| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Whiteface, Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Dicey Mills Trail, Tom Wiggins Trail, Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 19, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The "head in" parking on the field side of the lot signs need to go back up, since everyone wanted to parallell park. Continued gratitude for the Friends of Ferncroft who allow us access to such a beautiful area. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Wonalancet River (Tom Wiggins) was challenging but doable with a little bit of bravado and poles. The tributary at the log was actually still elevated and flowing good. I am not sure what the group behind us' problem was, they refused to wait and despite seeing two and a half women trying to cross, they went for it and forced one of us into the water, apparently they where in a rush. Which was made even worse since they parked next to us. They also left their friend to cross solo, despite the initial pairs antics we opted to wait for their friend. Pro tip: don't be like this at all. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
WODC does an insane job on their trails. Nothing of note |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One friendly black lab. |
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 | Bugs: |
Aside from the trio earlier, none of note |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A MAGNIFICENT day in the Sandwich Range was had. So grateful to the "mountain-monarch,; he severe and hard, with a white face set like flint horizon-ward" and the Bashaba, Papasiquineo for granting us safe passage. (For the nerds, a great poem 'Clouds on Whiteface' Larcom, c1876 - and the first written account an interaction with the Sachem whom we now call Passaconaway, appearing somewhere in the 1630s ((Bashaba is Pennacook for 'chief of chiefs')). NO SPIKE NATION ruled the day, despite a few spots that could have used them. However, we love cheap thrills and balling would have been an issue. We opted to ascend Tom Wiggins for redline purposes, which has new signage. It's loose, steep, and not recommended. Just how I like my women. It was actually quite a fun trail, steep, sure, I guess the loose part was describing us. Highly recommend! The Ledges where tricky as we are still in a transition phase. We did bring a tall friend who was like 5'9 (we are 5'1 and 5'3) and that made the difference. Some pitches required a team effort simply because we had the help. As per usual, lots at the Ledges who thought that was the summit. Did see some insane folks opting to descend the ledges, one brave tramper in Bean boots and no traction. Godspeed you lunatic. Rollins is in great shape. The 0.7 to Passaconaway actually went quicker than anticipated. Typically, every time you do a peak, the next time there is an added tenth of a mile to get there. It's an unwritten rule. Commanding views of the Sandwich and entire Pemi range was had. Did note Kinsmans and Carrigain, among others. Easier to pick your old friends out now with snow caps on them. No issues on the way out aside from the river crossing notes above. All trails just need about six inches (a true six inches.... ha ha) to become mach1 superhighways as they usually are. Crazy to thing a week ago I was in a tee shirt and today, had full winter gear with me. If you heard us singing Tone Loc, The Humpty Dance, or other miscellaneous 80s/90s jams, sorry. "WILD THING!" |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Mountain Goat, Janna_From_The_Block |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-11-19 |
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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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