Becca M
Active member
Date of Hike: November 27-28
Peaks: North Hancock, South Hancock
Route: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook, Hancock Loop, bushwhack, Hancock Notch Trail
(Sorry - we didn't have a camera!!! - no pictures!!)
Comments: The purpose of this hike was to do the Hancocks in a unique way. I was getting tired of the usual loop and was looking to explore more of the area, especially to the east of the peaks. We had a great group and a beautiful day. Based on earlier trip reports, we knew to expect some crusty snow and ice.
The trip to the North Peak (first) was uneventful. We didn’t have any views from the outlook, but, it always seems to be in the clouds more often than not when I’m there!!! Then, we were happy along the ridge to hit the mudholes mostly frozen – a nice treat!!! Finally, we tagged South Hancock.
From there, I will be non-specific, but, we bushwhacked in the general area to the east of the main ridge. Some areas were, in general, a little thicker than I was expecting, but, we avoided the cliffs. Within a half hour I had shredded much of both of the sleeves of my old shell – but, it was for bushwhacking, so OH WELL. Maybe they can be sewn (lots of zig-zagging???) back together for the next adventure? The problem was that now my arms would be exposed to the snow/water. I still had a couple of fleeces.
Eventually, we wound up on a nice drainage with pretty good footing. I would guess we moved at ½ MPH. We all had good waterproof winter boots, and they proved to be sealed well. After a while longer, we enjoyed the solitude of the setting sun, put on our headlamps, and thought through our options. I was trying not to panic, knowing at this point what lay ahead, that my family would be alarmed….
We decided to follow the river (Sawyer) east (downstream) and occasionally south, hoping to maybe still hit the trail. Crossing the icy rocks in the dark with headlamps was a definite challenge of concentration. We did find some VERY steep rocky areas.
We knew that the eastern portion of the Hancock Notch Trail could be obscure. What was so weird was that all of a sudden we saw faint footprints in the 3-4” of snow. We knew they weren’t our footprints, but, we could not believe we actually found the trail and someone had been on it!!!! That feeling was AWESOME!!!! Whoever made those prints – a HUGE THANK-YOU out to you!!!! We were able to follow the trail BECAUSE of those footprints!!!!
We picked our way 6-7 miles back to the trailhead – it was to be a LONG night in the occasionally blustery wind at around 15F-20F. I was trying to not check my watch. It was late and I felt horrible for my family, who would be worrying about me. We do carry enough equipment to spend the night, but, I didn’t want to see dawn either. There is also no cell phone reception, not that we were counting on it.
It was definitely pretty watching the snow and stars through the headlamp, but, the happiest moment was when I saw that big “>” arrow at the hairpin turn on the Kanc!!!! A few minutes later, a car passed, turned around, and stopped – it was my brother—freaking out and searching the Kanc for me in the middle of the night.
Lessons learned: 1) stay together, 2) you’re carrying all that stuff for a reason, and 3) Be more thankful – thankful for the group, my family, and, occasionally, signs of civilization!!!
Peaks: North Hancock, South Hancock
Route: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook, Hancock Loop, bushwhack, Hancock Notch Trail
(Sorry - we didn't have a camera!!! - no pictures!!)
Comments: The purpose of this hike was to do the Hancocks in a unique way. I was getting tired of the usual loop and was looking to explore more of the area, especially to the east of the peaks. We had a great group and a beautiful day. Based on earlier trip reports, we knew to expect some crusty snow and ice.
The trip to the North Peak (first) was uneventful. We didn’t have any views from the outlook, but, it always seems to be in the clouds more often than not when I’m there!!! Then, we were happy along the ridge to hit the mudholes mostly frozen – a nice treat!!! Finally, we tagged South Hancock.
From there, I will be non-specific, but, we bushwhacked in the general area to the east of the main ridge. Some areas were, in general, a little thicker than I was expecting, but, we avoided the cliffs. Within a half hour I had shredded much of both of the sleeves of my old shell – but, it was for bushwhacking, so OH WELL. Maybe they can be sewn (lots of zig-zagging???) back together for the next adventure? The problem was that now my arms would be exposed to the snow/water. I still had a couple of fleeces.
Eventually, we wound up on a nice drainage with pretty good footing. I would guess we moved at ½ MPH. We all had good waterproof winter boots, and they proved to be sealed well. After a while longer, we enjoyed the solitude of the setting sun, put on our headlamps, and thought through our options. I was trying not to panic, knowing at this point what lay ahead, that my family would be alarmed….
We decided to follow the river (Sawyer) east (downstream) and occasionally south, hoping to maybe still hit the trail. Crossing the icy rocks in the dark with headlamps was a definite challenge of concentration. We did find some VERY steep rocky areas.
We knew that the eastern portion of the Hancock Notch Trail could be obscure. What was so weird was that all of a sudden we saw faint footprints in the 3-4” of snow. We knew they weren’t our footprints, but, we could not believe we actually found the trail and someone had been on it!!!! That feeling was AWESOME!!!! Whoever made those prints – a HUGE THANK-YOU out to you!!!! We were able to follow the trail BECAUSE of those footprints!!!!
We picked our way 6-7 miles back to the trailhead – it was to be a LONG night in the occasionally blustery wind at around 15F-20F. I was trying to not check my watch. It was late and I felt horrible for my family, who would be worrying about me. We do carry enough equipment to spend the night, but, I didn’t want to see dawn either. There is also no cell phone reception, not that we were counting on it.
It was definitely pretty watching the snow and stars through the headlamp, but, the happiest moment was when I saw that big “>” arrow at the hairpin turn on the Kanc!!!! A few minutes later, a car passed, turned around, and stopped – it was my brother—freaking out and searching the Kanc for me in the middle of the night.
Lessons learned: 1) stay together, 2) you’re carrying all that stuff for a reason, and 3) Be more thankful – thankful for the group, my family, and, occasionally, signs of civilization!!!
