Playing on Lafayette 2-12-11

[grouseking]

From near the Hut

I considered this as Lafayette, take 2. A few short weeks ago, Mattl, and our friends Justin and Chris attempted to get to treeline via Skookumchuck trail, after a couple feet of snow fell. Not a good idea, due to the difficulty of following the trail without snow, and that we had to break trail. This time around, Matt, Justin and I took the Old Bridle Path to the hut, which in my opinion was the way we should have tried last time. But anyways back to your regularly scheduled report.

We got a slightly later start than the 8:30 planned time, but alas, not a big deal, thanks to the fact that it doesn't get dark till after 5pm. Skies in the morning were beautifully clear with lots of lenticular clouds around. The view up to Cannon was stunning.

The temp was a cold, but not bitter 15 degrees. Winds were surprisingly light, but the weather for late afternoon was for deteriorating conditions, snow squalls and potentially up to hurricane force winds, so time was of the essence.

We all considered this the hike of the year, because the snow on the ground was as high as it has been thus far this season, and since there might be a thaw later next week, we wanted to get up there to get some pics. So off we went, on our way towards the Agonies, and eventually treeline. If I took anything from this hike, it was the snow depth. Even at the lowest elevations....the l

on this glacial erratic is awesome.

A solid 25 inches on that log

We made fairly decent timing up to the first view points, then the pace slowed, mainly due to taking tons of pictures. I took a total of 140 pics before I even made it to the hut.

Limited views of rugged Franconia Ridge. Clouds make them appear massive.

Mattl

OH AG-OOOH-NYY!

Snow walrus!

We met some intense backcountry skiers at the trailhead, who said they were heading off to ski some slides on Lincoln. Matt spotted them on our way up. I couldn't see them, but after taking a pic and looking at it.....wow

Lookin back

Justin heading up the Agonies

Full on winter wonderland before the hut

cont in a min

 

[grouseking]

Part 2

Well, by now, I was pretty dead. I'm def still not used to full on winter conditions, so making it to Greenleaf Hut was quite the accomplishment for me. Conditions up there were otherworldly...

Franconia Ridge was desperately trying to clear for at least a few min...

Being up at the hut this time of year is really neat, the drifting was impressive, even though it is somewhat sheltered.

Hikers pressing on

I decided to head up to treeline to get a feeling of what it is like. TTYL Greenleaf.

Cloudy but impressive views opened up down I 93.

I love this vantage point of Cannon Mt and the Hut, because it almost looks like Cannon is "just around the corner." Unless you know the local topography, you might not notice there is a deep notch in between the two.

At this point, a group of French Canadian hikers from Sherbrooke came down the trail. We exchanged hellos, and apparently, I must have moved just a little too far off trail, because I immediately fell into the deepest spruce trap I have "prisoned" myself in....and to make matters worse I was wearing my three foot snowshoes. Getting out was not an easy thing thats for sure. The hikers attempted to pull me out, which was definitely impossible. After awhile one of them jumped in with me....and I can't remember exactly how he got me out, but suddenly I was able to shimmy just enough to get one leg out, and then I got the rest of my body back onto the trail. How do I get myself into this garbage? First a bog earlier this winter, and now this. haha Well no harm, just another learning experience.... I decided that at this point it was time to turn around and head back to the hut. I wasn't feeling any more climbing! The group was very kind and walked back to the hut with me. If you guys are on views, THANKS!!! You're good people!

The rest of my hiking group hadn't committed to summit Lafayette, but in reality that was what they did. I guess the conditions were just good enough for a complete hike. Either way, I waited at the hut for them to return. I saw a pretty steady band of snow showers approach from across the notch, and after a few minutes, they descended on Lafayette.

There might be a little smudge on the pic (due to falling in the spruce trap) but I still kinda like this pic.

MMM snow

Before long, Matt and Justin came back, letting me know they summited. After a few minute break, off we went down the Bridal Path. I got to try my hand in butt sliding, which was mostly a success. I was a little nervous at first, but you get used to it...just let the hill do all the work! Below the steep agonies, a pretty nice snow squall moved in. There is something about being on an fairly exposed ridge during heavier snow, and wind.

Weather goin downhill!

The snow squall didn't last very long, and was by the time we got below the ridge, it was done. After that, it was the normal long slog out. My poles broke, so I was extra cautious on the way down. By 5 pm or so, we were out of the woods, and back at the parking lot, just in time for another snow squall to move in. It was a fun ride back to Lebanon. If anyone has traveled Rt 118 in Dorchester, NH you know what I'm talking about. They got hit with a few inches of snow, and not one plow had touched that section of road at the height of land!

Overall, a great hike. I may need to ask some family members to help me buy some winter boots, because the ones I have just aren't cutting it anymore. Ooh, and snow pants, too....and some poles, as mine are now officially busted! If anyone wants to start a "help grouseking fund because he has a job that pays him less than nothing," go for it!!

Pics

http://grouseking.smugmug.com/New-H...Greenleaf-Hut/15818640_MqJwp#1186029975_SEbPR

 

[grouseking]

One more shot

I forgot about this one, makes me laugh every time, Mattl in a spruce trap, and he appears less than concerned. I guess after his trials and tribulations with his lifetime of hiking, this was just a drop in the bucket.

 

[ksearl]

Wow, looks like an awesome trip! The back country skiers down Lincoln are pretty cool! I'm assuming the slide was on the west slopes since you saw them heading up the Bridal Path? You guys certainly did get a lot of pictures and they are all great. Heading out in a snow squall must have also been nice...I think hiking, while it's snowing, is extremely peaceful.

Thanks for sharing,
Karl

 

[grouseking]

Wow, looks like an awesome trip! The back country skiers down Lincoln are pretty cool! I'm assuming the slide was on the west slopes since you saw them heading up the Bridal Path? You guys certainly did get a lot of pictures and they are all great. Heading out in a snow squall must have also been nice...I think hiking, while it's snowing, is extremely peaceful.

Thanks for sharing,
Karl

Thanks Karl. The skiers...wow! Looks fun/dangerous. Then again, most of my friends think I'm nuts hiking in mid winter, so I def cannot judge. Yea, we saw them heading up the Bridle Path, and I believe it was one of the Lincoln Slides. Glad you liked the pics...it was calm enough to stop and get some neat shots. Hiking in the snow is peaceful, though with squalls comes gusty winds, walking along a fairly steep ledge, so it was far from peaceful for a few minutes. Once out of that area, yes it was quite serene.

 

[BIGEarl]

Hey grouseking,

Very nice report and pictures. A few spruce traps always add some entertainment to the day. It's not always entertaining to be the one in the trap.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[NeoAkela]

Grouseking,

That was an exceptionally interesting and entertaining report with great photos - thank you for sharing that! Makes me want to head up there right now!