Unprepared Hikers Rescued on Mount Moosilauke in Warren

[KRooney]

Two young people, woefully unprepared who started at 1PM, needed help getting down safely.

https://nhfishgame.com/2025/02/21/unprepared-hikers-rescued-on-mount-moosilauke-in-warren/

 

[OldEric]

Sounds pretty much like a non event

 

[KRooney]

Yes. Luckily, they found a way to recharge their phone and headlamp.

 

[NH2112]

Probably just me because it’s been years since I’ve been on a packed trail not of my own making, but I don’t understand not bringing snowshoes in winter, period. This winter should be a perfect example of why you should, the powdery snow and wind means paths will fill in with blown snow. I sank to just below my ribs last weekend WITH snowshoes while crossing a ditch (they went in at an angle) and spent 20 minutes digging myself out (why an avalanche shovel is also a must IMO.) Plus the stuff takes forever to pack down, if it ever really does.

 

[Ear Drum]

There was a detailed trail report from today, posted by Borealis (Kyle Welch) on NETC. In part, it says:

"Snowshoes door to door. As in just about every previous report I've written this winter, a mystery why people insist on carrying snowshoes on unconsolidated trails. Honestly curious if people just hate wearing them, don't know how to put them on, or don't understand when to use them. Headed out Ammo and caught a group of 10 snowshoers, after which the trail was pretty roto-tilled. Caught up to the tillers on the steep section as they were switching from bare boots to crampons, (they were carrying snowhoes). Honestly puzzling as there wasn't any ice, just semi-consolidated snow which the snowshoes had great grip on once I got in front of them and the crampons certainly weren't going to help them stop postholing. ..."

Then he saw more later, similarly carrying while struggling. I guess it's a thing, carry 'em just in case but *don't* use them!

from: https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=75683

When I put on my 'shoes, I usually feel like, oh yeah, now I have good traction and support.

 

[NH2112]

There was a detailed trail report from today, posted by Borealis (Kyle Welch) on NETC. In part, it says:

"Snowshoes door to door. As in just about every previous report I've written this winter, a mystery why people insist on carrying snowshoes on unconsolidated trails. Honestly curious if people just hate wearing them, don't know how to put them on, or don't understand when to use them. Headed out Ammo and caught a group of 10 snowshoers, after which the trail was pretty roto-tilled. Caught up to the tillers on the steep section as they were switching from bare boots to crampons, (they were carrying snowhoes). Honestly puzzling as there wasn't any ice, just semi-consolidated snow which the snowshoes had great grip on once I got in front of them and the crampons certainly weren't going to help them stop postholing. ..."

Then he saw more later, similarly carrying while struggling. I guess it's a thing, carry 'em just in case but *don't* use them!

from: https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=75683

When I put on my 'shoes, I usually feel like, oh yeah, now I have good traction and support.

Probably the same reason some people buy a 4x4, lift it, put mud tires on, then pride themselves on not engaging 4WD until they get stuck. At which point it’s harder to get out because they’ve dug themselves in deeper trying to get out in 2WD.

 

[ImYourHuckleberry]

Unless there is enough snow to wear them straight out of the trailhead, I always seem to wait too long to put them on. Then when I finally put them on, I wonder why I didn't do it sooner.

 

[NH2112]

I spent a little time on the mountain today, the plan was to camp out but that didn’t work. The first video explains why I didn’t go all the way to my originally planned site to camp, the second shows my new campsite after packing down the snow.

After letting the packed snow settle a while I set my phone to record video, placed it on top of my pack, and walked the perimeter of my site to make sure everything was in frame. It was, so I started recording again and began setting up my tent. Suddenly one leg went in to the knee (I’d taken he snowshoes off to avoid stepping on my tent), I disregarded it because it was at the edge of the area and maybe it wasn’t fully packed. Within the next few minutes I sank 2 or 3 more times and realized that despite stomping around for 15 minutes, with my pack on for extra weight, only the topmost few inches packed. Even that wasn’t really packed in the way you normally think of, there was really nothing holding the snow together due to how dry it was. It was more like walking on glass bead blasting media, there was really no friction.

The worst part is I must have touched the screen or something while setting the phone down because only 2 seconds of footage were recorded. I was really looking forward to sharing footage of me just suddenly sinking to the knee on one leg, and especially doing it without any F-bombs. I could even show it to my mom!

I wasn’t feeling like digging out my tent space with my shovel, and had no idea if there’d be any wind-packed snow at my original planned campsite, so I turned around and headed to my pickup. Tomorrow I’ll give it another go, no camping since I work Monday but if I can finally make it to an open area partway up the mountain I’ll be very happy.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

There was a detailed trail report from today, posted by Borealis (Kyle Welch) on NETC. In part, it says:

"Snowshoes door to door. As in just about every previous report I've written this winter, a mystery why people insist on carrying snowshoes on unconsolidated trails. Honestly curious if people just hate wearing them, don't know how to put them on, or don't understand when to use them. Headed out Ammo and caught a group of 10 snowshoers, after which the trail was pretty roto-tilled. Caught up to the tillers on the steep section as they were switching from bare boots to crampons, (they were carrying snowhoes). Honestly puzzling as there wasn't any ice, just semi-consolidated snow which the snowshoes had great grip on once I got in front of them and the crampons certainly weren't going to help them stop postholing. ..."

Then he saw more later, similarly carrying while struggling. I guess it's a thing, carry 'em just in case but *don't* use them!

from: https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=75683

When I put on my 'shoes, I usually feel like, oh yeah, now I have good traction and support.

Yeah, thought the same thing about this thread when I read kwelch’s NETC report in which “cutting the corner” on the way back to Jewell Trail from Jefferson and the prevalence of spruce traps are also noted. I have often heard these folks tell me that it is easier to carry the snowshoes on their backs than wear them on their feet.

 

[Lone Stranger]

My theory on folks not using snowshoes; People who avoid using their snowshoes don't learn to enjoy using them as much as those of us who use them. There is a learning curve and acclimation period that most of us went through decades ago and likely don't recall. Once you learn to use them as the tools they are you look forward to wearing them, but if you avoid using them you never get to that point.

The added benefit of giving you legs of steel in preparation for backpacking season is something I guess those folks will never know

 

[CaptCaper]

My theory on folks not using snowshoes; People who avoid using their snowshoes don't learn to enjoy using them as much as those of us who use them. There is a learning curve and acclimation period that most of us went through decades ago and likely don't recall. Once you learn to use them as the tools they are you look forward to wearing them, but if you avoid using them you never get to that point.

The added benefit of giving you legs of steel in preparation for backpacking season is something I guess those folks will never know

True. At my old age now I wear them when alot of people don't bother they just hack out barebooting on those inbetween days.