KD Talbot
11-12-2007, 10:08 PM
http://www.ghostflowers.com/forumshots/tucks111007.jpg
11/10/07
Tuckerman Ravine 4500'
5.6 Miles 2600' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Our plan was to hike on Sunday, but on our way through Pinkham Notch on Saturday we couldn't resist stopping and making the hike up to "The Bowl" in Tuckerman Ravine. Conditions were perfect with bluebird skies, light winds and manageable temps. The hike started out on dry ground, but about a mile in we found patches of ice, then patches of snow, then finally packed snow. We passed many bluejeans, sweatshirts and sneakers along the trail. I guess this is OK, as long as you have enough sense to turn back at Hermit Lake. I'm not too sure how smart it is hiking in ice and snow in sneakers. Sure, you could still slip and fall in boots, but a boot certainly gives you more support and diminishes the chances of turning or spraining an ankle. A lot more insulation in a boot, too. Enough of that. This was our first hike of the season where there was enough snow to consider what our equipment should be. We bare-booted to "The Bowl" with no difficulty, not enough snow yet for snowshoes. There had been the remains of a light dusting on our last hike, 11/3/07 to Garfield, but this was winter condition hiking even though the calendar says winter is still 40 days away. Snow brings new life to an otherwise drab landscape. The grays and browns now covered in brilliant white removes the depressing lack of color that late fall can bring. The trees covered in snow gives everything that Christmas feel, even though it's not Thanksgiving yet. We had started late, so we stayed until the shadows crept up the ravine walls and swallowed the crags above us, then began our trek out in the late afternoon light. As we made our way back down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail it was as though we journeyed backwards through time to a place where winter had not yet taken hold. The calendar may still say November, but on the summits and in the ravines of northern New Hampshire the winter fun has already started!
Pictures here:
http://ghostflowers.com/white_mtns3000/tuckermanravine111007/tuckermanravine111007.html
More tomorrow.
KDT
11/10/07
Tuckerman Ravine 4500'
5.6 Miles 2600' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Our plan was to hike on Sunday, but on our way through Pinkham Notch on Saturday we couldn't resist stopping and making the hike up to "The Bowl" in Tuckerman Ravine. Conditions were perfect with bluebird skies, light winds and manageable temps. The hike started out on dry ground, but about a mile in we found patches of ice, then patches of snow, then finally packed snow. We passed many bluejeans, sweatshirts and sneakers along the trail. I guess this is OK, as long as you have enough sense to turn back at Hermit Lake. I'm not too sure how smart it is hiking in ice and snow in sneakers. Sure, you could still slip and fall in boots, but a boot certainly gives you more support and diminishes the chances of turning or spraining an ankle. A lot more insulation in a boot, too. Enough of that. This was our first hike of the season where there was enough snow to consider what our equipment should be. We bare-booted to "The Bowl" with no difficulty, not enough snow yet for snowshoes. There had been the remains of a light dusting on our last hike, 11/3/07 to Garfield, but this was winter condition hiking even though the calendar says winter is still 40 days away. Snow brings new life to an otherwise drab landscape. The grays and browns now covered in brilliant white removes the depressing lack of color that late fall can bring. The trees covered in snow gives everything that Christmas feel, even though it's not Thanksgiving yet. We had started late, so we stayed until the shadows crept up the ravine walls and swallowed the crags above us, then began our trek out in the late afternoon light. As we made our way back down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail it was as though we journeyed backwards through time to a place where winter had not yet taken hold. The calendar may still say November, but on the summits and in the ravines of northern New Hampshire the winter fun has already started!
Pictures here:
http://ghostflowers.com/white_mtns3000/tuckermanravine111007/tuckermanravine111007.html
More tomorrow.
KDT