| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Firescrew, Mt. Cardigan, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Manning Trail, Mowglis Trail, West Ridge Trail, Ranger-Cabin Trail, Clark Trail, Clark-Holt Cutoff, Holt Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 6, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at AMC Cardigan Lodge, space for 25+. 8-10 when we started 4 when we came back |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing big to speak of |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
In good shape. Manning could use a few cairns/ blazes toward ridgeline. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few on the ridge but came from West Ridge side. Would have a tough time coming our way with all of the ice floes. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Originally planned on doing Back 80 to ridge, was told no one had been up all season. Didn't feel like taking snowshoes so opted to take Manning since Holt was unsafe due to ice on cliffs at approach to Cardigan summit. Started with Hillsounds from parking lot, carried crampons as backup. Many ice floes on Manning, multiple areas of bushwhack required to ascend trail, helped to hold on to trees. Other areas were "Leap of faith" i.e. walking straight up ice covered pitches. Good to see Firescrew summit didn't see anyone until there. Watched someone coming down Cardigan towards us take a tumble and slide quite a ways down. He was wearing microspikes and they didn't hold. We thought that we were good after ascent up Manning, but the Mowglis to the Cardigan summit was interesting, luckily the temps were cold enough to keep the ice attached to the rock and we could walk straight up, happy to see the top. Met 4 others and a dog on the summit and recommended that that they not take the dog over to Firescrew since it was all ice. Bail out plan of West Ridge to past Fire Wardens cabin and then to Clark since it was unsafe to use Holt. saw 3 other groups ascending from the West Ridge Trail. Once off summit saw no one else. Great bluebird day, views of Washington and Franconia Ridge, ski areas in Vermont. Very icy and tricky, but glad we got out. Warmer weather this week will make it even tougher with ice. |
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 | Name: |
Frinda |
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 | E-Mail: |
fredwijnenriems@gamial.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-03-07 |
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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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