PETCH
New member
Mount Whiteface and Mount Passaconaway via Blueberry Ledge trail, Rollins Trail, and Dicey Mills Trail
Trail Conditions: Blueberry Ledge trail was hard packed. Microspikes helpful for traction. Microspikes or crampons required for ledges below summit. Rollins Trail was packed out as well. Dicey Mills was packed out, microspikes helpful on steep sections. Water crossings were bridged.
CB (CrazyBob for those of you not following along at home), and I on another hiking adventure seeking the quest for the 48. Another beautiful day in store as we begin our drive west on RT25 through ME into NH. Before too long we were in “Rocket” country (you could almost feel his presence), going through Tamworth with the final destination of Ferncroft. We were the first ones in the parking lot. We shouldered up the packs and began our walk up the icy dirt road (More on that later) at 8am.
We began bare-booting with heavy packs. Snowshoes, crampons, ice axes, all strapped to the packs. Trail conditions were fast, and we hiked in a mile or so before putting on microspikes. CB had these black rubber microspikes which I had never seen before. We made good time up the Blueberry Ledge Trail with some great viewpoints along the way.
Picture of CrazyBob with Chocorua in the distance
Then we hit the ledges below the summit of Whiteface and took out our ice axes for assistance. The ledges were fun going up, but I wouldn’t want to go down this way with all the ice.
Pic of CrazyBob going up the ledges on Whiteface
We ate some, then were off on the Rollins trail. This trail seemed to go on for ever on the way to Passawhichaway. Finally we hit the Dicey Mills junction. There are 2 trails heading up to Passagasaway. We figured we’d make a loop of it, and went up the steeper trail to the right. It certainly was pretty darn steep and my legs were beginning to feel it. Up and over and down the trail more traveled.
Petch dressed in full Anti-Grey Jay Camouflage (patent pending)- “It’s working, no Grey Jays”
The descent down to Ferncroft was very picturesque, but I had pretty much had enough and just wanted to be back at the truck. At one point, I actually laid down in the trail and demanded a nap like a 2 year old. CB began hurling profanities at me and eventually I got up and continued. Finally we hit the end of the trail and began walking down the road.
I removed my microspikes within site of the parking area. Seconds later in a fatigued state, I slipped on the ice and twisted my left knee, temporarily dislocating my knee cap. A few selective words out of my mouth and the familiar burning sensation returned to my knee. I hobbled back to the truck. This occurs so often, that my knee barely swells anymore……It felt fine a few days later. The humanity.....
Hiking stats: 12 miles, 7hrs 15min (including naps)
Slideshow ^
Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767
Trail Conditions: Blueberry Ledge trail was hard packed. Microspikes helpful for traction. Microspikes or crampons required for ledges below summit. Rollins Trail was packed out as well. Dicey Mills was packed out, microspikes helpful on steep sections. Water crossings were bridged.
CB (CrazyBob for those of you not following along at home), and I on another hiking adventure seeking the quest for the 48. Another beautiful day in store as we begin our drive west on RT25 through ME into NH. Before too long we were in “Rocket” country (you could almost feel his presence), going through Tamworth with the final destination of Ferncroft. We were the first ones in the parking lot. We shouldered up the packs and began our walk up the icy dirt road (More on that later) at 8am.
We began bare-booting with heavy packs. Snowshoes, crampons, ice axes, all strapped to the packs. Trail conditions were fast, and we hiked in a mile or so before putting on microspikes. CB had these black rubber microspikes which I had never seen before. We made good time up the Blueberry Ledge Trail with some great viewpoints along the way.
Picture of CrazyBob with Chocorua in the distance
Then we hit the ledges below the summit of Whiteface and took out our ice axes for assistance. The ledges were fun going up, but I wouldn’t want to go down this way with all the ice.
Pic of CrazyBob going up the ledges on Whiteface
We ate some, then were off on the Rollins trail. This trail seemed to go on for ever on the way to Passawhichaway. Finally we hit the Dicey Mills junction. There are 2 trails heading up to Passagasaway. We figured we’d make a loop of it, and went up the steeper trail to the right. It certainly was pretty darn steep and my legs were beginning to feel it. Up and over and down the trail more traveled.
Petch dressed in full Anti-Grey Jay Camouflage (patent pending)- “It’s working, no Grey Jays”
The descent down to Ferncroft was very picturesque, but I had pretty much had enough and just wanted to be back at the truck. At one point, I actually laid down in the trail and demanded a nap like a 2 year old. CB began hurling profanities at me and eventually I got up and continued. Finally we hit the end of the trail and began walking down the road.
I removed my microspikes within site of the parking area. Seconds later in a fatigued state, I slipped on the ice and twisted my left knee, temporarily dislocating my knee cap. A few selective words out of my mouth and the familiar burning sensation returned to my knee. I hobbled back to the truck. This occurs so often, that my knee barely swells anymore……It felt fine a few days later. The humanity.....
Hiking stats: 12 miles, 7hrs 15min (including naps)
Slideshow ^
Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767
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