The A plan was to hike the Kinsmans, but that fell through due to other's family obligations. My backup plan was to tag the Tripyramids as I hadn't been there in a while, and I needed one more trip to satisfy the TW72 list. It was a good choice to solo from the Waterville side, being that much of the loop is regularly skied. At exit 28, the thermometer I have so often consulted (to be sure of the wax) read -11. That's CH4 wax weather, a/k/a, squeaky and slow.
North Tripyramid Slide from Scaur Ridge, Carrigain and Washington from North Tripyramid
Another advantage of the Livermore/Scaur/Pine Bend Brook route was to see what the ski conditions were like first hand. Snowmobile groomed (the groomers came by me on my way up), lots of hidden rocks...not quite ready to ski when I could be hiking. Conditions were perfect for snowshoeing, however, and I wore mine car-to-car. With the cold came some clear skies and long views.
Carrigain (from N Tri), Tremont/Owl's Cliff/Bartlett-Haystack/Carter Dome (M Tri)
There was a decent snowshoe track to Scaur Ridge, and from there on it was a solid one. I went just fast enough to not freeze, while keeping my moisture output to a minimum (difficult to do, I broke a good sweat on the North Tri summit cone.) After a snack, and dropping down to the outlook, I headed over to Middle Tripyramid.
Chocorua/Passaconaway, Osceolas/Franconia Ridge/Garfield
I had lunch on Middle Tripyramid, spending most of my time at the west outlook, and enjoying the views of Sandwich Dome, Moosilauke, Tecumseh, Osceola, Franconia Ridge and Garfield. On the way back, I met two pairs of people - including a couple who I encouraged to visit the North Tripyramid viewpoint (first few pictures above), of which they were unaware. The temp on my keychain thermometer read +11 (net 22 degree increase.)
Osceola, Tecumseh
Back down on Scaur Ridge, I ran into Jeb Bradley and his group. Last time I did the Tris was winter, and was with Jeb. I bombed back down the way I came up, completing the loop in 6:30. On the way home, the thermometer read +22 for a net +33 degree increase in temperature.
All photos
Tim
North Tripyramid Slide from Scaur Ridge, Carrigain and Washington from North Tripyramid
Another advantage of the Livermore/Scaur/Pine Bend Brook route was to see what the ski conditions were like first hand. Snowmobile groomed (the groomers came by me on my way up), lots of hidden rocks...not quite ready to ski when I could be hiking. Conditions were perfect for snowshoeing, however, and I wore mine car-to-car. With the cold came some clear skies and long views.
Carrigain (from N Tri), Tremont/Owl's Cliff/Bartlett-Haystack/Carter Dome (M Tri)
There was a decent snowshoe track to Scaur Ridge, and from there on it was a solid one. I went just fast enough to not freeze, while keeping my moisture output to a minimum (difficult to do, I broke a good sweat on the North Tri summit cone.) After a snack, and dropping down to the outlook, I headed over to Middle Tripyramid.
Chocorua/Passaconaway, Osceolas/Franconia Ridge/Garfield
I had lunch on Middle Tripyramid, spending most of my time at the west outlook, and enjoying the views of Sandwich Dome, Moosilauke, Tecumseh, Osceola, Franconia Ridge and Garfield. On the way back, I met two pairs of people - including a couple who I encouraged to visit the North Tripyramid viewpoint (first few pictures above), of which they were unaware. The temp on my keychain thermometer read +11 (net 22 degree increase.)
Osceola, Tecumseh
Back down on Scaur Ridge, I ran into Jeb Bradley and his group. Last time I did the Tris was winter, and was with Jeb. I bombed back down the way I came up, completing the loop in 6:30. On the way home, the thermometer read +22 for a net +33 degree increase in temperature.
All photos
Tim
