| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Osgood Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
plenty of parking at Appalachia; we were the only car when we started, one other car when we finished |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
no issues |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
a couple of step-over blowdowns |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Ella and Eva did fine. The fresh 3-6 inches of snow on top of the ice on upper half of Valley Way was great for them, providing enough traction. They wisely skirted around the largest ice bulges. Dogs uncomfortable on ice would not like these conditions. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We barebooted Valley Way for the first mile, then used microspikes/Hillsounds to the hut. 3-6 inches of snow covered the ice in the upper half of Valley Way. There is significant ice on top half of Valley Way, will probably remain that way for quite some time, as some of it is over a foot thick. From the hut to summit, we started out in microspikes but after 100 ft we abandoned them and barebooted on bare rocks to the summit. There was patchy snow and ice from the hut to summit, much easier and safer to rockhop to the summit without spikes. Perfect day to be on Madison, with only 5-10 mph winds and temps in the 20s. Great views in all directions. Back to Madison Hut, we saw a hole hacked in the plywood covering the front door; appears someone broke in; called AMC to report it. On the way down from the hut I used crampons for top half of Valley Way, switched back to microspikes, then barebooted the final mile. Saw no one else all day. Lucky to be out on such a great day. |
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 | Name: |
Donna D |
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 | E-Mail: |
winnie@vermontel.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-04-07 |
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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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