Rainman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2012
- Messages
- 154
- Reaction score
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Forecast looked great, so four of us headed up the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail early Saturday morning. The snow was firm, so we all started in microspikes. At Gem Pool I swithched to snow shoes for the better traction climbing and to have the televators. The steep climb up went well as the snow was still solid
. Almost to the upper crossing, I turned around and noticed a great undercast. We watched it as we climbed, and it continued late in the morning, but by the time we summited it had disipated except south of Franconia Noch. Beautiful sunny and warm day above the treeline today. Hordes of people enjoying as well, we had to look for a spot to sit at the summit, as almost all of hte flat spots were occupied. After a leisurely lunch, we headed back down the way we came up, and found very slushy snow, lots of post holes, and running water. The trip over to Monroe was better, and we had the summit to ourselves. The trip down Ammonoosuc Ravine was tough with soft snow and some post holes, until everyone put on 'shoes. As the trail entered the trees, I swithced to crampons which worked very well for me down the steep section of trail. Hard to believe it was still winter. It felt very summery today.
. Almost to the upper crossing, I turned around and noticed a great undercast. We watched it as we climbed, and it continued late in the morning, but by the time we summited it had disipated except south of Franconia Noch. Beautiful sunny and warm day above the treeline today. Hordes of people enjoying as well, we had to look for a spot to sit at the summit, as almost all of hte flat spots were occupied. After a leisurely lunch, we headed back down the way we came up, and found very slushy snow, lots of post holes, and running water. The trip over to Monroe was better, and we had the summit to ourselves. The trip down Ammonoosuc Ravine was tough with soft snow and some post holes, until everyone put on 'shoes. As the trail entered the trees, I swithced to crampons which worked very well for me down the steep section of trail. Hard to believe it was still winter. It felt very summery today.
