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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Surprise, Mt. Moriah, NH
Trails
Trails: Carter Moriah Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, February 12, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Park down Bangor street, plowed lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Couple minor blowdowns, easily stepped over. One section of the trail is very poorly blazed once you get past the ledges. It looked like the only person to go up there recently might have actually turned around. Whether because of a lack of blazes or due to the insane amount of ice I cannot say. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Some difficulty - slipping on icy ledges, but I was able to help him up. 
Bugs
Bugs: Uh, no. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: N/A 
 
Comments
Comments: Hiked from Gorham up to Moriah. Got about 10 feet up the trailhead before I realized that I could NOT get up without crampons (oh, I tried...). They stayed on for the rest of the day. After that first incline the ice wasn't terrible until past Mt Surprise, fine with some traction and caution. I had poles and crampons. It looked like the last person to go up used microspikes, but since I haven't replaced mine I wouldn't know. There are several parts where I strongly doubt that light traction would cut it. This hike would be virtually impossible without any traction. The ledges are covered in ice. Very difficult to ascend even with 'pons. At times I was on my knees, other times climbing reaching from tree to tree. When I came down I slid on my butt purposely, but even then there were spots where I had to be extremely careful not to lose control and end up in the woods or broken ;) But - much better going down than up.
Had the place to myself. Looks like someone turned back after the ledges. Took me a minute to find the trail again due to infrequent and VERY faded blazes. From here I broke trail. Usually only 4-6 inches, but some deeper spots due to drift. All manageable. No postholes except the ones I made at the summit (only on the spur), probably 1.5' deep there.
Cold day, but little wind. Read trip reports from 6th, maybe ice wasn't as bad then. I would say DON'T go this route right now, although I don't know condition of the alternatives. It was extremely tenuous at times. I debated turning around, but I'm too stubbon. Considered going down Stony Brook, but would have had to hitchhike and I was alone (with dog). Bear and I had a great day (#32 for me!), but had I known I would NOT have chosen this route. Sorry for the long comment, but detailed information helps, I think.  
Name
Name: Emily L 
E-Mail
E-Mail: eglenz at gmail 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-02-12 
Link
Link: https:// 
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