Night hiking?

[Scubahhh]

I'm thinking about climbing Moosilauke from Glencliff tonight, to arrive in time for sunrise. During the day it takes about two hours. It should be pretty dark, with clear skies but the moon already set, and a dense canopy most of the way. Would three hours be reasonable? Four?

Would Gorge Brook- about 1/2 mile shorter and southeast-facing be brighter/quicker?

Thanks!

 

[Driver8]

I've done the A.T. traverse and the Gorge Brook/A.T./Snapper loop. If you want the cleanest, easiest, least dark way up, I'd say take Snapper - avoids G.B.'s washout/reroute issue - to the Carriage Road, which is wide and open with a lot less to trip you up. I'd say it unquestionably would be the clearest way up with the fewest visibility issues. Might be a bit longer than G.B., but much clearer and easier. Snapper will slow you up in the dark, but the C.R. would be pretty close to normal pace, I'd guess, with a good headlamp.

 

[Driver8]

NB: the pre-dawn half hour to 45 minutes prior to sunrise has some of the most interesting light, so if you allow extra time and make it to the top earlier than expected, enjoy the show.

Agreed. A friend of mine and I and others who stayed at Beaver Brook Shelter had extraordinary views of the pre-dawn and the sunrise 7/7. Here are some pics I took - the real thing was much better, these pics only begin to capture the texture and subtlety of the light and color in the clouds:

 

[TJsName]

I find I hike faster at night. Fewer distractions perhaps. Also helps that it is cooler (at least for the larger people!).

 

[iagreewithjamie]

Great pictures. I love a good night hike... however, I always feel like something is out there watching me

 

[RoySwkr]

I only walk about half as fast at night, of course that depends on trail surface and whether I am in a hurry. Usually I walk without lights or with only a dim light to get the night hiking sensory experience. I can see that with a really bright light you could walk faster, but that's not usually my goal.

 

[Becca M]

winter at night is amazing - Tecumseh was AWESOME - snow formations were really cool lit up by the headlamp!!!

 

[DougPaul]

winter at night is amazing - Tecumseh was AWESOME - snow formations were really cool lit up by the headlamp!!!

I hear that night BC skiing can be nice too...

Headlamps also work better on white carpets than on dirt, rocks, brush, and leaf litter.

Doug

 

[TJsName]

I hear that night BC skiing can be nice too...

Headlamps also work better on white carpets than on dirt, rocks, brush, and leaf litter.

Doug

It is - definitely better with a headlamp though. We skied out on the Pemi East Side trail to the Wilderness/Cedar Brook Junction and came back in the dark without headlamps. It's an interesting sensation for sure.

 

[The Unstrung Harp]

Good thread. I'd recommend bringing extra batteries or extra headlamp. Also a map, even if you are in a familiar area, since it is really easy to get confused in the dark. And post a million pics!!!

 

[natron]

I go slightly slower at night, less margin for error and I usually try for easier trails... use of headlamps for hiking has made it really easy to see sunrises and sunsets from summits.. however take extra care in your navigation, I find open woods with little to no-blazing offer more challenge at night vs. day.. tight corridor trails are nice at night.

 

[Dana]

I hear that night BC skiing can be nice too...

BC skiing on a moonlit night is a wonderful experience. No artificial light necessary.

I've long wanted to stay at Madison hut on a full moon night and climb Mt. Adams in the moonlight. Seeing Star Lake in the moonlight, with all the white quartz rocks must be a surreal sight, too.

I often start hikes in the dark. I'll drive to wherever I'm hiking after work, arriving at perhaps 10pm or midnight, then hike a mile or so in the dark and crash. That way I wake up already in the woods and get an early start.

 

[Stan]

I hear that night BC skiing can be nice too...

I'll bet it is especially nice for orthopedic surgeons.

 

[DougPaul]

I'll bet it is especially nice for orthopedic surgeons.

No, that's daytime BC skiing. Night is fine.

Doug