I may fill out a TR later in the week but a couple of things happened yesterday on South Carter that was kind of unexpected to me.
Weather was for 3-5 inches of snow & miserable visibility making South a perfect place to go. 19 Mile & Carter Dome trails went as about expected, trees, sheltered, trail broken out, etc.
From Zeta Pass to the South Carter Summit though, more wind got through the tree cover than I thought would, especially as I got near the top. Wind was in mid-20's with gust in low 30's. (Washington when I got down was 35 MPH gust in 40's at that time)
I spent about 5 minutes taking in the cold gray view, by the time I got 100 yards off the top, the tracks I made on the way up were gone. Now I knew this happens above treeline so thinking you can follow your footsteps back is not sound advice for Presidentials, Moosilauke, Bonds or Franconia Ridge, but I did not think it would occurr that quick in moderate wind during a light to moderate storm on South Carter
I had planned on going over to Middle Carter but any trail left by previous hikers was gone & breaking trail solo to see more gray was unappealling & I had to drive back to CT & shovel driveway so Middle will wait for another day.
Something to think about if attempting new peaks in winter...
Weather was for 3-5 inches of snow & miserable visibility making South a perfect place to go. 19 Mile & Carter Dome trails went as about expected, trees, sheltered, trail broken out, etc.
From Zeta Pass to the South Carter Summit though, more wind got through the tree cover than I thought would, especially as I got near the top. Wind was in mid-20's with gust in low 30's. (Washington when I got down was 35 MPH gust in 40's at that time)
I spent about 5 minutes taking in the cold gray view, by the time I got 100 yards off the top, the tracks I made on the way up were gone. Now I knew this happens above treeline so thinking you can follow your footsteps back is not sound advice for Presidentials, Moosilauke, Bonds or Franconia Ridge, but I did not think it would occurr that quick in moderate wind during a light to moderate storm on South Carter
I had planned on going over to Middle Carter but any trail left by previous hikers was gone & breaking trail solo to see more gray was unappealling & I had to drive back to CT & shovel driveway so Middle will wait for another day.
Something to think about if attempting new peaks in winter...