Conditions

[Dunbar]

Seems like we should have a thread dedicated to ice/snow conditions for the Big Day. For safety, of course. Also because some of us haven't been in the Adirondacks this winter. And some of us haven't even hiked much this winter. And some of us are too lazy to sift through the trip reports from the weekend. I won't say who these lazy people are.

Sounds like some rain or a bit of snow this week?

[Neil]

Just get out there and do it. Just pound out those peaks.

OK, here's the skinny: conditions are mostly microspikes with a sprinkling of crampons and subtle seasonings of snowshoes. Rare spices (such as saffron) meaning ice axes may come in handy on certain routes.

All in all microspikes have done me well on 27 high peaks out of 35 this year. As with mutual funds past results do not guarantee future performance.

[Dunbar]

My planned gear loadout for Haystack includes microspikes, snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, goggles, winter boots, and trail runners. I expect to use all of them.

[catdacker]

Do you have a Sherpa?:)

[Neil]

Looking at the forecast I would say it's difficult to forecast the conditions as far as ice goes. Safest bet is to carry spikes and crampons if your planning on going up anything steep or exposed. Or down Little Haystack...

Trails like Beaver Meadows and Wedge Brook had ice patches last week (Thurs.) The West River Trail had long sections of water ice on it. Crampons were (nearly) essential going up UWJ and Armstrong.

[Kyler]

Has anyone been across Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake recently? Is the ice safe to cross, or should it be avoided?

[Paradox]

Has anyone been across Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake recently? Is the ice safe to cross, or should it be avoided?

Has anyone been halfway across?

[Neil]

Another possibility to be prepared for is that of total whiteout conditions on certain peaks. Compass bearings studied ahead of time, GPS tracklogs and even parachute cord might make all the difference on certain peaks.

[Dunbar]

Another possibility to be prepared for is that of total whiteout conditions on certain peaks. Compass bearings studied ahead of time, GPS tracklogs and even parachute cord might make all the difference on certain peaks.

Good reminder to write down a couple compass bearings in addition to the GPS. I don't plan to do any parachuting so I'll probably leave the cord behind though.

[Neil]

What good would parachute cord be without a parachute?

[CPalmatier]

I found this mountain point forecast site from the NWS Burlington office. I've been finding it pretty handy for a short term forecast.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/mountain/point/

Generally, the Saturday forecast is looking up :)

[bubba]

So... there is little use for snowshoes?? That true? Micro and crampons should cover it??

Sounds like my kinda winter hikin!! :)