The massive slide unleashed by Hurricane Carol in 1954 on the south side of Mt. Osceola is one of the most impressive in the Whites. I've been here several times in the last few years. A visit always provides a visual feast.
Trees flattened by a small avalanche that scoured the base of the slide last winter.
Recent rains created a cascade on the massive footwall ledge.
Looking up the larger left fork of the slide, the part that fell in 1954.
Pothole pool above the footwall.
Another cascade on the very steep footwall of the older east fork of the slide, which may date back to the late 1800s.
Wet slabs are slick as ice, a no-go for climbing. The slide was wetter then usual after the recent rains, requiring me to stick to areas of gravel and broken rock and patches of dry ledge.
View of Sandwich Dome.
View across where the two forks of the slide meet.
Down-look.
Crumbling granite known as rottenstone.
Looking up to the top of the slide from the point where I stopped, two-thirds of the way up.
I lounged in the sun for more than an hour, taking in the view across Waterville Valley to the Tripyramids, the Sleepers, Flat Mountain and Sandwich Dome.
The Tripyramids, which I had looped over the week before.
The great North Slide on North Tripyramid.
The ledge-dotted crest of Mt. Osceola looms above.
On the slow and careful descent, looking back up.
Looking down.
Smooth slabs.
Fall is coming.
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