| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Air Line |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Big empty lot on a Tuesday in January |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
5 or 6 blowdowns on both VW and AL |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Some intense ice on Air Line |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After the big rain/melt event, conditions were actually better than expected. Knowing we would be on well packed out trails, we left the snowshoes in the car. Anticipating very icy conditions, we brought both spikes and crampons, and were glad we did.
Spikes were sufficient all the way up VW, to both peaks, and most of Air Line. From the hut to Madison is slower going due to having to pick your way through the rocks and ice. Adams was much better footing. We diverged a bit in order to stay on the existing snowfields as much as possible. Incredible undercast with constantly changing peeps of peaks. Windspeed and temps both around 20.
I told FP that if I had to do Valley Way again, I would die of boredom. He kindly agreed to descend Air Line. Views were fantastic on the ridge, especially looking down into King Ravine! A little bit of pesky ice and rock to navigate here. Between about 3500 and 2800 (?) feet, there is a huge ice floe that goes on and on for quite awhile. Crampons were much appreciated here! (In retrospect it would have been better to ascend AL and descend VW.) In any event it was not boring. ;p
Just a beautiful day above treeline. We saw only 4 people all day. |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea & Fancypants |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-15 |
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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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