January thaw is over

[Mohamed Ellozy]

OK, I am glad that we are seeing more seasonal temps. But do we need to go so low??

Tomorrow I am planning a big hike in the Waterville area (big hike means early start). Currently the hourly forecast for Waterville Valley calls for temps of -12 at 7 AM, rising all the way to +7 at 10 AM. Warmer as the day progresses, but I will be frozen solid before then.

I have no right to complain. Good friends are doing a Twins/Bonds backpack this weekend (without me ), lows around -4 in the valley on Sunday night (maybe a bit lower high up??).

Not really complaining (except about the solid concrete footing), just noting that I will start out wearing all the clothes I own. And then, layer by layer, take 'em off!

 

[w7xman]

I'm probably going to be in the minority here...but I LOVE it!

The air feels so crisp and fresh below zero, and the atmosphere does neat things, like drop ice crystals of diamond dust from clear skies.

Last February I took three consecutive days of dawn photo-excursions when it was below zero, and got some of my favorite shots of the year, one night hike to Tucks starting at -12F, one trip to Adams Point at -3F, and the last to York Beach at about -2F. All exceptional in their brutality. I'll certainly be out shooting again this weekend!

Dress in layers, respect what the cold can do, and do what you can with it! If you go into it with the right attitude and right equiptment, I think you'll be shocked how much you enjoy it!

 

[MadRiver]

With this weekend being a holiday weekend I was looking forward to something above tree line, yet with the forecast calling for high winds, I’ve decided to do the Willey Range instead. I’m also doing the Tripyramids on Sunday so if you are anywhere near the Livermore Trail would you please post the conditions.Thanks.

 

[Mattl]

I think the lows you posted are extremely high..if that helps out all. This arctic blast revivals some last year or before, I would be willing to bet Mount Washington hits at least 30-35 below Sunday afternoon. For the valleys, Sunday and Monday night have a chance and beating the lows from 2-3 weeks ago, -26 or so in Whitefield NH. So Waterville Valley may only have a high on Sunday of about 0 or so and a low that night more like -20 without windchill... Its a 2 part thing, first the cold comes in up high, so places like the Bonds are not what you want to be doing Sunday, temperatures saturday night with the squalls are going to plummit up high first starting at 15 or so Sat afternoon and by Sunday afternoon be around -15 or -20 during the day...., then it switches to night time bombing for the valleys the next night. Its a year of extremes, unfortunaly the storm tomorrow night and friday will be moving too fast and not phase with the northern stream, bit it will still get snowy for many. Whites, and mountains of Maine I would say 6-12 inches will fall, with some higher amounts, then the squalls with the cold front with drop another 3-6. So if your hiking Sunday be careful! -Mattl

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Tomorrow I am planning a big hike in the Waterville area (big hike means early start). Currently the hourly forecast for Waterville Valley calls for temps of -12 at 7 AM, rising all the way to +7 at 10 AM. Warmer as the day progresses, but I will be frozen solid before then.

Just went out to start the car and start loading it up, thermometer reads a tropical +10 at 7:45

Maybe I will survive today's hike!!

 

[Dugan]

Hee... in my little north central MA arctic zone, the mercury read 18 degrees cooler than Mt Washington this morning, or -8F. Not even Dugan the Hooligan wanted his feet to touch the ground outside!

 

[--M.]

If Mohamed will indulge a momentary side-track while he hikes,

How do you keep your car's battery from dying? The last time I was in the Whites in 35-below temps, it was to ski Attitash. Neoprene made it possible for me, but the cold took a $100 hit on my battery, plus the usual tourist taxes.

There's a limit to how many batteries I can carry in my pockets!



EDIT: This is too tangential, even for me. I went a-Googling and found answers separately (buy a supplemental charger).

 

[erugs]

Yikes - we're going on a two-night, three day backpacking trip on the Rocky Branch this weekend. I was hoping it would be colder than it had been. But this? Off to buy more heat packets. Brrrrrrr.