| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Isolation (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Rocky Branch Trail, bushwhacks |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 20, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Very good. Well plowed, bare pavement |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Cannot say, did not get that far |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Removed one tangled mess within sight of the parking lot |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Skunked! Today was a perfect example of how not to succeed climbing a 4k in winter.
Arrived at TH well after I intended to and should have. Managed to get the wrong gear out of the trunk in broad daylight. Post holed 100 yds up unbroken trail through 3-6" powder and drifts. Put on snowshoes - not going anywhere without them. Doing Ok up to about 1/2 way to the first height of land. Snow now much deeper and breaking through drifts. Trouble was one of my poles was a summer pole with no basket so when it doesn't hit frozen snow it sinks about 2 feet.
By the time I got to the first height of land I was breaking long stretches of shin deep drifts - slow going for me. At this point I decided things were not going to get any better; probably worse. Not wanting a death march late into the night I turned around there. Windy and cold, managed to get minor frostbite on one finger. Just the same, fun and a good workout. |
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 | Name: |
old man and the saw |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-12-20 |
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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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