Mt Monadnock, whole lot of trails 1-1-12

[kerry13]

Conditions: No snow to speak of but a whole lot of ice. Everything above Falcon Spring has ice with some sections having a whole lot of ice. It is possible to rock hop through many ice sections right now, but just a coating of snow is going to make it tough going. We did Cascade Link, Red Spot, Pumpelly, White Dot and talked with folks who were on White Cross and White Arrow. It is all the same everywhere. Ice, ice, ice. I suspect Dublin is very icy. There are sections where traction was required. You just could not stand on the ice never mind walk. Slipperiest ice I have ever tried to walk on. From the ridge up rocks were all wet. Rocks were mostly okay, but some black ice. Ran into many patches of hydrated lichen which had frozen and might just as well have been solid ice, very slick stuff. Going to need a good bonding snowfall or a lot of warm weather and it doesn't look like either is coming soon.

Equipment: Micros and hillsounds worked today where needed but if the ice really hardens crampons would be wise. Poles were helpful but often difficult to dig into the ice. Was very warm today, 32 on summit and maybe 5-10 mph wind.

Comments: I wasn't expecting all the ice today. As often as I hike Monadnock I was totally caught off guard. From ridge to summit pretty much socked in till noon, with 50 ft visibility. Sunny at the bottom though.