| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lions Head Winter Route |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Very few cars at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged although the recent flooding did some significant rerouting just below the first bridge on the Cutler. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Surprised the fixed rope typically on the technical stretch of the Lions Head Winter Route was not yet in place. Otherwise all trails were in great shape |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one well behaved dog low on the Tuckerman's Ravine Trail. Didn't expect any above the Hermit Lake Shelters this time of year. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Beautiful day on the rock pile. Temps were a bit chilly and wind was brisk above Lions Head but it was blue bird for most of the hike. Conditions on the Tuckermans Ravine trail were well packed and just enough snow to make spikes the tool of choice. Made good time up to just above the junction of the Lions Head Winter Route. Made the mistake of ascending the Winter Route rather than the Summer Route. Switched to ice climbing boots and full crampons and axe for the technical section about .03mi above the cache. Would have felt more comfortable with protection as it was a full mixed route with plenty of exposed rock and water ice. Switched back to spikes at the junction with Lions Head proper for comfort and speed. Above the shoulder there was very little snow and spikes came off for a bit. Was surprised to break thru in a few spots into unfrozen water, and there was a bit of open water and post holes in the scrub section along the rim of Tuckerman's Ravine. The final mile or so to the summit was challenging with a stiff wind, plenty of water ice and the boulder field mixed with drifts. Didn't stay on the summit long and returned via the Summer route which was far more manageable and still open with no avalanche risk yet due to limited snow pack. Remarkably few people out, maybe saw 10 all day. |
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 | Name: |
Jo-kah |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-01-03 |
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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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