little more pleasant. Temps were very warm and a cool breeze kept my temp regulated nicely. Took 2.75 hours to get to Haystack.
Upon breaking treeline I was rewarded with fine views in all directions into Vermont and across the Pemi. Across the ridge I barebooted, just not enough constant deep snow for the shoes, but where there was snow there were deep drifts (interestingly shaped) and good sized cornices on the western side of the ridge left from the past storm. Made it to the Lafayette summit around 3:30ish and soaked in the views for a good 40 minutes. Aside from the usual suspects (peaks) of the Pemi, all Vermont peaks were visible, including Killinton, Abraham/Ellen (SugarBush), Camels Hump, and Jay. This is also where I saw the only soul all day........a mile away and a centimeter tall, descending Lincoln
. Greenleaf from summit to the hut was a mess of wet snow, postholing wasn't too too bad. Took a break at the hut and put on my showshoes again. Upon starting down the Bridle Path I was greeted by the postholed mess that was the trail. It was pretty bad in parts, but the snow was soft so I was able to power through it with out too much trouble and only a few curse words towards the snowshoeless folks who created the holes. Back at car at 6:30, 8.8 miles 3850ft. elevation gain, 7.5 hours, AWESOME DAY. Oh yea I also got buzzed by a couple A10s on the south shoulder of Lincoln. Cool stuff.
Wish I could put up pics because it was my best day ever on the ridge. But unfortunatly I lost my camera recently and only had a camera phone for pics.
Last edited:
