TDawg
Well-known member
Got kind of a late start due to an exam that got out at 1205. Packed up and shot up to Franconia notch from Plymouth, NH to the Bridle Path parking area, geared up and hit the trail. Views were splendid on this clear, 45 degree plus day as I reached the ledges on Bridle Path in just under a half hour.
To my surprise I didn't hit snow and ice until about .3 or so below Greenleaf. I took a short break at the hut to add layers for the trip up Lafayette above treeline, there was a steady 20-30 mph wind coming from the south. Snow and ice in the .2 or .3 after the hut slowed me down a bit because I was barebooting, but other than that, the entire route was barebootable with poles.
Above treeline snow was maybe 6 inches at the most but staying on the rocks kept me out of it and I reached the summit at around 4:30 maybe. The sun was setting and it was very colorful and gorgeous going down over the Kinsmans and Cannon. Only stayed at the top for about 5 minutes and decided against hiking the ridge to Lincoln/Little Haystack due to the stiff wind and prolonged exposure, fading daylight, not knowing the condition of the ridge trail with my lack of crampons/stabilicers. I knew the Greenleaf/Bridle path route wasn't bad and it returned me below treeline faster in the dark, so I feel I made the smart decision.
Descending went very well and I was entertained by a beautiful sunset and messing around taking self-portraits of myself with my digi camera. Switched on my headlamp just above treeline and made my way down. Back at the ledges on Bridle Path I looked up and noticed that it was a clear night so I took a break and switched off my headlamp. There I sat in the dark for a bit and just took in the stars and the shadowy likenesses of Lafayette and Lincoln while munching on a granola bar. The rest of the way down was uneventful and I reached my car at 6:30 for the drive home. A successful day.
Pictures here
To my surprise I didn't hit snow and ice until about .3 or so below Greenleaf. I took a short break at the hut to add layers for the trip up Lafayette above treeline, there was a steady 20-30 mph wind coming from the south. Snow and ice in the .2 or .3 after the hut slowed me down a bit because I was barebooting, but other than that, the entire route was barebootable with poles.
Above treeline snow was maybe 6 inches at the most but staying on the rocks kept me out of it and I reached the summit at around 4:30 maybe. The sun was setting and it was very colorful and gorgeous going down over the Kinsmans and Cannon. Only stayed at the top for about 5 minutes and decided against hiking the ridge to Lincoln/Little Haystack due to the stiff wind and prolonged exposure, fading daylight, not knowing the condition of the ridge trail with my lack of crampons/stabilicers. I knew the Greenleaf/Bridle path route wasn't bad and it returned me below treeline faster in the dark, so I feel I made the smart decision.
Descending went very well and I was entertained by a beautiful sunset and messing around taking self-portraits of myself with my digi camera. Switched on my headlamp just above treeline and made my way down. Back at the ledges on Bridle Path I looked up and noticed that it was a clear night so I took a break and switched off my headlamp. There I sat in the dark for a bit and just took in the stars and the shadowy likenesses of Lafayette and Lincoln while munching on a granola bar. The rest of the way down was uneventful and I reached my car at 6:30 for the drive home. A successful day.
Pictures here
