Marc
New member
Date(s) Skied: 12/28/2007
Resort or Ski Area: Mount Washington
Conditions: Ice, wind blown, dust on crust
Trip Report:
Yesterday was the first experience I had with the sport of ski mountaineering, and I've fallen in love. It was a mild and good first experience, as the weather couldn't have been better in a spot with probably the worst weather in the country east of the Mississippi. Nate and I decided initially to climb up to Tuckerman Ravine and ascend up Right Gully. Unfortunately, due to the 8 inches of snow that had fallen the night before and the 20 - 30 kt winds (unlike the 2 - 4 inches and 8 -13 mph winds predicted... stupid NWS) the ravine was primed for avalanche activity and we chose to heed the Considerable and High avalanche forecasts.
Unsure of a backup plan initially, once we made the ski patrol cabin after skinning up the Sherbie (around 11:30 am), we decided to ascend via the Lion Head winter route as we had our crampons and ice axes with us. We decided to either ski the auto road down or if there was time, ski some of the snow fields and descend back down Lion Head on foot. We began to realized, because of the steepness of the Lion Head trail, the ice and snow, and the tight trees, descending that route with skis on out back would have been dangerous at best.
So after skinning {i]down[/i] the TRT for about 500' vert (dumb) we got on the LH winter route. We were in the alpine garden by 1:30 and at the summit by 3:30. We were some of the last climbers ascending and we nearly everyone on the way down was inquiring about our skis and other AT gear. Slightly annoying, but what can one do.
After reaching the summit at 3:30 we found, to our dismay, the auto road to be unskiable up top because of the recent rains and wind. We walked down still on crampons until roughly 5000' feet and could ski intermittently until about 4000' where the snow was protected by the tree line. By then it was dark and we snowplowed nearly the whole way down. An interesting experience, no doubt. We were less than concerned about the hour because the weather turned out so good- partly cloudy, NO wind and low 20's. At about 5500' we were completely above an inversion that had left the surrounding land, save for the high presidential peaks and Lafayette shrouded in darkness.
Over all a great experience. I, once again, did not eat enough, and got a little hypoglycemic halfway up the summit cone and slowed our progress considerably. I've learned that in a cold environment, you have to be extremely vigilant about keeping your blood sugar up, because once you start to bonk, you don't feel like eating either, which can be a dangerous combination. It was a great climb, and a good mild intro to ski mountaineering. Nothing too dangerous, nothing required roped travel or belaying. Short approach. Anyway, enough rambling, here are the pics. If you have any questions feel free to ask away.
Obligatory travel shot, wondering why we continue to get stuck behind 18 wheelers early on a Friday:
Gearing up at the Pinkham Notch visitor's center-
Nate skinning on the Sherbie-
Yours truly, down to a single layer poly pro and still sweating despite 20 degrees and strong winds-
Hillman's and Dodges, receiving some considerable wind loading, as seen from the ski patrol cabin-
Nate photographing me at the observatory, realizing the temperamental camera was again, the result of cold batteries. We'll know better next time-
Nate, standing on the top of the Northeast-
Yours truly again, a little tired, but no worse for wear and happy to be at the top in such good weather-
Resort or Ski Area: Mount Washington
Conditions: Ice, wind blown, dust on crust
Trip Report:
Yesterday was the first experience I had with the sport of ski mountaineering, and I've fallen in love. It was a mild and good first experience, as the weather couldn't have been better in a spot with probably the worst weather in the country east of the Mississippi. Nate and I decided initially to climb up to Tuckerman Ravine and ascend up Right Gully. Unfortunately, due to the 8 inches of snow that had fallen the night before and the 20 - 30 kt winds (unlike the 2 - 4 inches and 8 -13 mph winds predicted... stupid NWS) the ravine was primed for avalanche activity and we chose to heed the Considerable and High avalanche forecasts.
Unsure of a backup plan initially, once we made the ski patrol cabin after skinning up the Sherbie (around 11:30 am), we decided to ascend via the Lion Head winter route as we had our crampons and ice axes with us. We decided to either ski the auto road down or if there was time, ski some of the snow fields and descend back down Lion Head on foot. We began to realized, because of the steepness of the Lion Head trail, the ice and snow, and the tight trees, descending that route with skis on out back would have been dangerous at best.
So after skinning {i]down[/i] the TRT for about 500' vert (dumb) we got on the LH winter route. We were in the alpine garden by 1:30 and at the summit by 3:30. We were some of the last climbers ascending and we nearly everyone on the way down was inquiring about our skis and other AT gear. Slightly annoying, but what can one do.
After reaching the summit at 3:30 we found, to our dismay, the auto road to be unskiable up top because of the recent rains and wind. We walked down still on crampons until roughly 5000' feet and could ski intermittently until about 4000' where the snow was protected by the tree line. By then it was dark and we snowplowed nearly the whole way down. An interesting experience, no doubt. We were less than concerned about the hour because the weather turned out so good- partly cloudy, NO wind and low 20's. At about 5500' we were completely above an inversion that had left the surrounding land, save for the high presidential peaks and Lafayette shrouded in darkness.
Over all a great experience. I, once again, did not eat enough, and got a little hypoglycemic halfway up the summit cone and slowed our progress considerably. I've learned that in a cold environment, you have to be extremely vigilant about keeping your blood sugar up, because once you start to bonk, you don't feel like eating either, which can be a dangerous combination. It was a great climb, and a good mild intro to ski mountaineering. Nothing too dangerous, nothing required roped travel or belaying. Short approach. Anyway, enough rambling, here are the pics. If you have any questions feel free to ask away.
Obligatory travel shot, wondering why we continue to get stuck behind 18 wheelers early on a Friday:
Gearing up at the Pinkham Notch visitor's center-
Nate skinning on the Sherbie-
Yours truly, down to a single layer poly pro and still sweating despite 20 degrees and strong winds-
Hillman's and Dodges, receiving some considerable wind loading, as seen from the ski patrol cabin-
Nate photographing me at the observatory, realizing the temperamental camera was again, the result of cold batteries. We'll know better next time-
Nate, standing on the top of the Northeast-
Yours truly again, a little tired, but no worse for wear and happy to be at the top in such good weather-
