| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Flume, Mt. Liberty, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bike path, bushwhack, Liberty Spring Trail, Flume Slide Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 18, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
several car when I arrived |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
too many, all easy to cross with trekking poles |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
not today |
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 | Bugs: |
nada |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This hike made it onto my top 5 all time challenging hikes. I suggested to my friends we take Flume Slide today (I may have 2 less friends after today)
After roughly 1/4 of a mile from the junction of LS we met up with a group that was breaking and from there on we took over with the exception of a few brief moments. There was a group of barebooters that met up with us where we savoured brief respits, very brief. The snow depth was anywhere from 8 to 22 inches. Once at the base of the slide we battled not only the fresh stuff but also the snow bombs falling from the trees. Al P broke out the Slide and we wallowed in the trench with one step forward and two back. The lighting descents were an epic failure for my friend and he found the hillsounds were slightly better, but we couldn't kick step in these conditions. There was a thin layer of ice on the slab, so I couldn't dig in my whippet to assist me, so we used the trees. Once at the top of the slide the rested fresh group met up with us again, when were stopped for an adjustment. The ridge was slightly windy with a low cloud bank and was all rototilled up and was tougher than unbroken trail, the hang-behind group were in mountaineering crampons across the ridge, it didn't seem like many ventured beyond Liberty today. It was a cake walk from Liberty down. Surprisingly,much of LS trail was pretty bony, so we changed in to spikes again and leap-frogged with the hang back group 2 more times, and finished all at the same time.
I was a strong support breaking and navigating but I couldn't have done it without the help of my friends Al and Jay.
As a side note, normally I'd say "go get it" but not this time, all and all a superb day of type two fun! |
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 | Name: |
Rachel |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-18 |
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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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