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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Washington (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 18, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty at the lower hikers' lot at the Cog Base Rd. When I drove the Base Rd. around 6:45 AM, it was slick and snowy, and since I was driving a little FWD Kia, I drove slowly from the Mt. Washington Hotel to the TH. Was in better shape on the way out. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Ice Axe 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All rock-hopped, but with care, since many of the exposed rocks were covered in snow, ice, or both. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: No maintenance issues to speak of. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I don't recommend taking dogs up here, or anywhere in the Presis, due to the slick trail conditions and the frigid temps/wind chills. 
Bugs
Bugs: See ya next spring! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: The plan was to head up to Washington from the west and see how far I could get. I ended up getting to the LOC hut, at 5,050'. Everywhere- from the trailhead parking lot to the hut- was coated in anywhere from an inch to a foot of powdery snow. Above 4000-4100', there was a lot of ice, so on went the spikes. I also brought and used an ice ax, which may have been a bit overkill, but it made the hike easier and more enjoyable. Windy and FRIGID at the hut! Wind chills had to be -15 to -20 F. Spent ten minutes at the hut, and after that I had enough. Too cold to hike 1.5 miles to George.

Moral of the story: Old Man Winter is here, and he's telling me to do a big-time gear upgrade.

I have posted a video on YouTube for those interested in "A Taste of Winter". T'is in the link below...  
Name
Name: Spencer 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-10-18 
Link
Link: https://youtu.be/x4RMUqk4adE 
Bookmark and Share 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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