MTNRUNR
Active member
Donna & I left the motel in Twin Mountain about 7:30. Arrived @ the Cog Base Station about 15 minutes later.
As I was getting ready we noticed a Beautiful Red Fox in the parking area. He appeared only a little skiddish but soon trotted off.
My "dream goal" for the day was to summit Jefferson, Washington, Monroe & Eisenhower
Must admit I was more than a bit skeptical about going that far above treeline! If I could get up Jefferson and back I'd feel pretty lucky!
Donna left to XC Ski @ Bretton Woods and I started around the station. There was the Red Fox again by the tracks! I got a couple pix before he headed off again.
I crossed the bridge and put my snowshoes on. Started up @ 7:56. The trail thru the woods was nicely packed and quite pretty on this almost cloudless beautiful day.
Caught up with a fellow barebooting it toward Mt W. As I emerged from the trees I could see another fellow about 1/4 mile ahead. The trail was obscured by the blowing snow in the open but with unlimited views that wasn't a problem. I put on my windbreaker, windpants, hat and goggles. What an amazing world it was up here!!! WOW don't begin to describe it!
As I got closer to Mt Jefferson I could see a group of about 8 hikers near the top. Just above the mountain the sky seemed to be darkening! but it soon turned a bright blue, like everywhere else! The top was covered with snow making the walk to the summit much easier than usual! It was now 11:03 and I was feeling a lot more confident After 6 minutes I headed towards Mt Washington!
Along the way I met a couple of guys who had tented by LOC Hut and were headed to Madison Hut to do the same tonight. They were wearing crampons and were having trouble postholing quite a bit. Soon another guy went by but didn't appear to be carrying anything!?
After rounding Mt Clay the summit came into view again...amazing how it hardly had a cloud near it all day!!!...and without much wind!!!
Followed the Gulfside aways after jct w/Westside Trail then went onto the cog tracks for aways. I saw about 4 folks that appeared to be heading down the road.
As I climbed over the snowbank next to the summit building there was a couple sitting there in the sun eating and enjoying the day. Then there was about half dozen others beside the building and another group w/a black dog @ the summit. One of the women was kind enough to take a picture of me "on top of the world" It was now 1:16 pm.
I went into the partially enclosed building entry way where 4 more folks were. Ate a sandwich and finished my 2nd bottle of liquid, changed from the waist up. The way the snow encrusted everything was natural artwork!
Several more folks arrived as I started towards LOC @ 1:42 pm. There was now more ice and rocks but I was able to do fine in my snowshoes w/good cleats on them...better than I had thought they'd do! Great!! A few more folks went by heading up. I could see 3 folks descending Monroe and head to the Hut. I continued by it and started up Monroe.
It was quite steep and icy in spots but still made it fine! Got to to the summit @ 2:54. Took some pictures and headed to LOC, deciding against going on to Eisenhower. I felt I could make it OK but would be low on fluids, would mean getting home later and it would get me up here another time to "bag" Ike
Met another couple on their way up Monroe as I was headed down. They had come up the Ammo and would be headed back down after summiting. They said the trail down would make great Butt sliding!
Paused briefly @ LOC then left @ 3:13 following tracks for Ammonoosac Trail. As I got lower I could see there were a few tracks heading down which soon joined together. The area between LOC and trees had deeper snow and lot of post holing w/several spruce traps which were not a problem now due to all the traffic that had been through. I was glad to have my snowshoes on just the same
About half way down I stopped for the last time to eat half a sandwich and finish my 3rd/last 20 oz bottle.
I past 2 more guys on the way out and emerged @ the Cog parking lot @ 4:14 pm I looked around and Donna wasn't there.
She was going to stay @ Bretton Woods XC Ski hut til 3...after that had told her I might come out Clinton Road or end up @ Highland Center??? Luckily I was able to use a phone and send her a beeper message...we are still living in the dark ages of wired phones
As I started down the road...here came Donna She had a wonderful day on the ski trails and was out a total of 3 hours in Great Conditions! I changed my clothes and we headed out...bidding the "Winter" a fond good bye, for now...
As I was getting ready we noticed a Beautiful Red Fox in the parking area. He appeared only a little skiddish but soon trotted off.
My "dream goal" for the day was to summit Jefferson, Washington, Monroe & Eisenhower
Must admit I was more than a bit skeptical about going that far above treeline! If I could get up Jefferson and back I'd feel pretty lucky!Donna left to XC Ski @ Bretton Woods and I started around the station. There was the Red Fox again by the tracks! I got a couple pix before he headed off again.
I crossed the bridge and put my snowshoes on. Started up @ 7:56. The trail thru the woods was nicely packed and quite pretty on this almost cloudless beautiful day.
Caught up with a fellow barebooting it toward Mt W. As I emerged from the trees I could see another fellow about 1/4 mile ahead. The trail was obscured by the blowing snow in the open but with unlimited views that wasn't a problem. I put on my windbreaker, windpants, hat and goggles. What an amazing world it was up here!!! WOW don't begin to describe it!
As I got closer to Mt Jefferson I could see a group of about 8 hikers near the top. Just above the mountain the sky seemed to be darkening! but it soon turned a bright blue, like everywhere else! The top was covered with snow making the walk to the summit much easier than usual! It was now 11:03 and I was feeling a lot more confident
After 6 minutes I headed towards Mt Washington!Along the way I met a couple of guys who had tented by LOC Hut and were headed to Madison Hut to do the same tonight. They were wearing crampons and were having trouble postholing quite a bit. Soon another guy went by but didn't appear to be carrying anything!?
After rounding Mt Clay the summit came into view again...amazing how it hardly had a cloud near it all day!!!...and without much wind!!!
Followed the Gulfside aways after jct w/Westside Trail then went onto the cog tracks for aways. I saw about 4 folks that appeared to be heading down the road.
As I climbed over the snowbank next to the summit building there was a couple sitting there in the sun eating and enjoying the day. Then there was about half dozen others beside the building and another group w/a black dog @ the summit. One of the women was kind enough to take a picture of me "on top of the world"
It was now 1:16 pm.I went into the partially enclosed building entry way where 4 more folks were. Ate a sandwich and finished my 2nd bottle of liquid, changed from the waist up. The way the snow encrusted everything was natural artwork!
Several more folks arrived as I started towards LOC @ 1:42 pm. There was now more ice and rocks but I was able to do fine in my snowshoes w/good cleats on them...better than I had thought they'd do! Great!! A few more folks went by heading up. I could see 3 folks descending Monroe and head to the Hut. I continued by it and started up Monroe.
It was quite steep and icy in spots but still made it fine! Got to to the summit @ 2:54. Took some pictures and headed to LOC, deciding against going on to Eisenhower. I felt I could make it OK but would be low on fluids, would mean getting home later and it would get me up here another time to "bag" Ike
Met another couple on their way up Monroe as I was headed down. They had come up the Ammo and would be headed back down after summiting. They said the trail down would make great Butt sliding!
Paused briefly @ LOC then left @ 3:13 following tracks for Ammonoosac Trail. As I got lower I could see there were a few tracks heading down which soon joined together. The area between LOC and trees had deeper snow and lot of post holing w/several spruce traps which were not a problem now due to all the traffic that had been through. I was glad to have my snowshoes on just the same
About half way down I stopped for the last time to eat half a sandwich and finish my 3rd/last 20 oz bottle.
I past 2 more guys on the way out and emerged @ the Cog parking lot @ 4:14 pm
I looked around and Donna wasn't there. She was going to stay @ Bretton Woods XC Ski hut til 3...after that had told her I might come out Clinton Road or end up @ Highland Center??? Luckily I was able to use a phone and send her a beeper message...we are still living in the dark ages of wired phones
As I started down the road...here came Donna
She had a wonderful day on the ski trails and was out a total of 3 hours in Great Conditions! I changed my clothes and we headed out...bidding the "Winter" a fond good bye, for now...
