Tag Archives: New Hampshire

Sprite 1 Pitchlight and Great Gulf Recon Mission

In an effort to escape last weekend’s heat, Rob, Ziehl and I literally ran for the hills. At the time of this trip’s original incarnation we actually had a decent sized crew signed up to attend, but one way or another, all but the three of us bailed at the last minute. We began to realize this while en route to our camp site Friday night. In light of these developments we began to wonder if something more ambitious than the original plan was in order. By the time we made camp and had cracked our first cans of Harpoon (yes, cans!) the plan had grown in mileage by a whopping 100%. But I’m getting ahead of myself…let’s rewind.

Our main objective was to satisfy our annual Huntington Ravine requirement. If you live in New England and like to climb mountains, this should be one of your annual objectives, as well. Its like a huge outdoor playground – it’s steep enough that it’s a technical climb in winter or wet conditions. In the summer it’s just plain fun.

Additionally, Ziehl and I were hoping to smoke test our tents in their respective ultra-light configurations: sans tent body, pitched with only the fly and footprint. The weather was expected to be fair and we would car camping at Dolly Copp Campground the night before the hike. It seemed like an ideal sandbox for testing gear before trying this out in the field without the benefit of an escape plan.

View July 2011 Huntington Ravine and Great Gulf Trek in a larger map

As we approached the campground on Friday night we began to hash out various routes down from Huntington Ravine. The obvious options were Lion’s Head, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Boot Spur, etc… All of these are nice hikes, but on exceptional weekends such as this, they’re all bound to crowded. A fourth alternative became clear: hike out through the Great Gulf, find the AT and ramble back toward Pinkham Notch. The only real question was whether or not this would be feasible with a large group. As you may have guessed by now, this problem promptly solved itself. We made our camp, spec’ed out the mileage – about 13 miles, had a quick night cap and hit the sack under a bright full moon.

My Sprite 1 Pitchlight configuration actually turned out to be extremely pleasant – the tent actually becomes slightly more spacious, the lack of a tent body prevents condensation, the whole thing becomes extremely packable and it’s still fairly easy to set up. Here’s some wobbly video and a photo, just for posterity:

You can imagine some trouble in a hurricane, but I think
for summer camping, this is going to be my go-to setup.

We hauled ourselves out of bed around 7:30 Saturday morning, cleaned up our mess and made the arduous drive from Dolly Copp to Pinkham Notch – a grueling 3 minutes followed by about 5 more spent searching for a parking spot. We were on the trail by quarter of 9.

We flew up the Tuckerman Ravine trail in an effort to beat the crowds to Huntington Ravine, but as it turned out, more than just a few people had the same idea – and who can blame them? By the time we made it to the cutoff, I was rough shape – it was less than two miles of hiking, but I must have been dehydrated, out of shape or some combination therein. Either way, once we started to catch glimpses of Huntington Ravine my strength began to return. It’s an intimidating but surmountable challenge. Anyone with the slightest bit of adventurousness in them would jump at the chance to scramble up this cliff:

View July 2011 Huntington Ravine and Great Gulf Trek in a larger map

The view above roughly represents the perspective observed when you first begin to see the ravine through the trees on the approach. We took a break for some snacks and water toward the floor of the ravine and then charged up it. Unfortunately, in our haste we neglected to take any photos while in the ravine. Once at the top we took some time to relax in the cool breeze and snap a few photos.

Ziehl, and Wildcat in the background.

Looking southeast over the Ravine.
Photo credit: Ziehl

After catching our breath we headed up to the summit – a fairly short stretch of scree and pavement – where we enjoyed some summit beers, and trail mix. Once we were good and recharged, we filled up our water bottles and headed North, toward the Great Gulf. Behold:

View July 2011 Huntington Ravine and Great Gulf Trek in a larger map

Looking toward the Great Gulf.

Ditto.

On our way into the Great Gulf!

The trail basically plummets over the rim and into the Great Gulf. At some point during the descent Rob remarked that had we bothered to read the guide book, it probably would have advised us against down climbing this particular trail. It was steep, wet and full of loose rock. In any event, it offered us an excellent view of the Gulf.

Looking Northeast out of the Gulf.

Same

Ziehl.

Me.
Photo Credit: Ziehl

The trail doubles as a waterfall in
many places…

Spaulding Lake

Looking back up the ravine.

This was a typical scene on the route out.

Swimming hole!

None of us had really spent much time in the Great Gulf, so this part in particular turned out to be pretty enjoyable, especially since we had ample opportunity to study the area before next ski season!

View July 2011 Huntington Ravine and Great Gulf Trek in a larger map

Gear List (click links for more product info):

Peak-bagging and Summit Beers

Freshly warmed up from Mt. Monadnock, and thoroughly convinced that there’s no ski-able snow left in New England, Alex and I geared up (read: had huge dinners and a few beers) and rolled up to Lincoln, NH to crash early and get a fast start for a long hike in Crawford Notch. We wanted to do something long and fairly challenging, with some decent rewards, but avoid the Memorial Day hordes. This turned out to be the perfect solution: the plan called for nearly 17 miles, over 8000′ elevation change, it’s remote compared to much of the Whites, and our early start and rapid pace nearly guaranteed few encounters with any crowds.

View Avalon, Field, Willey, Webster in a larger map

As usual, we got off to a slower start than we hoped for, most likely owing to general morning grogginess and a pronounced need for some White Mountain Bagel before seeing any real action. Still, we managed to hit the trail at 10 of 7.

We set off at a clipping pace up the steep Avalon Trail, out of the AMC Highland Center. The Avalon Trail goes pretty much straight up, without relenting until you pass Mt. Avalon, where we took a brief detour to play with my camera’s new smile auto-detect feature. We experienced mixed results. Next time I think I’ll just go with a tripod and 10 second timer…

Alex tries to figure out what it takes to trip the smile detect.

We gave up and did things the old fashioned way.
Photo Credit: Alex

With all the serious climbing of the morning out of the way we sped off toward Mt. Field. The trail dips down and up again between Avalon and Field but is considerably easier traveling than the route up from the Highland Center. The trail wraps around the west flank of the ridge yielding impressive views of the Pemi Wilderness. Without much trouble we summit Field and push on toward Willey, the final stop before descending toward and the crossing back over Rte. 302.

Willey offers some great view and some nice rocky spots to hang out and relax. The sun was starting to get pretty high, and the morning’s haze and mist were starting to burn off, so we decided it was about time for Summit Beer Number 1. Turns out it was a good chance for some more photos.

Some of these slides have to hold enough snow to be
ski-able. Let’s hope a 3-degree file guide and some diamond
stones find their way into next year’s Christmas Stocking.

302 Snakes along the Notch floor.

Summit Beer Number 1. The
Sam Imperial White seemed like a solid bet
in terms of slaking our thirst on a humid
day in late spring.

Nature.

Clouds culminate over Mt. Washington.

A sweeping view of the Notch.

More backcountry skiing recon missions.
Danger to fun ratio: acceptable.

Once refreshed and rested we set off back down toward 302. The way down along the Kedron Flume Trail may be steeper than the way up in many places, and it’s challenging, but with a stiff pair of telescoping trekking poles you can really cruise down this trail. We stopped for a few more quick photos at the flume and then again shortly there after as we crossed the Conway Scenic Railroad.

Jose chillin’ atop the flume.

Just plant, dammit.
Photo Credit: Alex

Alex stands his ground over a
modest railroad trestle.

We emerge from the woods on of the Willey House, a gift shop and ranger station at the crossing of 302. We fill up on water, change into fresh socks, eat (Alex had an ice cream) and steady our nerves for the next big climb or the day: Webster by way of the Webster Cliff Trail. We cross the highway, and head back into the woods, roughly following the Saco River toward the shoulder of the cliff, at which time we head more or less straight up. The Avalon Trail is no joke, but the first mile or so of the Webster Cliff Trail is a real kick in the pants. Numerous switchbacks notwithstanding, it relentlessly crawls up to the top of the cliffs. By the time we approach the ridge my quads are starting to cramp up and Alex is working on some Long-Trail-esque blisters. The arduous climb eventually gives way to an exciting ridge walk; not as exposed as Franconia Ridge but every bit as fun. After a quick look around we move out.

The view to the southwest just after cresting the ridge.

Alex surveys the Notch looking north west back toward the
Highland Center.

We charge ahead toward Webster, eagerly anticipating Summit Beer Number 2. By the time we arrive at the summit of Webster, we’re starting to wonder if summiting Jackson is entirely necessary: we conclude that we actually have a superior view of the surround land from Webster and decide to can the extra 1.5 miles and beeline for the Highland Center, but not before fueling up and snagging a few final photos.

Him again…
Photo Credit: Alex

This bird was completely undeterred by any of our noise
making.
Photo Credit: Alex

We speculate that he followed our scent across the Notch.
Photo Credit: Alex

Mt. Washington and the Souther Presidentials from the
summit of Webster.

The Mt. Washington Hotel.

A brief respite the Highland Center, just past 5 in the evening.

Gear List:

Moosilauke

Here it is, short and sweet…

Moosilauke is a nice hike, not too challenging, but plenty substance for a solid day followed by some refreshments (which is exactly what we did, by the way).

The hike begins at the Dartmouth Outing Club lodge; getting from there to the correct trail head is mildly confusing due to high number of trails originating at that spot. A good AMC map is helpful, here. The first few miles are quick going, with little elevation gain, and a few pleasant stream crossings. Shortly after you begin to gain any serious elevation (around 3000 ft.) you are treated to one or two south easterly vistas. Around 4000 you encounter the only real steep part of the ascent, a series of tight switchbacks punctuated by notably wind-stunted trees. Before long you emerge above the tree line.

I can’t say for certain, but it seems that the bald summit of Moosilauke is more a result of it’s exposure to the wind and jet stream weather than it’s height, a phenomenon common in many of the Whites’ higher peaks. In fact, I find that this summit was remarkably similar to that of Washington and it’s neighbors: alpine meadows, scrub brush, scree and wind! Fortunately there is no train station, parking lot or visitor center. At the summit, the remains of a cabin provide discrete shelter from the wind; all that’s really left are a few corners of the foundation. It was a beautiful day, and as a consequence it was crowded. The views to the east are nice; Franconia Ridge is the most prominent and easily identifiable landmark.

After chillin’ at the top for a while we headed south west down the Carriage Trail; allegedly where the backcountry skiing is done. The trail is comparable to the Sherburne Ski Trail leading down from Tucks, but a bit longer. There’s no headwall but it looks like a solid option in the event that conditions elsewhere are unfavorable. The walk down features a pleasant pine forest, is pretty easy and can be done very quickly.

View Larger Map

The Mysterious Great Gully and King Ravine

My latest obsession is King Ravine, off the northwest flank of Mt. Adams in the northern Presidentials of New Hampshire. Here’s why:

View Great Gully in a larger map

Hopefully this requires no additional explanation, but in case it does:

nearly a dozen routes down
all in the vicinity of 50°
all in excess of 1000 feet of vertical no including the runout!!!!!

To me this seems like Tuckerman Ravine only better in all possible aspects: more varied and technical descents, bigger, steeper, less crowded, etc… The only thing that concerns me is the avalanche risk. I have to imagine that it gets tons of snow, and I hope that its northwesterly aspect cuts down on wind-loading. I guess the remaining variables would be temperature and pitch. Either way, more research needs to be done here…

My thoughts on the approach:

View Great Gully in a larger map

Parking is on Rte. 2 at the green push pin. The approach is definitely longer than the hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to get to the bowl, but I think it’s easier. I’ve never done it in the snow, but it’s straight and mellow. It can be done in just over an hour in the summer. The two blue thumb tacks denote spots which seemed suitable for bivouacs or small camp sites; away from any avy run-out, out of the wind, flat.

IMHO, the ideal format for the excursion would be a three day weekend. Head up to the area on a Thursday night, crash some place, and hit the trail ASAP on Friday morning. I imagine the slog to the Ravine floor would take around 2 hours in good conditions. Another hour or two take set up camp and make lunch puts you getting some turns in some time after noon – plenty of time for a few runs in the bowl especially given the lack of a 4 hour car ride home and the presence of a presumably awesome campsite less than a mile away.

Enough logistics, lets get to the skiing!

The bowl, from the floor.

A watery crevasse which I did not fall into.

My thumb, but more importantly a good look at the May snowpack. Yes May.

Clearly, there are numerous routes. The mellowest of them, had the most snow and is probably the first thing I’ll try is called The Great Gully. It is highlighted in red in the satellite map at the top of the post. The bottom is pretty steep, punctuated by a waterfall which you probably have to huck depending on the snowpack. Fortunately there is an extensive and mellow runout. The midsection is highlighted by a weird fall line sloping to lookers right, toward a huge mess of rock and undermined snowpack. Still pretty darn steep. Above that, it opens up quite a bit and offers at least two spots from which to drop in providing some options. This portion is the steepest – just in time for the narrow technical sections. Sounds sick, right? The rest of the aspects only get steeper and more technical. Cannot wait.