SOUTH SLIDE & TALUS ON EAST OSCEOLA: 4/3/17

On a gorgeous early spring day I visited another Osceola slide - one that dates back to 1897 - and a lonesome talus slope, both on the flank of East Osceola above Lower Greeley Pond. This snowshoe trek featured varied snow conditions, ending with classic spring mush.


The Greeley Ponds Trail was snowshoe-packed and frozen in the morning, and the South Fork of the Hancock Branch was buried in snow and ice - unusual for April.

Some brave soul had recently skied across Upper Greeley Pond. I wouldn't trust the ice at this late date.

Looking north to the cliffs of West Huntington.

Crags, cliffs and slides on East Osceola, seen from the east shore of Upper Greeley Pond.

Southward, a side view of the Painted Cliff and its crowning nubble.

Mad River Notch from the shore of Lower Greeley Pond.

Near the beginning of my bushwhack up to the open part of the 1897 slide, I stumbled upon what looked like another ancient slide track. I followed this snowy swath up until it became uncomfortably steep.

Looking down the swath.

Emerging at the biggest open slab on the 1897 slide, after a fairly short but steep and thick whack.

Peering down at Lower Greeley Pond.

Adding the west knob of Mt. Kancamagus, including the K2 Cliff, to the view.

The overhanging K1 Cliff, and its talus slope below.

Heading up to the next open spot on the slide.

This would make a good - but short - ski run.

Making tracks along the edge.

The next open spot was like a small, steep snow bowl.

Heading up along the north edge of the snowfield.

After a short steep tussle with the scrub, I enjoyed the view from the top.

Exposed rock! Spring must be coming.

A broadside view of the west end of Mt. Kancamagus.

Tracks along the brink.

The Tripyramids and Scaur Peak.

From here I made a sidehill traverse to the talus slope. Luckily the top layer of snow was soft (atop a hard base), allowing the placement of snowshoe "steps."

The talus slope was a very neat spot, with a wild vista.

A tumble of granite chunks.

Looking directly across at the K1 Cliff.

North Tripyramid, looking head-on to the North Slide.

Long shadows, and no sign of civilization.

Looking north.

 

North and South Hancock peek over Mt. Huntington.

My entrance and exit route for the talus.

Steep descent back to the traverse.

The woods are amply thick in places.

Back to the slide.

Descending the slide.

Parting shot from the big slab.

Lower Greeley Pond at 5 o'clock.

The Mad River as a youngster.

A crooked triad tree along the trail.

After the hike, I drove up to the Osceola overlooks to admire the north slides, and saw ski tracks  on both the Dogleg Slide and the next slide to the right (the long straight one).