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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH
Trails
Trails: Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Air Line
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Big empty lot on a Tuesday in January 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: 5 or 6 blowdowns on both VW and AL 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Some intense ice on Air Line 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: After the big rain/melt event, conditions were actually better than expected. Knowing we would be on well packed out trails, we left the snowshoes in the car. Anticipating very icy conditions, we brought both spikes and crampons, and were glad we did.

Spikes were sufficient all the way up VW, to both peaks, and most of Air Line. From the hut to Madison is slower going due to having to pick your way through the rocks and ice. Adams was much better footing. We diverged a bit in order to stay on the existing snowfields as much as possible. Incredible undercast with constantly changing peeps of peaks. Windspeed and temps both around 20.

I told FP that if I had to do Valley Way again, I would die of boredom. He kindly agreed to descend Air Line. Views were fantastic on the ridge, especially looking down into King Ravine! A little bit of pesky ice and rock to navigate here. Between about 3500 and 2800 (?) feet, there is a huge ice floe that goes on and on for quite awhile. Crampons were much appreciated here! (In retrospect it would have been better to ascend AL and descend VW.) In any event it was not boring. ;p

Just a beautiful day above treeline. We saw only 4 people all day.  
Name
Name: Snowflea & Fancypants 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-01-15 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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