BIGEarl
Well-known member
January 1, 2009: Mount Kinsman - North and South
Trails: Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Summits: Kinsman North Peak, Kinsman South Peak
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We arrived at the Lafayette Place parking area approximately 7:45am and found some interesting conditions. The temperature showed -8 degrees and the wind was howling from the north-northwest. We knew Getawaygirl and BobC had plans to hike across the street and planned to meet about that time so first Sue made a call to advise them of the conditions in case they wanted to hit the mall instead.
The -8 degrees coupled with the reported wind speed of 22mph from the northwest made us start the day by adding a couple layers. As far as wind chill is concerned – you do the math (it applies to exposed skin and we didn’t have any). Both of us were thinking this would be a short day but we still geared up and headed for the trail. Just before leaving the parking area a vehicle with Ontario plates pulled in. There were three more hikers we would see a couple times in the course of the day.
We left the parking area on light traction (Sue on MICROSpikes and me with Stabilicers). The icy parking lot was perhaps the most treacherous part of getting to the Lonesome Lake Hut. We got through it and started the hike. At street level we could see the effects of the wind on the trees and the noise from it (even I could hear it clearly). But, the conditions on the ground weren’t that bad. We worked our way past the trails junction with the Hi Canon Trail (somebody took the trail sign – jerks), and continued toward the hut. We hit the first hard right and were being hit with more wind, but we were coming up to temperature, well protected with full winter gear including face mask and balaclava, and both of us still doing well.
This section of the hike was unusually quiet. I was completely lost in my thoughts. Being motivated by goals and knowing it was unlikely we would reach our goals for the day, I kept asking myself “Why continue?”. This situation was wearing on me and I was having a tough time with each step. We kept moving toward the hut and eventually came upon the first of many people that had spent New Year’s Eve at the Lonesome Lake Hut. All of them, except for one small child that was being carried in a backpack carrier and unprotected from the conditions, were in a great mood – almost still at the party. I believe this distraction started the change.
We reached the hut and barely paused. We heard there was a nice fire going and hot food, but we stayed focused on the hike and kept moving. Once we were away from the hut and could no longer smell the wood fire in the stove my focus went back to the hike; this time in a positive way. I was thinking ahead to when we should make the change to crampons, I was thinking about the nice solid trail that was easy to hike with light traction – no floatation required, and I was thinking how much fun it was to be out on such a day.
Slowly we made our way through the Fishin’ Jimmy PUDs without any problems even though some have sections that are probably best handled with something more substantial in the traction department. We made our way through the first steep section, and then the second – but I had a couple close calls on the second that told me to change before the third. Then, just short of the third steep pitch we stopped and went with the crampons. Both of us were doing fine and no longer preoccupied with bailing on the hike. We were looking forward to our next milestone – Kinsman Junction.
We hit the big climb and slowly made our way up. There were a number of icy places that were interesting to get past but we passed them all without a problem. Soon, we were at the top approaching Kinsman Junction and feeling good. That amount of elevation in that amount of distance can generate some heat. We reached Kinsman Junction, paused for a couple pictures (Trail Info: the KRT from the north was not broken out), and kept moving. Neither of us knew how long it would take to have a chill set in and didn’t want to find out.
Around a couple turns and we had our first view to North Kinsman – our first target. Finally, we’re having a good day. Everything is working; the conditions are cold, windy, and generally unpleasant but it doesn’t matter since we’re geared for it (physically and now mentally). We stayed in the hike, passed the junction with the Mount Kinsman Trail and soon found ourselves at the summit of North Kinsman. We looked at each other and I remember saying “We’ve made it this far, let’s go get the South peak”, and we were off.
The hike between peaks isn’t a long one and the terrain is relatively mild compared to the prior part of the hike. Much of the section between the peaks is also thick spruce offering a sheltered hike. Still hiking on a hard trail with very limited drifts we made pretty good time to the open area of the false summit. With no break at all we continued on to the actual summit and big cairn. There were no good distance views but the local conditions weren’t bad (except for the cold, and wind). We documented our visit with pictures, congratulated each other, and made the u-turn.
At this point my thoughts made another change. We have been hiking for several hours mainly grazing on trail mix washed down with Gatorade that is now a Gatorade Slurpee – how about the real food? I have over a pound of jerky in my pack but don’t want to take my pack or mittens off to go for it. Now, I’m thinking about the truck because I know the real food will be out when we reach the truck.
First things first. We needed to re-climb North Kinsman – check, clear Kinsman Junction – check, and then reverse hike Fishin’ Jimmy, always a treat. We stayed with crampons through the steep sections and all of the way to the top of the final ledge section before the Lonesome Lake Hut. There, we went back to the light traction. That change was a good one. With the complete traction of the crampons gone we could enjoy a little slipping and sliding on the hike out – a good thing. We passed the hut, paused at the lake for a couple pictures of Franconia Ridge, and continued on the short 1.6 mile downhill run to the trailhead. On the way we passed two women most likely headed for the hut – nice way to start the New Year.
We reached Lafayette Place and were treated to the smell of a wood fire. Isn’t everything closed? There were tents setup and smoke rising from the area. Nice.
Sue started the hike expecting to finally find her limit somewhere along the way. The day ended with Sue still looking. What a great day to be out! We had tough conditions but had the appropriate gear and ended with a terrific start to 2009.
Thanks Sue. Get ready, the next one is coming right up.
Pictures to follow.
Trails: Lonesome Lake Trail, Fishin’ Jimmy Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail
Summits: Kinsman North Peak, Kinsman South Peak
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We arrived at the Lafayette Place parking area approximately 7:45am and found some interesting conditions. The temperature showed -8 degrees and the wind was howling from the north-northwest. We knew Getawaygirl and BobC had plans to hike across the street and planned to meet about that time so first Sue made a call to advise them of the conditions in case they wanted to hit the mall instead.
The -8 degrees coupled with the reported wind speed of 22mph from the northwest made us start the day by adding a couple layers. As far as wind chill is concerned – you do the math (it applies to exposed skin and we didn’t have any). Both of us were thinking this would be a short day but we still geared up and headed for the trail. Just before leaving the parking area a vehicle with Ontario plates pulled in. There were three more hikers we would see a couple times in the course of the day.
We left the parking area on light traction (Sue on MICROSpikes and me with Stabilicers). The icy parking lot was perhaps the most treacherous part of getting to the Lonesome Lake Hut. We got through it and started the hike. At street level we could see the effects of the wind on the trees and the noise from it (even I could hear it clearly). But, the conditions on the ground weren’t that bad. We worked our way past the trails junction with the Hi Canon Trail (somebody took the trail sign – jerks), and continued toward the hut. We hit the first hard right and were being hit with more wind, but we were coming up to temperature, well protected with full winter gear including face mask and balaclava, and both of us still doing well.
This section of the hike was unusually quiet. I was completely lost in my thoughts. Being motivated by goals and knowing it was unlikely we would reach our goals for the day, I kept asking myself “Why continue?”. This situation was wearing on me and I was having a tough time with each step. We kept moving toward the hut and eventually came upon the first of many people that had spent New Year’s Eve at the Lonesome Lake Hut. All of them, except for one small child that was being carried in a backpack carrier and unprotected from the conditions, were in a great mood – almost still at the party. I believe this distraction started the change.
We reached the hut and barely paused. We heard there was a nice fire going and hot food, but we stayed focused on the hike and kept moving. Once we were away from the hut and could no longer smell the wood fire in the stove my focus went back to the hike; this time in a positive way. I was thinking ahead to when we should make the change to crampons, I was thinking about the nice solid trail that was easy to hike with light traction – no floatation required, and I was thinking how much fun it was to be out on such a day.
Slowly we made our way through the Fishin’ Jimmy PUDs without any problems even though some have sections that are probably best handled with something more substantial in the traction department. We made our way through the first steep section, and then the second – but I had a couple close calls on the second that told me to change before the third. Then, just short of the third steep pitch we stopped and went with the crampons. Both of us were doing fine and no longer preoccupied with bailing on the hike. We were looking forward to our next milestone – Kinsman Junction.
We hit the big climb and slowly made our way up. There were a number of icy places that were interesting to get past but we passed them all without a problem. Soon, we were at the top approaching Kinsman Junction and feeling good. That amount of elevation in that amount of distance can generate some heat. We reached Kinsman Junction, paused for a couple pictures (Trail Info: the KRT from the north was not broken out), and kept moving. Neither of us knew how long it would take to have a chill set in and didn’t want to find out.
Around a couple turns and we had our first view to North Kinsman – our first target. Finally, we’re having a good day. Everything is working; the conditions are cold, windy, and generally unpleasant but it doesn’t matter since we’re geared for it (physically and now mentally). We stayed in the hike, passed the junction with the Mount Kinsman Trail and soon found ourselves at the summit of North Kinsman. We looked at each other and I remember saying “We’ve made it this far, let’s go get the South peak”, and we were off.
The hike between peaks isn’t a long one and the terrain is relatively mild compared to the prior part of the hike. Much of the section between the peaks is also thick spruce offering a sheltered hike. Still hiking on a hard trail with very limited drifts we made pretty good time to the open area of the false summit. With no break at all we continued on to the actual summit and big cairn. There were no good distance views but the local conditions weren’t bad (except for the cold, and wind). We documented our visit with pictures, congratulated each other, and made the u-turn.
At this point my thoughts made another change. We have been hiking for several hours mainly grazing on trail mix washed down with Gatorade that is now a Gatorade Slurpee – how about the real food? I have over a pound of jerky in my pack but don’t want to take my pack or mittens off to go for it. Now, I’m thinking about the truck because I know the real food will be out when we reach the truck.
First things first. We needed to re-climb North Kinsman – check, clear Kinsman Junction – check, and then reverse hike Fishin’ Jimmy, always a treat. We stayed with crampons through the steep sections and all of the way to the top of the final ledge section before the Lonesome Lake Hut. There, we went back to the light traction. That change was a good one. With the complete traction of the crampons gone we could enjoy a little slipping and sliding on the hike out – a good thing. We passed the hut, paused at the lake for a couple pictures of Franconia Ridge, and continued on the short 1.6 mile downhill run to the trailhead. On the way we passed two women most likely headed for the hut – nice way to start the New Year.
We reached Lafayette Place and were treated to the smell of a wood fire. Isn’t everything closed? There were tents setup and smoke rising from the area. Nice.
Sue started the hike expecting to finally find her limit somewhere along the way. The day ended with Sue still looking. What a great day to be out! We had tough conditions but had the appropriate gear and ended with a terrific start to 2009.
Thanks Sue. Get ready, the next one is coming right up.
Pictures to follow.
