blaze
Active member
Date of Hike: Saturday 01/23/2010
Trail Conditions: Trail was well-packed by snowcats, from Pinkham to the first aid cache. I used Microspikes to the cache, where we all put on crampons. On Lion Head, firm and packed snow to the bottom of the steeps - no postholing. In the steeps, very good conditions - just one or two spots of bare rock - and there are well defined steps in the snow. Above the steeps to the summit - fairly firm. Not worth the weight of snowshoes in my opinion.
Special Equipment Required: crampons and ice axe for the steeps. Microspikes were helpful where the snow-cats had packed the trail. Many people ditch their trekking poles at the first aid cache, but I always collapse them and carry them, lashed to my pack, and resume using them once I've reached the top of the steeps. Much easier to climb with them than with an axe, in my opinion, when one can do so safely.
Comments: a stellar day. Not a cloud in the sky. The Forecast called for NNW winds 25-40 but that never happened - I don't think we ever saw 15mph. We never used goggles or shell mitts, and I did not don a Gore Tex shell until we reached the summit.
Thanks to Rob B, Al B, Ron C, Ron D, John G, John O, John P, and Mike R for a great, great day. Special thanks to John G for organizing the annual winter weekend at the Radeke Cabin.
Nice running into Jared (sp?) from Berwick ME on the summit - 3rd time I've seen and spoke to him on the mountain.
Photos (slide show, gallery)
[email protected]
Trail Conditions: Trail was well-packed by snowcats, from Pinkham to the first aid cache. I used Microspikes to the cache, where we all put on crampons. On Lion Head, firm and packed snow to the bottom of the steeps - no postholing. In the steeps, very good conditions - just one or two spots of bare rock - and there are well defined steps in the snow. Above the steeps to the summit - fairly firm. Not worth the weight of snowshoes in my opinion.
Special Equipment Required: crampons and ice axe for the steeps. Microspikes were helpful where the snow-cats had packed the trail. Many people ditch their trekking poles at the first aid cache, but I always collapse them and carry them, lashed to my pack, and resume using them once I've reached the top of the steeps. Much easier to climb with them than with an axe, in my opinion, when one can do so safely.
Comments: a stellar day. Not a cloud in the sky. The Forecast called for NNW winds 25-40 but that never happened - I don't think we ever saw 15mph. We never used goggles or shell mitts, and I did not don a Gore Tex shell until we reached the summit.
Thanks to Rob B, Al B, Ron C, Ron D, John G, John O, John P, and Mike R for a great, great day. Special thanks to John G for organizing the annual winter weekend at the Radeke Cabin.
Nice running into Jared (sp?) from Berwick ME on the summit - 3rd time I've seen and spoke to him on the mountain.
Photos (slide show, gallery)
[email protected]
