snowmonster
New member
Date(s) Skied: 3/18/2011
Resort or Ski Area: Gulf of Slides
Conditions: Temps in the 40s and above, bluebird day, very high gusty winds in the Gulf, forecast of 60-100 mph winds on summit, moderate avalanche danger.
Trip Report: Day Two of the Monster Spring Break in the MWV: I waited for the avy report to come out before heading out the door. I told the rangers at Pinkham Notch that I was headed to the GOS and they didn't seem worried since the avy rating was moderate. I was on the trail at 925. I noticed a shortcut on the GOST so I headed there and made good time. It was cloudy in the morning but it turned increasingly sunny as the day went on. I could hear the wind over the tops of the trees and it literally sounded like a train passing overhead. On the trail, I met a local who reminded me that this was a blog-free zone and a nice couple from western MA.
Got to Main Gully before 1 and was happy to see good visibility. There was a bootpack set on hikers' right and I headed up that. Made my way 4/5 up the gully before putting on my skis. The wind was coming in in gusts and they were strong enough to shake you and knock you down. Snow conditions up top were good but got heavy as you descended the gully. I was about to head down and check out the snowfields when the clouds started rolling in. I hiked up one more time then skied down another run. Falling temps made the snow harden up and more manageable. On the way out, I bypassed the brook leading from the Main Gully and made tracks in the scrub to skiers' left. GOST was in great shape and I skied all the way down to the parking lot.
Start of the trail:
A shortcut in the woods (right) rejoins the GOST (left):
North Gully and the avalanche path:
Main Gully in the sun:
The bootpack:
Looking down Main Gully:
Good cover on the GOST:
Ski to the parking lot if you can:
Resort or Ski Area: Gulf of Slides
Conditions: Temps in the 40s and above, bluebird day, very high gusty winds in the Gulf, forecast of 60-100 mph winds on summit, moderate avalanche danger.
Trip Report: Day Two of the Monster Spring Break in the MWV: I waited for the avy report to come out before heading out the door. I told the rangers at Pinkham Notch that I was headed to the GOS and they didn't seem worried since the avy rating was moderate. I was on the trail at 925. I noticed a shortcut on the GOST so I headed there and made good time. It was cloudy in the morning but it turned increasingly sunny as the day went on. I could hear the wind over the tops of the trees and it literally sounded like a train passing overhead. On the trail, I met a local who reminded me that this was a blog-free zone and a nice couple from western MA.
Got to Main Gully before 1 and was happy to see good visibility. There was a bootpack set on hikers' right and I headed up that. Made my way 4/5 up the gully before putting on my skis. The wind was coming in in gusts and they were strong enough to shake you and knock you down. Snow conditions up top were good but got heavy as you descended the gully. I was about to head down and check out the snowfields when the clouds started rolling in. I hiked up one more time then skied down another run. Falling temps made the snow harden up and more manageable. On the way out, I bypassed the brook leading from the Main Gully and made tracks in the scrub to skiers' left. GOST was in great shape and I skied all the way down to the parking lot.
Start of the trail:
A shortcut in the woods (right) rejoins the GOST (left):
North Gully and the avalanche path:
Main Gully in the sun:
The bootpack:
Looking down Main Gully:
Good cover on the GOST:
Ski to the parking lot if you can:
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