View Full Version : Northern Presis, White Mtns.
Usually I post the report first and the pics come later. Just to be different this time around:
PICTURES (http://neil.webcentre.ca/outdoor%20pursuits/index.html)
timmus
10-01-2006, 04:05 PM
Wew, you went on the trip I was suppose to take, with the people I wanted to meet, checked the mountains I needed off my list...
I'm pretty sure you had the fun I didn't have that day.
How depressing !
Can't wait for the trip report :rolleyes: (no, really, I do)
Can't wait for the trip report :rolleyes: (no, really, I do)
Well, here goes.
After a late night of carb loading and hydrating with Giggy, Arm and Swamp I found that 6am rolled around awfully quickly. At 6:30 Frodo pulled in to Barnes Field and the guys discussed the numerous hiking options. It was decided we'd spot a car at Pinkham notch and head up the Madison Gulf trail. Since Washington was on the slate and Madisson was at the far end of the chain I knew we were in for a full day.
The trip up to the base of the Headwall was pleasant with the odd view of the ice clad Presidents. The Madison Gulf trail went straight up for a long time and when the rest of us got there Frodo and Dominic had been sitting around losing core temperature for some time already. Frodo is one of those people, who with hands in pockets, look like they’re sauntering at a relaxed pace until you try to keep up with them. Then it’s lactic acid city. It was sunny and the foliage was ice encrusted. We chilled at the hut debating whether to go up Madison (we didn't) before heading up Adams (5700 feet, TH was 1500 feet) at a rather intense pace. The "trail" was basically a bunch of jumbled rocks covered in green lichens and rime ice. Once at the top we sat around briefly before the tricky but rapid descent on the slippery rocks. Next on the list was Madison, which took a while to get to on the rocky trail. The day was calm and clear and the views of Washington and the various gulfs that plunged off the ridge were truly amazing!
On Jefferson the conversation turned to bailing down the Sphinx trail. Arm and Giggy were fighting colds and it was already 2:30. They were feeling a little bit bad because Dom and I had been hot for Washington and Boot Spur but by that time we didn’t really care. It wasn’t as if we hadn’t done anything already. The route off of Jefferson towards the Jefferson–Clay col was a big highlight for me already. What a place!
The Sphinx trail turned out to be very, very steep and never ending. The five and a half miles of Great Gulf trail, once we finally got there, was the usual Northeast jumble of rocks and slippery slabs. We got back to the cars 12 hours and 5500 vertical feet after heading out.
Jay H
10-02-2006, 11:07 AM
Cool, nice TR Neil.... The Whites (especially the presidentials) is all rock hopping... If not for the rock hopping, in fact, the presidential traverse is a piece of cake. It doesn't have the ups and downs half as much as say the Great Range or the Devil's Path. The little 5..6 hundred spurts to hit the peaks once you are on the summit range are pretty trivial in normal conditions. Winter and weather is always a factor in the Whites because of the treeline issue.
Glad you got to meet Arm and Giggy and Swamp. I've climbed rainier with Arm and Giggy and I have met Swamp doing some kayaking in R.I. Haven't met Frodo yet though... but all fine people that are fun to hike with. Just be careful of driving with Guy, he's the resident VfTT metal head... :-) I think I lost touch with my inner metal head back in the 80s with Iron Maiden.. that's as far as I go..:)
Jay
ElectricMan
10-02-2006, 11:46 AM
Great Trip Neil,
Hiking the presi’s on a clear day with family and friends is what it’s all about. It’s nice to see you didn’t run into any snow showers as they were predicting for the afternoon. Don’t feel bad about not making Boot Spur from Madison; this time of year can be slow going up there.
Congrats on bagging a couple of 4000’ers as well.
Craig
Frodo
10-03-2006, 07:49 PM
Neil,
Nice TR and pics! That was a fun day with lots-o-laughs..... :D
One thing you forgot to mention is the hiker we met on the way down who was heading in the wrong direction. He would have eventually figured it out, but we definitely saved him many miles...
Timmus, we missed you!!!!
Neil,
Nice TR and pics! That was a fun day with lots-o-laughs..... :D
One thing you forgot to mention is the hiker we met on the way down who was heading in the wrong direction. He would have eventually figured it out, but we definitely saved him many miles...
Timmus, we missed you!!!!
So, you finally found the real trip report.
Yeah, that spaced out hiker. After descending 6 Husbands he took a wrong turn and was headed up either the Sphinx or the Great Gulf trail at 5 in the afternoon.
Timmus was busy being a good Mom, weren't you Julie? :twisted: :twisted:
timmus
10-05-2006, 09:45 AM
Timmus was busy being a good Mom, weren't you Julie? :twisted: :twisted:
Yes, I was : Mom At Work (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2600140100079376384qdZjYl)
I taught my 5yo about rock scrambles, bushwhacks and Dykes (Mt St-Grégoire, Qc)
Kevin Rooney
10-05-2006, 11:38 AM
Yes, I was : Mom At Work (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2600140100079376384qdZjYl)
I taught my 5yo about rock scrambles, bushwhacks and Dykes (Mt St-Grégoire, Qc)
Also in that album - a picture from the summit of Mt Mansfield?
timmus
10-05-2006, 02:58 PM
Also in that album - a picture from the summit of Mt Mansfield?
Yes, Mansfield is perfect with young kids (the gondola ride makes it so easy and fun).
Kevin Rooney
10-05-2006, 06:15 PM
Yes, Mansfield is perfect with young kids (the gondola ride makes it so easy and fun).Yes, and as you probably know, there's also a toll road that ends on the other end of the ridge.
vBulletin® v3.8.3, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.