albee
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Okay, did you actually think I would write a trip report about an amusement park ride? Heck, no! But the Fool Killer really is the name of a New Hampshire 100 Highest peak and, needless to say, I survived this menacingly-monikered bit of bushwhackery.
Saturday's hiking plans were literally up in the air. The blowing, frosty, dare I say it - WINTRY air. Plan A was to meet Oncoman and Rejean for a Hale-Zealand-Bonds traverse but the plug got pulled on that one at 5:30 AM when they both pulled into Zealand Road's parking area with that look in their eyes. It was still snowing and it had been quite windy in Lincoln, so they made the call to abort this mission. I was fine with this decision since I hadn't had much sleep that night myself, and hiking 23 miles through the teeth of the Pemi is generally best done when one is feeling energized.
Plan B was hatched on the spot. We would go to Sawyer River Rd and hike Carrigain and Vose Spur. After a cautious drive through whipping wind and snow in Crawford Notch, we arrived at the trailhead in darkness. I sat there looking out my window and I just couldn't draw the strength to leave my warm car and commit to hours of trudging through the elements in my tired state. I reluctantly informed my companions that I was out. I needed rest.
After driving to North Conway and napping in my car for an hour and 15 minutes, I awoke to blue skies and reasonable temperatures. I remembered Plan C - a group was heading for the TriPyramids starting at 9 AM. I got to Pine Bend Brook Trailhead with time to spare, and waited a good 20 minutes, but nobody showed. There was a group on the trail before me, so I looked at my map and decided to bag the TriPyramids along with a couple NHHH peaks that I had never done - Scaur Peak and The Fool Killer. Time permitting, of course.
I headed out and marveled at the 3-6" of fresh snow that coated everything. The group ahead had packed out the trail nicely, and I soon found myself struggling up the head of Pine Bend Brook and switching to crampons for better traction. I reached the ridge and quickly turned right, following a hint of a herdpath up to the summit area of Scaur Peak. It is quite an easy one as far as bushwhacks go - open woods and a clearly defined high point with a Ragu jar for signing in. I left my mark in the log and headed over to the "Trips".
North TriPyramid always kicks my butt. Nothing much to add to that comment, it pretty much sums it up. After reaching the top and admiring the views I knew that the majority of climbing for the day was behind me. I bounded down to the col and made my way up Middle TriPyramid, just as the group ahead of me were descending. At the rear of the group was a familiar face. I finally got my introduction to Hiker Ed Hawkins whom I had passed on the Osceolas last Saturday. Ed was his usual gregarious self, and gave me some good advice on my planned route to the Fool Killer. (He basically confirmed that my chosen route was suitable, which was all the reinforcement I needed.) I tagged the summit of Middle, and soaked in the views for a few minutes. This was the windiest spot on the entire hike and I was excited to start my big challenge, so I got going right away.
Back in the col between North and Middle TriPyramids, I found the untracked terminus of the Sabbaday Brook Trail. My plan was to descend until I got to a good spot to cross the brook somewhere around 3100' and climb up and to the east from there. I made quick work of navigating down the steep section of the SBT, and got some good looks at the Fool and a really nice area of open hardwoods where I planned to make my ascent. I finally left the trail behind after it traversed east for a bit and made a sharp switchback as it reached the brook. I was at a little over 3000' and I just headed for the path of least resistance, bearing a bit to my right when possible. Without running into anything I would consider nasty, I gained the ridge in about 30 minutes and made my way southeast and uphill to the high point of land. The whole top of the ridge was delightfully open softwoods, it was extremely easy to walk through. I even remember making a mental note that this would make a good backcountry camping spot some day. I found the jar at the summit quite easily but there hadn't been an entry since October '06. The logbook had been replaced last year so I didn't have a chance to look back through the years at the entries from the legends of NE 'whackin.
At this point I had to choose which way to return to my car. I had two lines for bushwhacking back, or I could descend back to the Sabbaday Brook trail for the simplest route. I chose the latter, despite the fact that it was only 1:45 and there was plenty of daylight left. I was back on the SBT 20 minutes later, and I changed to snowshoes for the long trek back to the road. Not much else to report for the trip out - the snow was unbroken and I had a blast bounding and meandering down the trail at my own pace. All the water crossings were fine - I don't recommend jumping on the ice, but if you're cautious you should be able to cross each one without difficulty. I got to the road at 3:27 and walked most of the way back to the PBB trailhead before hitching a ride with 0.2 miles to go.
To my surprise, the group that I had encountered on Middle TriPyramid was just returning, and I had another chance to share stories with Hiker Ed and the crew. I had missed Tom and Atticus on the trail, who I really would like to have finally met. Hopefully he will post another of his eloquent TRs.
That's all I have to report for now. And if you're ever hiking in the shadow of the Fool Killer, don't be afraid. At least one fool made it out alive!
Saturday's hiking plans were literally up in the air. The blowing, frosty, dare I say it - WINTRY air. Plan A was to meet Oncoman and Rejean for a Hale-Zealand-Bonds traverse but the plug got pulled on that one at 5:30 AM when they both pulled into Zealand Road's parking area with that look in their eyes. It was still snowing and it had been quite windy in Lincoln, so they made the call to abort this mission. I was fine with this decision since I hadn't had much sleep that night myself, and hiking 23 miles through the teeth of the Pemi is generally best done when one is feeling energized.
Plan B was hatched on the spot. We would go to Sawyer River Rd and hike Carrigain and Vose Spur. After a cautious drive through whipping wind and snow in Crawford Notch, we arrived at the trailhead in darkness. I sat there looking out my window and I just couldn't draw the strength to leave my warm car and commit to hours of trudging through the elements in my tired state. I reluctantly informed my companions that I was out. I needed rest.
After driving to North Conway and napping in my car for an hour and 15 minutes, I awoke to blue skies and reasonable temperatures. I remembered Plan C - a group was heading for the TriPyramids starting at 9 AM. I got to Pine Bend Brook Trailhead with time to spare, and waited a good 20 minutes, but nobody showed. There was a group on the trail before me, so I looked at my map and decided to bag the TriPyramids along with a couple NHHH peaks that I had never done - Scaur Peak and The Fool Killer. Time permitting, of course.
I headed out and marveled at the 3-6" of fresh snow that coated everything. The group ahead had packed out the trail nicely, and I soon found myself struggling up the head of Pine Bend Brook and switching to crampons for better traction. I reached the ridge and quickly turned right, following a hint of a herdpath up to the summit area of Scaur Peak. It is quite an easy one as far as bushwhacks go - open woods and a clearly defined high point with a Ragu jar for signing in. I left my mark in the log and headed over to the "Trips".
North TriPyramid always kicks my butt. Nothing much to add to that comment, it pretty much sums it up. After reaching the top and admiring the views I knew that the majority of climbing for the day was behind me. I bounded down to the col and made my way up Middle TriPyramid, just as the group ahead of me were descending. At the rear of the group was a familiar face. I finally got my introduction to Hiker Ed Hawkins whom I had passed on the Osceolas last Saturday. Ed was his usual gregarious self, and gave me some good advice on my planned route to the Fool Killer. (He basically confirmed that my chosen route was suitable, which was all the reinforcement I needed.) I tagged the summit of Middle, and soaked in the views for a few minutes. This was the windiest spot on the entire hike and I was excited to start my big challenge, so I got going right away.
Back in the col between North and Middle TriPyramids, I found the untracked terminus of the Sabbaday Brook Trail. My plan was to descend until I got to a good spot to cross the brook somewhere around 3100' and climb up and to the east from there. I made quick work of navigating down the steep section of the SBT, and got some good looks at the Fool and a really nice area of open hardwoods where I planned to make my ascent. I finally left the trail behind after it traversed east for a bit and made a sharp switchback as it reached the brook. I was at a little over 3000' and I just headed for the path of least resistance, bearing a bit to my right when possible. Without running into anything I would consider nasty, I gained the ridge in about 30 minutes and made my way southeast and uphill to the high point of land. The whole top of the ridge was delightfully open softwoods, it was extremely easy to walk through. I even remember making a mental note that this would make a good backcountry camping spot some day. I found the jar at the summit quite easily but there hadn't been an entry since October '06. The logbook had been replaced last year so I didn't have a chance to look back through the years at the entries from the legends of NE 'whackin.
At this point I had to choose which way to return to my car. I had two lines for bushwhacking back, or I could descend back to the Sabbaday Brook trail for the simplest route. I chose the latter, despite the fact that it was only 1:45 and there was plenty of daylight left. I was back on the SBT 20 minutes later, and I changed to snowshoes for the long trek back to the road. Not much else to report for the trip out - the snow was unbroken and I had a blast bounding and meandering down the trail at my own pace. All the water crossings were fine - I don't recommend jumping on the ice, but if you're cautious you should be able to cross each one without difficulty. I got to the road at 3:27 and walked most of the way back to the PBB trailhead before hitching a ride with 0.2 miles to go.
To my surprise, the group that I had encountered on Middle TriPyramid was just returning, and I had another chance to share stories with Hiker Ed and the crew. I had missed Tom and Atticus on the trail, who I really would like to have finally met. Hopefully he will post another of his eloquent TRs.
That's all I have to report for now. And if you're ever hiking in the shadow of the Fool Killer, don't be afraid. At least one fool made it out alive!
