Mount Field, West Peak 1/28/2006

docross · Jan 31, 2006

This was an AMC hike led by HikerDoc and SnowLeopard. We took an (abandoned?) snowmobile trail off the A-Z trail, until it started bearing away from the summit. At that point, we could see the summit at a bearing of 110 to 120 magnetic, depending on who was looking, and we started the bushwhack.

The trees had quite a bit of snow on them, so full Gore-tex was essential. We had to thrash our way through several thick spots and some stick forests, but there were some pleasantly open spots too.

Coming out on the northern shoulder of the peak, we found a relatively easy route up the fall line to the bottle, which is a glass pickle jar. BTW, the register is nearly full, but we had nothing with which to replace it.

A GPSr track of our route may be viewed at
http://community.webshots.com/user/docross2243, in the album GPS tracks.

dms · Jan 31, 2006

Carry replacements

When you are doing a "register" peak, you should carry a spare register bottle, paper, pencil and string. Always think of the other peakbaggers coming after your trip. We're in this together!

docross · Feb 2, 2006

Spare equipment

You're right of course, and I usually do, especially since I'm a geocacher, and carry pencils and pads with me. This one slipped through the cracks, so to speak.

HikerDoc · Feb 2, 2006

I Always Carry A spare Jar, Ribbon, Paper, Pencil, String

We had full register resuscitation equipment but this register didn't require it. All we added was a pencil because pens usually freeze in the winter. This register had been rehabilitated in 1999 by Narcisso Torres who did an excellent job with pickle jar, baggie and paper. I was amazed at the number of 3 season baggers who had been there since...about 100 names! This bushwack thing has really caught on.

dms · Feb 2, 2006

100 in 6 years!! That is amazing! I know that traffic is much lower on the 3k non NHHH peaks, but for how long?

HikerDoc · Feb 3, 2006

This sport of hiking is mushrooming! Since alot of folks get bored doing the trailed peaks over and over, they are trying their hand at BW. Now it is routine for several people a year to completer the 3000' in NH, and in winter!
This is a good thing. Less wear and tear on the trails. More people discovering the remote locations, features, and wildlife seen away from trails. Way better I think.