Sliding Across the Tripyramids - 8/28/2010

[mtruman]

Last week when we were sitting on the summit of Osceola staring at all the beautiful mountains that surrounded us my eye kept getting drawn to the North Tripyramid Slide. Sure looked like a great climb. Figured we'd have to do that one soon. Today was the day.

I had the privilege of being accompanied by four lovely ladies for today's hike - Natalie, Valerie, Judy and Emma. It couldn't have been a better day to be in the mountains! After a pre-dawn departure from RI and a stop to pick up Val we were at the Livermore trailhead at 8:30 and ready to roll. The air was cool and clear and the sky was that almost-autumn blue. After a nice walk up Livermore we found ourselves at the start of the slabs on the North Slide. This was the first time on the Tripyramids for Nat and I and although Val, Judy and Emma had done them numerous times none of them had ever been up the slide. First times for everything....

The hike up the slide was AWESOME! After getting by the slick slabs at the bottom everyone got comfortable and we all enjoyed the gorgeous views. There were lots of VFTT folks on the trail today and we spent the day leapfrogging with a number of them. At the top of the slide we followed the obvious path - which turned out not to be the trail but more of an "interesting" bushwhack. A few scrapes later we were on North summit.

The walk across the summits was beautiful. This is a really nice walk and the soft paths were definitely a welcome change from the slide. All too quickly we were at the top of the South Slide and on our way down. We enjoyed the way down and managed to avoid any serious slide surfing. With the cool green woods waiting at the bottom (and the brook for Emma) it was a nice walk back out and a great end to a great day. Couldn't have asked for a better hike or a greater group of people (and dog) to have shared it with.

Emma heading up Livermore Rd

Getting to the slide

Osceola vistas

Steep on the slide

Judy getting the best of the slide

Almost on top

Nat gets a visitor

Great views

Nat and I on Middle Tripyramid for #21

Down the South Slide

Finally - a place to cool off!

Some signs of fall coming!!!

Complete album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mtruman42/Tripyramids82810#

 

[audrey]

Nice! The pictures give a good portrayal of what the slide is like, for those who may be a bit nervous about it.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Nice!

Nice job guys! Next time!

KDT

 

[Bob Kittredge]

Mark,

Nice meeting you and the gang. I'd met Kevin, Judy and Emma once before on a winter hike of Passaconaway, but hadn't reallized what a noisy, wheezy breather Emma is.

Toe Cozy was in another group at the top of North Slide.

 

[DougPaul]

This was the first time on the Tripyramids for Nat and I and although Val, Judy and Emma had done them numerous times none of them had ever been up the slide. First times for everything....

You mean there is another way?

Back in my college outing club days, that was the favorite route and I've always just done them that way.

Good fun.

Doug

 

[mtruman]

Thanks guys.

Audrey - not sure that any pics appropriately portray the steepness of the North Slide but I gave it a shot. I've got a pretty good case of acrophobia and I wasn't ever uncomfortable up there. Something everyone should experience!

Kevin - next time indeed! Holding you to that.

Bob - great meeting you and the other VFTT folks up there. Much nicer connecting on a mountain than online.

Doug - definitely no other way. This won't be the last time we do this route for sure...

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Mark,
After reading your report and seeing the pictures especially the great photos of the slide (maybe the best in recent memory), I think we are convinced that we need to slide across the Tripyramids this fall. How long did it take you and the girls to get up the slide?

Donna

 

[mtruman]

Donna - It took us a little less than 2 hours to get the the base of the slide and one hour from there to the top. Whole hike was right around 7 hours. This should be a great hike in the fall. I'll look forward to your TRs...