Met Jim L, his friend Steve, and Bob. at the Falling Waters Trail head for an 8am departure. The goal was to get Jim his winter #43 - Lincoln, and if time permitted, we'd do the whole loop. While we were waiting, a very famous miniature schnauzer and his pet human drove through but ended up going to Waumbek to avoid predicted high winds. We debated heading to Cabot (Jim's plan B) but ultimately decided it was worth a try. We left ~45 minutes late after waiting for some no-shows. We began the trip with snowshoes, although there were plenty of bare-booters on the trail during the course of the day.
The trail was broken out earlier, but last night's storm left 3-5" of fresh, light powder and we re-broke the trail until caught and passed around Cloudland Falls. We skipped Shining Rock this time around, and stopped just below tree line to add layers, balaclavas, and other essential gear. After a tenth of a mile or so it was obvious snowshoes were doing more harm than good. I put on my new Katoohlah Microspikes while the rest bare-booted, and those without traction did have some slipping. I enjoyed the Microspikes a lot. Comfortable, secure and no trouble grabbing the ice.
It is interesting to note that occasionally strong gusts were audible all the way up FW but it was not howling on Little Haystack (blowing some, but <25). And, as forcasted, the wind died on the way across to Lincoln.
On Lincoln, we fueled up and voted not to attempt Lafayette as the visibility was not great. By the time we returned to Little Haystack, the sun fought its way out, and we were looking at the undercast, like being on an airplane. Shortly, Washington came into view, and briefly so did Monroe, Franklin and Ike. Liberty too for a while, along with an ever-so-slight glimpse of Flume. So we did end up with some very nice views right before dropping back down the way we came.
2 wore snowshoes, 2 worse crampons. 3 glissaded when possible (another first for me... and a lot of fun I might add.)
I did Lincoln in October of '06 (#13/48) and it was my first repeat, and first oFISHal
winter peak.
Photos Here
Tim
The trail was broken out earlier, but last night's storm left 3-5" of fresh, light powder and we re-broke the trail until caught and passed around Cloudland Falls. We skipped Shining Rock this time around, and stopped just below tree line to add layers, balaclavas, and other essential gear. After a tenth of a mile or so it was obvious snowshoes were doing more harm than good. I put on my new Katoohlah Microspikes while the rest bare-booted, and those without traction did have some slipping. I enjoyed the Microspikes a lot. Comfortable, secure and no trouble grabbing the ice.
It is interesting to note that occasionally strong gusts were audible all the way up FW but it was not howling on Little Haystack (blowing some, but <25). And, as forcasted, the wind died on the way across to Lincoln.
On Lincoln, we fueled up and voted not to attempt Lafayette as the visibility was not great. By the time we returned to Little Haystack, the sun fought its way out, and we were looking at the undercast, like being on an airplane. Shortly, Washington came into view, and briefly so did Monroe, Franklin and Ike. Liberty too for a while, along with an ever-so-slight glimpse of Flume. So we did end up with some very nice views right before dropping back down the way we came.
2 wore snowshoes, 2 worse crampons. 3 glissaded when possible (another first for me... and a lot of fun I might add.)
I did Lincoln in October of '06 (#13/48) and it was my first repeat, and first oFISHal
winter peak.Photos Here
Tim
