| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Airline |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, February 20, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Appalachia well plowed and plenty of room |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged except for one about a third of the way up where postholes opened up a few areas - still no issues |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing significant for this time of year |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We didn't take Hannah today because of the forecasted winds - winter hardy hounds would be ok in the conditions but not in today's weather |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We moved our start time with this morning's surprise clouds and flurries, finally hit the trail at 11 - snowshoes all the up Valley Way mostly for the televators - with the cooler temps, everything from the weekend was frozen, unfortunately including the postholes - in most places they could be navigated around except the steeper last half mile to the hut was tricky. Wind blown styrofoam snow heading up Madison, we used snowshoes up for the televators and Hillsound crampons down for better grip - even aggressive snowshoes weren't as stable on the hard packed snow. Switched back to snowshoes heading up Adams, similar conditions as we saw on Madison - despite being wind blown there was enough snow where in many places you could walk anywhere. Wind was more challenging on Adams, once on Airline we stuck a little left of the true trail to try to stay behind the ridge and out of the wind a bit. We didn't switch back to crampons until once back on Gulfside because of the wind, but they were much preferred on the steeper sections from there back to the hut. Combo crampons/micros back down Valley Way, either provided adequate traction and the trail was still way too choppy for snowshoes. Even with a bit of time in headlamps a later start proved beneficial for getting both peaks, saw about a dozen other people but not sure if anyone else summited Adams.
Since tomorrow will be significantly warmer, if you're hiking these peaks WEAR SNOWSHOES on Valley Way - the trail would be much less dangerous if it could be smoothed out a bit and it would make for an easier trip for you as well. Great day out with Ali - despite the wind we were blessed were sun and blue skies up high!! |
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 | Name: |
Hikes with Hannah |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-02-20 |
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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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