PETCH
New member
Peaks/Trails: North Kinsman, South Kinsman via Mount Kinsman Trail and Kinsman Ridge Trail
Trail Date: 01/23/2010
Participants: CrazyBob and Petch
Trail Conditions: Trail was packed out by prior snowshoe traffic, a few large blowdowns, and one crawl over.
Commentary: Well, CrazyBob and I went at it again, this time hitting the Kinsmans. A beautiful but cold day forcasted. We took advice from JustJoe and decided on the westerly approach up the Mount Kinsman Trail.
As others have noted the parking lot is not plowed, and can present some issue for non 4wd vehicles. This is a real nice, gradual, and picturesque trail. From what I have heard, it is an easier snowshoe trek than the Fishin’ Jimmy trail on the east side.
Along the way, we ran into a fellow VFTTer, Loanshark, and chatted with him a bit. We also saw another group who were just hitting North Kinsman only.
“Official Loanshark siting”
It was another “View Day” as skies were clear, and visibility was as far as you can see. We thought about the wild men doing the W48 record attempt somewhere over in Waterville Valley, BigEarl and Company up on the Northern Presi’s, and Brian and others going up Washington. The weather was as good as it gets.
"Approaching the ridge, getting closer..."
Then BOOM!
“The views from North Kinsman looking over to the Franconia Ridge were spectacular. That's CrazyBob engrossed with taking pictures”
If you had a chance to be here, why wouldn’t you?”
Between North and South Kinsman, we were repeatedly bombarded with the dreaded snow bombs. I know the theory here is - as temps warm, the snow becomes unstable and falls from the branches. But, I have another working theory: I believe the Gray Jays in this area are disgruntled at the hikers and are intentionally creating these snow bombs by landing on the upper branches. The Gray Jays over the years have become quite plump as they have consumed a high carb diet from hikers offering them food. I tend to feed them Little Debbie snacks (just kidding). Most of them have become type 2 diabetic (the Jays not the hikers), and are in general poor health (Well ok, the Jays and some hikers). So, as their health insurance costs have gone up , they are simply rebelling and we are the targets. Yeah, I know…..but we didn’t see a Jay all day, but I felt they were watching us from above…….
“The view over to South Kinsman”
CrazyBob has one of those fancy watch type wrist devices that displays, elevation, miles, the price of tea in China, how many M&M's can fit in a 8ounce glass,...etc, along with how many calories burned. I like the last one- I always add about 20% (because of my poorer condtion)- so about 5000 calories means WHOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO- time to chow! I love eating, and burning 5000 calories means time to eat absolutely guilt free and eat everything and anything that crosses your path. Steak, potatoes, donuts, swedish fish, small furry animals, whatever.
So, we picked up the pace for the hike down, changed, and set our sites on the CommonMan in Lincoln. We’ve never been there before but heard good things about it. We were not disappointed.
A great day out in the mountains and another 2 off the list……
Hiking Stats: 10 miles, 6 hrs 50min
Slideshow ^
Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767
Petch
Trail Date: 01/23/2010
Participants: CrazyBob and Petch
Trail Conditions: Trail was packed out by prior snowshoe traffic, a few large blowdowns, and one crawl over.
Commentary: Well, CrazyBob and I went at it again, this time hitting the Kinsmans. A beautiful but cold day forcasted. We took advice from JustJoe and decided on the westerly approach up the Mount Kinsman Trail.
As others have noted the parking lot is not plowed, and can present some issue for non 4wd vehicles. This is a real nice, gradual, and picturesque trail. From what I have heard, it is an easier snowshoe trek than the Fishin’ Jimmy trail on the east side.
Along the way, we ran into a fellow VFTTer, Loanshark, and chatted with him a bit. We also saw another group who were just hitting North Kinsman only.
“Official Loanshark siting”
It was another “View Day” as skies were clear, and visibility was as far as you can see. We thought about the wild men doing the W48 record attempt somewhere over in Waterville Valley, BigEarl and Company up on the Northern Presi’s, and Brian and others going up Washington. The weather was as good as it gets.
"Approaching the ridge, getting closer..."
Then BOOM!
“The views from North Kinsman looking over to the Franconia Ridge were spectacular. That's CrazyBob engrossed with taking pictures”
If you had a chance to be here, why wouldn’t you?”
Between North and South Kinsman, we were repeatedly bombarded with the dreaded snow bombs. I know the theory here is - as temps warm, the snow becomes unstable and falls from the branches. But, I have another working theory: I believe the Gray Jays in this area are disgruntled at the hikers and are intentionally creating these snow bombs by landing on the upper branches. The Gray Jays over the years have become quite plump as they have consumed a high carb diet from hikers offering them food. I tend to feed them Little Debbie snacks (just kidding). Most of them have become type 2 diabetic (the Jays not the hikers), and are in general poor health (Well ok, the Jays and some hikers). So, as their health insurance costs have gone up , they are simply rebelling and we are the targets. Yeah, I know…..but we didn’t see a Jay all day, but I felt they were watching us from above…….
“The view over to South Kinsman”
CrazyBob has one of those fancy watch type wrist devices that displays, elevation, miles, the price of tea in China, how many M&M's can fit in a 8ounce glass,...etc, along with how many calories burned. I like the last one- I always add about 20% (because of my poorer condtion)- so about 5000 calories means WHOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO- time to chow! I love eating, and burning 5000 calories means time to eat absolutely guilt free and eat everything and anything that crosses your path. Steak, potatoes, donuts, swedish fish, small furry animals, whatever.
So, we picked up the pace for the hike down, changed, and set our sites on the CommonMan in Lincoln. We’ve never been there before but heard good things about it. We were not disappointed.
A great day out in the mountains and another 2 off the list……
Hiking Stats: 10 miles, 6 hrs 50min
Slideshow ^
Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767
Petch
We were saving Bald Mtn for the way down, but we were jonesing real bad for beverages and vittles, and just just blew by it.....another time.
