M
MountainVisions
Guest
Date of Hike: 12/5/10
Trails: Stimson, Felix Alder to Round via Dix trail and back to St. Huberts.
Trail Conditions: Icy, some blow down that has already been herd path around, wet and muddy between the Felix Alder and Stimson Trails. No real snow accumulation.
Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes, not needed. Crampons, potentially essential, certainly required for safety in at least 2 very steep icy sections. Yaktrax/Stabilicers/Microspikes, probably needed for about 80% of the hike if you stay on the trail.
Comments: Weather much better than expected, wind not nearly as bad as forecast, hiking at this time of the year is tough. Steep sections covered with ice are harder than the average 3 season hiker is used to, and do occasionally require some intermediate use of crampons. That said, my young dog without any pre-winter hiking experience made it up and down the icy trails with minimal help. Unfortunately conditions are such that crampons might be needed for short stretches followed by stretches of dry rock and dirt. Alternate traction like Yak Trax or similar can be useful for these lower angle stretches but in my opinion you are asking for an accident on several sections without real mountain traction. November in Adirondacks=tough on knees and joints!
Trip report and photos (eventually) found here: http://mountainvisions.blogspot.com
Trails: Stimson, Felix Alder to Round via Dix trail and back to St. Huberts.
Trail Conditions: Icy, some blow down that has already been herd path around, wet and muddy between the Felix Alder and Stimson Trails. No real snow accumulation.
Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes, not needed. Crampons, potentially essential, certainly required for safety in at least 2 very steep icy sections. Yaktrax/Stabilicers/Microspikes, probably needed for about 80% of the hike if you stay on the trail.
Comments: Weather much better than expected, wind not nearly as bad as forecast, hiking at this time of the year is tough. Steep sections covered with ice are harder than the average 3 season hiker is used to, and do occasionally require some intermediate use of crampons. That said, my young dog without any pre-winter hiking experience made it up and down the icy trails with minimal help. Unfortunately conditions are such that crampons might be needed for short stretches followed by stretches of dry rock and dirt. Alternate traction like Yak Trax or similar can be useful for these lower angle stretches but in my opinion you are asking for an accident on several sections without real mountain traction. November in Adirondacks=tough on knees and joints!
Trip report and photos (eventually) found here: http://mountainvisions.blogspot.com
