Mt Kearsarge Conditions?

[grouseking]

I'm thinking about heading up Mt Kearsarge, (west of Concord) or a similiar mountain in the same region Saturday. Has anybody hiked this mtn recently or in similiar conditions in the past and could you comment on crampon use. Is it worth bringing them...or would they be overkill? I have stabilicers.

grouseking

 

[jn316]

The steepest part of the Winslow Trail on Kearsarge remains very icy until well into spring.

 

[Andrew]

Barlow Trail out of Winslow SP tends to be less icy except in the middle section, although it is lesssteep then Winslow Tr. Americorp did additional drainage work on Barlow Tr last summer so it is somewhat improved in the lowers sections.
Stabilicers should absolutely be sufficient.

 

[grouseking]

Thanks everyone. I still may do this, but I'm leaning towards Smarts mtn. If anyone has hiked that recently let me know. Thanks!!

grouseking

 

[banjolady]

did u go on mt kearsarge? i am thinking of doing this fri 4/13 or sat 4/14 if conditions allow. or else maybe XC skiing--i hear there is lots of snow in the whites now and more 2 come--i am coming up w xc skis, crampons and stabilicers. it is of course bare ground w mud down here in NY.

 

[grouseking]

No...in fact I haven't been to the mountains in a couple weeks

Plans keep falling through, but hopefully one day, I'll get out again.

It's tough to tell what the conditions will be like next weekend, esp being this time of year. Temps will remain below normal, but should at least warm into the 40s so the snow should finally begin to melt. If we get enough sun, the snow could melt really fast, despite the relatively cool temperatures. Then we have to figure out what our next storm will bring (prob more mountain snow, at least)

So yeah, I'd bring skis just in case.

grouseking

 

[rocket21]

My observation is that south of the Whites and at lower elevations, anything with decent sun exposure is down to maybe 1-3 inches. Stuff with in the woods or with a northern exposure is still around a foot, if not more before the last thaw.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Gunstock would be a good location if you wanted to ski. It closed on 4/4 and I was scoping it out on Saturday. Plenty of snow cover. I'm planning to head up there this Saturday and see how far up I can get.

 

[skiguy]

Gunstock would be a good location if you wanted to ski. It closed on 4/4 and I was scoping it out on Saturday. Plenty of snow cover. I'm planning to head up there this Saturday and see how far up I can get.

Give it heck Sherpa! It's amazing how Winter has given us late snow and alot of the areas are closing...but it does feel good to earn your turns.