| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Glencliff Trail, Carriage Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 31, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plowed |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Fully bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
None |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Don't even think about not bringing showshoes. We were the first two up and despite the report from Thursday, the trail was unbroken and actually hard to find in spots. Broke 4-8in lower down. By the time we hit the steeps, I was up to my butt in snow (I'm 6'5"). At times, the drifts seemed impossible to get through. A shovel would have useful. Exhausting, slow work. Finally got to the junction and the drifts on the Carriage Road (although considerable at times) seemed tame compared to what we just experienced. Got within 2 carrions of the peak and retreated. Wind to the Rockpile at that time was gusting to 90mph, on its way to 110mph. We were getting knocked down and didn't want to gain the last ridge and bear the brunt of it. Might not have been doable at that. Dangerous conditions.
I've done this hill > 100 times in 21 winters and only abandoned one other time, when I got picked up and thrown 20+ feet around the same location. Didn't want a repeat. First time wearing a face mask on the steeps. My colleague bagged the South Peak, while I ate at the junction and talked to the 4 who came up behind us. 2 others had abandoned on the steeps. These 4 elected to take our advice and go for the South Summit. Given the increasing winds and snow depth, tomorrow's hikers might face the same sort of impossible drifts. Short hikers beware! |
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 | Name: |
Earl |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-01-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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