Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, NH |
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| Trails: |
Access road, West Ridge Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 23, 2013 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Road still gated 0.8 mi before trailhead, until snow gone and road dry. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Blue, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Goggles, Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
2 wooden bridges, several snowbridges. All holding up well. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The cairns and blaze boards marking the trail at and above treeline are none too many for today's conditions of wind blowing snow hard enough to sting exposed skin. A short whiteout at treeline was no worry when it cleared and we could see the next cairn. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Trail was smooth and hard enough to walk with Hillsound trail crampons, and air temp was in 30s so hiking boots/gaiters were warm enough.
West wind was a presence the entire afternoon. We added layers and windproof shell before treeline, and staggered up into the wind, which blew us around. We could not walk straight, we had to let it blow us sideways at times. It blew sheets of powder snow sideways. Pretty enough from the summit with the sun behind them, but at treeline where the woods hold more snow longer, the blowing snow was thick enough and high enough to make a momentary whiteout as the wind spun us around. I estimate the windspeed at 50+ mph. It blew one man off his feet. |
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| Name: |
Creag nan drochaid |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-03-23 |
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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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