Tag Archives: Franconia Notch

Overkill!

This represents the first ‘lengthy’ video I’ve done in quite a while. After roughly a year of considerable slacking, and the associated accumulation of interesting footage, I decided enough was enough. No point in owning two GoPros and two expensive point-and-shoots without ever doing anything cool with the footage. In the end, this video uses on the the Hero 3 Black and HD Hero footage – the rest of the stills I’m saving for subsequent projects.

One of my goals for this project was to collect up all of the clips which were cool but did not really warrant a standalone treatment. Additionally, I really wanted to focus on quality over quantity. I settled on a thematically appropriate soundtrack which was only moderately long and lent itself to the ‘story’ being told. With the intent of producing what is essentially a mashup of miscellaneous old footage, a moderately long soundtrack should let me cram in a lot of random stuff without feeling the need to add filler or fade out the music after I’ve run our of exciting footage. The numerous ‘false endings’ provide the ability to naturally segment the clips and offer some periodic changes in tempo. Also, it’s Motorhead. Seriously, there is not enough classic heavy metal in action sports or pop culture, or really anywhere…

Not Much Skiing to be Had? Time for a Hike

The time was ripe for a nice weekend hike two weeks ago. Prior to the big storm we just got in NE, the snow situation was getting a bit depressing.

We picked our target-Cannon, and packed for a two-day stay on Fraconia ridge. We started the hike along with a big group decked out in the latest and greatest REI gear, and set out at a steady pace for the AMC hut at Lonesome Lake. When we reached the Lake about an hour later, there were a number of other people gathered, like us, excited to be there. We could see the hut just peaking out from the trees across the lake.

Takin’ a short break at the Lake

Catherine, as we reached Lonesome Lake.

The view from our bunkroom

We quickly got to the lodge to warm up, and drop our gear in a bunkroom, so we could start up the High Cannon trail to the summit. We knew we were in for a bit of an adventure when the only set of tracks ahead of us were a single trail of crampon points, though armed with microspikes, we steadily ascended.

Soon we burst out of the trees onto a cliff trail, ascending via worn 12+ ft ladder. The trail then flattened out through thick woods.

It felt very secluded nearing the top of Cannon.

At the summit, it was cold. Blowing snow clung to the lookout tower, and the lifts on the Cannon resort side were nearly empty at 2pm. There was one other couple at the top, who kindly took our photo….12 times.

One of…several shots at the peak.

I tried getting a better look at the slides, across the notch, but they looked pretty gnarly. Hopefully the situation is quickly changing this week.

Attempting to scope out the slides across the ridge as the fog rolled in.

As soon as we started the descent, we were excited about the thought of warming up at the hut, but the trail made for very slow going. Water ice covering the steep trail met us at every turn, causing me to bushwhack around more than once.

This was the actual trail, descending on the kinsman side. We had to bushwhack around.

A trail junction on the hike back.

We decided to mosey back to the hut rather than continue to North Kinsman, due to the fact I’d heard of no fewer than 4 separate groups saying they’d attempted the trail and were turned back.

Back at the lake enjoying the afternoon

Back at the lake we snacked and watched some kids play on the ice. The hut was Catherine’s favorite part. It was filled with Boy Scouts playing games, their leaders, one other couple, and a very over prepared group of eight. We shared food, exchanged stories, and generally had a great time. The lone caretaker was hard at work, providing hot water and keeping things moving.

Perusing some old logbook,s we discovered the origins of ‘tweeting’

In the un-heated bunk-rooms we threw on layers and arranged my assortment of sleeping bags, since neither of us own a winter bag. Luckily it worked out, and in the morning we rolled out of back, had a hearty breakfast with some warming tea, and headed out.

Daybreak across the ridge

The morning brought clear skies and warmer temps, making for a beautiful hike out.

Although we were cautious at first, after 30-50 people made it across the lake, we walked straight across in the morning.

Looking back at the Hut on the hike out.

Snowliage

There, I’ve said it: snowliage. That’s precisely what it was, and why we were there. We saw some pretty ripe leaves, some frosted peaks, and some blue skies and generally spent some quality time in the mountains getting stoked for the snow season! Eye candy was produced in abundance.

Winter Readiness: Shakedown Cruise

With winter fast approaching, Ziehl and I figured it was about time for a pre-ski season shakedown cruise on Franconia Ridge. In light of our lofty backcountry skiing ambitions, we felt compelled to benchmark our conditioning on familiar grounds. I also was interested to see how my new shell pants and jacket would perform in alpine conditions. And, with little else to do besides take in the view one step at a time, mountains make the ideal place to get fired up for the upcoming ski season by endlessly speculating as to the snow conditions of various aspects, potential challenges on the approach, estimated ratio of fun to effort…you get the idea. Any way, here’s the map:

View Franconia Ridge November 2011 in a larger map

The forecast was for a high in the mid 40s, mostly sunny, and light breeze. When we rolled into the parking lot at 9:30, it was mostly cloudy and very windy. We threw on our shell jackets, packed our bags and hit the trail eagerly.

A few weeks ago we switched our work out from mostly simple lifts like flat bench and squats to a more dynamic workout with things like split leg squats and kettle swings and also to work more sprints and stairs. Our thought was that we’d get as strong as possible and then right before ski season we’d cut over to a high intensity workout to build endurance hopefully without loosing much strength.

We informally agreed to ‘just go as fast as possible’ on the way up Little Haystack to gauge whether or not our ski season conditioning scheme was coming together and if not, how much work might be remaining between now and Christmas. After a while of hiking, we stopped to take off our shell jackets and take a drink. After maybe another hour, we stopped for a breather-snack combo. We were slowed down by about a half mile of hard-pack and water ice. Shortly thereafter we broke treeline and hit the summit of Haystack at 11:30 AM. We speculated that the only adjustment to our conditioning scheme should be to go forward full steam ahead – it seemed to be paying off. We threw our jackets back on, had a Cliff bar and went after Lincoln.

Ziehl near the Haystack treeline.

Me at the summit of Little Haystack.
Photo Credit: Ziehl

We spent most of the walk from Haystack to Lincoln discussing our plans to try and ski every single chute slide and gully on either side of the ridge. Between the newly wintery conditions found above treeline, the outstanding offering of ski films this year, and encouraged by our sturdy pace, we could hardly contain our excitement for the ski season.

Ziehl, and the road ahead.

The ridge, and it’s numerous exciting-looking descents.
Photo Credit: Ziehl

Mt. Washington and the Presidentials. The Bonds are in the foreground.

Before we knew it, we’d cruised over Lincoln and made it to Lafayette. According to the tracklogs we summit-ted in just under 3 hours (including packing at the car). Mission success! We quickly scoped out the old hotel foundation at the summit (a potential ski-touring camp) and made our way down from the ridge toward Greenleaf.

On our way down from Lafayette.

Facing south on our way to Greenleaf.

As we made the dogleg toward the south back to the parking area we got plenty of great views of the Southern Whites, and the Ridge we’d just come down from. I think that one of the hallmarks of this hike are the opportunities to look back at the terrain you’ve just traveled from a new perspective.

Southern White Mountains.

Rays of light from Greenleaf.

Ziehl with Franconia Ridge in the background.

Nearly sunset.

Left gully: I have no clue; Right gully: Lincolns’ throat. If anyone knows
the name of the lines in the left gully, please comment!

More sunset.

Detail of Lincoln’s Throat. Gnarly.

In just under 5 hours we arrived back at the car. We changed and went straight for the Tilton Diner for a post hike feast.

Gear List (click links for more product info):