I intended to climb camel's hump from Couching Lion (the east), which is usually a very well broken heavily travelled trail. There was about 2" of new snow in South Hero when I left the house. When I got to the Trailhead at ~1300', there was 1 other car and the parking lot was not plowed wtih 6-8" of new snow. The other car has just got there and there was another guy on skis I followed for about a mile. I passed him while he was taking a break enjoying the scenery (I was on snow shoes, he had ben breaking trail) and exchanged pleasentries(I thanked him for breaking trail and apologized since I knew I was going to ruin the virgin snow, a rarity on Camel's hump, but often a reason I choose to climb this mountain is so I do not have to break trail). From there on out I was breaking trail. I decided I did not want to have a real hard day so I decided to go to Wind Gap instead of up the Mountain. Between the junction of the Dean and Monroe Trail (~2300'?), I broke trail for about an hour to Wind Gap ~2800'. The snow was difficult to estimate how much there was due to windy conditions and drifting, but it was up to my waste in several locations. On average it was knee deep or a little less of light fluffy snow. It was snowing & blowing hard the whole hike. Very beautiful woods walk, by far the prettiest winter day this winter. I should be in the mountains today as there is not a cloud in the sky right now, hopefully you all are out enjoying it. I am going for a run instead today, have stuff to do around the house. I see it is supposed to get back to 30F something and rain by next weekend. I too hate this winter, which seems like it is about November 127th instead of March. But at least the fuel bills are not what they could have been given the high costs per gallon these days. I would not be surprised if it is still 30 something and raining through May.
