R
Rich Elton
Guest
The trail and weather conditions could not have been better! After 2 nights close to the zero mark, the trail to Marcy was solid hard pack, like concrete. Our group used stabilicers or microspikes right from the Loj parking lot all the way up. This probably will not last with the warm weather coming in. Some bare rock near Marcy summit. Tremendous views all around, sunshine and no breeze.
Descending W towards Gray from Marcy was solid steep hardpack requiring crampons or stabilicers. From the notch to Gray summit about 4 ft of hard snow requiring little effort to navigate, with an occasional spruce hole. No evidence of a herdpath but it didn't matter as the snow buried most of the branches. Celebrated #46 on Gray, before reascending Marcy snowfields.
Snowshoes will be needed for Gray in the days ahead, but we carried ours the entire 17 mile day today.
Descending W towards Gray from Marcy was solid steep hardpack requiring crampons or stabilicers. From the notch to Gray summit about 4 ft of hard snow requiring little effort to navigate, with an occasional spruce hole. No evidence of a herdpath but it didn't matter as the snow buried most of the branches. Celebrated #46 on Gray, before reascending Marcy snowfields.
Snowshoes will be needed for Gray in the days ahead, but we carried ours the entire 17 mile day today.
