snowmonster
New member
Date(s) Skied: 3/17/2011 (St. Patrick's Day)
Resort or Ski Area: Mt. Washington Cog Railway
Conditions: Temps in the 40s and 50s, bluebird day. Snow was frozen above Jacob's Ladder turning into corn and heavy mush lower, winds were picking up in the late afternoon.
Trip Report: Day One of the Monster Spring Break in the MWV: The forecast called for strong winds up to 100 mph at the summit so I almost bagged this trip. I took a chance because the high winds were supposed to come later in the afternoon. I was rewarded with a really sunny and warm day.
Started skinning from the lower parking lot by 1115. There were four other skiers heading up and we passed each other at different points on the way. I got to Jacob's Ladder a little before 2. A skier climbing ahead of me turned back after getting about 200 above Jacob's Ladder because it was too icy and windblasted. We considered heading into Burt or Ammo Ravine but, since we didn't get up high enough, we contented ourselves with just looking into Ammo. The wind was starting to pick up at this time so we decided to head down.
The ski down started from solid wind-packed snow to corn to mush as we descended. The cover on the tracks and beside it was still deep and we made long sweeping turns. However, as we got lower, the snow got heavier and grabbier and it was tricky to ski. We ducked into the woods on the left side of the tracks but the heavy snow made it very difficult to turn. We made it back to the car at around 330.
Cog base with Bretton Woods in the background:
Looking up from the Waumbek Tank:
We took the path to the left:
Jacob's Ladder
Looking into Ammo Ravine and Monroe Brook:
We were treated to unusual cloud shapes:
Heading down:
Woods on skiers' left:
Tracks across the tracks:
Must be a UFO:
Resort or Ski Area: Mt. Washington Cog Railway
Conditions: Temps in the 40s and 50s, bluebird day. Snow was frozen above Jacob's Ladder turning into corn and heavy mush lower, winds were picking up in the late afternoon.
Trip Report: Day One of the Monster Spring Break in the MWV: The forecast called for strong winds up to 100 mph at the summit so I almost bagged this trip. I took a chance because the high winds were supposed to come later in the afternoon. I was rewarded with a really sunny and warm day.
Started skinning from the lower parking lot by 1115. There were four other skiers heading up and we passed each other at different points on the way. I got to Jacob's Ladder a little before 2. A skier climbing ahead of me turned back after getting about 200 above Jacob's Ladder because it was too icy and windblasted. We considered heading into Burt or Ammo Ravine but, since we didn't get up high enough, we contented ourselves with just looking into Ammo. The wind was starting to pick up at this time so we decided to head down.
The ski down started from solid wind-packed snow to corn to mush as we descended. The cover on the tracks and beside it was still deep and we made long sweeping turns. However, as we got lower, the snow got heavier and grabbier and it was tricky to ski. We ducked into the woods on the left side of the tracks but the heavy snow made it very difficult to turn. We made it back to the car at around 330.
Cog base with Bretton Woods in the background:
Looking up from the Waumbek Tank:
We took the path to the left:
Jacob's Ladder
Looking into Ammo Ravine and Monroe Brook:
We were treated to unusual cloud shapes:
Heading down:
Woods on skiers' left:
Tracks across the tracks:
Must be a UFO:
