Hiking on Saturday, 1/9/2010

[BIGEarl]

It’s still a little early but we’re getting our plans in place for the weekend. We have three hikes of interest, all in the Crawford Notch area. The first two are weather-sensitive hikes and we're watching the various sources for developments.

Listed in order of preference, the hikes are:

Plan A: Great weather. Northern Presidentials (Madison, Adams, Jefferson) from Marshfield Station. With multiple vehicles we can plan a traverse; otherwise it’s a big loop.

Plan B: Not-so-great weather. Southern Presidentials (Monroe through Jackson). We will need multiple vehicles or a little help with a car spot since this is a traverse from Marshfield Station to Crawford Notch.

Plan C: Bad but not severe weather. Willey Range loop from Crawford Notch (most likely Avalon, Field, Willey, Tom).

Plan A & B would require an early start. Our pace is moderate, which is usually around book time. With the current conditions we expect the hike to run ~25% over book time.

If you’re interested in joining the fun or want additional details; please respond to this thread or by PM.

 

[BIGEarl]

Now that we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the weather we have decided to hike the Southern Presidentials, Monroe through Jackson.

With a second vehicle, or a little help from our friends, we’ll hike a traverse from Marshfield Station to Crawford Notch.

Our pace is moderate, which is usually around book time. With the current conditions we expect the hike to run ~25% over book time.

If you’re interested in joining the fun or want additional details; please respond to this thread or by PM.

 

[BIGEarl]

Final details...

We'll hike a traverse from Marshfield Station to Crawford Notch. The planned meet time is 6:00 - 6:15am at the Highland Center. Once we have the final prep taken care of and a check of the conditions and latest forecast we'll head for Marshfield Station and the hike. Our plan is to be on-trail by 7:00am.

We'll ascend the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to the LOC Hut and then head over Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson ending on the Webster-Jackson Trail at the wide spot on Route 302 in Crawford Notch.

At this point there are three of us on the hike. It's a pretty big place and there is room for more.

 

[BIGEarl]

I'd really love to take you up on the offer -- but have a previous engagement/prior plans.

It looks like you folks will have some great weather (chilly, but clear).

Pack out that Ammo Ravine Trail for us; I hear there's been a wee bit of ol' upslope snow over the past few days and am eager to find out what the conditions are like up to the hut.

Have a great time...!

Clay

Sorry you can't join the fun.

It's only a mile from Gem Pool to the LOC Hut, but it's a full mile. Along with the 1550 feet of elevation gain we'll have some good old upslope? I can hardly wait.

I'm looking forward to an end-to-end snowshoe day but conditions above the treeline may change that. Styrofoam would be nice but that's probably too much to ask for.

 

[MadRiver]

I wish I could join you, but my hiking day this weekend is Sunday.