DayTrip
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- May 13, 2013
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I've been following many of the recent trip reports of incredible hikes in the Northern Presidentials, the links to photos on people's blogs, etc despite pretty foul weather conditions. One of the things that seems glaringly obvious is that any evidence of the trail (footpath, worn areas, cairns and even signs) are not at all visible as winter gets up to speed in these areas. I've perused many photos of areas I'm familiar with the rest of the year and they look nothing like they do now.
So I'm wondering specifically how people are planning these trips and navigating these hikes above tree line. You can't simply count on it being sunny the whole time so you can see where you are at all times and the winds appear to obliterate even the freshest tracks of previous hikers so you're pretty much on your own the entire time.
1) Do you sketch out the hike on a map with compass bearings, etc? What if you get off your waypoints or pre-planned locations?
2) Are you only taking routes you have done many, many, many times before so you are extremely familiar with them?
I assume people are doing more than just heading out there with a big breakfast under their belt and a GPS. I'd love to have someone give me a "walk through" of the steps they take when going out well beyond tree line to summit some of the bigger mountains you find in the Presidentials or Franconia Ridge. I routinely over prepare for all my hikes (map photocopies, estimated times, copy of the weather, trail condition reviews, etc) mostly because I just enjoy the research and planning and it gets me psyched for the upcoming hike. But I'd imagine for this type of venture there a lot of REQUIRED planning steps in order to navigate properly and stay safe. I own and know how to use a compass and GPS but I've never really gone out on a hike following a list of bearings. Not something you really need following posted trails.
My season ending goal is to do a "starter" above tree line experience like Pierce-Eisenhower or Madison to get more exposure to the navigating aspect of it. (I did the Lowes Path to Adams 4 and back down the Spur Path on November 29th of this year. Roughly 2.5 miles above tree line on a crystal clear day about -5 deg F with 5-10mph winds and some snow but nothing like what it is now). I've spent most of the year tweaking my layering, gear choices, etc so I want to dial in on the navigational aspect of these trips now. As always any advice is greatly appreciated.
So I'm wondering specifically how people are planning these trips and navigating these hikes above tree line. You can't simply count on it being sunny the whole time so you can see where you are at all times and the winds appear to obliterate even the freshest tracks of previous hikers so you're pretty much on your own the entire time.
1) Do you sketch out the hike on a map with compass bearings, etc? What if you get off your waypoints or pre-planned locations?
2) Are you only taking routes you have done many, many, many times before so you are extremely familiar with them?
I assume people are doing more than just heading out there with a big breakfast under their belt and a GPS. I'd love to have someone give me a "walk through" of the steps they take when going out well beyond tree line to summit some of the bigger mountains you find in the Presidentials or Franconia Ridge. I routinely over prepare for all my hikes (map photocopies, estimated times, copy of the weather, trail condition reviews, etc) mostly because I just enjoy the research and planning and it gets me psyched for the upcoming hike. But I'd imagine for this type of venture there a lot of REQUIRED planning steps in order to navigate properly and stay safe. I own and know how to use a compass and GPS but I've never really gone out on a hike following a list of bearings. Not something you really need following posted trails.
My season ending goal is to do a "starter" above tree line experience like Pierce-Eisenhower or Madison to get more exposure to the navigating aspect of it. (I did the Lowes Path to Adams 4 and back down the Spur Path on November 29th of this year. Roughly 2.5 miles above tree line on a crystal clear day about -5 deg F with 5-10mph winds and some snow but nothing like what it is now). I've spent most of the year tweaking my layering, gear choices, etc so I want to dial in on the navigational aspect of these trips now. As always any advice is greatly appreciated.