The Striped Cat is in the Bag for #43, 05/16/2009

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PETCH

New member
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
398
Reaction score
88
Location
Windham, Me
Peaks/Trails: Mt Garfield via Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail.

Trail Conditions: Trail starts out dry then gets wet in spots with elevation gain. Kudos to the trail maintainer who looks to have been very busy clearing drainage areas and blowdowns. Still many blowdowns left, but easily climbed over or under. Snow started appearing above 3500ft or so. Then remained consistent through the switchbacks to just below the summit. Solid monorail but softening with increasing temps. Snow was stable enough to support us. Stream crossings weren’t too bad- rockhoppable with slightly wet boots.

Special Equipment: We all brought snowshoes along for the ride. Poles helpful during crossings. Some bugs noticeable at the parking area.

Cast of Characters: CrazyBob, Keith(Kpmmbm), and Petch

Commentary: Well enough with the 3K’s!. I mean they were nice and all, but I hadn’t done a 4K in 2 months and was jonesing for some elevation. The drive up through Crawford Notch did not look promising with clouds socked in on the higher peaks. We were hoping that the clouds would burn off as the morning went on….
The Gale River road is open and we were able to park at the summer trailhead. The lot was just about full.
Keith had already hit Garfield last month for his 4K list, and agreed to come along as CrazyBob and I went for #43. We set off on the Garfield Trail at a gentlemen’s time (What does that mean?) of 8:45am. The climb up went fast and we watched the clouds dissipate. I am going to load CrazyBob's pack with cans of PBR on the next hike. 2 1/4 mph going uphill is just too fast!

Trailside bloomage
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About 2/3rds of the way up we started hitting patches of snow. As we started on the switchbacks, we entered the shade and cooler temps. Snow took over the trail, but cool conditions kept the snow mostly firm. We were able to bare-boot with minimal kitten killing. The snowshoes were getting a free ride today. Then we hit the Garfield Ridge Trail and made our way up through the final .2mile section.
We layered up as the wind could be heard whipping through the trees. Then, boom! View-city. The clouds had pretty much disappeared and we had 360 degree views from the peak of Garfield. Just Plain outstanding views. We ducked into the concrete structure to escape the wind, and grabbed some lunch while just absorbing all that Mother Nature had to offer.
The pics say it all:

Next 4K on the list: Owlshead
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Franconia Ridge
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The Twins and Galehead
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Tres Hombres with Lafayette in the backdrop
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We hung out for a while and chatted with a solo hiker who was doing a semi-pemi two day trip. Then back into the trees for the descent. The hike down went smooth and the we were back down to the car by 2pm. A quick stop at the Moat and EMS and back to Maine. It’s all good.

Two more hikes to complete the quest for 48: Owlshead, and the Zealand/ Bonds Traverse. Two formidable opponents......

Trip stats: about 10 miles, about 3100 ft of elevation gain, 5 hrs 15 min


Slideshow ^


Blurry and Digital Camera user impaired Slideshow ^

Hiking Pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/mpetcher
Ascent List:http://peakbagger.com/climber/climblistc.aspx?cid=1767

Petch
 
Excellent report as usual Mike. Obviously I've conceded the race to 48 since I did this repeat instead of going off on my own to hike a peak I needed in order to keep up. You failed to mention the unique Siamese twins joined at the armit that we encountered on the summit.

125l4ky.jpg
 
We set off on the Garfield Trail at a gentlemen’s time (What does that mean?) of 8:45am.
I love it! I'm not a morning person, and rarely get on the trail before 9:00am.

Your photos and narrative are terrific!
 
Great trip report and very clear and well composed photos. I am glad we are back to the list and look forward to Owl's Head next. I prefer Beck's Lite over PBR and I am in training ,so make it a 12-pack. Good luck to Keith with his trek this weekend.:D:D
 
As usual, nice report and pictures. Good luck on Owlshead.
Thx Skip

Congrats! Great shots of the mountains, what crystal-clear pictures!
You'll be finished before you know it.
Thx Trish, we got lucky with the weather

Excellent report as usual Mike. Obviously I've conceded the race to 48 since I did this repeat instead of going off on my own to hike a peak I needed in order to keep up. You failed to mention the unique Siamese twins joined at the armit that we encountered on the summit.
Thx for the disturbing pic Keith. Remember it's not a race!

I love it! I'm not a morning person, and rarely get on the trail before 9:00am.

Your photos and narrative are terrific!
Thx John, when I grow up I want to take pictures that look like yours!

Great trip report and very clear and well composed photos. I am glad we are back to the list and look forward to Owl's Head next. I prefer Beck's Lite over PBR and I am in training ,so make it a 12-pack. Good luck to Keith with his trek this weekend.:D:D
Thx Bob, let's see what the weather gods have planned for next weekend....
 
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