ADK4Life
New member
- Joined
- May 14, 2004
- Messages
- 281
- Reaction score
- 6
I am heading to the Gothics this weekend. Has anyone climbed this recently? Just wondering what type of grear I may have to bring.
GOthics via Pyramid
- Thread starter ADK4Life
- Start date
Help Support vftt.org:
Adk_dib
New member
Havent ben there in 2 years but if you go by the weld trail it is a pretty gradual accent until you get to the col between sawteeth and pyramid. There is a stream at 3000' to pump water and hydrate yourself. the climb up pyramid is steeper with small rock faces and tree roots, but no special equipment needed. If you go to armstrong (which is only a couple hundred feet extra accent), the decent down is a little hairy, just take your time. I believe the only equipment you need is good boots and a hiking stick.
ADK4Life
New member
- Joined
- May 14, 2004
- Messages
- 281
- Reaction score
- 6
Thanks for the info! I was worried I may need crampons or axe @ the col.
Adk_dib
New member
I said I havent been there in 2 years. if you want recent trail conditions about the ice you should wait for more postings. Sorry about that 
Pete Hogan
New member
Summit Insurance
There is still enough snow and ice enroute to warrant crampons. Whether you carry full boot crampons or instep/stabilicers, etc., it is always wise to prepare for icy conditions at this time of year - especially on the steep approach to Pyramid from the Sawteeth/Pyramid col.
I know this might sound like "overkill", but snowshoes with aggresssive crampons may also be helpful in staying on top of whatever snow spine is left along with encounters with rotten snow and painful, potentially injurious post holing. Transition seasons are tough to prepare for, but IMO the Pyramid approach to Gothics is by far the most spectacular choice and if I were in your shoes, I'd go prepared for whatever the mountain put in my path.
I have been over this route (Pyramid/Gothics/Armstrong) many times (7) and have found it to be a challenging test regardless of the season. Go prepared and you won't have to go home without the incomparable view from Pyramid.
There is still enough snow and ice enroute to warrant crampons. Whether you carry full boot crampons or instep/stabilicers, etc., it is always wise to prepare for icy conditions at this time of year - especially on the steep approach to Pyramid from the Sawteeth/Pyramid col.
I know this might sound like "overkill", but snowshoes with aggresssive crampons may also be helpful in staying on top of whatever snow spine is left along with encounters with rotten snow and painful, potentially injurious post holing. Transition seasons are tough to prepare for, but IMO the Pyramid approach to Gothics is by far the most spectacular choice and if I were in your shoes, I'd go prepared for whatever the mountain put in my path.
I have been over this route (Pyramid/Gothics/Armstrong) many times (7) and have found it to be a challenging test regardless of the season. Go prepared and you won't have to go home without the incomparable view from Pyramid.
Pete Hogan
New member
Trip Reports
ADK4Life....
There are two trip reports involving Pyramid/Gothics on the NY Trail Conditions section of this website: http://www.vftt.org/.
The first is from 5/5/05 and the other is from 4/20/05. They might be helpful in your plans.
ADK4Life....
There are two trip reports involving Pyramid/Gothics on the NY Trail Conditions section of this website: http://www.vftt.org/.
The first is from 5/5/05 and the other is from 4/20/05. They might be helpful in your plans.
ADK4Life
New member
- Joined
- May 14, 2004
- Messages
- 281
- Reaction score
- 6
I am going with my 12 point petzl's and a mountaineering axe. I am hoping for a wonderful and treacherous approach to prepare for Mount Darwin and Shasta.
Pete Hogan
New member
Happy Trails!
It is (arguably) the best loop in the High Peaks! Good luck and safe climbing!
It is (arguably) the best loop in the High Peaks! Good luck and safe climbing!
A
anita514
Guest
so my best bet is to make sure I have crampons..
yikes!
yikes!
Pete Hogan
New member
I'd bet on that!
anita514.......
One never knows of the true conditions above 4000' at this time (or anytime) of year. The environment changes so rapidly it is always wise to be prepared with whatever it takes to get you safely to your goal.
Might you still be able to summit without crampons? Maybe. Is that a bet you want to make? The minimal extra weight of crampons provides a much greater degree of technical assistance and self-confidence that you will have the answers to whatever questions the mountain asks.
anita514.......
One never knows of the true conditions above 4000' at this time (or anytime) of year. The environment changes so rapidly it is always wise to be prepared with whatever it takes to get you safely to your goal.
Might you still be able to summit without crampons? Maybe. Is that a bet you want to make? The minimal extra weight of crampons provides a much greater degree of technical assistance and self-confidence that you will have the answers to whatever questions the mountain asks.
A
anita514
Guest
exactly. I definitely don't want to haul myself out of bed that early, drive 2 hours, start the climb and then end up sliding back down the trail on my butt because I didn't have crampons.
thanks for your help!!
thanks for your help!!
ALGonquin Bob
Well-known member
I was up there in mid-March with Hillman1. We hiked Sawteeth, then up and over Pyramid to Gothics. We opted to skip Armstrong, and hiked (and glissaded) down toward Beaver Meadow Falls. Even in the deep snow of March, an axe was not needed. Crampons should do fine for the remaining icy sections... I wish that I was going up there again soon!
hillman1
New member
That was definitely one of my favorite hikes ever. The views from Pyramid are incredible. The hike up the ridge from the col to Gothics is great, looking at it from pyramid stoked me out. It was a great hike. I want to bring my girlfriend up that this summer.
A
anita514
Guest
what kind of time did you guys make on the trail?
ALGonquin Bob
Well-known member
I'm slow. I started early (7:30?); Doug arrived late and caught up with me by the dam at the Lower Lake. We checked out Rainbow Falls (don't miss that!), and hiked all day. It was dark when we finished - I don't recall the time. Plan on most of the day - bring lots of water.
A
anita514
Guest
I am slow too, and my boyfriend is worried I'll take too long. We'll definitely need to start early, and bring headlamps just in case..
thanks!
thanks!
Pete Hogan
New member
Hike Time
anita514....
Hike times are so variable (depending on many known and often unknown factors) that it is not in the best interest of people new to a route to hear hike times from people who have been over the route several times. The last thing I want to do is to preempt any part of YOUR adventure by giving away too much of the discovery phase of hiking.
Having said that.....here is a general pacing guideline that seems to work for many folks. A general hiking pace is around 2 MPH for each mile traveled and 1-MPH for each 1000 feet of elevation gain. For example, Algonquin Peak from Heart Lake; 8 miles RT = 4 hours of hike time; 2938 feet of ascent = 3 hours hike time. The round trip hike time (excluding rest/snack, photo ops, summit time) would be approximately 7 hours.
The Pyramid, Gothics, Armstrong Loop: from the public parking on Rt 73, via the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake dam; then ascending The Weld Trail to the Sawteeth/Pyramid col and then on to Pyramid's summit; continuing over to Gothics where you connect with the Range Trail; and then descend to the Gothics/Armstrong col where an important assessment of individual assets should be honestly evaluated, (in case you want to extend the trip further to include Armstrong - or not) before starting the day's final long descent via The Beaver Meadows Falls Trail to the Lake Road and eventually returning to public parking on Rt. 73. This is (at the very least) a 12+ mile loop. The accumulative vertical ascent is over 3500' - (it may even be closer to 4000').
So if you put those figures into the guidelines above you end up with: 12 miles = 6 hours + 4000' = 4 hours. That adds up to a hike time of at least 10 hours excluding rest, snacks, photo ops, etc. I would roughly plan on a 11-12 hour day to be on the safe side.
Having said that......maximum daylight has yet to be realized at this time of year. Do you have 12 hours of daylight to give? Yes, the Lake Road can be a factor in stretching the time parameters in your favor, but there is no doubt that this loop will offer a vigorous and serious challenge (timewise and otherwise) - especially during a transition season when there are still many unknown factors (snow, ice). You can make Pyramid your goal and still have an incredible day. Or you can leave Armstrong for another day and just enjoy Pyramid and Gothics and still have unforgettable memories.
One other concern. Water will be tough to find on this route. There is one stream - Cascade Brook (reliable?) that crosses the Weld trail at around 3000' elevation. Your pack weight might be heavy with water.....but that weight is worth every ounce.
I've said too much already. I know from past trips that this loop can be the most extraordinary High Peak experience! It is my favorite hike in the High Peaks. Plan and prepare wisely and you will marvel at the magnificence of these rugged, wild places!
Good luck and have a safe trip!
anita514....
Hike times are so variable (depending on many known and often unknown factors) that it is not in the best interest of people new to a route to hear hike times from people who have been over the route several times. The last thing I want to do is to preempt any part of YOUR adventure by giving away too much of the discovery phase of hiking.
Having said that.....here is a general pacing guideline that seems to work for many folks. A general hiking pace is around 2 MPH for each mile traveled and 1-MPH for each 1000 feet of elevation gain. For example, Algonquin Peak from Heart Lake; 8 miles RT = 4 hours of hike time; 2938 feet of ascent = 3 hours hike time. The round trip hike time (excluding rest/snack, photo ops, summit time) would be approximately 7 hours.
The Pyramid, Gothics, Armstrong Loop: from the public parking on Rt 73, via the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake dam; then ascending The Weld Trail to the Sawteeth/Pyramid col and then on to Pyramid's summit; continuing over to Gothics where you connect with the Range Trail; and then descend to the Gothics/Armstrong col where an important assessment of individual assets should be honestly evaluated, (in case you want to extend the trip further to include Armstrong - or not) before starting the day's final long descent via The Beaver Meadows Falls Trail to the Lake Road and eventually returning to public parking on Rt. 73. This is (at the very least) a 12+ mile loop. The accumulative vertical ascent is over 3500' - (it may even be closer to 4000').
So if you put those figures into the guidelines above you end up with: 12 miles = 6 hours + 4000' = 4 hours. That adds up to a hike time of at least 10 hours excluding rest, snacks, photo ops, etc. I would roughly plan on a 11-12 hour day to be on the safe side.
Having said that......maximum daylight has yet to be realized at this time of year. Do you have 12 hours of daylight to give? Yes, the Lake Road can be a factor in stretching the time parameters in your favor, but there is no doubt that this loop will offer a vigorous and serious challenge (timewise and otherwise) - especially during a transition season when there are still many unknown factors (snow, ice). You can make Pyramid your goal and still have an incredible day. Or you can leave Armstrong for another day and just enjoy Pyramid and Gothics and still have unforgettable memories.
One other concern. Water will be tough to find on this route. There is one stream - Cascade Brook (reliable?) that crosses the Weld trail at around 3000' elevation. Your pack weight might be heavy with water.....but that weight is worth every ounce.
I've said too much already. I know from past trips that this loop can be the most extraordinary High Peak experience! It is my favorite hike in the High Peaks. Plan and prepare wisely and you will marvel at the magnificence of these rugged, wild places!
Good luck and have a safe trip!
ROCKYSUMMIT
New member
i agree with pete. this hike is spectacular.i've also gone up the weld trail to pyramid, back down to the junction,and then up sawteeth and down the other steep side to lake.this is also a pretty long hike with great views from pyramid, and also from the many lookouts over the ausable lakes descending sawteeth.save this one for another trip.enjoy!
