billski
Active member
Sugarloaf - Benton Range - 29 August 2008
Third time was a charm. If you've been following my quest, the first time I got lost, the second time it rained so hard it was so slippery the quest had to be abandonded for the day. This day was sunny and bright and while the start was late, the perserverence was amply rewarded. The climb was simply exciting and sometimes scary and the vistas were magnificent. Probably better views than many 4000-footers.
Since I knew where I was going, I made quick time to the cliffs, but not without first encountering a moose, having a grouse-induced heart attack, viewing some most ugly turkeys and making the peregrine falcons not very pleased with my presence. Note that the tumble-down garage at the logging road start is being rebuilt and I spoke with the craftsmen, who are doing a great job.
So. Here we are at the base of the cliffs
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/1 cliff approach.gif
Then up the face as far as one can go, to the first rope.
Looking down:
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/IMG_0583.gif
Next pic shows about 2/3 of the climb - first rope and ladder.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/02 bottom up 1.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/02 bottom up.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/03 from boc.gif
Ropes are strong, well-secured and in good condition. You'd better be too. You'll need to pull yourself upwards, with feet on the incline. Slow and steady wins the race.
from the top of the first rope looking down (pay attention to the angle of the trees to really get a handle on this climb.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04 looking dn from boc.gif
Looking down at the cliffs from the ropes
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04a cliffs from ropes.gif
First rope assault. Grip firmly, hand over hand, you are pulling nearly half your weight. No dangling participles, please
We're about 50 feet up the cliff when the first rope is reached.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04a first assault rope.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04b first rope.gif
Ladder inspection: good-to-go! Hanging on to the ladder like hell with one hand, snapping pics with the other. Scary? yup. Much scary than the pictures portray. On the way up, no clue what to expect on top!
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/05 up ladder.gif
A description from 100 years ago:
"path...which reaches to the foot of a long and formidable precipice, 80-100 feet high. This barrier may be passed, at a point where a vast mass of rock at the top overhangs the base, by a narrow shelf which slopes upward diagonally along the face of the cliff.... A single false steon this path would hurl the incautious climber to instant destruction..."
True, true, true. Nothing has changed in 100 years!
Above the ladder, gripping the second set of ropes, we see:
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/06 looking dn at ladder.gif
One false step and it's 80 feet down...
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/06a looking from top of ladder.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07b ropes down to ladder.gif
Moving upward:
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/06 looking up from ladder.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07a rails above ladder.gif
Phew, I made it. So back on terra firma, we walk close to the ledges, until the next scramble is encountered
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07 cliffs.gif
It just doesn't quit. who knew a 2600-footer could be such a challenge. No wonder it was discontinued....
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07 more scrambles.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/08 cliffs.gif
The rewards were spectacular. Some of the best anywhere
North to Black Mt.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/09 N to Black Mtn.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/10.gif
Hogsback to the east
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/12 hogsback.gif
Mt. Moosilauke to the east
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/13 moosilauke.gif
It was just as exciting going down, but at least I knew what was ahead, er, below.
While I don't think anyone would, I'll say it anyways: going this route with a fully loaded backpack would be ill-advised.
Thanks to Nate for the tips and encouragement.
Berries are ripe and sweet all around the area this week!
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/berries are ripe.gif
Sugarloaf from Rte 25
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/sugarloaf from route 25.gif
In closing, I met some locals and learned a bit about this path. Let's just say, the locals take care of the ropes and ladders.
Definitely not for those fearful of heights. It's about a 10-minute affair up the ladders and ropes. Remember, if you fall, there ain't nobody coming behind.
I've been hiking for 35 years now. I'd say this ranks right up there with Katahdin in terms of memorable experiences.
Third time was a charm. If you've been following my quest, the first time I got lost, the second time it rained so hard it was so slippery the quest had to be abandonded for the day. This day was sunny and bright and while the start was late, the perserverence was amply rewarded. The climb was simply exciting and sometimes scary and the vistas were magnificent. Probably better views than many 4000-footers.
Since I knew where I was going, I made quick time to the cliffs, but not without first encountering a moose, having a grouse-induced heart attack, viewing some most ugly turkeys and making the peregrine falcons not very pleased with my presence. Note that the tumble-down garage at the logging road start is being rebuilt and I spoke with the craftsmen, who are doing a great job.
So. Here we are at the base of the cliffs
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/1 cliff approach.gif
Then up the face as far as one can go, to the first rope.
Looking down:
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/IMG_0583.gif
Next pic shows about 2/3 of the climb - first rope and ladder.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/02 bottom up 1.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/02 bottom up.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/03 from boc.gif
Ropes are strong, well-secured and in good condition. You'd better be too. You'll need to pull yourself upwards, with feet on the incline. Slow and steady wins the race.
from the top of the first rope looking down (pay attention to the angle of the trees to really get a handle on this climb.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04 looking dn from boc.gif
Looking down at the cliffs from the ropes
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04a cliffs from ropes.gif
First rope assault. Grip firmly, hand over hand, you are pulling nearly half your weight. No dangling participles, please
We're about 50 feet up the cliff when the first rope is reached.http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04a first assault rope.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/04b first rope.gif
Ladder inspection: good-to-go! Hanging on to the ladder like hell with one hand, snapping pics with the other. Scary? yup. Much scary than the pictures portray. On the way up, no clue what to expect on top!
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/05 up ladder.gif
A description from 100 years ago:
"path...which reaches to the foot of a long and formidable precipice, 80-100 feet high. This barrier may be passed, at a point where a vast mass of rock at the top overhangs the base, by a narrow shelf which slopes upward diagonally along the face of the cliff.... A single false steon this path would hurl the incautious climber to instant destruction..."
True, true, true. Nothing has changed in 100 years!
Above the ladder, gripping the second set of ropes, we see:
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/06 looking dn at ladder.gif
One false step and it's 80 feet down...
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/06a looking from top of ladder.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07b ropes down to ladder.gif
Moving upward:
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/06 looking up from ladder.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07a rails above ladder.gif
Phew, I made it. So back on terra firma, we walk close to the ledges, until the next scramble is encountered
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07 cliffs.gif
It just doesn't quit. who knew a 2600-footer could be such a challenge. No wonder it was discontinued....
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/07 more scrambles.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/08 cliffs.gif
The rewards were spectacular. Some of the best anywhere
North to Black Mt.
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/09 N to Black Mtn.gif
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/10.gif
Hogsback to the east
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/12 hogsback.gif
Mt. Moosilauke to the east
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/13 moosilauke.gif
It was just as exciting going down, but at least I knew what was ahead, er, below.
While I don't think anyone would, I'll say it anyways: going this route with a fully loaded backpack would be ill-advised.
Thanks to Nate for the tips and encouragement.
Berries are ripe and sweet all around the area this week!
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/berries are ripe.gif
Sugarloaf from Rte 25
http://www.iabsi.com/ski/2008_08_Sugar/sugarloaf from route 25.gif
In closing, I met some locals and learned a bit about this path. Let's just say, the locals take care of the ropes and ladders.
Definitely not for those fearful of heights. It's about a 10-minute affair up the ladders and ropes. Remember, if you fall, there ain't nobody coming behind.
I've been hiking for 35 years now. I'd say this ranks right up there with Katahdin in terms of memorable experiences.
