RickB.
Active member
We started at Pinkham after spotting a car at the 19 Mile Brook trailhead. Lost Pond was well packed by skiers and foot traffic. Only a few tracks on the Wildcat Ridge Trail, punched through a 1" crust with powder beneath, increasing with elevation. Some of the steep segments of WRT were challenging due to rock or water ice beneath the breakable crust. Above the initial steeps the WRT was frequently postholed; snowshoes would have been very difficult to use on it until reaching the top of the ski area. WRT from Wildcat E to A was well broken but with a few postholes and tons of face salad. The descent from Wildcat A to 19 Mile Brook had a some sections of boilerplate crust, requiring care. Slide had softer snow and was not a problem. 19 Mile Brook Trail was in super shape, nicely packed. One huge, fresh blow down on the 19MB Trail, otherwise just leaners and low spruce.
We started with Microspike ST's but quickly switched to full crampons for the stiff conditions to Wildcat E. An ice axe would have been useful in a couple of places. Thereafter, most of us wore Microspikes for the duration. Snowshoes might have helped along the ridge but post holing was minimal in the middle of the trail.
Super clear day with comfortable temperatures and not much wind. We met many nice people today, including Kevin, Judy and Emma, Rick S, George Brown and company and the fellow we leapfrogged much of the day. Matthias had some health issues that tempered the joy a bit; hope he's OK!
RickB., John L, Amy, Sarah and Matthias and Mike B
[email protected]
We started with Microspike ST's but quickly switched to full crampons for the stiff conditions to Wildcat E. An ice axe would have been useful in a couple of places. Thereafter, most of us wore Microspikes for the duration. Snowshoes might have helped along the ridge but post holing was minimal in the middle of the trail.
Super clear day with comfortable temperatures and not much wind. We met many nice people today, including Kevin, Judy and Emma, Rick S, George Brown and company and the fellow we leapfrogged much of the day. Matthias had some health issues that tempered the joy a bit; hope he's OK!
RickB., John L, Amy, Sarah and Matthias and Mike B
[email protected]
