tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38144644319950359272024-03-18T10:33:47.307-04:00Mountain WanderingSteve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.comBlogger1372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-58102424377379108072024-03-13T13:29:00.002-04:002024-03-13T19:26:52.234-04:00Three Ponds Snowshoe: 3/12/24<div><p style="text-align: left;">On a sunny, windy day I headed down to Rumney for a hike, with a bit of a time constraint. My first choice was Rattlesnake Mountain, but thanks to the recent snowfall and frozen snowbanks there was no place to park. Next option was Stinson Mountain, but Lower Doetown Road looked sketchy with the possibility of getting stuck. So I drove up past Stinson Lake and, yay, the Three Ponds trailhead parking was partially plowed. I hadn't been to the remote and beautiful Three Ponds area in winter in many years, so this was an appealing backup hike.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_DQhHN_wHqVFeSTgATZ773jlv0AJo4BTTURzk1X1qoQwdn-RKU6NBKnk8Y_gT87GUJ55E1rcmNjrWdXZpAj7_CwNAhp5jawpTZ37rvaSGcj08Ho_THJHVHd6lodW9HmuvAMsx2J17Uzrf2mzRXtFVU4cV2hbv7XRPJIo976je4wEirJG9GTKuEQCIKzO/s4032/IMG_4154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_DQhHN_wHqVFeSTgATZ773jlv0AJo4BTTURzk1X1qoQwdn-RKU6NBKnk8Y_gT87GUJ55E1rcmNjrWdXZpAj7_CwNAhp5jawpTZ37rvaSGcj08Ho_THJHVHd6lodW9HmuvAMsx2J17Uzrf2mzRXtFVU4cV2hbv7XRPJIo976je4wEirJG9GTKuEQCIKzO/w400-h300/IMG_4154.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The first 0.1 mile of the Three Ponds Trail was terribly chopped up with frozen boot holes, but after the Mount Kineo Trail junction a snowshoe track emerged under a few inches of new powder. The track was quite narrow and uneven, making for awkward, tightrope snowshoeing. But it was easier than breaking trail through a foot of mealy snow alongside the track.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3C9BU3ObM7ubrT_FvkJh-8PjM73hVBWuDgXhLJ0Ai3wyx2sI4c17tEUEfVIdxCe0NKfut0zpVMAaLJcULREIKKU-3XlqOOJzfPyS153FmFEBO39n2nVCLgtLNuiq4GfamK4RM8lwJQVuzFM2xTBl8eKCqvJRghzGzwWOvRUsOxnZ2pwZHHFiABKPih4V/s4032/IMG_4157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3C9BU3ObM7ubrT_FvkJh-8PjM73hVBWuDgXhLJ0Ai3wyx2sI4c17tEUEfVIdxCe0NKfut0zpVMAaLJcULREIKKU-3XlqOOJzfPyS153FmFEBO39n2nVCLgtLNuiq4GfamK4RM8lwJQVuzFM2xTBl8eKCqvJRghzGzwWOvRUsOxnZ2pwZHHFiABKPih4V/w400-h300/IMG_4157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The main scenic attraction of the Three Ponds area is the numerous wetlands scattered across the basin between Carr Mountain and Mount Kineo. This is the first one seen along the trail, about 0.7 mile in from the trailhead.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_CiSjEYlHfXrlCS7yJ7fUNUdB9KblioaHjRP8flJjc_T816Xzbm0vTnfPZyODq0KgZHthYhpceSYSsI0CxHRuTfvyC9Co8MC-6fd1bmEZSkNl4dGHHDOLLc1d6VwjScIWTclvN3cDFym1u0p6HULmp3UpVpR8AJzTJ5YUXOqFZ_s_wITOBbf7-XnddsD/s4032/IMG_4158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_CiSjEYlHfXrlCS7yJ7fUNUdB9KblioaHjRP8flJjc_T816Xzbm0vTnfPZyODq0KgZHthYhpceSYSsI0CxHRuTfvyC9Co8MC-6fd1bmEZSkNl4dGHHDOLLc1d6VwjScIWTclvN3cDFym1u0p6HULmp3UpVpR8AJzTJ5YUXOqFZ_s_wITOBbf7-XnddsD/w400-h300/IMG_4158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A bit farther along I made a short bushwhack to a spacious beaver meadow along Sucker Brook, with a view up to snow-frosted Carr Mountain (3453 ft.).<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdApy9CzX1HXHML3CQ3qN5HKk_5jg4jsrUZyMsjdIXRupJMRk0cIs9d5yd1A7drWDCnzE42XVQVracnB7nccyxV-emdw_AyghpVeMDDDOJDr1KJ-u7RHDNXcQBvR1-H3UMoobgQR8oX6w-8fNsHquZCegygepX7m1t_jloMR6mIZI22ATj0JYH4zCc5t1/s4032/IMG_4162.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdApy9CzX1HXHML3CQ3qN5HKk_5jg4jsrUZyMsjdIXRupJMRk0cIs9d5yd1A7drWDCnzE42XVQVracnB7nccyxV-emdw_AyghpVeMDDDOJDr1KJ-u7RHDNXcQBvR1-H3UMoobgQR8oX6w-8fNsHquZCegygepX7m1t_jloMR6mIZI22ATj0JYH4zCc5t1/w400-h300/IMG_4162.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back along the brook to Black Hill.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCnGa5e4zS2VrcTOSt2FVGsJT6iU5LXwreEEKRZYkqy0-cgH_bIK-3mNft_4_NyOerSlgLbrn4cFdC7MgUV_3FD1ASROMFoP9oVF8GukED1m_8iObL-mui7tM-cy-xzwp9KtA3Gv9_Yka1wRQQLOKUxDMwSZxqyB4ORTuT-PUCKkSbLjVdoROUMvnFlFN/s4032/IMG_4173.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCnGa5e4zS2VrcTOSt2FVGsJT6iU5LXwreEEKRZYkqy0-cgH_bIK-3mNft_4_NyOerSlgLbrn4cFdC7MgUV_3FD1ASROMFoP9oVF8GukED1m_8iObL-mui7tM-cy-xzwp9KtA3Gv9_Yka1wRQQLOKUxDMwSZxqyB4ORTuT-PUCKkSbLjVdoROUMvnFlFN/w400-h300/IMG_4173.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A deep firm snowpack provided easy wandering out on the meadow.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRK4RLTEsWbukh3K7r5m-Ltt_MUNdhil5kFghCHvxNprx6wPEZggo5exxbmDJ8NSU4MrwmaVkxyG_k2Q3R5gPpCDys_Mbnx2YpSELPA8EZO6Rduno8zTyOCBJsIVLxLQSGKozdgpDP10I_e06K9k5xDRXL7JjrkLx-8i6xJTKi-BJCXbiABlaX_DCG5be/s4032/IMG_4182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRK4RLTEsWbukh3K7r5m-Ltt_MUNdhil5kFghCHvxNprx6wPEZggo5exxbmDJ8NSU4MrwmaVkxyG_k2Q3R5gPpCDys_Mbnx2YpSELPA8EZO6Rduno8zTyOCBJsIVLxLQSGKozdgpDP10I_e06K9k5xDRXL7JjrkLx-8i6xJTKi-BJCXbiABlaX_DCG5be/w400-h300/IMG_4182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Breaking trail on a long straightaway. Most of the first two miles of the trail coincides with a snowmobile trail. But with the snowmobile season in this area having wound down before the recent snowfall, I had this entire scenic basin to myself on this gorgeous March day.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtDYEKNkKUTISI0yWVZbAcu3oFu0OnkDakbHfPLT3YMXUavKG3nmQf2ErgFjXKkLmmnl_SoHPd3SQ-jQV3JUEJ4M20-ds9qhL79lzYUBxc-pyuUTPVYxCVys-84PpYHVpi-LO1OI6k2y9wyOA4Ukfj3NmVLZ_TEvl5LqUylPmtW3lZrNptJf97tr0SLsZ/s4032/IMG_4187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtDYEKNkKUTISI0yWVZbAcu3oFu0OnkDakbHfPLT3YMXUavKG3nmQf2ErgFjXKkLmmnl_SoHPd3SQ-jQV3JUEJ4M20-ds9qhL79lzYUBxc-pyuUTPVYxCVys-84PpYHVpi-LO1OI6k2y9wyOA4Ukfj3NmVLZ_TEvl5LqUylPmtW3lZrNptJf97tr0SLsZ/w400-h300/IMG_4187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another trailside wetland with a view of Carr Mountain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ0j_8nIONjagkbuolB6aGI28FJlZasuPE8lq7qSQNn2FkmuCYnByIQuxVyl_TcbKm6FdRGs17ZjiCABAzBdg_sWGqoJz2cbmlnt6ChekVYbM0GB3yQ9D4iVr7kgILsX8e-vMwXZlxLrfvsCBblPy-A2SehCbArRZ5S9tHbi8-9ohBpZHz1O8oh_a3Od5/s4032/IMG_4198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ0j_8nIONjagkbuolB6aGI28FJlZasuPE8lq7qSQNn2FkmuCYnByIQuxVyl_TcbKm6FdRGs17ZjiCABAzBdg_sWGqoJz2cbmlnt6ChekVYbM0GB3yQ9D4iVr7kgILsX8e-vMwXZlxLrfvsCBblPy-A2SehCbArRZ5S9tHbi8-9ohBpZHz1O8oh_a3Od5/w400-h300/IMG_4198.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Making tracks through a fine hardwood forest.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCzCJNKZOu5guKB1-JIozsslOX3UsuyWdpk3rRRunq3zKQvIeZmIqYPKJ2XmX8es-P1igqRSMLt-rwOoUOUKF5gdhFiaRBvkNDjcTUYG2H8x7TWPMDK9bW1QP9ltcB8xS8oiJyZDxmPQ43lwoQvjjJrumRxmHtZbOsXbWHV4Yzl6tQCZBQIQUnoKD6Ebx/s4032/IMG_4205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCzCJNKZOu5guKB1-JIozsslOX3UsuyWdpk3rRRunq3zKQvIeZmIqYPKJ2XmX8es-P1igqRSMLt-rwOoUOUKF5gdhFiaRBvkNDjcTUYG2H8x7TWPMDK9bW1QP9ltcB8xS8oiJyZDxmPQ43lwoQvjjJrumRxmHtZbOsXbWHV4Yzl6tQCZBQIQUnoKD6Ebx/w400-h300/IMG_4205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A nice area for bushwhacking.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6yc6JtXDKs9cHIXdId_jF9813e6r7Cs4c4Un0Y3Kw6WtnxFR4QaiGKzr646CI_PAJYNkzQFfpgA_jB0qX3IAa3qPvvmZjJ3I5TLD7DOYmTWtlm3pNfqQabzhn6_plDvzea5w1v6JtKw9FCfw8_o51_Xcph5aPLW69ViSwT0vc_IzvDB9owH6q5hE_XI2/s4032/IMG_4206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6yc6JtXDKs9cHIXdId_jF9813e6r7Cs4c4Un0Y3Kw6WtnxFR4QaiGKzr646CI_PAJYNkzQFfpgA_jB0qX3IAa3qPvvmZjJ3I5TLD7DOYmTWtlm3pNfqQabzhn6_plDvzea5w1v6JtKw9FCfw8_o51_Xcph5aPLW69ViSwT0vc_IzvDB9owH6q5hE_XI2/w400-h300/IMG_4206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heading off on a relocated section of the trail on the final approach to the Middle Pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSJP-qJIrRkBt0la_p_b0S1zYGm6tVA1-rE-cvvFulPrPTf_BIueJb2BaCvgO5Zf-1TC67g8HU2OPDciGY-XPDBEisG4n_Tb8IFSNEM2rY49v6nJ7m_8HEvwSrrrMhDUvBY6-YVzjuzDbnCC1c-BcMAjpToCYUa_cGRCkgreIJmMHLGPBEk8ZT17XfiIk/s4032/IMG_4216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSJP-qJIrRkBt0la_p_b0S1zYGm6tVA1-rE-cvvFulPrPTf_BIueJb2BaCvgO5Zf-1TC67g8HU2OPDciGY-XPDBEisG4n_Tb8IFSNEM2rY49v6nJ7m_8HEvwSrrrMhDUvBY6-YVzjuzDbnCC1c-BcMAjpToCYUa_cGRCkgreIJmMHLGPBEk8ZT17XfiIk/w400-h300/IMG_4216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heavy breaking in here.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsLzxIZEFdz24MewpRAhdDYQp23nt5VtJZ1bV_mHqU6amL_wGtJRzZAXOo3DvjQx2Awj8z-lIlGf03DwrGvVB20oTW11DYKNYzQnrWiNwxx9m5jc5s4f0lV0WpqmK37__2IQDgtvG6jQHTIkrYMk64CAmUQtB68Y7VO82ZnAbAi4glFcCAgenLyqCos5o/s4032/IMG_4217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsLzxIZEFdz24MewpRAhdDYQp23nt5VtJZ1bV_mHqU6amL_wGtJRzZAXOo3DvjQx2Awj8z-lIlGf03DwrGvVB20oTW11DYKNYzQnrWiNwxx9m5jc5s4f0lV0WpqmK37__2IQDgtvG6jQHTIkrYMk64CAmUQtB68Y7VO82ZnAbAi4glFcCAgenLyqCos5o/w400-h300/IMG_4217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arriving at the south end of the expansive Middle Pond, one of my favorite water bodies in the Whites. Whitcher Hill presides to the north.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBchzH6k_yKXjKd9aJk_hHtrVeO8_ULctTW-MN7z_T6EBoAxMs6aH3OlsNcxX_TB6b0sRdnSyx1gNL2fWc1K9SbjGAAzhyEuG6LVsvYm4KNmQ3tTsd1WLqZwTXYKKdOp-xJzObxLUJ434lZM_zpD4A0GgCi_YV5bG8neNEGPQRpMjVLzTz_4vEYzXUEHPa/s4032/IMG_4225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBchzH6k_yKXjKd9aJk_hHtrVeO8_ULctTW-MN7z_T6EBoAxMs6aH3OlsNcxX_TB6b0sRdnSyx1gNL2fWc1K9SbjGAAzhyEuG6LVsvYm4KNmQ3tTsd1WLqZwTXYKKdOp-xJzObxLUJ434lZM_zpD4A0GgCi_YV5bG8neNEGPQRpMjVLzTz_4vEYzXUEHPa/w400-h300/IMG_4225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Had lunch at this trailside opening along the pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzQEnMavQx0u2l192IXOHjCnend2lW_p7n49aOG4at-bon756Oj0HX-H85OSrcllATAI_I6RAKT2GECva4utPX1oJWaSBqEaX5TYuAeL-xipiwwoEOaHrk1O4ccuHTJQBslSng1Xm1_tjIyp9jWda1NSt0M3E2saxbKjvS5BCnA6ScRyOI8SJKTygOaT6/s4032/IMG_4226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzQEnMavQx0u2l192IXOHjCnend2lW_p7n49aOG4at-bon756Oj0HX-H85OSrcllATAI_I6RAKT2GECva4utPX1oJWaSBqEaX5TYuAeL-xipiwwoEOaHrk1O4ccuHTJQBslSng1Xm1_tjIyp9jWda1NSt0M3E2saxbKjvS5BCnA6ScRyOI8SJKTygOaT6/w400-h300/IMG_4226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The elongated mass of Carr Mountain looms to the SW.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMntPejGHDbktcsKIWwbTbiu6MjIWLiUM07Phw3ypIkqF91siMhmXpSGl4RQcS-rZSZqOIIHMj5_PF0UOYRwqpt1ocj8nYAzCrZvEdMJvdiD8BHs2HWAbsjhb6iXh8PxmJ3munsftrYk3xT_4UE9gdf7_TEcr0n3DZZj9qKh09TpeV8n8tXOID97XbY1Z/s4032/IMG_4233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMntPejGHDbktcsKIWwbTbiu6MjIWLiUM07Phw3ypIkqF91siMhmXpSGl4RQcS-rZSZqOIIHMj5_PF0UOYRwqpt1ocj8nYAzCrZvEdMJvdiD8BHs2HWAbsjhb6iXh8PxmJ3munsftrYk3xT_4UE9gdf7_TEcr0n3DZZj9qKh09TpeV8n8tXOID97XbY1Z/w400-h300/IMG_4233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Busting through some deep drifts as the trail tracks along the eastern shore.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT94FFQxkAW69X7W8aIpOdrtN-OPk3yOdxrgvHCN-q6d5dP-9MjK6gRim5kopn93Y93uvz8-StU0tITkASLLanO_h3999bt-g0sDTG0IMr-cVGyrT0qdpinDwpt5AC3tiHfFfS97HlFeamhy1lkAKRxyB7IB6xwHxEO0mVzShLklWg69Zj08W2fmDWgb7/s4032/IMG_4283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT94FFQxkAW69X7W8aIpOdrtN-OPk3yOdxrgvHCN-q6d5dP-9MjK6gRim5kopn93Y93uvz8-StU0tITkASLLanO_h3999bt-g0sDTG0IMr-cVGyrT0qdpinDwpt5AC3tiHfFfS97HlFeamhy1lkAKRxyB7IB6xwHxEO0mVzShLklWg69Zj08W2fmDWgb7/w400-h300/IMG_4283.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I figured I might not be able to make the precarious beaver dam crossing to get to the Upper Pond from the Donkey Hill Cutoff junction. I figured correctly.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvUWFdgYTe1nzSacdNbVaXX0MFI8eFYUc0niZe0Q75YExwggthFSuWsc5-RxJNppVzQGnt2xZgbjEV-cVW5cjggL4z9IFQWIx6tFwG1WF2OIpgTmczhhLPvEriS7RlXvrQ6_xrZP9YFvgaZWTGcdGdUz0Plsaca50Kk1oooNs4xO_a4yUvaC1diovsyXc/s4032/IMG_4248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvUWFdgYTe1nzSacdNbVaXX0MFI8eFYUc0niZe0Q75YExwggthFSuWsc5-RxJNppVzQGnt2xZgbjEV-cVW5cjggL4z9IFQWIx6tFwG1WF2OIpgTmczhhLPvEriS7RlXvrQ6_xrZP9YFvgaZWTGcdGdUz0Plsaca50Kk1oooNs4xO_a4yUvaC1diovsyXc/w400-h300/IMG_4248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From here I turned around and bushwhacked SE towards a secluded beaver swamp.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkC3goVGmwYF0GilPI2rTx6ZgtgJcI-VmhSkNxN4nbn43PpsP7uV538WMVK4ZV-FE5ve_wTKqYb_hYvNdJWWj5rNLQvAS800aWzl6Yyz-c3b08yjtpKKSutbBthfCXeBHtXDeLtFqjY4SyTYP_AtckXL53rtM_pMlZEk9d2fJBq_AFt4LXZl4nz__k0Am/s4032/IMG_4252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkC3goVGmwYF0GilPI2rTx6ZgtgJcI-VmhSkNxN4nbn43PpsP7uV538WMVK4ZV-FE5ve_wTKqYb_hYvNdJWWj5rNLQvAS800aWzl6Yyz-c3b08yjtpKKSutbBthfCXeBHtXDeLtFqjY4SyTYP_AtckXL53rtM_pMlZEk9d2fJBq_AFt4LXZl4nz__k0Am/w400-h300/IMG_4252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Found it!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu85U4yKfZ1AEoF2NZB9NxHfozmZGzeGU4Q66qM6_J2h3hwV4AgJum0ef5pNEObe4ZCCfIaj37DIun45SmCTDvyIV00UWEJnWXp52fcPzx4mSnuwDhPFK6yupXr0nBCf_zT8BuXbsyWDNd1MpuXUHTtN-iTJrqZES8W2DOejMJCugU1LXbzZRo6Fl9CX6/s4032/IMG_4256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu85U4yKfZ1AEoF2NZB9NxHfozmZGzeGU4Q66qM6_J2h3hwV4AgJum0ef5pNEObe4ZCCfIaj37DIun45SmCTDvyIV00UWEJnWXp52fcPzx4mSnuwDhPFK6yupXr0nBCf_zT8BuXbsyWDNd1MpuXUHTtN-iTJrqZES8W2DOejMJCugU1LXbzZRo6Fl9CX6/w400-h300/IMG_4256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A solid snowpack allowed me to wander at will around the wetland.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiy9joUaoLxCyt75XFu0dc3g2bljSEeLngMXNSs5ykar1DTWcR-IScoToHpSgfCXeZehpR_ZZPOJKMXFDAIkLs4Y0H6IM9JhUpa9ZIdTLjQBqXvHgfkwUKKUaAo6J3GwoDSLkfnZTMDxfwWjmVyN0RECctsoXEKa-tAWLl906bMQ6SkL76ubOfgFxSxoRZ/s4032/IMG_4265.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiy9joUaoLxCyt75XFu0dc3g2bljSEeLngMXNSs5ykar1DTWcR-IScoToHpSgfCXeZehpR_ZZPOJKMXFDAIkLs4Y0H6IM9JhUpa9ZIdTLjQBqXvHgfkwUKKUaAo6J3GwoDSLkfnZTMDxfwWjmVyN0RECctsoXEKa-tAWLl906bMQ6SkL76ubOfgFxSxoRZ/w400-h300/IMG_4265.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back from the far end.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirdbg_8iRDEHNhRNJNUQ5bJHVZ2DyfWObsyDCQFSDffX79OYQb9u39BqqucscXi64Y86xxOZyRnDiXhnSgCOYfKfATLR1_e7bkVVtrns3ujxPTLS3KQ6fqqzkAmKgsIUz0FjcVB1-tczDy6nGNeGcmuaOkfhKgQnDaOxsH07oIZkWIQkIe864JelHBDIu/s4032/IMG_4268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirdbg_8iRDEHNhRNJNUQ5bJHVZ2DyfWObsyDCQFSDffX79OYQb9u39BqqucscXi64Y86xxOZyRnDiXhnSgCOYfKfATLR1_e7bkVVtrns3ujxPTLS3KQ6fqqzkAmKgsIUz0FjcVB1-tczDy6nGNeGcmuaOkfhKgQnDaOxsH07oIZkWIQkIe864JelHBDIu/w400-h300/IMG_4268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> </div><div> </div><div>Winter has hung on in the Three Ponds basin.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9DtKCqEiNT-qCsnAAdyy1lpZW33mOfoJ0BJxc4oJEPVDvoEEMpVzZhlJ1I6IgQFNL-L73AaT6iXzCXEkRxn2d3B-hI9HRvRNa1qnuk6OdZpqfwJePwF6pNxOFxvL3qgnH25lfhdmbvMbREMbDeCQvMnJMLPiVSUHHLHPeYIB74A-JJhE7p6sjkzclKbj/s4032/IMG_4271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9DtKCqEiNT-qCsnAAdyy1lpZW33mOfoJ0BJxc4oJEPVDvoEEMpVzZhlJ1I6IgQFNL-L73AaT6iXzCXEkRxn2d3B-hI9HRvRNa1qnuk6OdZpqfwJePwF6pNxOFxvL3qgnH25lfhdmbvMbREMbDeCQvMnJMLPiVSUHHLHPeYIB74A-JJhE7p6sjkzclKbj/w400-h300/IMG_4271.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Bushwhacking through open woods back to the trail and the Middle Pond.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmcXUxOEk-clEx-ZbSLD9jlXMXOHUWOCBRxKSQr0VMDsekzOq6TsvD4AQeyAusJTX4vlVMMSirdfkaoFvBbBd25ku3PM5QKSNZH4SbJaibDl0H4M64bIGPFXal3PGpIN9hhAPzuaaDE_Bq4MqRvRQOdw_WG-bfrWgRV-UHNzchQetrI89kTJrZkmtm6or/s4032/IMG_4276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmcXUxOEk-clEx-ZbSLD9jlXMXOHUWOCBRxKSQr0VMDsekzOq6TsvD4AQeyAusJTX4vlVMMSirdfkaoFvBbBd25ku3PM5QKSNZH4SbJaibDl0H4M64bIGPFXal3PGpIN9hhAPzuaaDE_Bq4MqRvRQOdw_WG-bfrWgRV-UHNzchQetrI89kTJrZkmtm6or/w400-h300/IMG_4276.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nice angle on Carr Mountain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-DrpLwUiWgeCWdQ917L4y2AmbTnY7v-w9Mjm3XrX4Yh9yXurl5PNHdHWnQ7KmiswvwuilI8NLeNx8KI1fxVzbAhUfT1QEOMgaUeQ_9HKnqj2AdCUfJojfBBY5O0jti16dfUvJ-xJsVnYTnYLUtERCdqQHuzuTITImb2szPfYcNEKRYINi9OD1fRyg0IU/s4032/IMG_4279.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-DrpLwUiWgeCWdQ917L4y2AmbTnY7v-w9Mjm3XrX4Yh9yXurl5PNHdHWnQ7KmiswvwuilI8NLeNx8KI1fxVzbAhUfT1QEOMgaUeQ_9HKnqj2AdCUfJojfBBY5O0jti16dfUvJ-xJsVnYTnYLUtERCdqQHuzuTITImb2szPfYcNEKRYINi9OD1fRyg0IU/w400-h300/IMG_4279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back at my lunch spot, I did some pole probing and concluded that the pond was still safely frozen up here in its high basin. I headed across towards a sentinel pine that has long been a Middle Pond landmark. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvzdEHKWL2nOBIUl9OTnDZ24G8PODtzi2xkL61MEtfnnkpa8uDAzLcVVPxJT1jDNLzPoR5MpC34OCSMvWohyphenhyphenmrv1pL4tdj1SWFOcqxiLatpGGJi2W-dyJBNBYZ_N2kUlEirTAxAsVG7-dJJcI3A0puqEq0OCy7RSClUl5FHn2mimLENykreOsQfF1rJ8H/s4032/IMG_4289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvzdEHKWL2nOBIUl9OTnDZ24G8PODtzi2xkL61MEtfnnkpa8uDAzLcVVPxJT1jDNLzPoR5MpC34OCSMvWohyphenhyphenmrv1pL4tdj1SWFOcqxiLatpGGJi2W-dyJBNBYZ_N2kUlEirTAxAsVG7-dJJcI3A0puqEq0OCy7RSClUl5FHn2mimLENykreOsQfF1rJ8H/w400-h300/IMG_4289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Out on the pond, a great view north to Whitcher Hill and NE to Mount Kineo.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJLmTLloNMN9p8p8i9Mb3R_q-ZA_3iHSEyRbxmcQIQ9zHmBIqoi8otPi40Nr4ZrURY5TlC3PnCgFXWLE4fLlUkyiZ9oibu7hTQtnHVDK267mzNBsj_f9COQcyeQ-uwbYdspx41ldF9TdghmQMl8C7WI_rBzQNnm3W9d87kNglmCKV1EoBV1endBLB_cN9/s4032/IMG_4297.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJLmTLloNMN9p8p8i9Mb3R_q-ZA_3iHSEyRbxmcQIQ9zHmBIqoi8otPi40Nr4ZrURY5TlC3PnCgFXWLE4fLlUkyiZ9oibu7hTQtnHVDK267mzNBsj_f9COQcyeQ-uwbYdspx41ldF9TdghmQMl8C7WI_rBzQNnm3W9d87kNglmCKV1EoBV1endBLB_cN9/w400-h300/IMG_4297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trailless Mount Kineo (3313 ft.) is a distinctive peak.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySZdpS87BYJ2wdCqGSFgfp9Jdib6a_j3whBRb6xwgvSEICewyvSgBelAPPDuegDT6yeVutbn6U-PeLiglemUgDIXRcxr7M31m3of2xuqt2jfg2Pja_Aw26GLoAwEU0TKNH3qNtWS5jpcc7qF3AMpmHjuUKXVe_aSpKp_nDP9Iw9S5WIzD8v8XuO1y3UiK/s4032/IMG_4303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySZdpS87BYJ2wdCqGSFgfp9Jdib6a_j3whBRb6xwgvSEICewyvSgBelAPPDuegDT6yeVutbn6U-PeLiglemUgDIXRcxr7M31m3of2xuqt2jfg2Pja_Aw26GLoAwEU0TKNH3qNtWS5jpcc7qF3AMpmHjuUKXVe_aSpKp_nDP9Iw9S5WIzD8v8XuO1y3UiK/w400-h300/IMG_4303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Tracks on the pond. With warm days in the forecast, perhaps the last day this was safe for passage this winter.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n9HU2yMK9uunf3YT9TT9uTb9NpBWNyvFuP1bHZa7GMowuk2T5hrLsK_WG69Q54_G_udn51QqkjRQA5QGnFrOITBNilg7g26MieZMgg-bO6MxChH6Gr1GLw7QyR1iwni18iMtt1Y2XXC8nHySHgi5qwSqagatK_ranR4_oJ_hZuPZSLTNd2Ni58HBzhht/s4032/IMG_4300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n9HU2yMK9uunf3YT9TT9uTb9NpBWNyvFuP1bHZa7GMowuk2T5hrLsK_WG69Q54_G_udn51QqkjRQA5QGnFrOITBNilg7g26MieZMgg-bO6MxChH6Gr1GLw7QyR1iwni18iMtt1Y2XXC8nHySHgi5qwSqagatK_ranR4_oJ_hZuPZSLTNd2Ni58HBzhht/w400-h300/IMG_4300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">On the way back I made a short bushwhack to visit the small, circular Lower Pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2ysWYttKiUEhhGkZpp5_kan-N3j07r-k87egIJF8wQiUFszUr_oHTBT5d97fjr6ClkpH8eKZOImaTxatvn5F7D33SSw35RBhHlWIsSH46qDwEnHtSioeLnGOztbwm8C7gjki4WLga1yd962ehgk27Bn9DLU6T4eJ_DXhK3Aml0EJlxDmNra9FiM_EWJ5/s4032/IMG_4317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2ysWYttKiUEhhGkZpp5_kan-N3j07r-k87egIJF8wQiUFszUr_oHTBT5d97fjr6ClkpH8eKZOImaTxatvn5F7D33SSw35RBhHlWIsSH46qDwEnHtSioeLnGOztbwm8C7gjki4WLga1yd962ehgk27Bn9DLU6T4eJ_DXhK3Aml0EJlxDmNra9FiM_EWJ5/w400-h300/IMG_4317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back to the north ridge of Carr.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEuRnVEewlWo0mDop750aO2b3SU8R2Ghr61sZXOYiECvmySN85lsJo-Jfx3qy0D2RshP7j7u0gxDo4s7qhHXe5qYabO4zOFxpD_TJ5eTGpK_WzeWjky1saOQzPmDtIQ_rUcakkrfUaUdu_jzUYOhFGm18FwDTMTadE-n6CwdNq8nXt76sYTcwt13xV6KJ/s4032/IMG_4342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEuRnVEewlWo0mDop750aO2b3SU8R2Ghr61sZXOYiECvmySN85lsJo-Jfx3qy0D2RshP7j7u0gxDo4s7qhHXe5qYabO4zOFxpD_TJ5eTGpK_WzeWjky1saOQzPmDtIQ_rUcakkrfUaUdu_jzUYOhFGm18FwDTMTadE-n6CwdNq8nXt76sYTcwt13xV6KJ/w400-h300/IMG_4342.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is one of the best trailhead kiosks in the Whites. It really sets the tone for a visit to the wonderful Three Ponds area.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVrmjLI_dRDj-svVUAU8zVSlFtlD3sDF7Idck46aAPo7DRplPN2EE52GAzP-KzMZWvTV4SOGBWtiXztH0N5kDrNH-CZMOQ51nccOhXWFcZmxTDEpWlSKLwm5eLtHb-4sOz1Xd-zv1YN9DcB1drIm7GcyD8Ah8xA6n5YoylHz9GAgYlQghk7j9IawZGfyY/s4032/IMG_4351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVrmjLI_dRDj-svVUAU8zVSlFtlD3sDF7Idck46aAPo7DRplPN2EE52GAzP-KzMZWvTV4SOGBWtiXztH0N5kDrNH-CZMOQ51nccOhXWFcZmxTDEpWlSKLwm5eLtHb-4sOz1Xd-zv1YN9DcB1drIm7GcyD8Ah8xA6n5YoylHz9GAgYlQghk7j9IawZGfyY/w400-h300/IMG_4351.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-70320906215115671522024-03-09T19:23:00.000-05:002024-03-09T19:23:13.765-05:00Bald Ledge/Upper Rattlesnake Loop: 3/8/24<p style="text-align: left;">I opted for a spring-type bushwhack on a sunny, spring-like day, making a six-mile loop over trailless southern spurs of Carr Mountain. Along the way I passed through a variety of terrain and forests and visited several ledgy spots with partial views, including Bald Ledge (1740 ft.) and a shoulder of Upper Rattlesnake Mountain (2140 ft.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">After hiking just 0.1 mile up the Rattlesnake Mountain Trail off Buffalo Road, I made a steep stream crossing and climbed up a slope to an old logging road that rose steadily to the north.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrv3D5EexFXXLRNC4BZ65ATOAsRVFsRB7_N6PV2e7ZKzH9oqm9POZs6i_eDeIpCXloPigLxJAKined_B1EpUDYaDPd6KAMZpSo5QZkR5QLwy-wHItp3jL6-vOmTSSE_A7zELF5pC26jFmTdMbhEpxqd7a8KLS7BO9ZtlhOvppulkzflwDyZpAPK18rj1Y/s4032/IMG_3865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrv3D5EexFXXLRNC4BZ65ATOAsRVFsRB7_N6PV2e7ZKzH9oqm9POZs6i_eDeIpCXloPigLxJAKined_B1EpUDYaDPd6KAMZpSo5QZkR5QLwy-wHItp3jL6-vOmTSSE_A7zELF5pC26jFmTdMbhEpxqd7a8KLS7BO9ZtlhOvppulkzflwDyZpAPK18rj1Y/w400-h300/IMG_3865.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">After a brief stint on an unofficial mountain bike trail called "Dump Run," I angled up and across the slope through open hemlock woods, crossing a couple of brooks.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQXbUuNzJMaBaqvQeg1jUi_coNEgj9rM0Ww-P4dGzACwpAV2Lx685KXxvF5vfg9_yN-ECxyHpkEkFNUcrTxIuoGY-Tw3loRykDTQ7fGkcEKJoHTMa3bb5Ph82HufmEvF2YnSvz9UtEepdHO8le6psoGyzYhFRboT-cVYC5yJhNN8T-0l63NCw_mcjkwAf/s4032/IMG_3868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQXbUuNzJMaBaqvQeg1jUi_coNEgj9rM0Ww-P4dGzACwpAV2Lx685KXxvF5vfg9_yN-ECxyHpkEkFNUcrTxIuoGY-Tw3loRykDTQ7fGkcEKJoHTMa3bb5Ph82HufmEvF2YnSvz9UtEepdHO8le6psoGyzYhFRboT-cVYC5yJhNN8T-0l63NCw_mcjkwAf/w400-h300/IMG_3868.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Down in the drainages there was lingering snow that was quickly turning mushy as the temperature rose into the 40s.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqbjux4PmN9YAFNkOyMZbOvniToDttjqUn8qR8Tspe6ZW-KtjMUsOJ7eFtxOak_IbciQU6TeVxd00NVNTN16CWYs7TFd80GYDHRqOlBC36hFVSbFdxFvffK10RA3PysUIiJReWRCJXjlUlJaAEvAPBFElCjmpOk-QV-nhCAAqsOTYhv5oGOn14j6ZA4st/s4032/IMG_3872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqbjux4PmN9YAFNkOyMZbOvniToDttjqUn8qR8Tspe6ZW-KtjMUsOJ7eFtxOak_IbciQU6TeVxd00NVNTN16CWYs7TFd80GYDHRqOlBC36hFVSbFdxFvffK10RA3PysUIiJReWRCJXjlUlJaAEvAPBFElCjmpOk-QV-nhCAAqsOTYhv5oGOn14j6ZA4st/w400-h300/IMG_3872.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The last time I navigated this route, nine years ago, I followed a brook upstream, enjoying views of numerous cascades. Today there was too much snow down in the drainage to make that enjoyable.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrX2ybaBgcZF4qdSGQAll80de576HHIo6Jnc0uMcqjyjkn2YgzUgaTXhbwT38F0OmZhHQQJrMxbu_8Gv8iD5_9FQEFSUgIWdfajYiBATaLn2oQwSOPgStU-l1CWVzHRkI5JKRmDg8-IEbyy8wB-2sEKngRa3n7PZE4b4sf6J9IWWVGK9Z9SgSGGUe0L3j/s4032/IMG_3873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrX2ybaBgcZF4qdSGQAll80de576HHIo6Jnc0uMcqjyjkn2YgzUgaTXhbwT38F0OmZhHQQJrMxbu_8Gv8iD5_9FQEFSUgIWdfajYiBATaLn2oQwSOPgStU-l1CWVzHRkI5JKRmDg8-IEbyy8wB-2sEKngRa3n7PZE4b4sf6J9IWWVGK9Z9SgSGGUe0L3j/w400-h300/IMG_3873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I was happy to climb onto an adjacent hardwood ridge, leaving the snow behind.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fXLnzTQUKD66XXUW_Z97mDqCpWnfRxJeRcGDGXPmywxy9mCorRmLobPJEETzegWO8HRuSY6r4Bn15d1VZFtG5N7RsX_xNKwFR8htDVYaSGklVNZ9Z4e3CSlbyUaxe4ksoemXYXo3oRXeMMLg4tixq42lPBae4PUl4YB3MC9vCmmluBoA6gYAUpMIsoNF/s4032/IMG_3876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fXLnzTQUKD66XXUW_Z97mDqCpWnfRxJeRcGDGXPmywxy9mCorRmLobPJEETzegWO8HRuSY6r4Bn15d1VZFtG5N7RsX_xNKwFR8htDVYaSGklVNZ9Z4e3CSlbyUaxe4ksoemXYXo3oRXeMMLg4tixq42lPBae4PUl4YB3MC9vCmmluBoA6gYAUpMIsoNF/w400-h300/IMG_3876.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny, snow-free hardwoods - this is what I came here for!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmy8otsHshp8rdTuXkakvPTb5n78TeRL__50Oh1sItiSw9PTaNve8xkk3fXOTaSkYmxR5YQoYM-xlYTYt6-75bTUrqOTzh9Fdu8CJ_pnhyUv9wH3xJkQs9RQtssxwzHvL9HMTYMyltEwSKVbarD8Ww7wC_f7FCxDLZFemLem7AU_oexxbFzRhO0QCsxma/s4032/IMG_3882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmy8otsHshp8rdTuXkakvPTb5n78TeRL__50Oh1sItiSw9PTaNve8xkk3fXOTaSkYmxR5YQoYM-xlYTYt6-75bTUrqOTzh9Fdu8CJ_pnhyUv9wH3xJkQs9RQtssxwzHvL9HMTYMyltEwSKVbarD8Ww7wC_f7FCxDLZFemLem7AU_oexxbFzRhO0QCsxma/w400-h300/IMG_3882.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I climbed over a little rocky knoll bearing several red pines.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6WsyazBt3k4pA1JlLz8mOeArST-XJIVc4ESimQxTpn5eQmVKh_hOrw31XCqRdtRlFW4Fq_XgClfWo6hwcA5wVlIdFggArm5Vn7tEVgVgXN8Cjfv-uEkdVAWbs0NCkIrSPeaAgKchySccpmoFb1LA5Iy8wJ0R79jtQXLpYk_IphF2Lzpin1ZPPMmn7wjz/s4032/IMG_3891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6WsyazBt3k4pA1JlLz8mOeArST-XJIVc4ESimQxTpn5eQmVKh_hOrw31XCqRdtRlFW4Fq_XgClfWo6hwcA5wVlIdFggArm5Vn7tEVgVgXN8Cjfv-uEkdVAWbs0NCkIrSPeaAgKchySccpmoFb1LA5Iy8wJ0R79jtQXLpYk_IphF2Lzpin1ZPPMmn7wjz/w400-h300/IMG_3891.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the back side of the knoll was a tiny pond, like a nature-made bathtub.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaXm1rnn1d-PRBtn_NWzNL2Z57tCih8zMFx0KVtpGhZ0qY-Kn8leTVX2FH4Sh2ylq3V-gvvRdEqGt7tvnq9eBUtuQu4DQmkzyajhtnYWZ0ZOLWIi8zS7vO_RIGmNHxmQJHJO27bl7b4T3N1yyl_au8rVfqP_fxutTJL_eG_GWpj0Sg8m8d8rwTY3AP3c1/s4032/IMG_3894.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaXm1rnn1d-PRBtn_NWzNL2Z57tCih8zMFx0KVtpGhZ0qY-Kn8leTVX2FH4Sh2ylq3V-gvvRdEqGt7tvnq9eBUtuQu4DQmkzyajhtnYWZ0ZOLWIi8zS7vO_RIGmNHxmQJHJO27bl7b4T3N1yyl_au8rVfqP_fxutTJL_eG_GWpj0Sg8m8d8rwTY3AP3c1/w400-h300/IMG_3894.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Fine open hardwoods, almost like the Catskills, approaching the base of Bald Ledge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC2hCCu8Isi00BNt6dXXVP1sjct7kaTguiVhcsrP-rkOtBVRS5cmNinNP32w7MjHcYyA052ZaiKJA-Qnx9zNw3to1zWfwaaCKrTFypWR8J28dkMuWROHqEghmK4bSRB3Tf0bnQxfYnPT9SLjEFIk929lXPn5wCIE4RIUVE47xYGXFFq00x9gbIVs5m9aw/s4032/IMG_3896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC2hCCu8Isi00BNt6dXXVP1sjct7kaTguiVhcsrP-rkOtBVRS5cmNinNP32w7MjHcYyA052ZaiKJA-Qnx9zNw3to1zWfwaaCKrTFypWR8J28dkMuWROHqEghmK4bSRB3Tf0bnQxfYnPT9SLjEFIk929lXPn5wCIE4RIUVE47xYGXFFq00x9gbIVs5m9aw/w400-h300/IMG_3896.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">A random rippled crag in the forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXcGjeurOv40y3pd0TbupvT2ZZ-kryVPsurIZ5EbkgPTVvu49ERGCzs-NrjEfpJ8EnwYQxqVuTfqJckfJJFhcqQSjqCSNwt1o4kwSih-EvmK9Rhm6lGXHXiYbRoA5L208b3vf5JJyt6jrAwvYeohOJxUZJhai7T7JnRjMoPTRPAxVGuYuNKG6QVh5Y6Mp/s4032/IMG_3905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXcGjeurOv40y3pd0TbupvT2ZZ-kryVPsurIZ5EbkgPTVvu49ERGCzs-NrjEfpJ8EnwYQxqVuTfqJckfJJFhcqQSjqCSNwt1o4kwSih-EvmK9Rhm6lGXHXiYbRoA5L208b3vf5JJyt6jrAwvYeohOJxUZJhai7T7JnRjMoPTRPAxVGuYuNKG6QVh5Y6Mp/w400-h300/IMG_3905.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">A lovely little valley below the col on the east side of Bald Ledge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGyw34ljwa32_BhM_WAPHxDvYsF_T8dr9RikRcvO4sC19LPxi5q3UPhFQjs4hY-I2yKPMv5khTjcdB2iKIJ1ZeIHmC2v1stBadHYGFEUTcH2VIsOqWRTQv6igjmr09Jdi92W0bPFhJtapbCI_mUceno8A7fMwlW1LVF3zFFEqtk1r-RQiVW8hor08QEa8/s4032/IMG_3915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGyw34ljwa32_BhM_WAPHxDvYsF_T8dr9RikRcvO4sC19LPxi5q3UPhFQjs4hY-I2yKPMv5khTjcdB2iKIJ1ZeIHmC2v1stBadHYGFEUTcH2VIsOqWRTQv6igjmr09Jdi92W0bPFhJtapbCI_mUceno8A7fMwlW1LVF3zFFEqtk1r-RQiVW8hor08QEa8/w400-h300/IMG_3915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A true bluebird day.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxM29w7NDWzuajcvK2bwfGTpCBD-3uOz9MKwo2OknTGLacsIQPxAU6vsRW0bczpUdgK-b1y4vwzUu29aj6NthiK8hz7mW8JPnEEk0OtiIxgbOaAl2w1unZRaIdYoJ8ZO4kPomYA9jFv9TfU7MyPoKlhtfof-6MTXFSztrGAHBpRFFF_I44j8QlACPLG33/s4032/IMG_3917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxM29w7NDWzuajcvK2bwfGTpCBD-3uOz9MKwo2OknTGLacsIQPxAU6vsRW0bczpUdgK-b1y4vwzUu29aj6NthiK8hz7mW8JPnEEk0OtiIxgbOaAl2w1unZRaIdYoJ8ZO4kPomYA9jFv9TfU7MyPoKlhtfof-6MTXFSztrGAHBpRFFF_I44j8QlACPLG33/w300-h400/IMG_3917.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Climbing through an open oak forest to the top of Bald Ledge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaPw5IyO8dwgjj8L8W1jnhQJV9laHUhyw4r56RX_YVYCnLeOy1z27jVeReDL022uNHU6JbmFf2tFfnul0gh7lyT1xyBO88E7uN_5g0XHp9oYaLJsVkPXddhd3ZYLq-Mfu4pIRJF2oR_eG-uKeS3hEq_FhEgZch2_bdgyvffpDtTCLuwps8LsuohEy3tXC/s4032/IMG_3926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaPw5IyO8dwgjj8L8W1jnhQJV9laHUhyw4r56RX_YVYCnLeOy1z27jVeReDL022uNHU6JbmFf2tFfnul0gh7lyT1xyBO88E7uN_5g0XHp9oYaLJsVkPXddhd3ZYLq-Mfu4pIRJF2oR_eG-uKeS3hEq_FhEgZch2_bdgyvffpDtTCLuwps8LsuohEy3tXC/w400-h300/IMG_3926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It's pretty flat at the top.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V_6UVGt-3t48RqycRLgwJD1Xle8o5Vmz0uGcTUAPyd8dseB1Bd-m9djPakMR3vMkcIUkpOpNhgqRtMBRzQsnBAMpdh8sJdONUhDXgh0giszL_bxgoHfnb4HWIMJqmYzDFNez8oaJrzHVLsBreCzlSd0L4CtVu6SEJBOBiKMVfjsnuYFxp2nEPI8S09_w/s4032/IMG_3932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9V_6UVGt-3t48RqycRLgwJD1Xle8o5Vmz0uGcTUAPyd8dseB1Bd-m9djPakMR3vMkcIUkpOpNhgqRtMBRzQsnBAMpdh8sJdONUhDXgh0giszL_bxgoHfnb4HWIMJqmYzDFNez8oaJrzHVLsBreCzlSd0L4CtVu6SEJBOBiKMVfjsnuYFxp2nEPI8S09_w/w400-h300/IMG_3932.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An old cairn marks the high point of Bald Ledge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGjmjVaE1C1GbcBXDaRckIM66L_GSmuZrkpEphpAafZPat8coC3Ldisv3eaXhOi5_DAAORIPyxDe13024CVjK0qlIbCDJQyJLeHm67WcHDrdwFQrWD7KksNGgNmu3H17t8B24jREUWu5UhpJuIXrqXMG3_duiFzxlP0qe3EktO74Nwy0c7iPOOJ00cllK/s4032/IMG_3935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGjmjVaE1C1GbcBXDaRckIM66L_GSmuZrkpEphpAafZPat8coC3Ldisv3eaXhOi5_DAAORIPyxDe13024CVjK0qlIbCDJQyJLeHm67WcHDrdwFQrWD7KksNGgNmu3H17t8B24jREUWu5UhpJuIXrqXMG3_duiFzxlP0qe3EktO74Nwy0c7iPOOJ00cllK/w400-h300/IMG_3935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The broad summit area features a group of interconnected mountain meadows.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U8Acu5lOc1eWysPNBFGGnB3EgCe72VV16rSCClVqX6bthXlDQm4C1fVMTZWPLOzZyXOLyofBGSyTurbR472WaW9CY5xxkgkFpldRiPMgIkGpkh7ddctcsvLlhzDX6kNW3iCq7V_J4zBMtDEUeh4eWJG78rA5xA9OY352v6f0VNJ6Gu7Ze5If4LmoDte5/s4032/IMG_3936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U8Acu5lOc1eWysPNBFGGnB3EgCe72VV16rSCClVqX6bthXlDQm4C1fVMTZWPLOzZyXOLyofBGSyTurbR472WaW9CY5xxkgkFpldRiPMgIkGpkh7ddctcsvLlhzDX6kNW3iCq7V_J4zBMtDEUeh4eWJG78rA5xA9OY352v6f0VNJ6Gu7Ze5If4LmoDte5/w400-h300/IMG_3936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Smarts Mountain is prominent to the west.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtOBU8-P-8K-xgSWbNuOExCnrWSwdek7fcQPUgIvPaPfuRdS_nx-1wnwBTyMUqNHrkMczrXfz1flcSwdAlhIyyF4WSpvQyEscwKBrQjTKOlgAQudsGJltLMntShgcjLISQArVOnoCv0n2GhFKVwmZ8WWkKsyIzvaP2TaWHqyqKz_iFuIjXP6N_Ckb7UvZ/s4032/IMG_3938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtOBU8-P-8K-xgSWbNuOExCnrWSwdek7fcQPUgIvPaPfuRdS_nx-1wnwBTyMUqNHrkMczrXfz1flcSwdAlhIyyF4WSpvQyEscwKBrQjTKOlgAQudsGJltLMntShgcjLISQArVOnoCv0n2GhFKVwmZ8WWkKsyIzvaP2TaWHqyqKz_iFuIjXP6N_Ckb7UvZ/w400-h300/IMG_3938.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Summit pine.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0RjrULw0_CVljJS9p8h5n03ljeYBa_gjb9jE2SAysKNF2a9yEd_g1344yBcd7vEEuwcOmJ_VPHir8DJ1Ss8fjBmSKfFL4xNRXy-zmYXpsfLMcBdonc4buEcKjARk-24xvLIdCd3U1n0hN7FmolahYNvKSOujXbGZtvo3bZjmsaYZdEzGCqmQ9kaErais/s4032/IMG_3940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0RjrULw0_CVljJS9p8h5n03ljeYBa_gjb9jE2SAysKNF2a9yEd_g1344yBcd7vEEuwcOmJ_VPHir8DJ1Ss8fjBmSKfFL4xNRXy-zmYXpsfLMcBdonc4buEcKjARk-24xvLIdCd3U1n0hN7FmolahYNvKSOujXbGZtvo3bZjmsaYZdEzGCqmQ9kaErais/w400-h300/IMG_3940.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The southernmost meadow offers a view in that direction, including distant Croydon Peak in the center.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqAJPJAhE_lyQ5gVOymFByKqeFK1tAHjSxOdRTI7PU5TEIadTOgNpkuiQ31Dad3JiVaxCIqM0Ct3ExvZ1F_MItpxMDXuPY0iU3SZmbcX4pPjRnQ-m1iJgk8uMN1ZM2Mas57aUm6Ak1XCsWom1WJYHhJ4fGco20ef_W3yMwml6Pav49cd63OSq3XfN9_8w/s4032/IMG_3948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqAJPJAhE_lyQ5gVOymFByKqeFK1tAHjSxOdRTI7PU5TEIadTOgNpkuiQ31Dad3JiVaxCIqM0Ct3ExvZ1F_MItpxMDXuPY0iU3SZmbcX4pPjRnQ-m1iJgk8uMN1ZM2Mas57aUm6Ak1XCsWom1WJYHhJ4fGco20ef_W3yMwml6Pav49cd63OSq3XfN9_8w/w400-h300/IMG_3948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">While exploring the meadows, I stepped carefully to avoid trampling lichens.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vjxts3-reHEk0us8XgXXEc8c-k8zMUHU1voDbcU77eqIUWYeeK8kuYiI0e9sB-MIsn0tatuIgqeZbUFinCXaHy5TQNBTa-eCVcQAWEzkIX628hl29vdwIlwPKKKQoewd2ITxM7-u8cYK1GB1wZl7PqG5XJ9aXvp0zEpaUPsJWwW9nVFvozt4uQCLZwau/s4032/IMG_3951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vjxts3-reHEk0us8XgXXEc8c-k8zMUHU1voDbcU77eqIUWYeeK8kuYiI0e9sB-MIsn0tatuIgqeZbUFinCXaHy5TQNBTa-eCVcQAWEzkIX628hl29vdwIlwPKKKQoewd2ITxM7-u8cYK1GB1wZl7PqG5XJ9aXvp0zEpaUPsJWwW9nVFvozt4uQCLZwau/w400-h300/IMG_3951.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I took a break in the sun at the largest meadow.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJSRByQqfxoJJvh2Kc3ANpBPTAr2HXJ28b69t48y5bakkfGmER2emLyqbmauSKcAdlaYXkXJJz3e_xuvrsMuNa1eu9naOe5VBm03dLgffD8LqVUB0skbf9OTc_2dVhRW_msc48QXSngETkQfiBb1fJMIfULPhjbVMxC3ITl22IvKb7x0I1stN1TBhUyey/s4032/IMG_3953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJSRByQqfxoJJvh2Kc3ANpBPTAr2HXJ28b69t48y5bakkfGmER2emLyqbmauSKcAdlaYXkXJJz3e_xuvrsMuNa1eu9naOe5VBm03dLgffD8LqVUB0skbf9OTc_2dVhRW_msc48QXSngETkQfiBb1fJMIfULPhjbVMxC3ITl22IvKb7x0I1stN1TBhUyey/w400-h300/IMG_3953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">From a nearby spot there was a peek at Mount Cube.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt2LoLSmk1o_dDpi1MgD0G2OhoOrP9ZxUGwpGymqWnLDulXcRkvzZwvGdCyeKJnxUpvWyRT1lALebZB4xB11UIWySJu8kEvDpGxvAEOzW50kgEp1xjqQNr_omkQAyA49ZxBwFh0BwlUseVbokE5vsTIHfGQyB7isit7yXYuSN9D6zrmQ2q5nxvvC1-XvS/s4032/IMG_3964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt2LoLSmk1o_dDpi1MgD0G2OhoOrP9ZxUGwpGymqWnLDulXcRkvzZwvGdCyeKJnxUpvWyRT1lALebZB4xB11UIWySJu8kEvDpGxvAEOzW50kgEp1xjqQNr_omkQAyA49ZxBwFh0BwlUseVbokE5vsTIHfGQyB7isit7yXYuSN9D6zrmQ2q5nxvvC1-XvS/w400-h300/IMG_3964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">I descended back to the east off Bald Ledge and ascended northeast up another hardwood ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaO-cV8-w4OMKLWrsGON6kTxUUjugDROMGEkzmZJC_atYz5ZHpbjaRe7UnU5M-RNJ5Qgi17vwz8QoDoV7sr-0WQuMk_IOpogcSj5feai_xP119DnoLHGuQpzvgCiWTOKh903QtyZwdGhmdMg150GmfAlxuIpyDgvB4bBywR-22-IxAdouCiK8MAUYLpNnN/s4032/IMG_3981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaO-cV8-w4OMKLWrsGON6kTxUUjugDROMGEkzmZJC_atYz5ZHpbjaRe7UnU5M-RNJ5Qgi17vwz8QoDoV7sr-0WQuMk_IOpogcSj5feai_xP119DnoLHGuQpzvgCiWTOKh903QtyZwdGhmdMg150GmfAlxuIpyDgvB4bBywR-22-IxAdouCiK8MAUYLpNnN/w400-h300/IMG_3981.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A steep climb brought me to one of the highlights of the trip: a wild assemblage of jutting boulders at the base of a small cliff.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLKdBosk_ZioQds-V4CPYTp-J5n6A5QsGGJnRcUygnTxladygUuFMU9cPST_dpo7-qzcLpgZZr-jUsqx-msikfLUMg6vZHmKSrT4srf91sbqG8AF43A-Gwmhs_pi736UtKVwqKUq3X-Fgu1Y2ApKHedTEliIDmGBhyfR1WBVneP0uETYFUNPd1G_wp4ug/s4032/IMG_3992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLKdBosk_ZioQds-V4CPYTp-J5n6A5QsGGJnRcUygnTxladygUuFMU9cPST_dpo7-qzcLpgZZr-jUsqx-msikfLUMg6vZHmKSrT4srf91sbqG8AF43A-Gwmhs_pi736UtKVwqKUq3X-Fgu1Y2ApKHedTEliIDmGBhyfR1WBVneP0uETYFUNPd1G_wp4ug/w400-h300/IMG_3992.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">If these were located along a trail, they would be quite an attraction.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD4FcLhEoPPU0SRYmZwXYdrV_mmNlvdboApMLmIbjpXCnC49J_vg1DjhmkNf-mNEP4TAXBDSSSvmYFWMaefWxJuart1W-_plYNyKF89MfauzPEYMVjnfqNL7W3kNdxXd0-dtkXBdH_803pU-jxlAM3v-5bnM8Bl6sxK1tPzv6sdjHx8919m238KRSY0G7/s4032/IMG_4004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD4FcLhEoPPU0SRYmZwXYdrV_mmNlvdboApMLmIbjpXCnC49J_vg1DjhmkNf-mNEP4TAXBDSSSvmYFWMaefWxJuart1W-_plYNyKF89MfauzPEYMVjnfqNL7W3kNdxXd0-dtkXBdH_803pU-jxlAM3v-5bnM8Bl6sxK1tPzv6sdjHx8919m238KRSY0G7/w300-h400/IMG_4004.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Palisades in miniature.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA-bA1-tLr_KYDWH8nsFtSPbaVU8a0nlpLQLCIyHqHe4N-g_bjFmbZ_VxkOuqvkVyKHvXoy0PryRFwDoGYM6Xtw5tCdChi8P_dQRs6YDvLPKyKdJGcEu7IJaPm-0S8nP3Wqe1nApLwauPPaJis0SfarvbT3gLQF88nmRMTQiVu4N4ETOgvhwTt0_hVML2/s4032/IMG_4006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA-bA1-tLr_KYDWH8nsFtSPbaVU8a0nlpLQLCIyHqHe4N-g_bjFmbZ_VxkOuqvkVyKHvXoy0PryRFwDoGYM6Xtw5tCdChi8P_dQRs6YDvLPKyKdJGcEu7IJaPm-0S8nP3Wqe1nApLwauPPaJis0SfarvbT3gLQF88nmRMTQiVu4N4ETOgvhwTt0_hVML2/w400-h300/IMG_4006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Neat overhangs.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gimX36sX5w3DlRQbv14D_8wk5Y02rRl9-f30ro6o25HOJn6HeC4j7O0p3rPAc5ztHgbW___h_wZ-owzfRIH4KCz25TTs-OL3MtFDtkJlGEilKSKICOzSXyG8ULDv9PXOv5LOMU-WAZMoUIjlYOloLJ04UKZh_YF3LXWDQzQJwisG4vpGbxwbNGm_-3sb/s4032/IMG_4012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gimX36sX5w3DlRQbv14D_8wk5Y02rRl9-f30ro6o25HOJn6HeC4j7O0p3rPAc5ztHgbW___h_wZ-owzfRIH4KCz25TTs-OL3MtFDtkJlGEilKSKICOzSXyG8ULDv9PXOv5LOMU-WAZMoUIjlYOloLJ04UKZh_YF3LXWDQzQJwisG4vpGbxwbNGm_-3sb/w400-h300/IMG_4012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Fern and lichen riot.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF7TSyzUNyJMbK0DicH4KBmetPsxAOWCzgjNoU34ZdYpEN5qvloamWJeR4OAoatUzinXox5dLfwUE7T22xSXpSp7FTghcjdwgEZyWOj9bHUV_MXAudwNpbOi4jZAiTdl5hfsp4KWlAaU2i6kUDlqfLGXgEfiJikglupCpNCGexydPsQrb2t73L13LzH8Z/s4032/IMG_4015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF7TSyzUNyJMbK0DicH4KBmetPsxAOWCzgjNoU34ZdYpEN5qvloamWJeR4OAoatUzinXox5dLfwUE7T22xSXpSp7FTghcjdwgEZyWOj9bHUV_MXAudwNpbOi4jZAiTdl5hfsp4KWlAaU2i6kUDlqfLGXgEfiJikglupCpNCGexydPsQrb2t73L13LzH8Z/w400-h300/IMG_4015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The rock jumble from above.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjESeyAuLOI8k0ghdj0Inmw75_KcWH9n_I0ZbW5I7KbfHF5XC64GtmJJer1zGsiqhDKGu-M_2YIsYXlGpBoAg8_yMr0RoZzXTmAl1FffpEDYw3AEEkivqR_JJE3Kg-R9DqNFD69EdH2wl60kHwFLtoyZiIchKHETYqp8WpkYbYo3fHsAqLwSZNJ4EogFTv/s4032/IMG_4019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjESeyAuLOI8k0ghdj0Inmw75_KcWH9n_I0ZbW5I7KbfHF5XC64GtmJJer1zGsiqhDKGu-M_2YIsYXlGpBoAg8_yMr0RoZzXTmAl1FffpEDYw3AEEkivqR_JJE3Kg-R9DqNFD69EdH2wl60kHwFLtoyZiIchKHETYqp8WpkYbYo3fHsAqLwSZNJ4EogFTv/w400-h300/IMG_4019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking out.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIlNiMagDTghxQgp81NjjgeUhzkHIwSxNWQhlWXsE3buqwybJh0Ax52lTSz5w0PEPpUPoVDj2i0Kj6nylMHGUybK4N_njnW9zQ-KHFHwBOrFxPSy-ZnIwSGPOSDvO7CAwWZ6al_D06qM6yJyHYrgPFP9rfCINkKhTMVKLTvfG-YCrqdL4O64hCSw02dMI/s4032/IMG_4025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIlNiMagDTghxQgp81NjjgeUhzkHIwSxNWQhlWXsE3buqwybJh0Ax52lTSz5w0PEPpUPoVDj2i0Kj6nylMHGUybK4N_njnW9zQ-KHFHwBOrFxPSy-ZnIwSGPOSDvO7CAwWZ6al_D06qM6yJyHYrgPFP9rfCINkKhTMVKLTvfG-YCrqdL4O64hCSw02dMI/w400-h300/IMG_4025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Twin oaks.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YMzfxzdEHLFH5Cx1pnLCcWQnfhSqb4bLipgHUEKggqgCPuCLdbBQ5mqx6h0nQsfXUmq9W5U5VFrP2OJw_rhGlsm3nME-8DvpFf9cUMDgYAwyhGlNb2bSSTIWsegp48x7x0RRdxyw4CRuZr_-c-JzTCN8GeAOObCz9XxOxDfBTN79FZVypmfNYTGO9Ud2/s4032/IMG_4029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YMzfxzdEHLFH5Cx1pnLCcWQnfhSqb4bLipgHUEKggqgCPuCLdbBQ5mqx6h0nQsfXUmq9W5U5VFrP2OJw_rhGlsm3nME-8DvpFf9cUMDgYAwyhGlNb2bSSTIWsegp48x7x0RRdxyw4CRuZr_-c-JzTCN8GeAOObCz9XxOxDfBTN79FZVypmfNYTGO9Ud2/w300-h400/IMG_4029.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">What a neat ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs_YF8_cw8DGMjTW_QeptJS-9AzcpoiIH8VNKGf_cEtYDo_Su-kxwTrSnd6vpD84pP_nTG6zKM9gHnBEF05I-pfwMJq6rihWXM1IvGAW9i9BJR5ngeqSMRgtgAj0FYhwfw0Mz5uOaDdzdGK8a4IQC1OonVGfWTSamB57x1emp6QzQspnquqS9tWVmEaxo/s4032/IMG_4031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs_YF8_cw8DGMjTW_QeptJS-9AzcpoiIH8VNKGf_cEtYDo_Su-kxwTrSnd6vpD84pP_nTG6zKM9gHnBEF05I-pfwMJq6rihWXM1IvGAW9i9BJR5ngeqSMRgtgAj0FYhwfw0Mz5uOaDdzdGK8a4IQC1OonVGfWTSamB57x1emp6QzQspnquqS9tWVmEaxo/w400-h300/IMG_4031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The lower of two adjacent ledges on the ridgecrest. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm1UpnjmhnBXg1i7gfKnwhXPb-PzpQmL9CIbAxQlFVJwe6uwPkqkDGlfdzbA0-_8uYNJOkMKFsRgU6bm0KcmUrFONDlMCJRKlDtdNhbW9vSc7fosA3lubZ-F87Zv-94vbFWVYaQ4gzB1a_Q6CjdvBb7o1oX9m4Lx5Q-mXxSnGIBj82vN3-Vum3uwZ1WE9/s4032/IMG_4041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm1UpnjmhnBXg1i7gfKnwhXPb-PzpQmL9CIbAxQlFVJwe6uwPkqkDGlfdzbA0-_8uYNJOkMKFsRgU6bm0KcmUrFONDlMCJRKlDtdNhbW9vSc7fosA3lubZ-F87Zv-94vbFWVYaQ4gzB1a_Q6CjdvBb7o1oX9m4Lx5Q-mXxSnGIBj82vN3-Vum3uwZ1WE9/w400-h300/IMG_4041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">In the distance: North Moose Mountain in Hanover, Holts Ledge, and Killington/Pico.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz8t1Mx48q2om6WSq8qlp3AS1yf-FdjEXgYPVbxE6KLyowF9DeFqwEZH2vFTK9lXN7RlVck8aphwVwcuEelDGXU4sYs1HTab_tiWR71jWsenZfYwtq4bYwUc_8bdesGQGN_xDobJjadvrL94Y_jjt7tecHtmn1FaiaZWrDlmNYVz2UAAXEmLR6r5RGpoD/s4032/IMG_4046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz8t1Mx48q2om6WSq8qlp3AS1yf-FdjEXgYPVbxE6KLyowF9DeFqwEZH2vFTK9lXN7RlVck8aphwVwcuEelDGXU4sYs1HTab_tiWR71jWsenZfYwtq4bYwUc_8bdesGQGN_xDobJjadvrL94Y_jjt7tecHtmn1FaiaZWrDlmNYVz2UAAXEmLR6r5RGpoD/w400-h300/IMG_4046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The upper of the two ledges.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpTvPmDp3q-KtfUvSeBgGAHYtmlOkAStvkkMw9c3i0ULdnUNGEOXEcttO88MielRrC159xpZJtUslDX1eVJj6aO8IjsmmKEC6mCjr5guL4z724DtVJvc1U0jgODX-q5eWfw1PWqORgMsjlSub0Vn1nUlJFZm4IyIPRIrKhzW26_CIOrUKnFgdpK6_V9TG/s4032/IMG_4048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpTvPmDp3q-KtfUvSeBgGAHYtmlOkAStvkkMw9c3i0ULdnUNGEOXEcttO88MielRrC159xpZJtUslDX1eVJj6aO8IjsmmKEC6mCjr5guL4z724DtVJvc1U0jgODX-q5eWfw1PWqORgMsjlSub0Vn1nUlJFZm4IyIPRIrKhzW26_CIOrUKnFgdpK6_V9TG/w400-h300/IMG_4048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mount Cardigan on the horizon.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Qb3Q8Odny0vb-a3K7oKIuszmBiMZtIsDYtFIJKOQj1Cuym_URQmohXxcne98BWQbJfLVSLKANcPEYRwHe4TNwb6_ev-RuGpvDN_-zpKD0XHylTk8dUzb7GToIMdFheSmzBhPdf444CcvygIR7hFH8Yx0m0P64HHYIHI0s63oDpMWkgm3O2fa7ZGJpha/s4032/IMG_4051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Qb3Q8Odny0vb-a3K7oKIuszmBiMZtIsDYtFIJKOQj1Cuym_URQmohXxcne98BWQbJfLVSLKANcPEYRwHe4TNwb6_ev-RuGpvDN_-zpKD0XHylTk8dUzb7GToIMdFheSmzBhPdf444CcvygIR7hFH8Yx0m0P64HHYIHI0s63oDpMWkgm3O2fa7ZGJpha/w400-h300/IMG_4051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mossy wall.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-lHBkjj8IaZeyBWPpJBAOEjGEtBA061EBYwpU4rIWEkkztCMNt9I43H3uGJJc6HWEELiYBgoYPE6Nv_GAXQnbjvK_T0bLWcePpGGNEcfu5tBUPiDPVb_dLTdlwqOlkVevxCKsdoyBYnlU4D2Q4hax4m9H8zxIsIiJAzFX3HOXrn1OIOXKJAC-6cSNEKv/s4032/IMG_4058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-lHBkjj8IaZeyBWPpJBAOEjGEtBA061EBYwpU4rIWEkkztCMNt9I43H3uGJJc6HWEELiYBgoYPE6Nv_GAXQnbjvK_T0bLWcePpGGNEcfu5tBUPiDPVb_dLTdlwqOlkVevxCKsdoyBYnlU4D2Q4hax4m9H8zxIsIiJAzFX3HOXrn1OIOXKJAC-6cSNEKv/w400-h300/IMG_4058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Smarts silhouette.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zOcdge2wNc4wV-Z0P2GduK0xVvGniaKinpv7x_zmDp3EJviwUoSFBRscSvGae4n02iKgf0rRHJz2Cks1vX3TS45QSH_HTPK1RVNdheyt7cITaom6P_IDS3FwBdnlIYtizcFp7hx8iV0Rz1NgnTOPsEs7f-NUVhvusMrmtLYskyjDtjVxWppmqzvaVGrK/s4032/IMG_4067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zOcdge2wNc4wV-Z0P2GduK0xVvGniaKinpv7x_zmDp3EJviwUoSFBRscSvGae4n02iKgf0rRHJz2Cks1vX3TS45QSH_HTPK1RVNdheyt7cITaom6P_IDS3FwBdnlIYtizcFp7hx8iV0Rz1NgnTOPsEs7f-NUVhvusMrmtLYskyjDtjVxWppmqzvaVGrK/w400-h300/IMG_4067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Peaceful scene.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAN3omXqSL8CunJiah62IAQU3xs2Blrc_-ddhjEqcnKfXr2eMpz9sDHIP2tKYj1qqYDFpBo51w6vtss8m-R-y04Y0lRB-owlPX74ZEbo3b1WomhhaOk7szY1DLjYdu2D3VmQ20pQHNuRpEy6a0Z8ds3RIqOT60CZ9xEkC2a-TNyzpTEOTOwIRLExHE7y0/s4032/IMG_4081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAN3omXqSL8CunJiah62IAQU3xs2Blrc_-ddhjEqcnKfXr2eMpz9sDHIP2tKYj1qqYDFpBo51w6vtss8m-R-y04Y0lRB-owlPX74ZEbo3b1WomhhaOk7szY1DLjYdu2D3VmQ20pQHNuRpEy6a0Z8ds3RIqOT60CZ9xEkC2a-TNyzpTEOTOwIRLExHE7y0/w400-h300/IMG_4081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">From the two ledges I made a long and rather rough traverse towards Upper Rattlesnake Mountain. Some of it was through snowy spruce woods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglisSGAThJ-1s-qUrUkGI5e3JxyG6KC-WDtmBJDM90mLoYAD8oduWj_LhlSymeijqMFO7hBKAYlmFpBRHfRdXBuU0vNCQE5eK9gu18HvsSr49oX7W74FzlrzKRlsP3w8lmQC8Pk6YvR2c40Y7nncYFt6mqLCPn7ufyNDlQC4JsLvbOu14UUX1yEt9uUNmG/s4032/IMG_4083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglisSGAThJ-1s-qUrUkGI5e3JxyG6KC-WDtmBJDM90mLoYAD8oduWj_LhlSymeijqMFO7hBKAYlmFpBRHfRdXBuU0vNCQE5eK9gu18HvsSr49oX7W74FzlrzKRlsP3w8lmQC8Pk6YvR2c40Y7nncYFt6mqLCPn7ufyNDlQC4JsLvbOu14UUX1yEt9uUNmG/w400-h300/IMG_4083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Other areas were snow-free.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8Rg7lxTubLO5kGf0BiCKmqqB43MxQGDLNHJwAnTLF7hmLjADxRh_R_cT42bS2_6zdCUDKTHEPW3YKo48kCHh-FlrCHvvTzTVeQfg48ayqIHXmHEBxbWqg2c9t4IhHkNAGixSYJ4Anq1tbHfjAHW6zAj4n4U1jKDesdnseVqnyq9hiI7AZLPk-1su_kf-/s4032/IMG_4088.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8Rg7lxTubLO5kGf0BiCKmqqB43MxQGDLNHJwAnTLF7hmLjADxRh_R_cT42bS2_6zdCUDKTHEPW3YKo48kCHh-FlrCHvvTzTVeQfg48ayqIHXmHEBxbWqg2c9t4IhHkNAGixSYJ4Anq1tbHfjAHW6zAj4n4U1jKDesdnseVqnyq9hiI7AZLPk-1su_kf-/w400-h300/IMG_4088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Had to do some postholing.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd86mQZ5cZjGuzDf6CsG1hqeCgdZvEucXHn9JlxFzT7wrO6yImm2BrXKDDlOdqyRsGO470s-OE-qi_nupr63ZW1boyBctMrK0c7QkbAbjex_kuP_f8GbccWc4tGU2S50DVlHOnnxG6OaFzVEEE9zSnC3toWSxM64aEJfdu3fMPTRcj7rF0Hrgm8P6RCgqN/s4032/IMG_4095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd86mQZ5cZjGuzDf6CsG1hqeCgdZvEucXHn9JlxFzT7wrO6yImm2BrXKDDlOdqyRsGO470s-OE-qi_nupr63ZW1boyBctMrK0c7QkbAbjex_kuP_f8GbccWc4tGU2S50DVlHOnnxG6OaFzVEEE9zSnC3toWSxM64aEJfdu3fMPTRcj7rF0Hrgm8P6RCgqN/w300-h400/IMG_4095.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The mushy snow made this steep drainage crossing unpleasant.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds1aU_rNN9D5VHUGcu56Dsud4lgeY1YV4ykLHv2AP0a_6rOIkUtQGBQHhsYmXjlj98yY6cpMp1qYzwIMfkXeCloTLHo6t8E-C4wKf35Bywr7qzdcIaw_1hs4_VxaGwZDd6ITOZQzaKXhRW3o5FFBHnDWP9BRvYoLwSjwLrvK1hq02Rimn9bFVrW29C0XG/s4032/IMG_4096.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds1aU_rNN9D5VHUGcu56Dsud4lgeY1YV4ykLHv2AP0a_6rOIkUtQGBQHhsYmXjlj98yY6cpMp1qYzwIMfkXeCloTLHo6t8E-C4wKf35Bywr7qzdcIaw_1hs4_VxaGwZDd6ITOZQzaKXhRW3o5FFBHnDWP9BRvYoLwSjwLrvK1hq02Rimn9bFVrW29C0XG/w400-h300/IMG_4096.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This is rugged country, with a number of confusing ridgelets and drainages.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2yi_HqtNEa3QGqpUvYwCGO5YOTcnLTonsVCueEqjWBHrxn2Fp857RCMoLw1v7R9d4SWUDIkGoFDMAqHvMZRr6jI3ABDOb8_3fqmWoU7TbgpFIy9szfc4ihaH3V_vYlQYfepIg4vYtokHCT26rW8ul2F6Qhj5AVHUW295z6XZZsSowL76G2KEidg0093V/s4032/IMG_4104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2yi_HqtNEa3QGqpUvYwCGO5YOTcnLTonsVCueEqjWBHrxn2Fp857RCMoLw1v7R9d4SWUDIkGoFDMAqHvMZRr6jI3ABDOb8_3fqmWoU7TbgpFIy9szfc4ihaH3V_vYlQYfepIg4vYtokHCT26rW8ul2F6Qhj5AVHUW295z6XZZsSowL76G2KEidg0093V/w400-h300/IMG_4104.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I was happy to reach the crest of the ridge just south of the wooded summit of Upper Rattlesnake Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O1Bp4Nb_N8w9D6E4XxKcR28pWrglJGsXzIQgoX3dlj47X3S9QmKoHNr1QmMc0fwj0eXVcPHWEhhGab734_k_H-aMrtuOvIcs-_P7UwFdpvr9W7EIF0i2WEWJanhADb1NRp3szhCnt2i597zk2vw71WF5orQlNf3Hjho7KITogS-S6IMwSLgvtHaYN4wZ/s4032/IMG_4111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O1Bp4Nb_N8w9D6E4XxKcR28pWrglJGsXzIQgoX3dlj47X3S9QmKoHNr1QmMc0fwj0eXVcPHWEhhGab734_k_H-aMrtuOvIcs-_P7UwFdpvr9W7EIF0i2WEWJanhADb1NRp3szhCnt2i597zk2vw71WF5orQlNf3Hjho7KITogS-S6IMwSLgvtHaYN4wZ/w400-h300/IMG_4111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Late in the afternoon I reached the open ledge I was seeking on the Upper Rattlesnake ridge. I first visited this lovely spot when J.R. Stockwell and I traversed the entire ridge from Rattlesnake Mountain to Carr Mountain (a fourteen-hour day) in 2005. (An account of that journey is <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o9eZO564mMzSAXQN3H86iLXJIAxL1qK4dncNXHE-_tk/edit?pli=1">here</a>.)<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_2oQ4-FSrLfQNi_Y5quXnqp4Fq62frw7sU4l944a1mAzkiCzKgfao0RHntEbATRLUCAt-dpGMqI0J9Mr994OxTnyilYnlAqDHqr9r6dHPK5hTMGWmbvEr5VWkw5oBfW1BrXNh8eoeHWaFWoVAXyCfAGPw-eFjsX662uC343dHx_Mndw-iAQVs12GqSRR/s4032/IMG_4115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_2oQ4-FSrLfQNi_Y5quXnqp4Fq62frw7sU4l944a1mAzkiCzKgfao0RHntEbATRLUCAt-dpGMqI0J9Mr994OxTnyilYnlAqDHqr9r6dHPK5hTMGWmbvEr5VWkw5oBfW1BrXNh8eoeHWaFWoVAXyCfAGPw-eFjsX662uC343dHx_Mndw-iAQVs12GqSRR/w400-h300/IMG_4115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Since that visit, the southern view has been "enhanced" by the windmills on Tenney and Fletcher Mountains.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiBwA7Y7bnAnSxbU5cZ0JbdujVQUduam6EisJSS_wjuR9ts-zT__hEpFASvtoy2yNpoi5IwuG6xQu6wvwjLY3TXysAUwezwG99zN8auAHm1YsEBNZ1ONQRuBcbRHIR4HbvO-d53U_38VoROhmE6WBgHPzxCIdn7QmwRCJyYG7SgVPrsezOPy9b4i0Pbmq/s4032/IMG_4118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiBwA7Y7bnAnSxbU5cZ0JbdujVQUduam6EisJSS_wjuR9ts-zT__hEpFASvtoy2yNpoi5IwuG6xQu6wvwjLY3TXysAUwezwG99zN8auAHm1YsEBNZ1ONQRuBcbRHIR4HbvO-d53U_38VoROhmE6WBgHPzxCIdn7QmwRCJyYG7SgVPrsezOPy9b4i0Pbmq/w400-h300/IMG_4118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Over the years trees have obscured more of the view.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczeajpQxwjOp3V6oYUTeDzi5-wsR0KqUFhXynfCjPIr_fAqNmhGB7njRkugwWyLJaPIQVrS528qgXbDvhzcTQLH7J9e8bZNKj-ZEYGoKy3llzaI6z2pIgfQUrxZkvowvDWXJhGrMOFEHgNSl8-xhB4satc9nutn-YuRgIZIQvPL-a6DsP9TWFQ3_Tlp9O/s4032/IMG_4125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczeajpQxwjOp3V6oYUTeDzi5-wsR0KqUFhXynfCjPIr_fAqNmhGB7njRkugwWyLJaPIQVrS528qgXbDvhzcTQLH7J9e8bZNKj-ZEYGoKy3llzaI6z2pIgfQUrxZkvowvDWXJhGrMOFEHgNSl8-xhB4satc9nutn-YuRgIZIQvPL-a6DsP9TWFQ3_Tlp9O/w400-h300/IMG_4125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Parting shot.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcVQtBnsTBDjAD_9sLFCtHNby8AXdQ2nNNe0xvSxm_Kd-EwtO2LtWrhAasQsXqNLNix8jSkbH4q-G8rYfRd1bel3lf_gC3Bjdv_Vac5geFpKjK5AJWVMDbF6Ur5AuOdmgs9XfOxTiJvAAxrBKWVTcmKs3h_lZBYrwlgpixYFJgWPTksZu4MFr6b08fDCm/s4032/IMG_4128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcVQtBnsTBDjAD_9sLFCtHNby8AXdQ2nNNe0xvSxm_Kd-EwtO2LtWrhAasQsXqNLNix8jSkbH4q-G8rYfRd1bel3lf_gC3Bjdv_Vac5geFpKjK5AJWVMDbF6Ur5AuOdmgs9XfOxTiJvAAxrBKWVTcmKs3h_lZBYrwlgpixYFJgWPTksZu4MFr6b08fDCm/w400-h300/IMG_4128.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The first part of the descent below the ledge was very steep. I came down this leafy chute via crabwalk.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b7henUITwcXPio-G349FJiFHcerX0QQfiNVgfSFygglkEmgYGbqihyphenhyphen-JW-BHvflOw17hJmk_hmXm5MhDAfgknpgvcjMRx9tYkjbZ3G2x0yS0eJHlbBMu7EB2g_C-YET65Kye3BrwywuORJcy4x39Gc4AbQrAXXF7iT5KSBWJp1mXK7VP4FzB0xH9kCzI/s4032/IMG_4133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b7henUITwcXPio-G349FJiFHcerX0QQfiNVgfSFygglkEmgYGbqihyphenhyphen-JW-BHvflOw17hJmk_hmXm5MhDAfgknpgvcjMRx9tYkjbZ3G2x0yS0eJHlbBMu7EB2g_C-YET65Kye3BrwywuORJcy4x39Gc4AbQrAXXF7iT5KSBWJp1mXK7VP4FzB0xH9kCzI/w300-h400/IMG_4133.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Triple oak.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRee9vH3ZcamFOZgSm8BPl9bGjJVd_CsN_7vz1ia1HU8GvDQmtSugBAtfQk-ee7sf4kh9UbfUOAqxqwEIJSe1Y7roxh1f0rHlH_3e8nOwrUwZLOvWBvZcMNO1HzslYtIaJOHl3817NNg9fxsUsMQcPBCrtDydy69H0keYeVQdJUgmclam7PtNrwZT2a2ll/s4032/IMG_4135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRee9vH3ZcamFOZgSm8BPl9bGjJVd_CsN_7vz1ia1HU8GvDQmtSugBAtfQk-ee7sf4kh9UbfUOAqxqwEIJSe1Y7roxh1f0rHlH_3e8nOwrUwZLOvWBvZcMNO1HzslYtIaJOHl3817NNg9fxsUsMQcPBCrtDydy69H0keYeVQdJUgmclam7PtNrwZT2a2ll/w300-h400/IMG_4135.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A lonely old cellar hole 600 feet in elevation above Buffalo Road.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeimcmGapmAgHEVuPw5NfoL5juqSgAglPK7tWn4ishfdDx0ormg0Zd2t-DccKM-HIT3XzVoeR35QRpKkrGXmEdB4TVex9YeXocV_NnzNVI_eR2b_E-HV3nXeLAW2ZqZvbrq3RN1GzB_evf7BpDv8WthQOuBy-XZSFUQpjXTnz4zWUNmK9zA10wHVB53KE4/s4032/IMG_4140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeimcmGapmAgHEVuPw5NfoL5juqSgAglPK7tWn4ishfdDx0ormg0Zd2t-DccKM-HIT3XzVoeR35QRpKkrGXmEdB4TVex9YeXocV_NnzNVI_eR2b_E-HV3nXeLAW2ZqZvbrq3RN1GzB_evf7BpDv8WthQOuBy-XZSFUQpjXTnz4zWUNmK9zA10wHVB53KE4/w400-h300/IMG_4140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A long descent through snow-free hardwoods, with the sun going down.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIjZCjvDr0ciOEudzKisbczKlgtD5X4fpa0Qgh-2H_8n1Sp5Tf0PUXWBf05w5-tdWPDxIeN6J6JrT9PlktgOCbQOCCfanmH40waAU4nEu3o-Qqx5lamXxg18ohxGqVlJxqGMAsbNKie6Rq8X8n1Nt5iHepEJYfvtaE0iQHQ0QHgMLk2V4scBpc4O4ggtc/s4032/IMG_4144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIjZCjvDr0ciOEudzKisbczKlgtD5X4fpa0Qgh-2H_8n1Sp5Tf0PUXWBf05w5-tdWPDxIeN6J6JrT9PlktgOCbQOCCfanmH40waAU4nEu3o-Qqx5lamXxg18ohxGqVlJxqGMAsbNKie6Rq8X8n1Nt5iHepEJYfvtaE0iQHQ0QHgMLk2V4scBpc4O4ggtc/w400-h300/IMG_4144.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The lower section of "Dump Run" gave me a nice walk out for the last half-mile.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0__OP1gIJMrFx_xOJk5y93EB2Usfw74Vm-3yO9l8GuAzBcqXIaLOeed8zkJeY_rV3XvdNiDJ4v6A5poMy64nMF7b4AOUf9StfNrpYQf0wrFBLdttfDtFnzUshcKZgjCuUIfaxls0rPWmOmVfyf-wxQvCS8BJtjuU1h4d1ejsshCtna9J-zw2gI8x9yYW/s4032/IMG_4148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0__OP1gIJMrFx_xOJk5y93EB2Usfw74Vm-3yO9l8GuAzBcqXIaLOeed8zkJeY_rV3XvdNiDJ4v6A5poMy64nMF7b4AOUf9StfNrpYQf0wrFBLdttfDtFnzUshcKZgjCuUIfaxls0rPWmOmVfyf-wxQvCS8BJtjuU1h4d1ejsshCtna9J-zw2gI8x9yYW/w400-h300/IMG_4148.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-10763692967033305842024-03-05T17:06:00.000-05:002024-03-05T17:06:27.160-05:00Bald Knob, South Spur: 3/4/24<p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">An early onset of April-like weather, with predictably awful snow conditions, put me into a spring frame of mind. Could I find some bare ground hardwood bushwhacking in early March, in the Whites? To find out, I headed in to the Smarts Brook area for one of my go-to early spring whacks, up to the south spur of Bald Knob (at the end of Acteon Ridge, an extension of Sandwich Mountain). Over the years I've climbed to the big granite slab atop this spur a dozen or more times.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Per usual for spring conditions, the approach to the whack along the Yellow Jacket Trail was a river of ice. Spikes mandatory. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEQfCCw1S4NwH8uhPmyL4gUeqpn6ovrm11a1NzHgfMlzUHLXwA9dXLwDATTHJPt37kbpMWNf1t7vHgGbccveH6y_O4VQzOEOUTxeCCwQHRKXkCgOdbGxkhJBIjfBvJPJJafHFuQskWkKsefTmP3wYZ1OOO5DaYnj2c4dPto8QG2w2JLwDbGydrT2NVzn5/s4032/IMG_3784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEQfCCw1S4NwH8uhPmyL4gUeqpn6ovrm11a1NzHgfMlzUHLXwA9dXLwDATTHJPt37kbpMWNf1t7vHgGbccveH6y_O4VQzOEOUTxeCCwQHRKXkCgOdbGxkhJBIjfBvJPJJafHFuQskWkKsefTmP3wYZ1OOO5DaYnj2c4dPto8QG2w2JLwDbGydrT2NVzn5/w400-h300/IMG_3784.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When I reached my launching point, I found...bare ground on a familiar south-facing slope in the hardwoods!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSHWDLos5NZLqNQO58jl-n6fbQQeO0oKhN9NC3ScOIcjq4-giLNG2_CD1usdqcxpxHk_qdi6TShsGDnpvsYe85uKTQSAmh1L7lodGG1w_5ZPHGR_vDodCdY3Q6R0iXpfqq3C6vOS9_rFT6QlypIvFaRgdNTu2rRuZz0OE9e963uS6COzRPaEKKTq0ZKfD/s4032/IMG_3786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSHWDLos5NZLqNQO58jl-n6fbQQeO0oKhN9NC3ScOIcjq4-giLNG2_CD1usdqcxpxHk_qdi6TShsGDnpvsYe85uKTQSAmh1L7lodGG1w_5ZPHGR_vDodCdY3Q6R0iXpfqq3C6vOS9_rFT6QlypIvFaRgdNTu2rRuZz0OE9e963uS6COzRPaEKKTq0ZKfD/w400-h300/IMG_3786.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Boulder cave on a steep rocky slope.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFpjn_BVbYNpG56yl8ynwaZZs04k453Q46k78V76W9rkOuAeBogW0QJpX9gOGZ-WQdiWDUif-XVHG-Ty0SrEgWgNMXdCJE0FpqSfuBcss8k-QSfgOSjykuqtkwgpLq1ojW6fQWL2iOcwL0Sdd0r6GRmSHiwq8S_IZcS95g3fFN9pxLoIGGpwTkiX4xnIe/s4032/IMG_3793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFpjn_BVbYNpG56yl8ynwaZZs04k453Q46k78V76W9rkOuAeBogW0QJpX9gOGZ-WQdiWDUif-XVHG-Ty0SrEgWgNMXdCJE0FpqSfuBcss8k-QSfgOSjykuqtkwgpLq1ojW6fQWL2iOcwL0Sdd0r6GRmSHiwq8S_IZcS95g3fFN9pxLoIGGpwTkiX4xnIe/w400-h300/IMG_3793.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Side view.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr5R8YrpJhFb2tGIfElGLeYBaL8O_jqp-dMN-tegPeFD-V6NINtS_rDwKYN13cCEPIAYWjbg_KatxPe_ZJd1Hzi9SvMd3d5ryfKEPiJP6_rGl0vKIib0HqCXBWj6C0j2LOXfE-DUd3vCsLZzSBb6AOJ-vVgRLWzzDV7U5gw2uiHAXrJ4N0FfcLIBzjaL6/s4032/IMG_3796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr5R8YrpJhFb2tGIfElGLeYBaL8O_jqp-dMN-tegPeFD-V6NINtS_rDwKYN13cCEPIAYWjbg_KatxPe_ZJd1Hzi9SvMd3d5ryfKEPiJP6_rGl0vKIib0HqCXBWj6C0j2LOXfE-DUd3vCsLZzSBb6AOJ-vVgRLWzzDV7U5gw2uiHAXrJ4N0FfcLIBzjaL6/w400-h300/IMG_3796.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Climbing through a wild spruce forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_u9giMHYYOdJOUL_wO3RL2313GFpn4xnlfyANMudrdzpT_dbJsfTaRKRoF6EnNbpVVXuepljrFNkgVcX-bJkcXaX9tZYDe8jmmE4JHwiQo5ydOtPRKgX5fhjXwsgAAzYGEu6NQ9w_yQ39Ee8DaKVa4vOfXePmVbFgFnoQZYyOk4kfisfFn-n1aMvTtZi/s4032/IMG_3799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_u9giMHYYOdJOUL_wO3RL2313GFpn4xnlfyANMudrdzpT_dbJsfTaRKRoF6EnNbpVVXuepljrFNkgVcX-bJkcXaX9tZYDe8jmmE4JHwiQo5ydOtPRKgX5fhjXwsgAAzYGEu6NQ9w_yQ39Ee8DaKVa4vOfXePmVbFgFnoQZYyOk4kfisfFn-n1aMvTtZi/w400-h300/IMG_3799.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Back in the hardwoods, a cool boulder.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c7tNb-Tt9uRLcQuuwTZQUunPdYyOxbnZWWNWJHg3E8oM_abOdyKBJprQqQUnygH_ililGhQXPZTYbOPdFH7DW7d99vn5h4vwY_lTb96uurhKBTizM7y9bxJH6oL6jUTiHCc34PXkF88vuU140ljpOUETS0gUeTlyItIV7M_E9SGOzv3ixf_yqsBQ4HM-/s4032/IMG_3801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c7tNb-Tt9uRLcQuuwTZQUunPdYyOxbnZWWNWJHg3E8oM_abOdyKBJprQqQUnygH_ililGhQXPZTYbOPdFH7DW7d99vn5h4vwY_lTb96uurhKBTizM7y9bxJH6oL6jUTiHCc34PXkF88vuU140ljpOUETS0gUeTlyItIV7M_E9SGOzv3ixf_yqsBQ4HM-/w400-h300/IMG_3801.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A pleasant hardwood valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN3Zh2bFUCw3vA2eEF6-BThYwC9hvH-R_hjawMHqCZX92W6ccLCmPtXpUsrbeXAPo39lhqDgUo-moeHMZ5HkgwXtwCrJAy8XmV0cgG0hWiBu8qjwfLNBTxPBHO3v2e43u-8EFjvJfeOoYiNQmSajTUuiCdLVRTx-8T5qA_d5nsCdDwqMZOBP9Z7pZuOyo/s4032/IMG_3803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN3Zh2bFUCw3vA2eEF6-BThYwC9hvH-R_hjawMHqCZX92W6ccLCmPtXpUsrbeXAPo39lhqDgUo-moeHMZ5HkgwXtwCrJAy8XmV0cgG0hWiBu8qjwfLNBTxPBHO3v2e43u-8EFjvJfeOoYiNQmSajTUuiCdLVRTx-8T5qA_d5nsCdDwqMZOBP9Z7pZuOyo/w400-h300/IMG_3803.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Base of the ledge atop the south spur. I circled around to avoid trampling lichens.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPtGiiLsqpaDl7F9-uba-eVgZUO-p7gAu1_0T8uWHdipf0BIsi7jQDHXnBClPKdDGz54a63KwlDKEB2Aj6oI69dG1JVBoXkoqllANEp7OgVuEsQ8w55P5__9la2qSBtavAOh3_E4EJ2TdtFWqaru4Kla7_hq0QTg3qm5xhM_kww5hDW456swB64CLTTmT/s4032/IMG_3806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPtGiiLsqpaDl7F9-uba-eVgZUO-p7gAu1_0T8uWHdipf0BIsi7jQDHXnBClPKdDGz54a63KwlDKEB2Aj6oI69dG1JVBoXkoqllANEp7OgVuEsQ8w55P5__9la2qSBtavAOh3_E4EJ2TdtFWqaru4Kla7_hq0QTg3qm5xhM_kww5hDW456swB64CLTTmT/w400-h300/IMG_3806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The broad top of the ledge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt0yPN88k0DlcX_jx4w-IFaF6F1nqcblWbAyQwvNcPNitCoAH_9_AqAX-MNscXVooizFfZyDWwC6XhnfAGVB3Fulqqax-_k-hp3dOZMBaLsu8DAf4SEYx-AvN4yusXTN17lxlf_LzVyzQ5-bFfe2XPYcGCm_SvWqg1xgKrYElglN05AAgkbRpRLnemqRc/s4032/IMG_3808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt0yPN88k0DlcX_jx4w-IFaF6F1nqcblWbAyQwvNcPNitCoAH_9_AqAX-MNscXVooizFfZyDWwC6XhnfAGVB3Fulqqax-_k-hp3dOZMBaLsu8DAf4SEYx-AvN4yusXTN17lxlf_LzVyzQ5-bFfe2XPYcGCm_SvWqg1xgKrYElglN05AAgkbRpRLnemqRc/w400-h300/IMG_3808.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Some white pines mixed in with the spruces and oaks up here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SGihUk2KB4YRkbTfYGeXt8N6prGQYvoCL_oDUPlELXmBQKTIDZycWhX27gt4Eh8BTyMzmrx7Huyy4h4KzIdyPzz4LmaSRpppDlR-VH0542pMmX2dVNTRU8CyQkcfm_rO6k8BVUFIzN9qNwP8ip3Lnu55x8bqBS6TgnF-lMKXzsma2mQmkovFTDTPuQum/s4032/IMG_3812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SGihUk2KB4YRkbTfYGeXt8N6prGQYvoCL_oDUPlELXmBQKTIDZycWhX27gt4Eh8BTyMzmrx7Huyy4h4KzIdyPzz4LmaSRpppDlR-VH0542pMmX2dVNTRU8CyQkcfm_rO6k8BVUFIzN9qNwP8ip3Lnu55x8bqBS6TgnF-lMKXzsma2mQmkovFTDTPuQum/w400-h300/IMG_3812.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Long view to the south. Peaks such as Mt. Cardigan were smothered in cloud on this rather gloomy day.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaHY8-VO5dfHply2gPLePjcMRgGCM_z7RHsR7YiF94wl-UjJrr2v_iPuxj07tfxKnzVY4snMxVrtY4gV_pMUm_3u8mznJvMv_eyNls6alSVgkds20A4b5UjKctKMzG_nN8_wloAFRKPmEOvlIbS9MbZ-Ur8XFgpRpKHFqROC3jUmzGxXJzbMHlJibLdzl/s4032/IMG_3817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaHY8-VO5dfHply2gPLePjcMRgGCM_z7RHsR7YiF94wl-UjJrr2v_iPuxj07tfxKnzVY4snMxVrtY4gV_pMUm_3u8mznJvMv_eyNls6alSVgkds20A4b5UjKctKMzG_nN8_wloAFRKPmEOvlIbS9MbZ-Ur8XFgpRpKHFqROC3jUmzGxXJzbMHlJibLdzl/w400-h300/IMG_3817.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Haven't done this on bare rock for a while.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMsAlr-BY-yK-ZLxESNj4IiWO26BC4ppfkpnytSF1RI9a55HOjrM_E4XiXz1lI7yg6DKOzxiRDU2sY-5HIUl-DML8g0II45enYJwT3hlYvrP3R3-ORm6tqkN0x0st-GQ2BYjCx8SQCeiAgZ3KRY-qZvwL06gc0bP6NZVwXvF1auGvlCtugitFtxGId4Rk/s4032/IMG_3819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMsAlr-BY-yK-ZLxESNj4IiWO26BC4ppfkpnytSF1RI9a55HOjrM_E4XiXz1lI7yg6DKOzxiRDU2sY-5HIUl-DML8g0II45enYJwT3hlYvrP3R3-ORm6tqkN0x0st-GQ2BYjCx8SQCeiAgZ3KRY-qZvwL06gc0bP6NZVwXvF1auGvlCtugitFtxGId4Rk/w400-h300/IMG_3819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking SE into Sandwich Notch.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioamzy4kytBzEjkAc8eqXJ45rmZDqPPHq2Y5Aw50ww96pBmy6vlX6EmCvq3tuFzoWpzHRLdp4MmqhqbXbPDez27HvRywSMmH2-ai-D4eA3y1IEC1l6UFhK7tlhhd7OipDi9gLpcgXrcD21tBZ9UArOqdHzQJeDLLw00WVdd_InWSVHu08Bm40caNygRRWb/s4032/IMG_3824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioamzy4kytBzEjkAc8eqXJ45rmZDqPPHq2Y5Aw50ww96pBmy6vlX6EmCvq3tuFzoWpzHRLdp4MmqhqbXbPDez27HvRywSMmH2-ai-D4eA3y1IEC1l6UFhK7tlhhd7OipDi9gLpcgXrcD21tBZ9UArOqdHzQJeDLLw00WVdd_InWSVHu08Bm40caNygRRWb/w400-h300/IMG_3824.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the return trip I descended along the steep, ledgy ridgecrest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlaXg2U3zSIjRocfEUe9Ii7d0so2Qhl9XPXj2iU86Z2mdl1p710ONQPHiJeMKWia4FUDAgmmV-7Z3HAZt5dapUJtktvOIovpo9HO4SQfjktmC3yILuEo37tuAtbmjaJ7-cXx80mW4X6R5O202H2eilz8gLK2f8W87HjXkA9S62b_atkY6Ia2SGDI1rvNH/s4032/IMG_3828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlaXg2U3zSIjRocfEUe9Ii7d0so2Qhl9XPXj2iU86Z2mdl1p710ONQPHiJeMKWia4FUDAgmmV-7Z3HAZt5dapUJtktvOIovpo9HO4SQfjktmC3yILuEo37tuAtbmjaJ7-cXx80mW4X6R5O202H2eilz8gLK2f8W87HjXkA9S62b_atkY6Ia2SGDI1rvNH/w400-h300/IMG_3828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An elongated ledge overlooked by gnarled oaks.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW6-ClhPba29BMDbmw1_rEl8fReER7GXgspigdtA3mGczQ8UaFuW4A5H-oWSp4yavmEk7PJHobMchFqR424282wQ9THQR0Atp5mI36xc_zGloybVScO1IGEJyjuLny2dZ8IR1XdNgJ0lOKmzbNj2IyySutMqeWZHZUWcdq4VET4C5NQ9edA3hlEWMr2DQ/s4032/IMG_3830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW6-ClhPba29BMDbmw1_rEl8fReER7GXgspigdtA3mGczQ8UaFuW4A5H-oWSp4yavmEk7PJHobMchFqR424282wQ9THQR0Atp5mI36xc_zGloybVScO1IGEJyjuLny2dZ8IR1XdNgJ0lOKmzbNj2IyySutMqeWZHZUWcdq4VET4C5NQ9edA3hlEWMr2DQ/w400-h300/IMG_3830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Peering across a cliff face to Cone Mountain and the lower ledges of Welch and Dickey Mountains.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGsAYkS1l8A-YeDD1wFJ78Xtucs_5rS88RZU6nzkC4ZDu3oezKcHw7Wxq2iGNB1_fceJ-VHovJVisd7Wp6PTA-VdgmMtQ8-utvg6DVW2jtiGmr-zijByg2_q23F4xTEvCLd1rm5vC8cRnJgLOIBpkdx32RHZ2j0krzYowTY18bqsAoT1JoZvbe8mOFgnP/s4032/IMG_3834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGsAYkS1l8A-YeDD1wFJ78Xtucs_5rS88RZU6nzkC4ZDu3oezKcHw7Wxq2iGNB1_fceJ-VHovJVisd7Wp6PTA-VdgmMtQ8-utvg6DVW2jtiGmr-zijByg2_q23F4xTEvCLd1rm5vC8cRnJgLOIBpkdx32RHZ2j0krzYowTY18bqsAoT1JoZvbe8mOFgnP/w400-h300/IMG_3834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Rock tripe.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22jzJgrsrGMbQ5vM4svtlI2AuNTQfTyBfHovYYqt9H5dq0nBmAM-Dz0ady2czlkuOYu00SIvvCGTtUYxR6zgVYWzDi_jf4KZU_dCnxGewB_cUyQAnX-eULqzMVQILVXaAoeoFC8dpEqAWNcM6pDOMV8O0WUWk8GNKlTEIV3-J_wJN_VUyJPYLPW-o_MVR/s4032/IMG_3838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22jzJgrsrGMbQ5vM4svtlI2AuNTQfTyBfHovYYqt9H5dq0nBmAM-Dz0ady2czlkuOYu00SIvvCGTtUYxR6zgVYWzDi_jf4KZU_dCnxGewB_cUyQAnX-eULqzMVQILVXaAoeoFC8dpEqAWNcM6pDOMV8O0WUWk8GNKlTEIV3-J_wJN_VUyJPYLPW-o_MVR/w400-h300/IMG_3838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">View from the top of the cliff.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDWc7GsSaIMSnqb5HH9MFaIuzbedsD3YPa53DlPf_aMPSx1CGhm7ZrXuH0A08y3-nhkSrutrgp68U8_G6qYCOOL5DRxUGpvo8lG1sfhGlR_HEerB0xfDaGPO6fqNm0p66CJ5XH7DhEYnPlwuJMui-vNK2ncUHfsS_ewHf1aPhphRFxHqE9vmRynr_6m4M/s4032/IMG_3840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDWc7GsSaIMSnqb5HH9MFaIuzbedsD3YPa53DlPf_aMPSx1CGhm7ZrXuH0A08y3-nhkSrutrgp68U8_G6qYCOOL5DRxUGpvo8lG1sfhGlR_HEerB0xfDaGPO6fqNm0p66CJ5XH7DhEYnPlwuJMui-vNK2ncUHfsS_ewHf1aPhphRFxHqE9vmRynr_6m4M/w400-h300/IMG_3840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Campton Range emerged from the clouds.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja05vwOnjuxkUpsnrJ5saUR11pdcIdW2zpM2N8n8A3L15mNkYHr9pmWC2ekz1WI3O0s2ELmJbupeMFtAD8R47ScxKdJlKVTtHMzUMCLdKWvUmACnABgfTZI9SM973mS9TQQ23Nvc0SJxbVXhBrJXwYWFvzEeENakq9bPzVEjXlSxtaueTTRCUMMrIv_KRa/s4032/IMG_3850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja05vwOnjuxkUpsnrJ5saUR11pdcIdW2zpM2N8n8A3L15mNkYHr9pmWC2ekz1WI3O0s2ELmJbupeMFtAD8R47ScxKdJlKVTtHMzUMCLdKWvUmACnABgfTZI9SM973mS9TQQ23Nvc0SJxbVXhBrJXwYWFvzEeENakq9bPzVEjXlSxtaueTTRCUMMrIv_KRa/w400-h300/IMG_3850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Steep terrain and slippery leaves mandated a slow, careful descent.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TfSGE87-e1FC3JCTN2DuzBIdCKGq9iJ0xLGnq-wBAGRUI8IvJzM8HjH0KSp_DgTfQ0bpsIpKjz_KG4J5L1oPiuQLErPUSJvTTqtPWcox9ntQxRRsPZMvBzNAGgBwtruZ-ksjEz0e8ixfsgCoTYanXMKh7oDWhEoKY8IpQRZt2SM3RTCv8wSgGmIhdL5Y/s4032/IMG_3853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TfSGE87-e1FC3JCTN2DuzBIdCKGq9iJ0xLGnq-wBAGRUI8IvJzM8HjH0KSp_DgTfQ0bpsIpKjz_KG4J5L1oPiuQLErPUSJvTTqtPWcox9ntQxRRsPZMvBzNAGgBwtruZ-ksjEz0e8ixfsgCoTYanXMKh7oDWhEoKY8IpQRZt2SM3RTCv8wSgGmIhdL5Y/w400-h300/IMG_3853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It appeared that wild turkeys had been foraging on this slope, likely looking for acorns. Is spring here for good, or will winter return?<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFodBwF4qry4RP7BVkeJ6mAYyp3V-tkOBSeJ3Sj2IJtHZ_WSbWnOmLJcRpUVGYjwl16tpR7A0IwkAcQXAE8CcSMOT4sPbHNsVKxZy3lZ_fFgaddjVoeUiQBPKolipOM65bXw7He6vrKGWwfhxhLLRk_dAyuPEdQUnlNqiz-TIh1bJJTrR-bn0MizwHtzeP/s4032/IMG_3854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFodBwF4qry4RP7BVkeJ6mAYyp3V-tkOBSeJ3Sj2IJtHZ_WSbWnOmLJcRpUVGYjwl16tpR7A0IwkAcQXAE8CcSMOT4sPbHNsVKxZy3lZ_fFgaddjVoeUiQBPKolipOM65bXw7He6vrKGWwfhxhLLRk_dAyuPEdQUnlNqiz-TIh1bJJTrR-bn0MizwHtzeP/w400-h300/IMG_3854.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-35410128965756536922024-03-02T17:12:00.002-05:002024-03-02T20:01:26.169-05:00West Sleeper Slide: 3/1/24<p style="text-align: left;">A thaw with some rain followed by a quick re-freeze often sets up firm snow in the woods that is favorable for snowshoe bushwhacking. I hoped this was the case on this sunny, windy morning, and headed over the Kanc Highway for a journey into the Sabbaday Brook valley. The main feature would be a visit to the big 2011 slide on the NE slope of West Sleeper.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I figured that the three big crossings of Sabbaday Brook along the Sabbaday Brook Trail would be non-starters after the thaw, so I used a familiar bushwhack route on the east side of the brook to access the trail beyond the crossings. After dropping down off the highway into the woods on the east side of the bridge over the brook, I immediately had some doubts about the whack. The snow had a firm crust on top but sugary snow beneath if you punched through, which I did a few times at the start in a low-lying area. But once I started climbing the solidity of the crust became more consistent, so the trip was on.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb4c2LIt4bAZFCfYF4zHhCp3D5-ZuEOjby6jWA1Qen1ZiZK8DHOQDdn_cNgVT_9xOv6xCWq11-zOxW1Rj2HprivtZc-E0NpSu1ptpNomTkWzsuRyrKQ2JonoceDQa5CoEklNXNv6jChRKS6fjSEiBLPi9Jvex7p9Gc5Aon4kLRMoLb913ibPN3A0blNj5/s4032/IMG_3504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb4c2LIt4bAZFCfYF4zHhCp3D5-ZuEOjby6jWA1Qen1ZiZK8DHOQDdn_cNgVT_9xOv6xCWq11-zOxW1Rj2HprivtZc-E0NpSu1ptpNomTkWzsuRyrKQ2JonoceDQa5CoEklNXNv6jChRKS6fjSEiBLPi9Jvex7p9Gc5Aon4kLRMoLb913ibPN3A0blNj5/w400-h300/IMG_3504.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The key to this bushwhack approach is a century-old tote road that runs up the east side of the valley. This was discovered a few years ago by my friend Ray "Jazzbo" Caron, who spotted it on a Lidar hillshade map. After a bit of wandering in which I crossed the road (obscure in a few places) without realizing it, I found it and followed it southward up the valley. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYsdV8V0_lENRuW8_XiOvp6bzEgeYLPWEfFqlI2YpMbkc8fue5lGYXIi1RmlRwU3X2zTzwGYhCu2Drn5N0H6GPHD55jAYpXDBJxIg_SPcvvW5hku0hQonbtsi_yLrqIg0iSKOAf0V6lr13DKJAEaBi25F00M1ye8dXVt3SkfOh6_-LARUXaCXAglheyfh/s4032/IMG_3505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYsdV8V0_lENRuW8_XiOvp6bzEgeYLPWEfFqlI2YpMbkc8fue5lGYXIi1RmlRwU3X2zTzwGYhCu2Drn5N0H6GPHD55jAYpXDBJxIg_SPcvvW5hku0hQonbtsi_yLrqIg0iSKOAf0V6lr13DKJAEaBi25F00M1ye8dXVt3SkfOh6_-LARUXaCXAglheyfh/w400-h300/IMG_3505.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The old road is especially obvious, though overgrown in spots, where it contours the steep west slope of Potash Mountain through dark woods, high above the brook. In the 1916 edition of the <i>AMC White Mountain Guide, </i>this road was noted as part of a possible route for climbing Potash.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35_juFLI4juka4xxNn5mMXgbOnb7aEsN-zDI_p5gwaXQ8zuPNvNm4ltY-gG2C6BdIp-Cdgq5IMClwKX1zOBVqN-4n-he1WP0r0uG81-0aZ44X94c887Qw4pJCCEBv664juD2Ekjw-QxhJ4q3gAXxxBt2tW3mRzxei9n68dIoJCI75GbOUrP0BuO52MacN/s4032/IMG_3508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35_juFLI4juka4xxNn5mMXgbOnb7aEsN-zDI_p5gwaXQ8zuPNvNm4ltY-gG2C6BdIp-Cdgq5IMClwKX1zOBVqN-4n-he1WP0r0uG81-0aZ44X94c887Qw4pJCCEBv664juD2Ekjw-QxhJ4q3gAXxxBt2tW3mRzxei9n68dIoJCI75GbOUrP0BuO52MacN/w400-h300/IMG_3508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Along the old road, and on the Sabbaday Brook Trail beyond, there were a number of pesky drainages to cross.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBJl0fG4fR8bL7DC-2vP5NWBelDPfZwFrWeQqxAfd3jbBiYNFGIt7BVxvFV4Md5mBKF8IWSGpQBa-3r1rVTqrjnU4eXE-da1pE0N52jDnNFTxwaz21fCtfRfpGhOML3xgFXu4-hH0HlGlXc1hidxWaSt1n_IpoTPDczybO3UtSqjAq-Tz6vqNUXFrR6U6/s4032/IMG_3509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBJl0fG4fR8bL7DC-2vP5NWBelDPfZwFrWeQqxAfd3jbBiYNFGIt7BVxvFV4Md5mBKF8IWSGpQBa-3r1rVTqrjnU4eXE-da1pE0N52jDnNFTxwaz21fCtfRfpGhOML3xgFXu4-hH0HlGlXc1hidxWaSt1n_IpoTPDczybO3UtSqjAq-Tz6vqNUXFrR6U6/w400-h300/IMG_3509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The old road breaks out into sunny hardwoods as it approaches the Sabbaday Brook Trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWWgmPp-oj2G9DkOVzp9iWGhGkaYdEP5yL6Dm_G6gUUFGTZEquaKy-F_YmavY0u5TGEOk1JtNVs2Nf88jRkwdHvwNIGCs4fiM0dSpaiHQd-rmDuarC08_I5Tv92XVZLHiTKxw3RQ8t_w0HcQtCx10v1wK5di6ch_rQkoxSrdQZ9iOM2p53lBKXf5d_hBl/s4032/IMG_3510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWWgmPp-oj2G9DkOVzp9iWGhGkaYdEP5yL6Dm_G6gUUFGTZEquaKy-F_YmavY0u5TGEOk1JtNVs2Nf88jRkwdHvwNIGCs4fiM0dSpaiHQd-rmDuarC08_I5Tv92XVZLHiTKxw3RQ8t_w0HcQtCx10v1wK5di6ch_rQkoxSrdQZ9iOM2p53lBKXf5d_hBl/w400-h300/IMG_3510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I joined the trail just before the Wilderness boundary.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mxZ2UCEamu0B6cUxNzIdUpxYEKddxKp6_-17KrBj868aLKkGR-rAsnmvuFP_IPRfMA_-TrSSxJZRaNN8OrW6E7Eui87PvcU5aIPdZzZntFSkoMRjqERgVWJp1SVFNDQWrLKaBIFRhbMg4dcUqFmNshb0amgFGYyugCfggJ1o1kbrNYIvS0wSbW1iPrNz/s4032/IMG_3512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mxZ2UCEamu0B6cUxNzIdUpxYEKddxKp6_-17KrBj868aLKkGR-rAsnmvuFP_IPRfMA_-TrSSxJZRaNN8OrW6E7Eui87PvcU5aIPdZzZntFSkoMRjqERgVWJp1SVFNDQWrLKaBIFRhbMg4dcUqFmNshb0amgFGYyugCfggJ1o1kbrNYIvS0wSbW1iPrNz/w400-h300/IMG_3512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">After looking at Sabbaday Brook where the trail runs beside it, I was glad I didn't try to make the three crossings. The snow bridges were gone and slushy new ice was forming.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNAgaHa6Hj0jEskkf8tDxzqPe-PakcOvHw1VluVwT_LnSF0r4Z1mv_YJahOOom_XMPrWmiOYy3lVpV3xzd4yEW5cDD-aP4kTrO1soMqIvnlvGNXcFiGUnhC6-Cxv6kGicBmB3bLBvrMtLilF6KCVcl2fSsORQ6Fipq8ufISSLWe62BGhFWfCeXKjHZTJa/s4032/IMG_3515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNAgaHa6Hj0jEskkf8tDxzqPe-PakcOvHw1VluVwT_LnSF0r4Z1mv_YJahOOom_XMPrWmiOYy3lVpV3xzd4yEW5cDD-aP4kTrO1soMqIvnlvGNXcFiGUnhC6-Cxv6kGicBmB3bLBvrMtLilF6KCVcl2fSsORQ6Fipq8ufISSLWe62BGhFWfCeXKjHZTJa/w400-h300/IMG_3515.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The trail had a crusty, choppy snowshoe track, peppered with an assortment of hiker and moose postholes. The hardpacked surface made for easy travel on snowshoes, and the postholes were not numerous and were avoidable.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIZpLx17UxkLUmoU-PnZ9rJfSUpz_SudbP8z03qJCM6aEQCIqm1H9aWLgjQm41dlH35tI11bzRN4U764YfInuaBzOTBi26HuxPoKMBPmlbpUQ-XYpoXjGyguVXnHstXRcltKJpTW34KQaSDxiIOTyZCaSM9I3rjRoTHm8V_eU2o-3whE4_vUCT4hlLlLg/s4032/IMG_3517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIZpLx17UxkLUmoU-PnZ9rJfSUpz_SudbP8z03qJCM6aEQCIqm1H9aWLgjQm41dlH35tI11bzRN4U764YfInuaBzOTBi26HuxPoKMBPmlbpUQ-XYpoXjGyguVXnHstXRcltKJpTW34KQaSDxiIOTyZCaSM9I3rjRoTHm8V_eU2o-3whE4_vUCT4hlLlLg/w400-h300/IMG_3517.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As you head up the valley, The Fool Killer is a constant presence to the right.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBe18YrexQSts4VEuq-8dPq7i07ZCD5uzkhHL5v7LcpcUHspgKw-OyVQCsYTNn7P2rhgzvOpqu0D3qPNIdy3aRCI07C0AQu2xm6Kqd-CTcHQL6iU_nvkbBSFfTtcvPNb0idQa0riXX18aIIKB2vexheAXQsy0TbXeOga5cKas1J094hGPrS6vUPo3vvbs/s4032/IMG_3520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBe18YrexQSts4VEuq-8dPq7i07ZCD5uzkhHL5v7LcpcUHspgKw-OyVQCsYTNn7P2rhgzvOpqu0D3qPNIdy3aRCI07C0AQu2xm6Kqd-CTcHQL6iU_nvkbBSFfTtcvPNb0idQa0riXX18aIIKB2vexheAXQsy0TbXeOga5cKas1J094hGPrS6vUPo3vvbs/w400-h300/IMG_3520.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Down and up through another side drainage.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_-4vtNDMr8LW98R-yqNgjwkA9LPDysN3sKI1hfkLoFZ49ZHzwbvb96PxInOMoC52gyLsbqimtxhWPwxmfTHx0tfydaKr8JSzfxylgRn4ivTJqJ8WRqs1sMahppoi9YFfdXoH2I88xGEiGTXVmgcgii82LmwJiXfeo4XyfO_aua7w5y17s4KtS_NQixgs/s4032/IMG_3528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_-4vtNDMr8LW98R-yqNgjwkA9LPDysN3sKI1hfkLoFZ49ZHzwbvb96PxInOMoC52gyLsbqimtxhWPwxmfTHx0tfydaKr8JSzfxylgRn4ivTJqJ8WRqs1sMahppoi9YFfdXoH2I88xGEiGTXVmgcgii82LmwJiXfeo4XyfO_aua7w5y17s4KtS_NQixgs/w400-h300/IMG_3528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I left the trail at the site of the Monahan Camp, used by the lumbermen of the Swift River Railroad in the early 1900s. For a short distance I followed another old tote road left over from those bygone days. West Sleeper and South & Middle Tripyramid could be seen through the trees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iSwk9rUW4OaiXqT2mXU9Y1wK1-AIt-JjOmy3Ks-nKEs5ykAk55-MphjaXytOPMLh35moO5FvTHbBbFc1EiAI8ysj_8JVAysOsxH7oKk4yz5J5YGkdw4pMLOiwdnj2lnqLQ64qCxredV9-werDyyYY7K3ZGP-NRbMsiPa9Z7bgRd6r5PAWxMVhIoGvsqO/s4032/IMG_3532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iSwk9rUW4OaiXqT2mXU9Y1wK1-AIt-JjOmy3Ks-nKEs5ykAk55-MphjaXytOPMLh35moO5FvTHbBbFc1EiAI8ysj_8JVAysOsxH7oKk4yz5J5YGkdw4pMLOiwdnj2lnqLQ64qCxredV9-werDyyYY7K3ZGP-NRbMsiPa9Z7bgRd6r5PAWxMVhIoGvsqO/w400-h300/IMG_3532.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Middle Tripyramid looms at the head of this long valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqodbnXwKLdPNOHkHvuh_trKIEmYNWEP3tNHXDfquN1xdwIXw9wjlUsiTMG0dlvGsAPN5Ke-L-EmI1FQ93MA28Kzd1Qhbsy6LX88tpJZKzc6nGh8Z22AK7pSIGHldQkTvoD9bsVNSzMOo6KMuStHrfzovn8q2QOW2Ptuf-fMkZXcFrfSWJbskB57Y1a7r/s4032/IMG_3536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqodbnXwKLdPNOHkHvuh_trKIEmYNWEP3tNHXDfquN1xdwIXw9wjlUsiTMG0dlvGsAPN5Ke-L-EmI1FQ93MA28Kzd1Qhbsy6LX88tpJZKzc6nGh8Z22AK7pSIGHldQkTvoD9bsVNSzMOo6KMuStHrfzovn8q2QOW2Ptuf-fMkZXcFrfSWJbskB57Y1a7r/w400-h300/IMG_3536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Continuing on the old road.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7IafmE-zeEVKnYaZ8-yb7BxJ50Vkr6ZwWpTF5ajo5FrAHRtlVqQh8xTdgHp_84STu2oSb7BQXC5JxpxXvpA8fXG2jQiLhC98UGnc-uo6MUgzqfweENI74_Uyr8Hrg9fAuDkeEGWr4zrWr2qJib133lbyEFw8G2HqBK19w63C8YG3tfJwt26fkwC8RhII/s4032/IMG_3538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7IafmE-zeEVKnYaZ8-yb7BxJ50Vkr6ZwWpTF5ajo5FrAHRtlVqQh8xTdgHp_84STu2oSb7BQXC5JxpxXvpA8fXG2jQiLhC98UGnc-uo6MUgzqfweENI74_Uyr8Hrg9fAuDkeEGWr4zrWr2qJib133lbyEFw8G2HqBK19w63C8YG3tfJwt26fkwC8RhII/w400-h300/IMG_3538.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As I had hoped, the snow was supportive off-trail, providing excellent snowshoe bushwhacking.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN7QaM1kRiaPrUn5arJu6mLLxWwpae9Jk_SmLSsOP0tugR5cV3ignTCOvE7NupoWniOAR12uc0Z8OWNGbOF_wk9cJ4LYOnWynduN7jSfCQKedI9e-wprovZM871iD9D8Vgff_fhDAVaWsi3i9GC0n5UP6ZrLeMVVGo-7_KtjyhFePm-MImVvS-18YVPwO/s4032/IMG_3539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN7QaM1kRiaPrUn5arJu6mLLxWwpae9Jk_SmLSsOP0tugR5cV3ignTCOvE7NupoWniOAR12uc0Z8OWNGbOF_wk9cJ4LYOnWynduN7jSfCQKedI9e-wprovZM871iD9D8Vgff_fhDAVaWsi3i9GC0n5UP6ZrLeMVVGo-7_KtjyhFePm-MImVvS-18YVPwO/w400-h300/IMG_3539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An inviting hardwood glade welcomed me into the side valley that leads up towards the col between East and West Sleeper.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxWIK90xf-NTRtZd0S6eBavWKJwxFNxTNQblHyQ5Ykb_YldJhtfEe-0dYDHZ98GZjt42OYEQNf5KThjwS_w7e6AiKp3X8frQ_B-6OHtqgwXlMkiX_sMnrJPm4SjhYpOjBYYYWzwa5x6QxwSYQmYseysL6X7wOxrTxej_rJzLgihxQYQ-JN4So1peusaw4/s4032/IMG_3543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxWIK90xf-NTRtZd0S6eBavWKJwxFNxTNQblHyQ5Ykb_YldJhtfEe-0dYDHZ98GZjt42OYEQNf5KThjwS_w7e6AiKp3X8frQ_B-6OHtqgwXlMkiX_sMnrJPm4SjhYpOjBYYYWzwa5x6QxwSYQmYseysL6X7wOxrTxej_rJzLgihxQYQ-JN4So1peusaw4/w400-h300/IMG_3543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Peering down to the brook that drains the side valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAxy57Avq-qo9v1DsCjnFrhqvzIkk_ccsx6UD2PacFM9PIoJGZls8A5AUjTjc0sHT8UoJLop9FoQNng46WN95QsvQNBhi1_O-G8GsWSQUaLnncoZKTu2SNb3wbwJ3oI9_z0rjkMBX2mkVGCldV1jaAgnA9B1bsr4BwLxLVmEPNwTL6f_P-5t0IsHbRGm8/s4032/IMG_3551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAxy57Avq-qo9v1DsCjnFrhqvzIkk_ccsx6UD2PacFM9PIoJGZls8A5AUjTjc0sHT8UoJLop9FoQNng46WN95QsvQNBhi1_O-G8GsWSQUaLnncoZKTu2SNb3wbwJ3oI9_z0rjkMBX2mkVGCldV1jaAgnA9B1bsr4BwLxLVmEPNwTL6f_P-5t0IsHbRGm8/w400-h300/IMG_3551.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Weaving through the hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF4FqBIB3jRk0l4_Lix1Rr4HagPO07LHJ8D1ni6_86KbJO-H-lMgGgURpmtLjd5ezGB1mVUb-LV2yUkzf_FM3M2S_grb34KYmlo2QFPpQCXm5OzQxu1-kq-qQsys6XQ7NL3LKhUw0bMFma-mHYhyphenhyphendGP7xXA6MrVCDXwmWThnQwgo5oYrrQJoEOblU_hLW/s4032/IMG_3555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF4FqBIB3jRk0l4_Lix1Rr4HagPO07LHJ8D1ni6_86KbJO-H-lMgGgURpmtLjd5ezGB1mVUb-LV2yUkzf_FM3M2S_grb34KYmlo2QFPpQCXm5OzQxu1-kq-qQsys6XQ7NL3LKhUw0bMFma-mHYhyphenhyphendGP7xXA6MrVCDXwmWThnQwgo5oYrrQJoEOblU_hLW/w400-h300/IMG_3555.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When the big slide fell off West Sleeper into this valley during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, it carved a swath of destruction for 0.15 mile downstream.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaLGj2ipz5FAkvLsTylCJijKRbX2pM0XkSXoR7Xr9viChfHdodWK4_bwRNXnNbA5tqF7d7lEH2B8yiT6znpmRJpNjPpOFdKAr0I_eNZj4-CenBsMEgyRkiPhecVN39zMCA3K7VsI0q6AH7cT2cLk0URT3tW3PpZsXG4CW17lkgT6RJeVAf6hXt0GhWQpb/s4032/IMG_3556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaLGj2ipz5FAkvLsTylCJijKRbX2pM0XkSXoR7Xr9viChfHdodWK4_bwRNXnNbA5tqF7d7lEH2B8yiT6znpmRJpNjPpOFdKAr0I_eNZj4-CenBsMEgyRkiPhecVN39zMCA3K7VsI0q6AH7cT2cLk0URT3tW3PpZsXG4CW17lkgT6RJeVAf6hXt0GhWQpb/w400-h300/IMG_3556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The open swath of the slide track provides a dramatic approach to the base of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw1Wxdrz9IxDEWmM668vkKW2rYN2dDFudvrVrVS2xvPVC9T2nGSdTZhC1fNGxVPoXw3pCWYhZ0B9wWcpgOmbYJC-HkazWhFEgKgo0dWBzKLYJAG6e0PL0FujM9i0-EoHuJ_ByHjeACJ1Xv1IlnLVrIVqWu6A4qvwIZC6-PeT02XMldsE5id7671beTie5/s4032/IMG_3564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw1Wxdrz9IxDEWmM668vkKW2rYN2dDFudvrVrVS2xvPVC9T2nGSdTZhC1fNGxVPoXw3pCWYhZ0B9wWcpgOmbYJC-HkazWhFEgKgo0dWBzKLYJAG6e0PL0FujM9i0-EoHuJ_ByHjeACJ1Xv1IlnLVrIVqWu6A4qvwIZC6-PeT02XMldsE5id7671beTie5/w400-h300/IMG_3564.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading into the sun, with Sleeper Ridge at the head of the valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SeFPIugWbNxbSC_xNRjaWK3Y1D_NF1kgSSiAi962qZV46n-EFcnt4rs94UiOAYJPZ8bzTdFDm0YXMtf0MOn4VMsCDob13V_EKAISdP1ys3-rmJKwqpnzKbtnMsHkSl0o0NNXqvMFaXr18px5eCi8_3NMlQAX1PLkAGi90ef6EynbiQo8x4J8rIPiUzwg/s4032/IMG_3575.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SeFPIugWbNxbSC_xNRjaWK3Y1D_NF1kgSSiAi962qZV46n-EFcnt4rs94UiOAYJPZ8bzTdFDm0YXMtf0MOn4VMsCDob13V_EKAISdP1ys3-rmJKwqpnzKbtnMsHkSl0o0NNXqvMFaXr18px5eCi8_3NMlQAX1PLkAGi90ef6EynbiQo8x4J8rIPiUzwg/w400-h300/IMG_3575.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow on the track was deep and firm. Wonderful snowshoeing.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZicmZKiWIZmTj7NUTpMWvXeEhCpoBzE5U5Tg3_Fcv84T_rRmqYF5Eh2BuFZhiv5RcDfjYuaTCFdUnHtxFOwWLdHZK39Xb_l8qyKtoNNLCkU7mkA2gpdxRSLw8-BhabmcgFsIjfzTBXA47WfFEPPNpI_IpHMkwWA3Zea-d5vs_AuGKKb430efUHMFcioX/s4032/IMG_3576.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZicmZKiWIZmTj7NUTpMWvXeEhCpoBzE5U5Tg3_Fcv84T_rRmqYF5Eh2BuFZhiv5RcDfjYuaTCFdUnHtxFOwWLdHZK39Xb_l8qyKtoNNLCkU7mkA2gpdxRSLw8-BhabmcgFsIjfzTBXA47WfFEPPNpI_IpHMkwWA3Zea-d5vs_AuGKKb430efUHMFcioX/w400-h300/IMG_3576.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Upon arriving at the base of the slide, I climbed up on the high bank of debris on the opposite side, created when the slide slammed into the drainage at a right angle. Scrubby tips poking up from the snowpack shows that revegetation is well underway here. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzEBqsbhqx34rhNM9u9Vr10vvWeaZO1uVn-QTtfXFQ77XDLmWKcgKGOdV8J_giBmoJWi0r628oceglP9Mlch7XL2Lexl_HehLDIYlhGrOMkGOK9yvdEcUjOu5Z4ti-V5Eqp1nSMXtBRaMwqUuSUIVWsbuT6aG4PQOrhRuQitpHxQ6PMjrGp-loEaWlUF8/s4032/IMG_3586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzEBqsbhqx34rhNM9u9Vr10vvWeaZO1uVn-QTtfXFQ77XDLmWKcgKGOdV8J_giBmoJWi0r628oceglP9Mlch7XL2Lexl_HehLDIYlhGrOMkGOK9yvdEcUjOu5Z4ti-V5Eqp1nSMXtBRaMwqUuSUIVWsbuT6aG4PQOrhRuQitpHxQ6PMjrGp-loEaWlUF8/w400-h300/IMG_3586.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">First view of the slide. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ_bXK6dW9ttQ7TjeWkChoSjgoHT-ijmpG0SGJIm1ewWXAfsC4WcAHiY0EfRCYgt1CURs1d4LHIRfSazB6UXqBB6jvQtaks5p76xoxfflEHRJO0Dq4DWFfQKOOtX1zXdr9D_8BRICYQKm6IKrYWYS-y0T52gahSHqDfuInjG_6adzNiFDhgKUJVdOUb1Y/s4032/IMG_3583.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ_bXK6dW9ttQ7TjeWkChoSjgoHT-ijmpG0SGJIm1ewWXAfsC4WcAHiY0EfRCYgt1CURs1d4LHIRfSazB6UXqBB6jvQtaks5p76xoxfflEHRJO0Dq4DWFfQKOOtX1zXdr9D_8BRICYQKm6IKrYWYS-y0T52gahSHqDfuInjG_6adzNiFDhgKUJVdOUb1Y/w400-h300/IMG_3583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p> <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Head-on view. This slide carved a giant wedge out of the forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgn7Q4UzwVHBfqqceFqBXVz0GVf5naArK90wBuHYedsxlte_0gJ947J3wux1fVL8qbO8nyS2muqnnCUlUzSaZhDhKmruUFs5KUn3Pau-bDqBOcLcTDAijoNmy16Bdpv-DtraNQpLeLBd0XlH0-W3thFH1wal-nAmNNv5K39jPJawb4wSUkXVYk6Wjr9Tx/s4032/IMG_3602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgn7Q4UzwVHBfqqceFqBXVz0GVf5naArK90wBuHYedsxlte_0gJ947J3wux1fVL8qbO8nyS2muqnnCUlUzSaZhDhKmruUFs5KUn3Pau-bDqBOcLcTDAijoNmy16Bdpv-DtraNQpLeLBd0XlH0-W3thFH1wal-nAmNNv5K39jPJawb4wSUkXVYk6Wjr9Tx/w400-h300/IMG_3602.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of many casualties of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByD8LHDvQJEUWdOK7F-QUiiAWGeLdIub02QzXyoCteo5n9Gjv23gl5r9Jy0VeyqketGxf053U3wBmsmghfi_31PC3NGvgYWpxoCqHUDsEnIasDz0OJS50tFl7Ie1ghBc-wE08TLtCyuX1BSxM0dp4Gyv9MGzdQdmzOBmHuBWWIZ_cSmsaaQo1a1cRE_7k/s4032/IMG_3605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByD8LHDvQJEUWdOK7F-QUiiAWGeLdIub02QzXyoCteo5n9Gjv23gl5r9Jy0VeyqketGxf053U3wBmsmghfi_31PC3NGvgYWpxoCqHUDsEnIasDz0OJS50tFl7Ie1ghBc-wE08TLtCyuX1BSxM0dp4Gyv9MGzdQdmzOBmHuBWWIZ_cSmsaaQo1a1cRE_7k/w400-h300/IMG_3605.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back at The Fool Killer, which, though flat-topped, looks like a sharp peak from this angle.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WdIZvUR92VR0MJ4VuAfcEbhYlAk3XXrUspGD6gedta2kXKyZv4vlVkUfR5okFZ7UWowhppneCa7enfmQhgR_jvWkRh_zvr2jRZvXxMscU-1Mmh5ZAnmLoYhAmxDZmaaQSq0sLH_LTe1l03BIErM3GQ5eL1yQfRctqqG0OEtQ8CzeAMp4VZbTHgLun_JV/s4032/IMG_3607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WdIZvUR92VR0MJ4VuAfcEbhYlAk3XXrUspGD6gedta2kXKyZv4vlVkUfR5okFZ7UWowhppneCa7enfmQhgR_jvWkRh_zvr2jRZvXxMscU-1Mmh5ZAnmLoYhAmxDZmaaQSq0sLH_LTe1l03BIErM3GQ5eL1yQfRctqqG0OEtQ8CzeAMp4VZbTHgLun_JV/w400-h300/IMG_3607.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Above a short rise from the gullied brookbed, the slide pauses in a remarkable flat area.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMcazMTNAm5PfPFd0jJlddq8uO1wGmbhM7y4S1FZD8abuGl1SYGK8TVDoT1uJKjAvffIWhOeC2mobRibwQ6wd410vSriK_MDvh_yVmQbF1nG67d7PZYO5MNdtw2KH0tH9mlpOevgX76Qhym-qUlf6jS7Bm6NofU_8NQDfMWMYTaMYyO54KoVYPiWrl2AA/s4032/IMG_3611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMcazMTNAm5PfPFd0jJlddq8uO1wGmbhM7y4S1FZD8abuGl1SYGK8TVDoT1uJKjAvffIWhOeC2mobRibwQ6wd410vSriK_MDvh_yVmQbF1nG67d7PZYO5MNdtw2KH0tH9mlpOevgX76Qhym-qUlf6jS7Bm6NofU_8NQDfMWMYTaMYyO54KoVYPiWrl2AA/w400-h300/IMG_3611.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Making tracks across this plateau.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM1awZ4BdeJSlVs2o1lXc5X-5R3FINwBRVyX57syrdV5af2N-Jt70m2c7yUDIE1xs_Jh3l4tr0k6Xej0bQ_tDyFq45BcJBpvtxfQ0kQEhB5ApnKPVJOEA9DdOCCHNKhwRZmgOECeUeUjNcbLacOCjpxG_xOvMHEpWhFL3H9Ymxoeirolg4vebCeTdpPzP/s4032/IMG_3618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM1awZ4BdeJSlVs2o1lXc5X-5R3FINwBRVyX57syrdV5af2N-Jt70m2c7yUDIE1xs_Jh3l4tr0k6Xej0bQ_tDyFq45BcJBpvtxfQ0kQEhB5ApnKPVJOEA9DdOCCHNKhwRZmgOECeUeUjNcbLacOCjpxG_xOvMHEpWhFL3H9Ymxoeirolg4vebCeTdpPzP/w400-h300/IMG_3618.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The next rise of the slide is its steepest pitch, measuring 36 degrees on the Lidar map found on the NH Granit website. The snow on the slide was a rock-solid crust with a styrofoam texture on top, giving good bite for my snowshoe crampons. It was safe to say that avalanche danger on this day was about zero.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Swke6O_jNLuU1AnyMboQqUz-Y_S1THqERkicjxz2_Sc5N_HyIHl5i0YxN_Sq9ZBmY7kRegL1bx061ULHy1ZbPVdblKIJhX54Yazp1L5rBbeyTixSQ3lbEuAK8CBPgjnkCk7vbMJJKaPjlH8P4tkHUFSbqsNHeOZXM08v2FZg909C7WQTQ9fQGcvnwwZK/s4032/IMG_3620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Swke6O_jNLuU1AnyMboQqUz-Y_S1THqERkicjxz2_Sc5N_HyIHl5i0YxN_Sq9ZBmY7kRegL1bx061ULHy1ZbPVdblKIJhX54Yazp1L5rBbeyTixSQ3lbEuAK8CBPgjnkCk7vbMJJKaPjlH8P4tkHUFSbqsNHeOZXM08v2FZg909C7WQTQ9fQGcvnwwZK/w400-h300/IMG_3620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Only a short climb is needed to obtain a nice view out to the NE.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixII2sxKnNzKRLHg8DqDuzHy95pUfoReMp7sl_6Xqxx2TmAK-czfiUG3-7MDKlJMwkYlrCehOu0ooN2V-ga-pO6EbFRBsAgXTdlzqchly4nHx2RNQ5O1qFVoL4fgjnJuUOTwvOF88aU6C3mPfVusH6knu3bQphx7G5YWLSqNS8UPgEwaYwaV9gNJ8lU-L9/s4032/IMG_3631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixII2sxKnNzKRLHg8DqDuzHy95pUfoReMp7sl_6Xqxx2TmAK-czfiUG3-7MDKlJMwkYlrCehOu0ooN2V-ga-pO6EbFRBsAgXTdlzqchly4nHx2RNQ5O1qFVoL4fgjnJuUOTwvOF88aU6C3mPfVusH6knu3bQphx7G5YWLSqNS8UPgEwaYwaV9gNJ8lU-L9/w400-h300/IMG_3631.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I continued up the slide, staying along the left edge for the steepest pitch.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVs0Zfp5YwdAmi0QORovQqkz7-vXvuqPOCY2IeZokwlKEJCtw9k2NRvQVMOmjl6HX5FRyXAgRHvaGZuykkmkLqsJQy31bOJ99mFLj7UfpaNBbiKgrjUlyn2W45u1-HOh_W1mV3XmjPF9-tklZlo1zZ88m6OOa_pLtJvMUJuJoR9JLXM4KU_DOOlGb2Fwl/s4032/IMG_3636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVs0Zfp5YwdAmi0QORovQqkz7-vXvuqPOCY2IeZokwlKEJCtw9k2NRvQVMOmjl6HX5FRyXAgRHvaGZuykkmkLqsJQy31bOJ99mFLj7UfpaNBbiKgrjUlyn2W45u1-HOh_W1mV3XmjPF9-tklZlo1zZ88m6OOa_pLtJvMUJuJoR9JLXM4KU_DOOlGb2Fwl/w400-h300/IMG_3636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It's a wide one!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS4BU_XAtk_Z4-hIs7XSSiRDKKaAOpwWScjlHU8bCWtmbwHWbi6mSW4k_Wyt4tQ4qvstM8qNfpvSYwCQ2rQu_ZLKQ1kDh9Dy_oVHPXFqH9vlALZ-KYJ2PZ-kMTjZN_sjiMI7tPCru5jcc_Qfh5VFThEl0JKSwdyh49fsnykjvpMrCQBFxTj7jEKxeAJSw/s4032/IMG_3639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS4BU_XAtk_Z4-hIs7XSSiRDKKaAOpwWScjlHU8bCWtmbwHWbi6mSW4k_Wyt4tQ4qvstM8qNfpvSYwCQ2rQu_ZLKQ1kDh9Dy_oVHPXFqH9vlALZ-KYJ2PZ-kMTjZN_sjiMI7tPCru5jcc_Qfh5VFThEl0JKSwdyh49fsnykjvpMrCQBFxTj7jEKxeAJSw/w400-h300/IMG_3639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Down-look from the top of the steep pitch.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcVop6mxWbJzcCa7FPesTljNgJ8u9A2SJElz4G2mpni6uxwS2iqy5RaiNcwJA2xDlnU-GZO6Zi80kkoalOqu6emnehyphenhyphenCvtIg3RRL2NAarMTzh041se_UObNO87p_PVm96VhCos5BqFe_CZRzohH6k24d6nc47P2dqoGO6mvBtpSEzbLKkfzsndyFeA6EH/s4032/IMG_3643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcVop6mxWbJzcCa7FPesTljNgJ8u9A2SJElz4G2mpni6uxwS2iqy5RaiNcwJA2xDlnU-GZO6Zi80kkoalOqu6emnehyphenhyphenCvtIg3RRL2NAarMTzh041se_UObNO87p_PVm96VhCos5BqFe_CZRzohH6k24d6nc47P2dqoGO6mvBtpSEzbLKkfzsndyFeA6EH/w400-h300/IMG_3643.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking across to Sleeper Ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Gk8JxAL5x4QdDmepLwZxA_zQtP9M_DheTMdKSmgPuFyOK6Cn25Qfgn-qhTP4CkUtzJ7dEyZRs42QjcGHA56m4zNKCadZX-q8uH39yqair5AZItMg8l39UbaHPNvwuzljn4c9fOdFxNjalPkAKitg8OiQb6sig_SPS9fn4vUlnDR6UGqRMEescpG-vrjo/s4032/IMG_3645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Gk8JxAL5x4QdDmepLwZxA_zQtP9M_DheTMdKSmgPuFyOK6Cn25Qfgn-qhTP4CkUtzJ7dEyZRs42QjcGHA56m4zNKCadZX-q8uH39yqair5AZItMg8l39UbaHPNvwuzljn4c9fOdFxNjalPkAKitg8OiQb6sig_SPS9fn4vUlnDR6UGqRMEescpG-vrjo/w400-h300/IMG_3645.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YnO9RwQFEh5-mqBOAGQ79ZKuqFGKxznZ6lFu3ywcLWw0lNhVkWw1RuqF-ZZhbeasbUFBFsBGWX8-7Pxug5bKT8Z8MaXlsTXS04bGShOWyiEMp14NJxQn2nxyws0lYHgv2hSQ_Vk2N4BVt7VJ6L1S6fI2Qn8ypH8AwWQckeycCkBuquGw8emNpQmjHPB5/s4032/IMG_3650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YnO9RwQFEh5-mqBOAGQ79ZKuqFGKxznZ6lFu3ywcLWw0lNhVkWw1RuqF-ZZhbeasbUFBFsBGWX8-7Pxug5bKT8Z8MaXlsTXS04bGShOWyiEMp14NJxQn2nxyws0lYHgv2hSQ_Vk2N4BVt7VJ6L1S6fI2Qn8ypH8AwWQckeycCkBuquGw8emNpQmjHPB5/w400-h300/IMG_3650.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As I climbed higher, I came across a single tiny white pine along the left edge. This is the first time I've found this species on one of the recent (2011 and 2017) slides. It seems it takes longer for the occasional pine to be seeded in on a slide, compared to the pin cherry, birch, spruce and fir seedlings that sprout up within a couple of years.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHWUtrLNiAgxiMIiYNkrWdeS2BEnB5lpDTmofAC8lbI1xSAuKTWQ608Odt6nwQ_xt1IblBthlfGTGEm4gb4RVbljGA6a1fISYv4cxskcwnOHaYaepW0_8XdDZFXkC6Y1r_JcIftn7c8Cnfw6RrAwah9rvR7YHqrgwr1614cQd6glza9Zeqyf6Qf0Zwi8Q/s4032/IMG_3653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHWUtrLNiAgxiMIiYNkrWdeS2BEnB5lpDTmofAC8lbI1xSAuKTWQ608Odt6nwQ_xt1IblBthlfGTGEm4gb4RVbljGA6a1fISYv4cxskcwnOHaYaepW0_8XdDZFXkC6Y1r_JcIftn7c8Cnfw6RrAwah9rvR7YHqrgwr1614cQd6glza9Zeqyf6Qf0Zwi8Q/w400-h300/IMG_3653.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A flattish spot beckoned for a late lunch break, about a third of the way up the slide. Because the slide is wider towards the bottom, that's where the best views are.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMM__6IzUQHuvkjiDTeMSK40rwCN81ZS4jqIymBDC9ZLdZFUfc0odS2DF2PHnyYNnW_vvYbQXR6avDVGA5a18b_JRf-o-n6yzkO2FEhuHEupfBENVPG8gMQo-PimCwlHcfDxKbjY69uPxT8jYLn0rKaNywPYy-bGjXpMkpRsFSzAJOxpkZSCmR75jC4F5/s4032/IMG_3658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMM__6IzUQHuvkjiDTeMSK40rwCN81ZS4jqIymBDC9ZLdZFUfc0odS2DF2PHnyYNnW_vvYbQXR6avDVGA5a18b_JRf-o-n6yzkO2FEhuHEupfBENVPG8gMQo-PimCwlHcfDxKbjY69uPxT8jYLn0rKaNywPYy-bGjXpMkpRsFSzAJOxpkZSCmR75jC4F5/w400-h300/IMG_3658.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another down-look.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaJ9MuTpnayf-KmKu-XN0kJoMNJmXLgY25H7nPxX1VHy6dVJgZo_GZJ9_cmAcCd2HUAbECyG0yOTKDgoF-FwSI3CxsDadC42PvUwM29IHnJg3KnYkz5rncrlES4RlshYa9_2dMegBbaAi-lrt2KEGAnCnsu3mFe7cWzjOBqvGPIGRxFtF0SRSnnXK7OI1/s4032/IMG_3664.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaJ9MuTpnayf-KmKu-XN0kJoMNJmXLgY25H7nPxX1VHy6dVJgZo_GZJ9_cmAcCd2HUAbECyG0yOTKDgoF-FwSI3CxsDadC42PvUwM29IHnJg3KnYkz5rncrlES4RlshYa9_2dMegBbaAi-lrt2KEGAnCnsu3mFe7cWzjOBqvGPIGRxFtF0SRSnnXK7OI1/w400-h300/IMG_3664.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">It was tempting to go higher, but I was content with stopping here before the slide steepens again. This was my seventh visit to this slide. It's obviously a favorite.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkIP6HGsSrQ1_IkmBfGPp7dPBdXFg_qqWi2lYSSBBJrX9zHMQ2aPU-mECQto3LkvnmbqUcwOBAxHSav0gwGzGduF3iHkUck44kGfBsrbl8F5_sKesrt_oNnoKDLg-_zg0Wym-f9Q2BT-mdNBqkQzZ0TspUx7TOrwvctjpbI1-lLv2eIbasUlNF2VdxOUp/s4032/IMG_3675.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkIP6HGsSrQ1_IkmBfGPp7dPBdXFg_qqWi2lYSSBBJrX9zHMQ2aPU-mECQto3LkvnmbqUcwOBAxHSav0gwGzGduF3iHkUck44kGfBsrbl8F5_sKesrt_oNnoKDLg-_zg0Wym-f9Q2BT-mdNBqkQzZ0TspUx7TOrwvctjpbI1-lLv2eIbasUlNF2VdxOUp/w400-h300/IMG_3675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">An excellent view from up here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SXCHIn1Z9jbdLaiJYGWd9evlezIoHI-XGWWvxIo_JeYFAEZqjN3IE2BWy0wF2zx2kiBxI4Z2wYidcvpVFGNcHkAnLS_Quj_BvlfsLewVd2cGrIyFOhfZTziodtnMGi0xg3EDQZHlu4j1JwsYfjYE5MMXWGGQ3D168s7G3moLn7ypDtPeM_U6xkFgWr-S/s4032/IMG_3691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SXCHIn1Z9jbdLaiJYGWd9evlezIoHI-XGWWvxIo_JeYFAEZqjN3IE2BWy0wF2zx2kiBxI4Z2wYidcvpVFGNcHkAnLS_Quj_BvlfsLewVd2cGrIyFOhfZTziodtnMGi0xg3EDQZHlu4j1JwsYfjYE5MMXWGGQ3D168s7G3moLn7ypDtPeM_U6xkFgWr-S/w400-h300/IMG_3691.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mount Tremont (behind the birch tree), Carter Dome, Bartlett Haystack, the Baldfaces, ledgy Potash Mountain, Bear Mountain, pointy "South Potash," Big Attitash, Kearsarge North, and North Moat.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW79v94i4_TeOQd9a1tNrrstshD7rPisf__jO3RYR2FmGnxqcbAK5aszz4_fxlpRM2Jy2Xgd0TZUZKNxkFSYydinLSrI6nUI-NUao-PgK69614V65u1ChjvG8WInezzLrTGhvr0PYSeGjdSB_4m2iP4y2MR50-6erj4qnjLh9N4dh03QJiLa0okevKTKSk/s4032/IMG_3687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW79v94i4_TeOQd9a1tNrrstshD7rPisf__jO3RYR2FmGnxqcbAK5aszz4_fxlpRM2Jy2Xgd0TZUZKNxkFSYydinLSrI6nUI-NUao-PgK69614V65u1ChjvG8WInezzLrTGhvr0PYSeGjdSB_4m2iP4y2MR50-6erj4qnjLh9N4dh03QJiLa0okevKTKSk/w400-h300/IMG_3687.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Barely discernible tracks where I went across the slide for a different angle. Going up and going across on the crust were comfortable. Going down gave a sense of exposure on the steep open slope.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKPdrgjQtmLUm8Wxr-TkAgmYwdd9lN1tu2O717VHpTrYdUUsmhWtHNI6sUf5EeWLILdlUMeb_IEqCBPS_WClfVHdQbydRT4JXUCvJYD35PE2jEPiUJog8p-8ZiT7UgHl4rS4hueffZvEBK3_l9QCHSjfSxVISapMFhG6yamVivan1yMkaZwsROlj8UaSU/s4032/IMG_3695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKPdrgjQtmLUm8Wxr-TkAgmYwdd9lN1tu2O717VHpTrYdUUsmhWtHNI6sUf5EeWLILdlUMeb_IEqCBPS_WClfVHdQbydRT4JXUCvJYD35PE2jEPiUJog8p-8ZiT7UgHl4rS4hueffZvEBK3_l9QCHSjfSxVISapMFhG6yamVivan1yMkaZwsROlj8UaSU/w400-h300/IMG_3695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Though I had an ice axe with me, I opted to make my descent to the base through the woods alongside the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIBMYSbW_p1kfhu0wSpTk9fyM19Hv5fupMP0iF46kNa9kblels81F6JjEc5Gczc-YI9TIBeJOWai8CbOBv3JOQxMvHktK9g_MNsRRcd3Qi9ZJJv-dTihTzlrcvCFO9i7SNokKvXLc_Eeq3dgazQf4KmH2eBO1npaj4Gglyjzx1iMYkO-lIoRmWQfD0Ye1/s4032/IMG_3708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIBMYSbW_p1kfhu0wSpTk9fyM19Hv5fupMP0iF46kNa9kblels81F6JjEc5Gczc-YI9TIBeJOWai8CbOBv3JOQxMvHktK9g_MNsRRcd3Qi9ZJJv-dTihTzlrcvCFO9i7SNokKvXLc_Eeq3dgazQf4KmH2eBO1npaj4Gglyjzx1iMYkO-lIoRmWQfD0Ye1/w400-h300/IMG_3708.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">I really liked this angle from the brush along the edge of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIUGo2BYTrj9hoAXyTAcAU-nx8Ny1W4q2z9Xp-Vaq8UfrDMShbj2D1zM5JOOqcIq6Qfoc1cEgWlLD6Ki34Ep9w0627WC0CRdaXQhCT5yPqF6APBq-Gu88L54yQcPRHfZriqhUD-JAKZMa30d-sjO5A1UHF8i-CTOwloBztjn6qUEVEOLRjr0XMo7yqVDO/s4032/IMG_3716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIUGo2BYTrj9hoAXyTAcAU-nx8Ny1W4q2z9Xp-Vaq8UfrDMShbj2D1zM5JOOqcIq6Qfoc1cEgWlLD6Ki34Ep9w0627WC0CRdaXQhCT5yPqF6APBq-Gu88L54yQcPRHfZriqhUD-JAKZMa30d-sjO5A1UHF8i-CTOwloBztjn6qUEVEOLRjr0XMo7yqVDO/w400-h300/IMG_3716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A beautiful open glade just south of the base of the slide. Cath Goodwin and I wandered through many glades like this on a snowshoe bushwhack up this valley to the Kate Sleeper Trail in the col between the Sleepers in 2007, four years before the slide fell.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADDi-6nD-JC0PNpRCur0lD_PFZ391W-nuh6NPnzf8XA78-IPCxQ61pjHF24NcQo64-ntscJOAbaQ1rE9nQ_ej3677CrMYOe8y5mGKEN0CVSQzrOZ7FN1TqRaiEIe79PqhfhMYLkdL6LxTMiyU_3Ps7QZ7xg_1qb0aRRrzg5Al0DbURt16IsQVTF-cOsDQ/s4032/IMG_3726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADDi-6nD-JC0PNpRCur0lD_PFZ391W-nuh6NPnzf8XA78-IPCxQ61pjHF24NcQo64-ntscJOAbaQ1rE9nQ_ej3677CrMYOe8y5mGKEN0CVSQzrOZ7FN1TqRaiEIe79PqhfhMYLkdL6LxTMiyU_3Ps7QZ7xg_1qb0aRRrzg5Al0DbURt16IsQVTF-cOsDQ/w400-h300/IMG_3726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">No more sun on the slide.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRDnGMbaFtrVjQ6VNEDA9cFvdcFOyyzm9drHBoTopca1prwQxdKW3x4FfQ2ZuuY_Rl1pOoWyK9xcvdCi188JHGxR580_9wtgnE7sU_slBx__ZNByaLHlicPJR5_iZ9ODHlYvynKstO1gYRc2bv7wi3CCKNhhijVgvIWtowe9dwv5X-oSvYlJP7KLFbTR9/s4032/IMG_3731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRDnGMbaFtrVjQ6VNEDA9cFvdcFOyyzm9drHBoTopca1prwQxdKW3x4FfQ2ZuuY_Rl1pOoWyK9xcvdCi188JHGxR580_9wtgnE7sU_slBx__ZNByaLHlicPJR5_iZ9ODHlYvynKstO1gYRc2bv7wi3CCKNhhijVgvIWtowe9dwv5X-oSvYlJP7KLFbTR9/w400-h300/IMG_3731.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The West Sleeper Christmas tree farm.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy16IJ1dyi7d0fo-FkoZ6UypwLXjWu8sTr2bn-neGmI0emDcdAE8a5SbgPMCOfTSguLSsSZgEhiMEi9c0ArSNhtTo4_htAAWiqmFBmgfnphMuAICJoAs_iA4updtH98fy5dmyp2n6Wi0ZW4AHhmAyl3cN5kev89XdjbJ7lLn_-LKqXj5tIDufw2CsIQoM/s4032/IMG_3733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy16IJ1dyi7d0fo-FkoZ6UypwLXjWu8sTr2bn-neGmI0emDcdAE8a5SbgPMCOfTSguLSsSZgEhiMEi9c0ArSNhtTo4_htAAWiqmFBmgfnphMuAICJoAs_iA4updtH98fy5dmyp2n6Wi0ZW4AHhmAyl3cN5kev89XdjbJ7lLn_-LKqXj5tIDufw2CsIQoM/w400-h300/IMG_3733.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Late afternoon light on The Fool Killer.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXbwr7P53OdVaff79vf7ErZK4nGMZV0PitWwIE2_6d6vPsPFwrPJ0H0FNc2fIh8kEagdshZI4u9G8kGn70CUf7DVb2l6SIDwBxr-R_1KA9Q59oL0stOYXSGuznOuR5jbqLQNGKFHxzoFv76vD5Smp7XTIgm3Nv3LSCTw17U3X6o8D2zX_KTkM0uxOmUdh/s4032/IMG_3736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXbwr7P53OdVaff79vf7ErZK4nGMZV0PitWwIE2_6d6vPsPFwrPJ0H0FNc2fIh8kEagdshZI4u9G8kGn70CUf7DVb2l6SIDwBxr-R_1KA9Q59oL0stOYXSGuznOuR5jbqLQNGKFHxzoFv76vD5Smp7XTIgm3Nv3LSCTw17U3X6o8D2zX_KTkM0uxOmUdh/w400-h300/IMG_3736.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">There goes the sun. Time to head for home.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh654mU_AnTxNEgslVl-mhEvvYnA8EeZyasscXR0DkTptMZlt_aG64Puit24SxCUMmrHUDJc8JVAISZ_NvNeJc2lhdpj_KBL3_3V4ckcCPjXvJR5rTciuMVCzgI15-OOMUALQV4YtB6ibVeYW1UuoZbhFrI7uYDEdpfsvc_xzCycgkd4gmRJf-_mWp9TsGX/s4032/IMG_3749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh654mU_AnTxNEgslVl-mhEvvYnA8EeZyasscXR0DkTptMZlt_aG64Puit24SxCUMmrHUDJc8JVAISZ_NvNeJc2lhdpj_KBL3_3V4ckcCPjXvJR5rTciuMVCzgI15-OOMUALQV4YtB6ibVeYW1UuoZbhFrI7uYDEdpfsvc_xzCycgkd4gmRJf-_mWp9TsGX/w400-h300/IMG_3749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-41485872071432036942024-02-29T14:59:00.000-05:002024-02-29T14:59:22.824-05:00Tower Hill Pond: 2/27/24<div><p>Carol and I headed south on a warm and sunny spring-like day for a geocaching hike around Tower Hill Pond in Auburn and Candia. This 186-acre pond, created by a large dam, is part of the Lake Massabesic watershed. Over 1,900 acres of land around the pond are owned by the Manchester Water Works and are under a conservation easement held by the Society for the Protection of NH Forests. A network of fire roads provides pleasant walking around the pond and through the adjacent woodlands.</p><p>I really enjoyed this mellow, bare ground walking after breaking trail through deep, heavy snow the day before on the 1954 Gale River Slide. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyId5JbHsJXI32hXZNy5xnf2VZFeGnfgyeBezV7RHEKXgXlNn162zKEde43DTeEKNdtDTLpN9f0JLCfvCKuGpwvxAmniRPtjQP7OByeqxkHgUQ296SPwI4HROC4FICv1RHZbV6pKhMacoUzSga4alNWgY_CCuwf4Z9lFQu5EXnoifQv_r4r_Ecl_s-r31/s4032/IMG_3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyId5JbHsJXI32hXZNy5xnf2VZFeGnfgyeBezV7RHEKXgXlNn162zKEde43DTeEKNdtDTLpN9f0JLCfvCKuGpwvxAmniRPtjQP7OByeqxkHgUQ296SPwI4HROC4FICv1RHZbV6pKhMacoUzSga4alNWgY_CCuwf4Z9lFQu5EXnoifQv_r4r_Ecl_s-r31/w400-h300/IMG_3477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Carol takes in the view from the dam at the south end of the pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjEeB6GsdZ7ueaXSM10TiJUbmqHceHHdn5vGmUzTVtcP4TiabhNJV3QlZ1ETQDOUvYE0DlXiitop16Q5yLt-GzuXqzJhyIjBlMzHOgE-wcYmg9Hx-XU6jXYu6yf5Rit-hDCcCpu4V6qWHhXY3wtnqEQ5EID4D1h8WifigaEO52dSja6earkDWw_Pc9JuJ/s4032/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjEeB6GsdZ7ueaXSM10TiJUbmqHceHHdn5vGmUzTVtcP4TiabhNJV3QlZ1ETQDOUvYE0DlXiitop16Q5yLt-GzuXqzJhyIjBlMzHOgE-wcYmg9Hx-XU6jXYu6yf5Rit-hDCcCpu4V6qWHhXY3wtnqEQ5EID4D1h8WifigaEO52dSja6earkDWw_Pc9JuJ/w400-h300/IMG_3482.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We snagged a dozen geocaches - some of them very challenging puzzle caches (that's Carol's department) - along our meandering five mile walk. Most of them required a bit of bushwhacking through open woods.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ0DgAjOfFF47Kl7q8brH1ogA_OGgURW7bJWmgxO2Z7uvrANhpNkwRgVGUPV9Qy510pahk4ODF2o4_sZ3g8mS3kpBclbPhQ8UeO8po_E87C1mRjdthfFH7c2HFaYdwEfRBu4u4HCXjcdUFRnppK-qV4WC2J4VUhiyFj_J07un_lhQ4Jyjc7o3vI2Y7NRV/s4032/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ0DgAjOfFF47Kl7q8brH1ogA_OGgURW7bJWmgxO2Z7uvrANhpNkwRgVGUPV9Qy510pahk4ODF2o4_sZ3g8mS3kpBclbPhQ8UeO8po_E87C1mRjdthfFH7c2HFaYdwEfRBu4u4HCXjcdUFRnppK-qV4WC2J4VUhiyFj_J07un_lhQ4Jyjc7o3vI2Y7NRV/w400-h300/IMG_3483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the caches was located at this neat rocky point on the west shore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIwqFuujReBidiq6qd9u9j60mtJUvGomqbGCTZ5DBmJdnk2IzFh7fKvJY4W39rDgXh97EHzWy71FzN0_gBYWDYDmW0uy8UH0x27CcfmmlOrfh6E2SIov7IOH0NYB0JM1vTPKRwosVv0knRhr6fWFrbYrQUcHVW01dpqpdpIUWxymhaUOmhQu0VUSS4ivJ/s4032/IMG_3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIwqFuujReBidiq6qd9u9j60mtJUvGomqbGCTZ5DBmJdnk2IzFh7fKvJY4W39rDgXh97EHzWy71FzN0_gBYWDYDmW0uy8UH0x27CcfmmlOrfh6E2SIov7IOH0NYB0JM1vTPKRwosVv0knRhr6fWFrbYrQUcHVW01dpqpdpIUWxymhaUOmhQu0VUSS4ivJ/w400-h300/IMG_3487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Doing these mini-bushwacks in dry ground hardwood forest kindled a bit of spring fever. Despite the mid-50s temperatures, we saw no ticks, perhaps because it was fairly cold the night before.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcWATnK8DyzKNCB364vSIjm-is-KZiwLbPD5Zl6PmY9rPS9M3N7DFQxDGa9zAjxPDyPPXB9etF8JmJ9J4XKB5PUFlvGUg6VmFDgWeCHVXawmKByyCDCm6mj5e4birp7yIo22n1CxBpvLnLlNUak1diA90In6mbnxizWYKNRSIRcART4iIG63I54lOP8-8/s4032/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcWATnK8DyzKNCB364vSIjm-is-KZiwLbPD5Zl6PmY9rPS9M3N7DFQxDGa9zAjxPDyPPXB9etF8JmJ9J4XKB5PUFlvGUg6VmFDgWeCHVXawmKByyCDCm6mj5e4birp7yIo22n1CxBpvLnLlNUak1diA90In6mbnxizWYKNRSIRcART4iIG63I54lOP8-8/w400-h300/IMG_3488.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Golden late afternoon light along the east side of the pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpxCMhJO0zhL75BrL4FKtsP8h_1w3tipigVAiXgcWyXyIM-FeBLC1XW4pc4DliZPVbCpoQjKNAomKrIv843ScGxM40lx1KoUlvT8yGz7ue4oTqkZWwqtN3Gr51LgTXEAXBH7MLgDdlZJB5l3XkWzT5P0d2NyI4l1nlshyNI5I5Kv_QGZUYNiHtRTwsX1B/s4032/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpxCMhJO0zhL75BrL4FKtsP8h_1w3tipigVAiXgcWyXyIM-FeBLC1XW4pc4DliZPVbCpoQjKNAomKrIv843ScGxM40lx1KoUlvT8yGz7ue4oTqkZWwqtN3Gr51LgTXEAXBH7MLgDdlZJB5l3XkWzT5P0d2NyI4l1nlshyNI5I5Kv_QGZUYNiHtRTwsX1B/w400-h300/IMG_3490.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An interesting jumble of boulders on the shore.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexPJtxPh-b-rAPU1AIympObSNwpzcKl672rJQHr3IwJO4Q3t8ogio1nDgMMdVCEsjnWbINv6eZZec3oMNrZ_bq1hzLjl2sJmTOcJtBtArRkyUKGkLdVWBvD6dWtR9PKyKZEmIvqHx3vstQA9fGYRld_N_EbV_r-vzVP-WwavUvLCJpe-hyZt-wgyKfuAW/s4032/IMG_3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexPJtxPh-b-rAPU1AIympObSNwpzcKl672rJQHr3IwJO4Q3t8ogio1nDgMMdVCEsjnWbINv6eZZec3oMNrZ_bq1hzLjl2sJmTOcJtBtArRkyUKGkLdVWBvD6dWtR9PKyKZEmIvqHx3vstQA9fGYRld_N_EbV_r-vzVP-WwavUvLCJpe-hyZt-wgyKfuAW/w400-h300/IMG_3495.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sinking sun illuminates the fading ice.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFbQbX4AeSp8G5ZDysQfUfQ8k_ST8W6Q8jSFbQ87OvmFfqaG73QgC78n4LfJFpiAQyxwJ1Fufe0YPxBlr2BQAwmit5h8JdVsgiCAJZvTREkFUAhwKKc9UNfo3SnsbHATNWkRTfWwQzPHOqJsfg6ytEORzy6vtoSFuRC8MfnsNpV6eFMh9_FdxXSWuOs5C/s4032/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFbQbX4AeSp8G5ZDysQfUfQ8k_ST8W6Q8jSFbQ87OvmFfqaG73QgC78n4LfJFpiAQyxwJ1Fufe0YPxBlr2BQAwmit5h8JdVsgiCAJZvTREkFUAhwKKc9UNfo3SnsbHATNWkRTfWwQzPHOqJsfg6ytEORzy6vtoSFuRC8MfnsNpV6eFMh9_FdxXSWuOs5C/w400-h300/IMG_3496.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Manchester Water Works map of Tower Hill Pond. We parked at a trailhead on Tower Hill Road on the southeast side of the map. Neither this map nor the maps on our phones and GPS units showed the trails with complete accuracy, but it was pretty easy to find our way around. During snow season the fire roads become popular snowmobile trails.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC0IA_7PH0LhPFHGLfdF6STZP5PB0RcxG-GRkmTrbsGVcf6Sz3Tz8o8RD_dSipbfbRMGid0t8ECawHF7wUQIY2yuECYBbR202hgsgMdaOSv8qP0y25Py4vKGdodbPdfhnRWY0WY0kINEcRXpAGB9EaS4-6Sr_yDQrZGTeY4sAw8a4RtWtafpAeXcpvFCz/s986/tower%20hill%20pond%20map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="986" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC0IA_7PH0LhPFHGLfdF6STZP5PB0RcxG-GRkmTrbsGVcf6Sz3Tz8o8RD_dSipbfbRMGid0t8ECawHF7wUQIY2yuECYBbR202hgsgMdaOSv8qP0y25Py4vKGdodbPdfhnRWY0WY0kINEcRXpAGB9EaS4-6Sr_yDQrZGTeY4sAw8a4RtWtafpAeXcpvFCz/w400-h348/tower%20hill%20pond%20map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-7639453253461985442024-02-27T21:29:00.001-05:002024-02-27T21:29:28.385-05:001954 Gale River Slide: 2/26/24<div><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wanted to get another snowshoe slide climb in before the big thaw. I had enjoyed a previous winter excursion to the 1954 slide well up in the Gale River valley, and felt it was well worth a repeat visit. On a partly sunny morning with temperatures heading to the upper thirties, I followed the familiar route along the Beaver Brook ski trails and snowmobile-packed Gale River Loop Road to access the Gale River Trail.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpK8YDVbCkW7l41OOt_zPWTz3ZvMA0k5mQbcSBImBAEYu-rS2_tJd57kb-eUJzLDEuHX6eKL1OaaLploYNDT7k_46wq8nZ0imsze75Du9p_k6-jfD9-OJqRsfZorS5Jckk4m-8flQYpBXt93P1XJDnVkJAM3kpyIwQi7OJ0ShBWb_rYsQnCLb-8LxEyFa/s4032/IMG_3205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpK8YDVbCkW7l41OOt_zPWTz3ZvMA0k5mQbcSBImBAEYu-rS2_tJd57kb-eUJzLDEuHX6eKL1OaaLploYNDT7k_46wq8nZ0imsze75Du9p_k6-jfD9-OJqRsfZorS5Jckk4m-8flQYpBXt93P1XJDnVkJAM3kpyIwQi7OJ0ShBWb_rYsQnCLb-8LxEyFa/w400-h300/IMG_3205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Known mainly as a route to Galehead Hut, Galehead Mountain, and South Twin Mountain, this is also a pathway to some good bushwhacking.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RLlrPpMylPbdz_umh06dORzU5FCduWYv2ZRH1AUzCRD_1ENowio9WeX8sYBR8VDPz6h8kynVfLHqDZax3lYw7auJpHPEBBuKubJwdCxoCjUTcv7hP3f3_NU99MfnHnZWc1rAG_gsTioiZCkjW0vM6RwyoN3T5GvwrF0DbOwGrX820UJiIeFNyH9fs1kh/s4032/IMG_3207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RLlrPpMylPbdz_umh06dORzU5FCduWYv2ZRH1AUzCRD_1ENowio9WeX8sYBR8VDPz6h8kynVfLHqDZax3lYw7auJpHPEBBuKubJwdCxoCjUTcv7hP3f3_NU99MfnHnZWc1rAG_gsTioiZCkjW0vM6RwyoN3T5GvwrF0DbOwGrX820UJiIeFNyH9fs1kh/w400-h300/IMG_3207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There was an excellent firm snowshoe track on the Gale River Trail, with no postholes. I was following the tracks of Ira and Karen, Catskill hikers working on their winter 48. An inch of powder had fallen overnight, and as the sun warmed it, the new snow began clumping under my snowshoes. I had to bang each snowshoe with a pole every few steps. Should have brought some Pam spray.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmfMmdaKEiXTPY1RlhXjJwSRwSDlK52YUxtLqiKfM39Us4MtblByvqPtbUR7Ezo_Yw1vsaUrvHk9Lz137AFdhhf9dRApQQRSGxq0RDOs50pCZSRwzNA6gVQfSHWY39ACgTkXoKK7sd0-pXE6mRqDzXSJtn2VCZbU6WJUwKZO1zp5rbx7vi-lF-Qx3oVU/s4032/IMG_3209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvmfMmdaKEiXTPY1RlhXjJwSRwSDlK52YUxtLqiKfM39Us4MtblByvqPtbUR7Ezo_Yw1vsaUrvHk9Lz137AFdhhf9dRApQQRSGxq0RDOs50pCZSRwzNA6gVQfSHWY39ACgTkXoKK7sd0-pXE6mRqDzXSJtn2VCZbU6WJUwKZO1zp5rbx7vi-lF-Qx3oVU/w400-h300/IMG_3209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The North Branch of the Gale River was locked in. Not for long, sadly.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0gETR5LzIPME1JEMli6kjEQFsWtBIX6HK2wKa7mmXjnRNqmsz_pHtnv7DCYeYxPFjcyRF6L19_o1Ze6ZmubZiQphGRvoQEAPQ04gVIOc-GBKF5yCj95mBfM-a55W_BqRepm7gj-ib6De6jMBNa_PbJY10XmTe-p6bITOp3xTLtkO7a1anwM08qrfyN9s/s4032/IMG_3212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0gETR5LzIPME1JEMli6kjEQFsWtBIX6HK2wKa7mmXjnRNqmsz_pHtnv7DCYeYxPFjcyRF6L19_o1Ze6ZmubZiQphGRvoQEAPQ04gVIOc-GBKF5yCj95mBfM-a55W_BqRepm7gj-ib6De6jMBNa_PbJY10XmTe-p6bITOp3xTLtkO7a1anwM08qrfyN9s/w400-h300/IMG_3212.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The 2012 relocation on Gale River Trail is one of my favorite trail sections.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJo2Kdz2gR5WDBXt2aS6SLrOPSK33t3XUNqkk-G50CXAmHwyJmZdVC4WlrpobUop1IvruwPh77IzpyGgtwF_1IFcQhQgJzZasf3dp4FzgRkwaqhsg2tOQcqORXi68MG_rusv9BMVvh4F86yukVhpKLl9T8G4F1MlEZ9uA_b3yTKe9u3hVjGPYymNu61Jjs/s4032/IMG_3215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJo2Kdz2gR5WDBXt2aS6SLrOPSK33t3XUNqkk-G50CXAmHwyJmZdVC4WlrpobUop1IvruwPh77IzpyGgtwF_1IFcQhQgJzZasf3dp4FzgRkwaqhsg2tOQcqORXi68MG_rusv9BMVvh4F86yukVhpKLl9T8G4F1MlEZ9uA_b3yTKe9u3hVjGPYymNu61Jjs/w400-h300/IMG_3215.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I always take a break at this spot with a peek up at North Twin's own Giant Stairs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUahjDHmjClxJ_8A4h_OiFVyW7_A7iPsQmpZ5ozMLMgcfy2Pn7cYnB4Em5BB23HnRwijYq4LB3eDMLmMxFelClaSM2NSRLeB8CGN0-V_AzuhD8kUIHx_OU-5btRoLSyf-kt-DtUq7x4HIgIa35vr4SrjzzbkU1DD79ykw00VDjYuh9JuUArueWvjMSGYYZ/s4032/IMG_3218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUahjDHmjClxJ_8A4h_OiFVyW7_A7iPsQmpZ5ozMLMgcfy2Pn7cYnB4Em5BB23HnRwijYq4LB3eDMLmMxFelClaSM2NSRLeB8CGN0-V_AzuhD8kUIHx_OU-5btRoLSyf-kt-DtUq7x4HIgIa35vr4SrjzzbkU1DD79ykw00VDjYuh9JuUArueWvjMSGYYZ/w400-h300/IMG_3218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nice (but doomed) snow bridge on Garfield Stream.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_A7XzJBTJjWfmmB93HJHY9ErHnmlrwlCL_daw_Q3bSp1aWxFJDyL5LTNBDEvmS7Ng5aV7U6dLZjOWrcGjuMAm7HigRStLirYMiCsm3pYugjX_3xmT6o_dAq8mBiM7-hPf4X_UyX9pkqw1rjSYZflxbocUNexfnJkauKy0H4hLpncug8ILcaiPnZ2OQJx/s4032/IMG_3221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_A7XzJBTJjWfmmB93HJHY9ErHnmlrwlCL_daw_Q3bSp1aWxFJDyL5LTNBDEvmS7Ng5aV7U6dLZjOWrcGjuMAm7HigRStLirYMiCsm3pYugjX_3xmT6o_dAq8mBiM7-hPf4X_UyX9pkqw1rjSYZflxbocUNexfnJkauKy0H4hLpncug8ILcaiPnZ2OQJx/w400-h300/IMG_3221.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">More nice woods along the relocation.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3bV2lmkW7kBn_bnMZIWs2AzABPtiGJXPmbP14UvmQImoydxwG3kSv3Zij0LjTfebhOc5O_aekM6cBSPhSOEbXdjdYfieEcOSOel14uVNVZFE8ILvWEtmE14o9JK1vVofUaDsfe8xBEprOjM1K4jjrl7Nag2I2zk00hbkJYin0zOIFomKxLLdPFqy04BB/s4032/IMG_3224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3bV2lmkW7kBn_bnMZIWs2AzABPtiGJXPmbP14UvmQImoydxwG3kSv3Zij0LjTfebhOc5O_aekM6cBSPhSOEbXdjdYfieEcOSOel14uVNVZFE8ILvWEtmE14o9JK1vVofUaDsfe8xBEprOjM1K4jjrl7Nag2I2zk00hbkJYin0zOIFomKxLLdPFqy04BB/w400-h300/IMG_3224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pleasant older section of trail three miles up the valley.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bR_IKwPGUxbB2ChLeF35V1SLr-QnVx3BYwtAE7EmXbIPYD5afi2Ug-uUUlOlHjHoU58WaPCrWdEa1x1TGxIvARInMsIXfpT94f835v0Wes1qLkC74qzIx2V2WKBcD__qPnYrk4OeiVKaTyOqQNg5Fh-NuzPzSoHxaNyS_37cd4ubthzRLULSVPpG-bZy/s4032/IMG_3229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bR_IKwPGUxbB2ChLeF35V1SLr-QnVx3BYwtAE7EmXbIPYD5afi2Ug-uUUlOlHjHoU58WaPCrWdEa1x1TGxIvARInMsIXfpT94f835v0Wes1qLkC74qzIx2V2WKBcD__qPnYrk4OeiVKaTyOqQNg5Fh-NuzPzSoHxaNyS_37cd4ubthzRLULSVPpG-bZy/w400-h300/IMG_3229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">This open spot on the trail, with a view
of a spur ridge of North Twin, marks the point where the 1954 slide came
crashing down to the North Branch during the torrential rains of Hurricane
Carol.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rBBx2yEMRpdkumY7rXVHDALfsP7bmC4FaSHk-IeVmDre1chi4UisnWHnVFxt7bzepIz6px3Lp-UxkROp_rmQim6iLKeLNvFTAm6F3GRKCZ6hf4YNTSM8VXPDz8clW_gDe_sBFJmCUOmtRhSJ-1KFi91DsghQPmyEsTl_zyop9vzFrBgc804ojUxjnt0u/s4032/IMG_3230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rBBx2yEMRpdkumY7rXVHDALfsP7bmC4FaSHk-IeVmDre1chi4UisnWHnVFxt7bzepIz6px3Lp-UxkROp_rmQim6iLKeLNvFTAm6F3GRKCZ6hf4YNTSM8VXPDz8clW_gDe_sBFJmCUOmtRhSJ-1KFi91DsghQPmyEsTl_zyop9vzFrBgc804ojUxjnt0u/w400-h300/IMG_3230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A short, prickly bushwhack brought me to the lowest open patch on the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJQ-2UubUhEuFAbCrgswpoWMoETliYWXCj7dHJo-oDOFDcSwLhYKYYXQu_5EciAcQUhYvczhSyh0bXIbD3e8eOqwNFDDGgrVZMvt9PK0gJlMTxsQK8gy2-bX-vl6WQV2kzjygckOueaGIRoF4k8Z6BTrJgpCMePOdcxG_tX11GQ8HJvqICWEcNTt_a-IJ/s4032/IMG_3237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJQ-2UubUhEuFAbCrgswpoWMoETliYWXCj7dHJo-oDOFDcSwLhYKYYXQu_5EciAcQUhYvczhSyh0bXIbD3e8eOqwNFDDGgrVZMvt9PK0gJlMTxsQK8gy2-bX-vl6WQV2kzjygckOueaGIRoF4k8Z6BTrJgpCMePOdcxG_tX11GQ8HJvqICWEcNTt_a-IJ/w400-h300/IMG_3237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was surprised at how deep and unconsolidated the snow was here, in a winter with below average snowfall.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFrr6b8SICRyG1rtLA1QKwNPHUUmrI1j8-NOHgza0jfYS_ndTMAmiXy1-M-0u6lgTtiKMNjfF_TdjaVd8ldnZSEf_WFuzm-Q1IaGF0VIJxhUpM3m4u9lg-jYKcDCwNrkjtglpue_HfkwDNyho9LvuuGvro0XnkvWIT2j1bQwPbeTvOEk4ANAvvLEctPhC/s4032/IMG_3235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFrr6b8SICRyG1rtLA1QKwNPHUUmrI1j8-NOHgza0jfYS_ndTMAmiXy1-M-0u6lgTtiKMNjfF_TdjaVd8ldnZSEf_WFuzm-Q1IaGF0VIJxhUpM3m4u9lg-jYKcDCwNrkjtglpue_HfkwDNyho9LvuuGvro0XnkvWIT2j1bQwPbeTvOEk4ANAvvLEctPhC/w400-h300/IMG_3235.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First view up to North Twin.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucIwM8CZMqSZ4_oxOjWMyTtOEYHkSbK_yaNn2c94MsOjwBSiEKfF-mwkPlzGWeEq6szlnMcR5jT4n2YHaLgqtYMPHHcKCm2Cooqtd-oG1ZJWUZhUQgDO_S52OQVDtmLOhcACqh90xz3qlGTjIZMsKI9UP3tmgp9ZnC9UMIGH8dT0dCXW7M-ph8oWviIlC/s4032/IMG_3242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucIwM8CZMqSZ4_oxOjWMyTtOEYHkSbK_yaNn2c94MsOjwBSiEKfF-mwkPlzGWeEq6szlnMcR5jT4n2YHaLgqtYMPHHcKCm2Cooqtd-oG1ZJWUZhUQgDO_S52OQVDtmLOhcACqh90xz3qlGTjIZMsKI9UP3tmgp9ZnC9UMIGH8dT0dCXW7M-ph8oWviIlC/w400-h300/IMG_3242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a sloping gravel bank in summer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwaxfefmuo3b2Z9x7FtU78sQjDJf3_ID8-wMTZVq6NH3wTpE529WmsSu0qCekPjn0GPW8goEqPD0JtOBFhXvEVG0y_Enp6P1c14XcwdLqoEcvGSPYzQ0RZxTdVSW9kqEyVxXUXxJh42lCXu86gB8w5nJLmIEULnhDXoXlK4mXi1lPQ2wZFLp5bY7XJFdj/s4032/IMG_3243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwaxfefmuo3b2Z9x7FtU78sQjDJf3_ID8-wMTZVq6NH3wTpE529WmsSu0qCekPjn0GPW8goEqPD0JtOBFhXvEVG0y_Enp6P1c14XcwdLqoEcvGSPYzQ0RZxTdVSW9kqEyVxXUXxJh42lCXu86gB8w5nJLmIEULnhDXoXlK4mXi1lPQ2wZFLp5bY7XJFdj/w400-h300/IMG_3243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heavy breaking made for slow uphill progress.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3wa8C_sVVGn80qB2u2P09vrpcFEnqD7BW2cSBhyphenhyphenVO16-N8eFVgBXGoz02C8wm4od9CdDCK8nH3KXnVvqlDcPWObsOJDslkYoq2fVVe5fIvKwvHFjmMKR64pF6By-lLKP-EMoAikFm3xquJMTr9oeC6Dz3SUWqzipJEuLZB4ysNQ3XITQzqD9-nHLScT6/s4032/IMG_3245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3wa8C_sVVGn80qB2u2P09vrpcFEnqD7BW2cSBhyphenhyphenVO16-N8eFVgBXGoz02C8wm4od9CdDCK8nH3KXnVvqlDcPWObsOJDslkYoq2fVVe5fIvKwvHFjmMKR64pF6By-lLKP-EMoAikFm3xquJMTr9oeC6Dz3SUWqzipJEuLZB4ysNQ3XITQzqD9-nHLScT6/w400-h300/IMG_3245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Semi-open but prickly woods.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ei5VAwOMY4vPEWRHARtHOnJwhWPmM8BbuVmWMV8vKLO5svRy1kWvAvuxxMj15G-nDZKkzvtZ1yeovJw0d1z4KW90dDFbhwTkUo00T_dHsU07im-VSOZRfeZtT0PkQBKG2boA3EFu_8cl42TH1-g1BCBBTZFyDJ3zsk2ZGyDxJGQIfGhkPrN3iIhytViK/s4032/IMG_3247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ei5VAwOMY4vPEWRHARtHOnJwhWPmM8BbuVmWMV8vKLO5svRy1kWvAvuxxMj15G-nDZKkzvtZ1yeovJw0d1z4KW90dDFbhwTkUo00T_dHsU07im-VSOZRfeZtT0PkQBKG2boA3EFu_8cl42TH1-g1BCBBTZFyDJ3zsk2ZGyDxJGQIfGhkPrN3iIhytViK/w400-h300/IMG_3247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emerging at the base of the main part of the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKnmMGD7FY7pWEISy86yjwkC5UeEGuiJZSGr2BSvfDp0BzcYQFQrczJB-zV8thzlhMR4M63OLn0cd4eOgTqlytxNF0PnN9kqHOHZUicJXgBwHE99G4HkcJbgatSxL6u6lCdZQr2uFQt3O_QsFQSld-AANZhs0ti7n3PfGJO1fSur09VANWLy8FJ9agGbO/s4032/IMG_3248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKnmMGD7FY7pWEISy86yjwkC5UeEGuiJZSGr2BSvfDp0BzcYQFQrczJB-zV8thzlhMR4M63OLn0cd4eOgTqlytxNF0PnN9kqHOHZUicJXgBwHE99G4HkcJbgatSxL6u6lCdZQr2uFQt3O_QsFQSld-AANZhs0ti7n3PfGJO1fSur09VANWLy8FJ9agGbO/w400-h300/IMG_3248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are many white pines growing on this slide, similar to the situation on the Downes Brook Slide on Mount Passaconaway. The late Alex MacPhail, an AMC
hutman in the early 1960s and a keen amateur naturalist, spent many days
in 2009 and 2010 at the Gale River Slide studying its revegetation and soil development.
He documented his research in his excellent blog, <i><a href="http://whitemountainsojourn.blogspot.com">White Mountain Sojourn</a>. </i>
Of particular interest is the entry for 11/19/10, which contains
photos of the slide from 1968 and 1973. In another post (9/23/09),
MacPhail noted the white pines on the slide, far from their usual valley locations, and wondered how they propagated on this high slope.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpTVYOU509pzYHF0l53aa1_0MEncGB9uwCPdMIvBlv0BEo02Pgdcxwqdom38RJP6wy42PZx1EjNHNsOoKlyoUEKiHJYoV_AD-Vg_C__32pc6sBgFFUhdtHWZw9LB1c30vWNkBexhGeo9-WGyIZczLi8Y7dguQk6GCHrQI_Udj29Orxv8NsERVZiTcJdYw/s4032/IMG_3259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpTVYOU509pzYHF0l53aa1_0MEncGB9uwCPdMIvBlv0BEo02Pgdcxwqdom38RJP6wy42PZx1EjNHNsOoKlyoUEKiHJYoV_AD-Vg_C__32pc6sBgFFUhdtHWZw9LB1c30vWNkBexhGeo9-WGyIZczLi8Y7dguQk6GCHrQI_Udj29Orxv8NsERVZiTcJdYw/w400-h300/IMG_3259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking up the slide, into the early afternoon sun.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p3qd9BtQh7HD0QcH80HCQJWmqxcFin0JYRcdCaY4Pm5Y85mZNYFrBZlEmmCi3_HJQVLsGFyAuZJS_U2pwUwnBiWm9vNLgLOaa9q45mHFhKKXCOe8DK1GQKf9ZPZdqNsx7yejoeSnOeUduzYLjjHuLlJ5xto8mwWOZVh9oZ9W0hIls9265mRakxya0h9K/s4032/IMG_3267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p3qd9BtQh7HD0QcH80HCQJWmqxcFin0JYRcdCaY4Pm5Y85mZNYFrBZlEmmCi3_HJQVLsGFyAuZJS_U2pwUwnBiWm9vNLgLOaa9q45mHFhKKXCOe8DK1GQKf9ZPZdqNsx7yejoeSnOeUduzYLjjHuLlJ5xto8mwWOZVh9oZ9W0hIls9265mRakxya0h9K/w400-h300/IMG_3267.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Peering north to a wild, cliff-shod spur ridge of North Twin. Vermont's Northeast Kingdom in the distance.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4KQnWYFe45TqIXVn1YvpM8cb7GbLNaVUGEJdzRddPZmjIGfhM6CkVBfoSfZWGzQ4ZQvYLmmQ4cr_aS6UKUCrAd67s9tM-O52OQEHekhsy8n2EfMz2cf3s9W6eKrHqonPeXwwGdhrPeyCSTUJcHK-JZv2gswxI5jgYBwbxsq0kJuAFuWX_qn9p-RhEVuI/s4032/IMG_3278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4KQnWYFe45TqIXVn1YvpM8cb7GbLNaVUGEJdzRddPZmjIGfhM6CkVBfoSfZWGzQ4ZQvYLmmQ4cr_aS6UKUCrAd67s9tM-O52OQEHekhsy8n2EfMz2cf3s9W6eKrHqonPeXwwGdhrPeyCSTUJcHK-JZv2gswxI5jgYBwbxsq0kJuAFuWX_qn9p-RhEVuI/w400-h300/IMG_3278.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pines, pines, everywhere pines.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnS7cx_OrcV82XjWbb_UK9ufhF-Tdm_lM2RMKrs5UZ6FyGIpz14VwI1OGmrNpHPh2aJuAoHhKJNyWY-YMfJrxTqGvKVB6biBw0FgirxEuli-2s6w11jHPTFQJgyPbpEy3_kyYEWTRGFZlChPTRYCEHo4sdY2cuM3YqRxfjEa3grRblApyhWd64Sf3A61l/s4032/IMG_3282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnS7cx_OrcV82XjWbb_UK9ufhF-Tdm_lM2RMKrs5UZ6FyGIpz14VwI1OGmrNpHPh2aJuAoHhKJNyWY-YMfJrxTqGvKVB6biBw0FgirxEuli-2s6w11jHPTFQJgyPbpEy3_kyYEWTRGFZlChPTRYCEHo4sdY2cuM3YqRxfjEa3grRblApyhWd64Sf3A61l/w400-h300/IMG_3282.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are at least three tamaracks (a conifer that loses its needles in winter) on this slide. This tree was not observed on any of the 22 slides surveyed by Edward Flaccus for his 1958 dissertation, <i>Landslides and Their Revegetation in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uJhlWwelUWRLmCZlCIoZJZymV6bWhh1h0PVnjq3UwVS3kkbQDA9QJgSXnapqWTCHmE2jDbFBM_iZC3A2lt5gc374gLmj-fgC0ipwggdJNhYWX0xA1ICFaemPjIzqX1uh9E12tDCaGKQhahViDMiaEb47kLhTkVkF2HWJu72qiO6OavSLm6ry5fBA6PAB/s4032/IMG_3286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uJhlWwelUWRLmCZlCIoZJZymV6bWhh1h0PVnjq3UwVS3kkbQDA9QJgSXnapqWTCHmE2jDbFBM_iZC3A2lt5gc374gLmj-fgC0ipwggdJNhYWX0xA1ICFaemPjIzqX1uh9E12tDCaGKQhahViDMiaEb47kLhTkVkF2HWJu72qiO6OavSLm6ry5fBA6PAB/w300-h400/IMG_3286.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pristine snow slope.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawv6vUgBkC-iNFY4vPiflFohHccrV3nXKVti4v_-a2z57m7vG1vcZ44MDYIKz3wgqD104Ngs9EOClqXhUJ96deo5qAXG8Fv3Z9PuUoGM3nxoY_fZsTGomoLZjO-9sp2EwXJqzl8ojTmq8j06MsBxrX_fZqIoJkyeB3bFXH6fpAHbffTXFxgDFKatA9ABh/s4032/IMG_3287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawv6vUgBkC-iNFY4vPiflFohHccrV3nXKVti4v_-a2z57m7vG1vcZ44MDYIKz3wgqD104Ngs9EOClqXhUJ96deo5qAXG8Fv3Z9PuUoGM3nxoY_fZsTGomoLZjO-9sp2EwXJqzl8ojTmq8j06MsBxrX_fZqIoJkyeB3bFXH6fpAHbffTXFxgDFKatA9ABh/w400-h300/IMG_3287.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Long shadows.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVtNMcZnE9reND6kZb9ZLK7bJ2ZDJEJk3Y8Dn5UwA5dfpoy6OONsiHwdO2C_4IPTUl2R5TxShI_QM4wQHJi4Vc1iWqG73C_dSiPJouVlAlfENY-nI4axPWMoa1_VXJnZPD7TH4p6SUU3RKZzR_ev0owuSTWN4pZWJgaaBWUkxM_he5rktLMSbNx8Q0qRt/s4032/IMG_3289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVtNMcZnE9reND6kZb9ZLK7bJ2ZDJEJk3Y8Dn5UwA5dfpoy6OONsiHwdO2C_4IPTUl2R5TxShI_QM4wQHJi4Vc1iWqG73C_dSiPJouVlAlfENY-nI4axPWMoa1_VXJnZPD7TH4p6SUU3RKZzR_ev0owuSTWN4pZWJgaaBWUkxM_he5rktLMSbNx8Q0qRt/w400-h300/IMG_3289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The slide offers a unique view up to massive North Twin Mountain and a shoulder with a wild and inaccessible band of cliffs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfP-ksI5YQcpTYNn51Y_Kjxw8rjYveKsmJOmMcjN2-uKGbsLSCi5dzWqcKZBJ0M_CNpLKxF2ikTrL1yRbQVYxgSWzmETBer0WFbkasz8Qy7l4ybtEEqa_tabSiFvkUrbxPhWMFGv-lJNBJ5BmeIiA23dHoILBZLhNgI-pomiHPjqCghxbsn5phYdEgTEo_/s4032/IMG_3322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfP-ksI5YQcpTYNn51Y_Kjxw8rjYveKsmJOmMcjN2-uKGbsLSCi5dzWqcKZBJ0M_CNpLKxF2ikTrL1yRbQVYxgSWzmETBer0WFbkasz8Qy7l4ybtEEqa_tabSiFvkUrbxPhWMFGv-lJNBJ5BmeIiA23dHoILBZLhNgI-pomiHPjqCghxbsn5phYdEgTEo_/w400-h300/IMG_3322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Zoomed.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQJRVckv7BmfxMEbm8GTtb2ZFlEKJBFjDyhdUSqa_sVlmeZuCVoz7mcSGLiy6GOOfSX3AXlAhR5a0HRFrDGF5XJ0ZgMq9I2Zo6Lt7zMP-Av8GnT69KPdt8wDEZsUjkk54FvPqeM04Q5Di-6eGpEr5JiK_oXHquc5o2bmC3_-yBpfqOUDGo4x67cB_QCnX/s4032/IMG_3298.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQJRVckv7BmfxMEbm8GTtb2ZFlEKJBFjDyhdUSqa_sVlmeZuCVoz7mcSGLiy6GOOfSX3AXlAhR5a0HRFrDGF5XJ0ZgMq9I2Zo6Lt7zMP-Av8GnT69KPdt8wDEZsUjkk54FvPqeM04Q5Di-6eGpEr5JiK_oXHquc5o2bmC3_-yBpfqOUDGo4x67cB_QCnX/w400-h300/IMG_3298.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made my way up to a favorite spot. With a temperature in the comfortable 30s and little wind, I was able to take in the scene for a while while sitting on my pack.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEukXp9dA07GsZSY941TzLi_-8u1EV55FHdvvJ2m9KGAjBvPihwBwsVFKLJXFpFqjVm6U3yMhc1RFwWF1czuBVohxXYUl6BSkR5YfXHHJJCqiJgqufiaYxCadwp5n7jgT-p0d9R1MCYof8Qo1SlUk90BYQUpCx716aNgRJilUGUrqixitV0BxYTxgEi-b2/s4032/IMG_3315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEukXp9dA07GsZSY941TzLi_-8u1EV55FHdvvJ2m9KGAjBvPihwBwsVFKLJXFpFqjVm6U3yMhc1RFwWF1czuBVohxXYUl6BSkR5YfXHHJJCqiJgqufiaYxCadwp5n7jgT-p0d9R1MCYof8Qo1SlUk90BYQUpCx716aNgRJilUGUrqixitV0BxYTxgEi-b2/w400-h300/IMG_3315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </div><div>After a long break, with clouds rolling in, I packed up and headed farther up the slide.</div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQukiANeHN6l8xcydIF96hXErWeOr0ZY02jeLPCMDmGHu5hNnYIOJSjpsCMP0lC3zEmAI2TzL8qHBSCgJPfoIxyn9MkYDPuiitqgssWE6CM6w3JJ86yC53fkORCdpHu-vTlp2FP3odEA7aDH8DuY0ApK3qF_Zj6aCkP1ohM1Cnk9c4ZM9OYzwMWhJlTz1c/s4032/IMG_3344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQukiANeHN6l8xcydIF96hXErWeOr0ZY02jeLPCMDmGHu5hNnYIOJSjpsCMP0lC3zEmAI2TzL8qHBSCgJPfoIxyn9MkYDPuiitqgssWE6CM6w3JJ86yC53fkORCdpHu-vTlp2FP3odEA7aDH8DuY0ApK3qF_Zj6aCkP1ohM1Cnk9c4ZM9OYzwMWhJlTz1c/w400-h300/IMG_3344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yikes! The snow was deep on this north-facing swath.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTvq9qlArDSGsEMGiU13CTj8JR3gVWkskXYL-dluck4kX0XfUDsePY9FIb4R5ZDjmYnhfHW9tSNJEYDzyoPvfIDGLwEpdVCuCqRfvXgeLzBOyk1e-3_f9Hf0heTXekjQZai7pv9RVsePtLGlslBI7Uvu5iz5fQbtpD3aioEaoaOb0bsmBB49-3goU7Kr0/s4032/IMG_3347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTvq9qlArDSGsEMGiU13CTj8JR3gVWkskXYL-dluck4kX0XfUDsePY9FIb4R5ZDjmYnhfHW9tSNJEYDzyoPvfIDGLwEpdVCuCqRfvXgeLzBOyk1e-3_f9Hf0heTXekjQZai7pv9RVsePtLGlslBI7Uvu5iz5fQbtpD3aioEaoaOb0bsmBB49-3goU7Kr0/w400-h300/IMG_3347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A good workout. Avalanche danger was rated low this day by the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and this is a relatively low angle slide. Still, I exercised caution and skirted the steepest open slopes.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT2ceBGAG-5F-M5AEcHfRF5lezba2o_0af4C99yFiqmFiQ2C2Sc-myUY64pko-JmsohLNb43F3HErGQ1QxF63xW5nbSlK80h9fYMAzHj9iFNWfrVZso_NOwOY9UfHYzNx07ktInOmMFFOd6JM9t6G4KdLuxNn0kc2YZICrNgCmuAt3Q6OBn7V5EZgttuz/s4032/IMG_3358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT2ceBGAG-5F-M5AEcHfRF5lezba2o_0af4C99yFiqmFiQ2C2Sc-myUY64pko-JmsohLNb43F3HErGQ1QxF63xW5nbSlK80h9fYMAzHj9iFNWfrVZso_NOwOY9UfHYzNx07ktInOmMFFOd6JM9t6G4KdLuxNn0kc2YZICrNgCmuAt3Q6OBn7V5EZgttuz/w400-h300/IMG_3358.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A band of snow flurries moved through.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5RIcTX_BwWdq2H8MwDXuksw-ItRq0CDr3Cx-WGzx0QzTTcRIYquBsv2jnXcOeu_mN2rojmkPlEx5Hjdzr-sDrK9aapeQGLpHvAZOU82ZcLzI3aibd7nXrO-dsBL54g4kMKiN_Yl2svgbX1O4B-ngFG0LE3mlsvXkPqyXs_QOU6AJFua4Homg7vSfSrkF/s4032/IMG_3359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5RIcTX_BwWdq2H8MwDXuksw-ItRq0CDr3Cx-WGzx0QzTTcRIYquBsv2jnXcOeu_mN2rojmkPlEx5Hjdzr-sDrK9aapeQGLpHvAZOU82ZcLzI3aibd7nXrO-dsBL54g4kMKiN_Yl2svgbX1O4B-ngFG0LE3mlsvXkPqyXs_QOU6AJFua4Homg7vSfSrkF/w400-h300/IMG_3359.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Side view, with spruce traps waiting to snare an unwary snowshoer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdWDOOYd3x54KnLJUvc14AbL9wGEBsyol2I6J-oOv1xSunWS12_hAhyphenhyphenqP-6eJhBc9nWmExBdp-Labsq6gz42S6NzUADIsQ5uYylnp1mhfmUwspa9JgcZh4nZe5EqGdchZfSp4CtwFwzNaCoPeu2DVtd0bN-nngHh1I6AgME7ohHNNwaTyn3vj-iCkipPR/s4032/IMG_3360.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdWDOOYd3x54KnLJUvc14AbL9wGEBsyol2I6J-oOv1xSunWS12_hAhyphenhyphenqP-6eJhBc9nWmExBdp-Labsq6gz42S6NzUADIsQ5uYylnp1mhfmUwspa9JgcZh4nZe5EqGdchZfSp4CtwFwzNaCoPeu2DVtd0bN-nngHh1I6AgME7ohHNNwaTyn3vj-iCkipPR/w400-h300/IMG_3360.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Upward.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmWcCMQGTuZThzuqLj6kXOgRTTOuJlJlg9NahO6xlEGs2DTFwKQKrTcwBlz1Zdomgy7AuP32O4AJmgQ9TxxkkdhBSWUhXQEbzYk8-GuDLVd7kSt1iGRKAIJrM4WRuc9lYH9qiZGBIsoeLetAU33IotTzRTp0_ihSLLTfjGzUrepty_SPh78CRMUSw_JKj/s4032/IMG_3363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmWcCMQGTuZThzuqLj6kXOgRTTOuJlJlg9NahO6xlEGs2DTFwKQKrTcwBlz1Zdomgy7AuP32O4AJmgQ9TxxkkdhBSWUhXQEbzYk8-GuDLVd7kSt1iGRKAIJrM4WRuc9lYH9qiZGBIsoeLetAU33IotTzRTp0_ihSLLTfjGzUrepty_SPh78CRMUSw_JKj/w400-h300/IMG_3363.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tracks.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2F6JfgOd6HbBDzyy8yRuwRCuSgCqtmXNpA1LRlmIeFQcOpH0hvqOHnHH0-KLrkaTxmJbvcLHbKMQRGU2MtYQGwBrAPQQBoKqhkyxZVudz1CTrYA_qO5rGAgX35yKwM0j9sqUxXGJZ_EYGlPRJ9oylAbCQQU8ESKa7HUcdudP9Bhf_f-9vQDAwwzJqtSI/s4032/IMG_3371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2F6JfgOd6HbBDzyy8yRuwRCuSgCqtmXNpA1LRlmIeFQcOpH0hvqOHnHH0-KLrkaTxmJbvcLHbKMQRGU2MtYQGwBrAPQQBoKqhkyxZVudz1CTrYA_qO5rGAgX35yKwM0j9sqUxXGJZ_EYGlPRJ9oylAbCQQU8ESKa7HUcdudP9Bhf_f-9vQDAwwzJqtSI/w400-h300/IMG_3371.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Top o' the slide, at ~3000 ft.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnTRuBj4oFwTONt4yIsIqDHugzgNJmMsuzDVsbDi4jTgwrcdUo5LNqWdfucbejCM41TX1JtUnRSu6eFOKLbyP9pl5xpk9NhtreNKfFEBaAPTzTUkqAVvQXBWtxkOFDAN6dwaX2DL5rgBI6YY9WrFwVlltpqx2cbzc5lmFID8reTIKYoGdDg2uz44YNZWY/s4032/IMG_3385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnTRuBj4oFwTONt4yIsIqDHugzgNJmMsuzDVsbDi4jTgwrcdUo5LNqWdfucbejCM41TX1JtUnRSu6eFOKLbyP9pl5xpk9NhtreNKfFEBaAPTzTUkqAVvQXBWtxkOFDAN6dwaX2DL5rgBI6YY9WrFwVlltpqx2cbzc5lmFID8reTIKYoGdDg2uz44YNZWY/w400-h300/IMG_3385.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moody sky over the Twins.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAouX0dfm7pu0ZyFigvg0oaKeRHK0UBQbdU_EVzBJv2WjDKLJf_Jdrsq5zOt0y7Gcu_xZxn4S3GJ2Cywq4htklduwVMkDOtAchIlFnU8jzGo5uvYj5Px02zxvk6QlKHj5cUb6JhmdxmQUl3ENoDM2At9ZIh-D0bOF8Z2leZ-5WsD3uIHlpabcwVUsQANCI/s4032/IMG_3430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAouX0dfm7pu0ZyFigvg0oaKeRHK0UBQbdU_EVzBJv2WjDKLJf_Jdrsq5zOt0y7Gcu_xZxn4S3GJ2Cywq4htklduwVMkDOtAchIlFnU8jzGo5uvYj5Px02zxvk6QlKHj5cUb6JhmdxmQUl3ENoDM2At9ZIh-D0bOF8Z2leZ-5WsD3uIHlpabcwVUsQANCI/w400-h300/IMG_3430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sno-cone rock.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LAJetnERir8-Koq1dLZ_IXnJEs4C78AWRseCWFnly_lt5m1xXBvxIcU5JQ-eXoa93-baGBWryxbydVV6-xlVB30flmICowO35ILUU5dQDPOimHrft3dSMxZ2Unq3OEtsBggSFj-BerCqUtn7sbgISwA2OJAN8yZh3FpzEp0uiTvzNNa9NI8MNFt5wDSw/s4032/IMG_3449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LAJetnERir8-Koq1dLZ_IXnJEs4C78AWRseCWFnly_lt5m1xXBvxIcU5JQ-eXoa93-baGBWryxbydVV6-xlVB30flmICowO35ILUU5dQDPOimHrft3dSMxZ2Unq3OEtsBggSFj-BerCqUtn7sbgISwA2OJAN8yZh3FpzEp0uiTvzNNa9NI8MNFt5wDSw/w400-h300/IMG_3449.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Down through the spruces.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggA7LwH65DXpUQKt5Wa5zF9b6u1XXEhY05hDnxDZPxj-UGM27I_ZEYzQYfkf8GEUf9QwVRxvJZ7TTYwIRupi04puwv3eo1Fbo36qCRgEttfBCic7aojaichfYxBCN0Og8i4F9dXv1-Ycym_puMPR3R-rQaqYdRpUlQTvl40kGjCI2jYZVKpWlbG4F9kWa/s4032/IMG_3451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggA7LwH65DXpUQKt5Wa5zF9b6u1XXEhY05hDnxDZPxj-UGM27I_ZEYzQYfkf8GEUf9QwVRxvJZ7TTYwIRupi04puwv3eo1Fbo36qCRgEttfBCic7aojaichfYxBCN0Og8i4F9dXv1-Ycym_puMPR3R-rQaqYdRpUlQTvl40kGjCI2jYZVKpWlbG4F9kWa/w400-h300/IMG_3451.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I descended along the sloping gravel bank.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsI_1o3y6fKSTA8-AswZDIjV9wzKZAZR9aSWEl2i3SM7xFH5swZT5Zzk6132pQ7NQnTaLumbvf1l3f5TRKzpUhbK28HishOYIT1FkDxtzUabVnWHCOIaRVEjwi3rp99LhhAKhs_16Sw2mwH64EZ1a_egIasRHfRAOlyFFlwcfNEagcLURLtqx6YKUq0F1/s4032/IMG_3461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsI_1o3y6fKSTA8-AswZDIjV9wzKZAZR9aSWEl2i3SM7xFH5swZT5Zzk6132pQ7NQnTaLumbvf1l3f5TRKzpUhbK28HishOYIT1FkDxtzUabVnWHCOIaRVEjwi3rp99LhhAKhs_16Sw2mwH64EZ1a_egIasRHfRAOlyFFlwcfNEagcLURLtqx6YKUq0F1/w400-h300/IMG_3461.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Good 'shoeing descending the Gale River Trail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BLyEAoLPNRoHSpQJ_WpWmOiqE8V5g76r15NfaTWWpA8g7RJrmo2T2AnIa73NQ6OdmtZJ3lS1SwBWQmu-O-9ERI78_OObL6wcX0FqeMNtfMus2RxjIQx7EqMy9HhwxlVqYB1fWtxNkPPtXkWd7z0sDOa0gIs7B5GMf2_GBeLgzCN-wRNj2-HUuu5kfEFy/s4032/IMG_3467.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BLyEAoLPNRoHSpQJ_WpWmOiqE8V5g76r15NfaTWWpA8g7RJrmo2T2AnIa73NQ6OdmtZJ3lS1SwBWQmu-O-9ERI78_OObL6wcX0FqeMNtfMus2RxjIQx7EqMy9HhwxlVqYB1fWtxNkPPtXkWd7z0sDOa0gIs7B5GMf2_GBeLgzCN-wRNj2-HUuu5kfEFy/w400-h300/IMG_3467.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Spring conditions coming.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXjcDzzeJHrTNfpSrqBfxFDyPgwcW3spaH6E6lF06R-C_h73BckdTVx1Z8eoytG29aCeIdiNrRQWWzKqb9OTU3t6YOER4bNQHNyguCwQM7r1f88GmURsWOgyQFW7aNBZknWKxVGwRuuJJqVXR5CXNlK1huCRlqGypbztrvbGablY5QFbQiDB7AbTENjnF/s4032/IMG_3472.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXjcDzzeJHrTNfpSrqBfxFDyPgwcW3spaH6E6lF06R-C_h73BckdTVx1Z8eoytG29aCeIdiNrRQWWzKqb9OTU3t6YOER4bNQHNyguCwQM7r1f88GmURsWOgyQFW7aNBZknWKxVGwRuuJJqVXR5CXNlK1huCRlqGypbztrvbGablY5QFbQiDB7AbTENjnF/w400-h300/IMG_3472.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-24960855379099646652024-02-23T20:10:00.000-05:002024-02-23T20:10:10.723-05:00Northwest Slide, Mount Passaconaway: 2/22/24<div><div><p>On a fairly warm, sun-to-clouds day, I made my second trip into the Downes Brook valley this week. Coincidentally, the day after I climbed the Downes Brook Slide, my friend Cath Goodwin and two companions (one on snowshoes) went in and skied down most of the slide. Cath reported that they encountered a group of four snowshoers who had gone farther up the valley before turning back on a rough section. Knowing that there would be a good snowshoe track on the Downes Brook Trail, I decided to take advantage of it for access to a favorite bushwhack to the Northwest Slide of Mount Passaconaway, which is located in the next ravine to the southwest of the better-known Downes Brook Slide. This slide can be seen from only a few locations. This view of it was taken from North Hancock last winter. The bottom of the slide is a huge granite slab.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61b7zjdpT7fR1sIBtAyXutOB9YfnmBSt-LcSxCPWlPZ4tUuLFInEt8RIRF1oZx4k7-ZYhqugpjQIk1o2Wpiyb7F3h9BZl6tngndCHAheGR2ZsA41wpW_VSNzoD4s7_gj_2do6ZqzYbQpnTUErzszn7sMxMQvtuleo3s9aKpR82XKYXsIxH8DV4KQBaX_P/s5184/IMG_1484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61b7zjdpT7fR1sIBtAyXutOB9YfnmBSt-LcSxCPWlPZ4tUuLFInEt8RIRF1oZx4k7-ZYhqugpjQIk1o2Wpiyb7F3h9BZl6tngndCHAheGR2ZsA41wpW_VSNzoD4s7_gj_2do6ZqzYbQpnTUErzszn7sMxMQvtuleo3s9aKpR82XKYXsIxH8DV4KQBaX_P/w400-h300/IMG_1484.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking upstream along Downes Brook. The snow bridges on the four crossings held up. I figured I should go now before the warmth and rain predicted for next week. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaUxli4nh-nw9q-z7_ruq1_ATZ58EccJuLYzfKk5dkR973GjYFVrJHN-7rcph6jHWt4H5Co3m1-qbq6CvWKE0k9AEhhppkLGvOsSfMRD3O8vT-68U2ngmoUJHRznln-RqSV7VPqqQDdoEqi_OR-9OOmFhrHzD7lAun0GyY_EmjAJVtBTt1Kjfzyy2yQYc/s4032/IMG_2914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaUxli4nh-nw9q-z7_ruq1_ATZ58EccJuLYzfKk5dkR973GjYFVrJHN-7rcph6jHWt4H5Co3m1-qbq6CvWKE0k9AEhhppkLGvOsSfMRD3O8vT-68U2ngmoUJHRznln-RqSV7VPqqQDdoEqi_OR-9OOmFhrHzD7lAun0GyY_EmjAJVtBTt1Kjfzyy2yQYc/w400-h300/IMG_2914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A fine packed powder snowshoe track made for easy travel on the Downes Brook Trail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchBv7smzj8OOGLq7Qao-DodzU0qzp5zEGwfak7uV27r_CJA22BrnlITcemlgIo1F0_Dly4pNKx_8JEcUgVZhxkY7sKVMV7pg5AwCFOQwutmt2l9yMNdNAO5UUSt1HsHNKPDv6xWNdMcCqyY89zaxJr2ql-gOlbEwiXmgIdzFiM-V2GzCWVBbfZaca1yse/s4032/IMG_2919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchBv7smzj8OOGLq7Qao-DodzU0qzp5zEGwfak7uV27r_CJA22BrnlITcemlgIo1F0_Dly4pNKx_8JEcUgVZhxkY7sKVMV7pg5AwCFOQwutmt2l9yMNdNAO5UUSt1HsHNKPDv6xWNdMcCqyY89zaxJr2ql-gOlbEwiXmgIdzFiM-V2GzCWVBbfZaca1yse/w400-h300/IMG_2919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heading up the tributary brook to the lower part of the Downes Brook Slide, from which I would launch my bushwhack to the Northwest Slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwFiHC_DCAUS7mKfGrKutZpHX_AE3YrmxzPcxHSW7c1P8BSND4ivo72Qh778bmFKKwBHRveaKpaxTIEm7CpXOiwHoQQqjO8ENQ6Jj1joZMUimSstiJ3wEPw3fOYUSYRYIrP5vTjzXG-_YWY7RpD1OtR2TaQfP7vMc6oJSHT0Dab6ykD7En90d6t9bgqqj/s4032/IMG_2929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwFiHC_DCAUS7mKfGrKutZpHX_AE3YrmxzPcxHSW7c1P8BSND4ivo72Qh778bmFKKwBHRveaKpaxTIEm7CpXOiwHoQQqjO8ENQ6Jj1joZMUimSstiJ3wEPw3fOYUSYRYIrP5vTjzXG-_YWY7RpD1OtR2TaQfP7vMc6oJSHT0Dab6ykD7En90d6t9bgqqj/w400-h300/IMG_2929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Cath and her friend Sarah had skied right over the cascade at the base of the open ledges.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1nWto55PvZr8gI9jmxXRxcbk6-1EusL_73ReCQe-lO1oinX1E-pohM52biOEXJ7sZgChHivpJ16_J2yX9d9QX5x4646ooZ7BTou5SX8meWkZVE3wGZ6pqHpcXKlvSzkVt36lH-3ayvqaPkOHwXx9-nFWAoAbW49yiCvXVDSwxXhasCZc1WeOpJJxRmCT/s4032/IMG_2936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1nWto55PvZr8gI9jmxXRxcbk6-1EusL_73ReCQe-lO1oinX1E-pohM52biOEXJ7sZgChHivpJ16_J2yX9d9QX5x4646ooZ7BTou5SX8meWkZVE3wGZ6pqHpcXKlvSzkVt36lH-3ayvqaPkOHwXx9-nFWAoAbW49yiCvXVDSwxXhasCZc1WeOpJJxRmCT/w400-h300/IMG_2936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think they had a good time!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlATVRCfz8WCYGd4AbqsAUB0HfiDopX36WB3x92RIOHIcEf6vKJ8WTC3orSCH0MVYKAph8NbJVG2BI2tE5RSzPgKfBzOSXwULWPiUCIXmlhZb3mmVtOmn5hhUQeLT96GKOPbhLDYoxaxGr-d6NDwgMXNb1fTZ97-ZPYCKZUQkZGcEZWGiMD35oXkKNYGz/s4032/IMG_2940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlATVRCfz8WCYGd4AbqsAUB0HfiDopX36WB3x92RIOHIcEf6vKJ8WTC3orSCH0MVYKAph8NbJVG2BI2tE5RSzPgKfBzOSXwULWPiUCIXmlhZb3mmVtOmn5hhUQeLT96GKOPbhLDYoxaxGr-d6NDwgMXNb1fTZ97-ZPYCKZUQkZGcEZWGiMD35oXkKNYGz/w400-h300/IMG_2940.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Skier's view of Potash Mountain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6pij2DPAMQ0hA8l82Lp-6bjSdOgTrZUO9ZTtuNFt-dVVj3h84B-PRj3Kq5vSvBBEL7LGhyphenhyphenwaDDzRe51isVdGH-X1Xv2hh7QInDbzdEpcmTct9IGJybpa3VZ81RBHcRiGx1tg0PiGUHAEei2FK0ZzufNy31KGVrDUwrIYT0WOeuVi46g1KqbUgRSDYK6K/s4032/IMG_2947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6pij2DPAMQ0hA8l82Lp-6bjSdOgTrZUO9ZTtuNFt-dVVj3h84B-PRj3Kq5vSvBBEL7LGhyphenhyphenwaDDzRe51isVdGH-X1Xv2hh7QInDbzdEpcmTct9IGJybpa3VZ81RBHcRiGx1tg0PiGUHAEei2FK0ZzufNy31KGVrDUwrIYT0WOeuVi46g1KqbUgRSDYK6K/w400-h300/IMG_2947.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heading into the woods for the mile-long whack to the Northwest Slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiZJNtzvMQTMKiI5YW8qxu9VVwKdRNodAezzBBccEoDqQ3bop1_oXVcDta5Lysubyw6VRurjJb9dz-qmld5jLGzOHI8hw0PNwBa62veOamqMUo7vh5X0dLdYFavgZRHHsrfpQv5EJtXJCnpdyAUwGD2DTLouQoPvGkc1x60rOepre8XOjIEeu4qgXPtgb/s4032/IMG_2966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiZJNtzvMQTMKiI5YW8qxu9VVwKdRNodAezzBBccEoDqQ3bop1_oXVcDta5Lysubyw6VRurjJb9dz-qmld5jLGzOHI8hw0PNwBa62veOamqMUo7vh5X0dLdYFavgZRHHsrfpQv5EJtXJCnpdyAUwGD2DTLouQoPvGkc1x60rOepre8XOjIEeu4qgXPtgb/w400-h300/IMG_2966.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Typical of late winter, the snow was largely supportive under the soft top layer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmChEWmlYLiY-pehld4L1ATJ4ui7VIs68LO8N-_zrSQWYdYsrtiFswD3LKc1Te8kz_KZEhZtanp6tnTxELa3Z8LLgmaxW6LL1tqloWR5qAOijneB-OrJkYyZPF3EV97oLmAXQoPptryuLnCuI4My4zJfaT8XSP3ERrDFx-FQVVOwHBCNZIWCSZjUa7WmAZ/s4032/IMG_2968.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmChEWmlYLiY-pehld4L1ATJ4ui7VIs68LO8N-_zrSQWYdYsrtiFswD3LKc1Te8kz_KZEhZtanp6tnTxELa3Z8LLgmaxW6LL1tqloWR5qAOijneB-OrJkYyZPF3EV97oLmAXQoPptryuLnCuI4My4zJfaT8XSP3ERrDFx-FQVVOwHBCNZIWCSZjUa7WmAZ/w400-h300/IMG_2968.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Due to a poor route choice, I did some unnecessary sidehilling.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVjd2R_kHbOtVzWHoLXYDM-RWV37xm5D4KlbKSIe82QbnfoeABaceprQEqIZMo9uZ4RtCvvFQfxUS9QYgAlJc38bLUT9_to_uwHOj4v8PgaOj88qhtKoDCfpI3MMqnEIuWY9Kb8KJFnvzZ-3yXVvDyijpnqvuRttTA2yzBbL0L3jF4l93Mm9GRnxGfDB1/s4032/IMG_2969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVjd2R_kHbOtVzWHoLXYDM-RWV37xm5D4KlbKSIe82QbnfoeABaceprQEqIZMo9uZ4RtCvvFQfxUS9QYgAlJc38bLUT9_to_uwHOj4v8PgaOj88qhtKoDCfpI3MMqnEIuWY9Kb8KJFnvzZ-3yXVvDyijpnqvuRttTA2yzBbL0L3jF4l93Mm9GRnxGfDB1/w400-h300/IMG_2969.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Farther along, I wandered around through a confusing flat area looking for the small drainage that comes down from the Northwest Slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXYsxlb0VwCtkEOuZLHCMs6wlg6LrJzkSE1BW6CsIKDbCHAd2DPPM5HiDzUOK0EZBcVk5pDy9Dxlf5XUK3fZfUotiUlHRXDDbKn-4kEYXNixBM_5-qNwGVAghI_YkjC1JAST50f_Z20XPNpuFq0T8GifeAI-nXB6ol3CpUWFL69V73Cd7NPoDnaAH-glw/s4032/IMG_2983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXYsxlb0VwCtkEOuZLHCMs6wlg6LrJzkSE1BW6CsIKDbCHAd2DPPM5HiDzUOK0EZBcVk5pDy9Dxlf5XUK3fZfUotiUlHRXDDbKn-4kEYXNixBM_5-qNwGVAghI_YkjC1JAST50f_Z20XPNpuFq0T8GifeAI-nXB6ol3CpUWFL69V73Cd7NPoDnaAH-glw/w400-h300/IMG_2983.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Found it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFwQZZoZsQ03jUG73gxxBPvwlViUwoTXFHf-0PBrho_Bbrtd838lGIu7yZtiCnVVL0e2KEwnu1SKgPUcY90gVyF2TZyIN31ubOwqdy6RgPn1mFo44p-2pJy793RHsiO8K5Fp4HUhvTuvUSEPeJjvyi-leNwNSSfdpm6D1OGbavrgfkYtzIlhRZEVj2HmD/s4032/IMG_2985.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFwQZZoZsQ03jUG73gxxBPvwlViUwoTXFHf-0PBrho_Bbrtd838lGIu7yZtiCnVVL0e2KEwnu1SKgPUcY90gVyF2TZyIN31ubOwqdy6RgPn1mFo44p-2pJy793RHsiO8K5Fp4HUhvTuvUSEPeJjvyi-leNwNSSfdpm6D1OGbavrgfkYtzIlhRZEVj2HmD/w400-h300/IMG_2985.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A little gem of a songbird nest seen along the way.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt41Fu7PY9piJfrgoZ5Zamue5WfZVAeOLky5GkuC9QqV9rLvQgFPJxN8UBHuOZ4gtewjuSpsyd7G8plSChgPi_MX-0-kqBxkCc5nhvARX8vLDD-pt45Qz2EayILlXlG68rPLHDn04QfStMCCgBlsS-fYVI5Zi97zMWcgiHXbMgRw6lLSzc7kRcAkeHtzX/s4032/IMG_2987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt41Fu7PY9piJfrgoZ5Zamue5WfZVAeOLky5GkuC9QqV9rLvQgFPJxN8UBHuOZ4gtewjuSpsyd7G8plSChgPi_MX-0-kqBxkCc5nhvARX8vLDD-pt45Qz2EayILlXlG68rPLHDn04QfStMCCgBlsS-fYVI5Zi97zMWcgiHXbMgRw6lLSzc7kRcAkeHtzX/w400-h300/IMG_2987.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A weathered old maple in a nice hardwood glade along the slide drainage.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBTfpjJQGZAWphLLN3VXnFGNMY57VXchPcorUbUMAjqe3ihmOP4MDWeDoyCeKePLQ48xKnx1AGZhTn8uy6Jntdr23rwYI4Dwg8Cd93yTgm_LBQoLtK1DqhEiH1dKOrPHFtMJqDOVk9GijV1XQeAg_7yXbf3i-uAQnPnLoaH_S-OW296imcgS7O_SQKZhs/s4032/IMG_2991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBTfpjJQGZAWphLLN3VXnFGNMY57VXchPcorUbUMAjqe3ihmOP4MDWeDoyCeKePLQ48xKnx1AGZhTn8uy6Jntdr23rwYI4Dwg8Cd93yTgm_LBQoLtK1DqhEiH1dKOrPHFtMJqDOVk9GijV1XQeAg_7yXbf3i-uAQnPnLoaH_S-OW296imcgS7O_SQKZhs/w300-h400/IMG_2991.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A pleasant plateau approaching the base of the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPG5qd14F1iawWN_MSQLUuCsqx8vbshiXYp2_bIXmSz3qhZKBuVtQrEZ_ka7sjF7i6t_EIyZF5Loy9mZh3UBqo1MbffomxOlW_Ugm49fahPb52KvIR_m2xHlE9NRXb1E3n03_-SsUE1mLfB_3axCrlRmvPZvsFppX9ewX_G31bf2vf1V2yUEGPqegQVb6/s4032/IMG_2995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPG5qd14F1iawWN_MSQLUuCsqx8vbshiXYp2_bIXmSz3qhZKBuVtQrEZ_ka7sjF7i6t_EIyZF5Loy9mZh3UBqo1MbffomxOlW_Ugm49fahPb52KvIR_m2xHlE9NRXb1E3n03_-SsUE1mLfB_3axCrlRmvPZvsFppX9ewX_G31bf2vf1V2yUEGPqegQVb6/w400-h300/IMG_2995.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The slide in sight ahead.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_4HoCUlWaYfoocuNbj8p9z6kt-KxJE7cTOm66cMzgrVGpFdfuEVP7XfZMh7TaTBaUUvd9vBpB-9UbG6RWjALyGPeF_wiK_G4hI3fPow0j9NVkJ08Rfo6v3SGqhK2ZU-pdmLw3gJOiO_mYDdzxb5ag05i1O2xzDjAT3KrFEaOnccHW_vAQkiyHIdQgqt5/s4032/IMG_3006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_4HoCUlWaYfoocuNbj8p9z6kt-KxJE7cTOm66cMzgrVGpFdfuEVP7XfZMh7TaTBaUUvd9vBpB-9UbG6RWjALyGPeF_wiK_G4hI3fPow0j9NVkJ08Rfo6v3SGqhK2ZU-pdmLw3gJOiO_mYDdzxb5ag05i1O2xzDjAT3KrFEaOnccHW_vAQkiyHIdQgqt5/w400-h300/IMG_3006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Closer look. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMh3zfnqu9BpBipJaITKeFBR32UG0wMItgLF-wHQwO690LkbdY7X3TfeWGe6EFGpGuuyP7hjV4iHZ3j3oFJYxObvRW2aCcK6G-a3TX6_GUyfP2JR1KJHVpww5XsGpmww7VFPp7nIKG5iV65uJkgo3zFZOAPSd6msjkVe-zA0edo97TJWDwtWN-83AkiyO/s4032/IMG_3008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMh3zfnqu9BpBipJaITKeFBR32UG0wMItgLF-wHQwO690LkbdY7X3TfeWGe6EFGpGuuyP7hjV4iHZ3j3oFJYxObvRW2aCcK6G-a3TX6_GUyfP2JR1KJHVpww5XsGpmww7VFPp7nIKG5iV65uJkgo3zFZOAPSd6msjkVe-zA0edo97TJWDwtWN-83AkiyO/w400-h300/IMG_3008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Making tracks along the slide track.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFwCevwJihIRiW0A8-lIMc4pQBOLFvusW1Aty81XR1rNczdrbB1QwMwQ8fUYXxsiD220QyBf7DkTFfRrpdaZHKxBu63KGaVsCGtkZNcF4hW_0QqprcvAOUR1UsFVaFVfpf8ZUuDifXy-itjRe9HXU3qsVHukTSFFYKZb9J2HWiAUMgPI69nTV66TZ7lZ9/s4032/IMG_3009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFwCevwJihIRiW0A8-lIMc4pQBOLFvusW1Aty81XR1rNczdrbB1QwMwQ8fUYXxsiD220QyBf7DkTFfRrpdaZHKxBu63KGaVsCGtkZNcF4hW_0QqprcvAOUR1UsFVaFVfpf8ZUuDifXy-itjRe9HXU3qsVHukTSFFYKZb9J2HWiAUMgPI69nTV66TZ7lZ9/w400-h300/IMG_3009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Getting closer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKdqJ0uqdFmEyvUsuaax6damdYcUInPYIySccgdivx44FnY0MvnCdRS2KcbRt1nzdFZC75Y65S2Y2yqYS8vgQddi2gz8YjVtn33MZ5XN100XU5oTxHBwMEF09CtNDE5DSjKxqQa906UpZNR31D4p0xn9A0VNuPExHRrLeSpgv8qGGsHkwsJ5iuI5kgFrR/s4032/IMG_3013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKdqJ0uqdFmEyvUsuaax6damdYcUInPYIySccgdivx44FnY0MvnCdRS2KcbRt1nzdFZC75Y65S2Y2yqYS8vgQddi2gz8YjVtn33MZ5XN100XU5oTxHBwMEF09CtNDE5DSjKxqQa906UpZNR31D4p0xn9A0VNuPExHRrLeSpgv8qGGsHkwsJ5iuI5kgFrR/w400-h300/IMG_3013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On previous visits it's been possible to follow the slide track up almost to the base of the big slab, but today that route looked sketchy ahead.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RUWQyZac_8XvkF7T28oXbo6g9HG8BDz3ixrkfTQ-wGsqD0zZ1dIFTYh_4mFpdQk0qK6rs39fAUpCEgeZSIx-JvjQvhkjXS3mBr3c9MGq2LGU5g5jB9vSiiQ1EOlL7cSZ-xADpeoNCMwBFXgbik-3Ygpz2yvincRAnAAo32c0XUHPKQvlJ-tt1I9VP-u-/s4032/IMG_3015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RUWQyZac_8XvkF7T28oXbo6g9HG8BDz3ixrkfTQ-wGsqD0zZ1dIFTYh_4mFpdQk0qK6rs39fAUpCEgeZSIx-JvjQvhkjXS3mBr3c9MGq2LGU5g5jB9vSiiQ1EOlL7cSZ-xADpeoNCMwBFXgbik-3Ygpz2yvincRAnAAo32c0XUHPKQvlJ-tt1I9VP-u-/w400-h300/IMG_3015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here I took to the woods and climbed steeply through spruces.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH4ap7IaclYo2i3RUgYkiPDyN97OVNMpML0i3fMWJC-EgnvL7UE2SGtt17CsnT_SySOp-oRJOvqxvYLJs_viTu2aX50n92tQ5GGyhjWhc_2ZtqvfTINf_Vz7qzwDJ2snb87zkQBEqyEePY6m3_v_S5hLq1ZVthZQ0SZLIpMP-LB1Vyu7OhYxmZ48N9kTj/s4032/IMG_3016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH4ap7IaclYo2i3RUgYkiPDyN97OVNMpML0i3fMWJC-EgnvL7UE2SGtt17CsnT_SySOp-oRJOvqxvYLJs_viTu2aX50n92tQ5GGyhjWhc_2ZtqvfTINf_Vz7qzwDJ2snb87zkQBEqyEePY6m3_v_S5hLq1ZVthZQ0SZLIpMP-LB1Vyu7OhYxmZ48N9kTj/w400-h300/IMG_3016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made a long switchback and ascended into a fine hardwood area Cath Goodwin and I had discovered when we snowshoed to the top of the slide three years ago.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXQ8x7XExwDxAkfYGbm0Dz0JAF77GxQ_QkmdgJgyhRBpC7HBFSx5G3fEelvwCmZGYhcaSX_Dj5t0Fdot2McWq21b-fOTyEUR5OzKwgETVmbHwI3MeqVuCUEwnQ-lR_njsoUMx4mTp2MinStGdEmW51aJ0Rbx5qMxVgXfaYrUkpa2c8P_fzVF57Y_VLmU2/s4032/IMG_3019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXQ8x7XExwDxAkfYGbm0Dz0JAF77GxQ_QkmdgJgyhRBpC7HBFSx5G3fEelvwCmZGYhcaSX_Dj5t0Fdot2McWq21b-fOTyEUR5OzKwgETVmbHwI3MeqVuCUEwnQ-lR_njsoUMx4mTp2MinStGdEmW51aJ0Rbx5qMxVgXfaYrUkpa2c8P_fzVF57Y_VLmU2/w400-h300/IMG_3019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back, distant Mount Washington could be seen through the trees.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQZ-7LCq8aRChWWAGqVtiIlco2ANU1CJgkrW3w72c7fMY7fCNoxTQOx0FUeuz2iXXXG-roxC4Tr1q6qnGSoT66z3tSVPx8uy4mKSrX9afhYTHKBm-h6vFvbg1n4jJ_YrFJczDzy9bf6MVXhrfFNL3IaeeVDNwcKfzGMROQ5aIgKUX2lmffKXcU0ONAFcV/s4032/IMG_3025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQZ-7LCq8aRChWWAGqVtiIlco2ANU1CJgkrW3w72c7fMY7fCNoxTQOx0FUeuz2iXXXG-roxC4Tr1q6qnGSoT66z3tSVPx8uy4mKSrX9afhYTHKBm-h6vFvbg1n4jJ_YrFJczDzy9bf6MVXhrfFNL3IaeeVDNwcKfzGMROQ5aIgKUX2lmffKXcU0ONAFcV/w400-h300/IMG_3025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A sweet hardwood glade.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbYg6ed6kJJkFWel0g0GOm7lFT-DXf_2cK6m_AHZUxYsOMh5uQAj-0fV_xSRqJphgWDP3FiiVcM-B3fVmK5GS4lCRII4u0VFWaC49VKdhvQOjla0vRwrCd6D6OxT6mRlZMlyU45j751ftHSGRMJJ8WUGDKyYRls_WGpkbFAcA6UYQ7nw-rn_ey3UsVVdU/s4032/IMG_3032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbYg6ed6kJJkFWel0g0GOm7lFT-DXf_2cK6m_AHZUxYsOMh5uQAj-0fV_xSRqJphgWDP3FiiVcM-B3fVmK5GS4lCRII4u0VFWaC49VKdhvQOjla0vRwrCd6D6OxT6mRlZMlyU45j751ftHSGRMJJ8WUGDKyYRls_WGpkbFAcA6UYQ7nw-rn_ey3UsVVdU/w400-h300/IMG_3032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Superb snowshoeing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMuTn8l_Aug-ZsnZnH3ZZJRZ7U2mpyn3nE6rzzak7oIpC4LHFzdFDszl7hZmNYQ8Aov8Sls-qSQalDMgfdGjXSbzBqVohEKGJwCZ5Yl8A6wucQKLQ6DbX95lMSHihL2K_a5oWBij9JwdttoWeFtdpWxozgUf7zma38WL_uhjiglyurt9kdKFuf62k7EtJ/s4032/IMG_3034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMuTn8l_Aug-ZsnZnH3ZZJRZ7U2mpyn3nE6rzzak7oIpC4LHFzdFDszl7hZmNYQ8Aov8Sls-qSQalDMgfdGjXSbzBqVohEKGJwCZ5Yl8A6wucQKLQ6DbX95lMSHihL2K_a5oWBij9JwdttoWeFtdpWxozgUf7zma38WL_uhjiglyurt9kdKFuf62k7EtJ/w400-h300/IMG_3034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the top of the steep climb I swung left onto a tote road from the Swift River Railroad logging days of the early 1900s.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wzswc4LvyImfnNUC2FZpceagLogjpCWQ0Ze4tWLmnM8Exx1fIQ0rGCte9A43zMGs5MvIXPyg3gXsuLnRm2qhxhyfyDTH31EVlVsroCpu5bX8XdK5YKKc2qHu7FZWXDOkpkQNft1MNaDKoCOvWt6tCIWOfYTQHr15fxDiaE27iQ3ocxwYfhX0VG1MdAmB/s4032/IMG_3041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wzswc4LvyImfnNUC2FZpceagLogjpCWQ0Ze4tWLmnM8Exx1fIQ0rGCte9A43zMGs5MvIXPyg3gXsuLnRm2qhxhyfyDTH31EVlVsroCpu5bX8XdK5YKKc2qHu7FZWXDOkpkQNft1MNaDKoCOvWt6tCIWOfYTQHr15fxDiaE27iQ3ocxwYfhX0VG1MdAmB/w400-h300/IMG_3041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Farther up, I worked my way down to a spot with a view across and down the big slab at the bottom of the slide. This monster ledge measures about 200 feet by 200 feet, and has a slope of 38-40 degrees. Cath's friend Sarah and her partner skied this slide several years ago. Yikes!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnrZUOMAWuHEQ9TCVEIBGVyrEEMb0dt9PR_Vt0U-E8e89UYtMDtHXSy1gy5A9BBTjZlFfy3M_JS9siq7vonW_2yi4H7W2DRKxCSbOI5ilif8_TDHNewsvYKPAwePC7CrgqpHfoZp-T-yNUHeROYXNZEhyphenhyphenJvdCsKN0uTXIbB0UBGwADoNBFZQeMMTt1MW_/s4032/IMG_3058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnrZUOMAWuHEQ9TCVEIBGVyrEEMb0dt9PR_Vt0U-E8e89UYtMDtHXSy1gy5A9BBTjZlFfy3M_JS9siq7vonW_2yi4H7W2DRKxCSbOI5ilif8_TDHNewsvYKPAwePC7CrgqpHfoZp-T-yNUHeROYXNZEhyphenhyphenJvdCsKN0uTXIbB0UBGwADoNBFZQeMMTt1MW_/w400-h300/IMG_3058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A good view north here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUgJ1vgNH0YS8JbxYHP47u5qZYLrh-3ALViIORtEMiRsr6y5w1TzCQ8BUBhRfJe1EXuMMu_qgywUA5c5Q87p2IzmSkE7nb8VmMxXSZnXCSCvrYq9ee9-iqwKvblKetnW9db8MA3rK8jqzTpuygwhsPGIZVpwsQ0lv-ITo7q_PHD0fMlV-AKmBtcPaoI9v/s4032/IMG_3047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUgJ1vgNH0YS8JbxYHP47u5qZYLrh-3ALViIORtEMiRsr6y5w1TzCQ8BUBhRfJe1EXuMMu_qgywUA5c5Q87p2IzmSkE7nb8VmMxXSZnXCSCvrYq9ee9-iqwKvblKetnW9db8MA3rK8jqzTpuygwhsPGIZVpwsQ0lv-ITo7q_PHD0fMlV-AKmBtcPaoI9v/w400-h300/IMG_3047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mount Carrigain, Carrigain Notch, Green's Cliff with the Nancy Range beyond, and part of ledgy Potash Mountain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SfpwkmxNnqy0jjhYSkF8Voj-GvP-tAPL13fL-8FBgNc_QYBVJeYuQx91FSWHzQCv1cZ5_wQ17dPPoRq2OR-rwgiGGo8UMUyrANTW9pMlgL9l-Ygfy2wCpsjs-rOItcDTOpjFrS-wnJYrkfBympA-KAyPnAKyT5ZG4w2BS0X2X1xZkRcjA66t7j_JMPgd/s4032/IMG_3157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SfpwkmxNnqy0jjhYSkF8Voj-GvP-tAPL13fL-8FBgNc_QYBVJeYuQx91FSWHzQCv1cZ5_wQ17dPPoRq2OR-rwgiGGo8UMUyrANTW9pMlgL9l-Ygfy2wCpsjs-rOItcDTOpjFrS-wnJYrkfBympA-KAyPnAKyT5ZG4w2BS0X2X1xZkRcjA66t7j_JMPgd/w400-h300/IMG_3157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pushing through some prickly spruces en route to the slide at the top of the slab.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3CXpn5BI074Hy6f5-WJTM9sIzJz6RpcilMaPQkwbAR27A9mjCgf_HQj_qARAgxbYSnxZXlXv8vlYL-L7INdeo_o_cw2Kr4PfwvZekigRV3UyWSKMcMgxC89-lY067aLt0X7EqPkUr_Bxg8Cj-1DAJf9uK1ocS12IFyA9RGz6T6zeCDjAsSZWveJnlkm_/s4032/IMG_3062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3CXpn5BI074Hy6f5-WJTM9sIzJz6RpcilMaPQkwbAR27A9mjCgf_HQj_qARAgxbYSnxZXlXv8vlYL-L7INdeo_o_cw2Kr4PfwvZekigRV3UyWSKMcMgxC89-lY067aLt0X7EqPkUr_Bxg8Cj-1DAJf9uK1ocS12IFyA9RGz6T6zeCDjAsSZWveJnlkm_/w400-h300/IMG_3062.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Onto the slide!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF7HuVMAXMsZ_Kt4297dGUWmAXIQ_ZA-0UDxj947AH9gi08P_12eTgrzeYQ-abKyz_P4VCGgGvpm9C1ksQHH7ls5gzBvD3cnXipMBurfaHg6DF_2hEjC1t-63Q5Fxp-nr26D5rYvAPUe35hbPLRpay57NF6TqLz09USROAq_VNzxRjfUt5F9xSuVRT605/s4032/IMG_3066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF7HuVMAXMsZ_Kt4297dGUWmAXIQ_ZA-0UDxj947AH9gi08P_12eTgrzeYQ-abKyz_P4VCGgGvpm9C1ksQHH7ls5gzBvD3cnXipMBurfaHg6DF_2hEjC1t-63Q5Fxp-nr26D5rYvAPUe35hbPLRpay57NF6TqLz09USROAq_VNzxRjfUt5F9xSuVRT605/w400-h300/IMG_3066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A shelf at the top of the big slab provides a comfortable viewing platform. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIyJZpWYBqPOGDzYJverapadYVHC9rrGB89fZluiT5FdeGG64hOjzdqP2QEMleGLpBxygEH7bXL5__U3FnFrzK6RhTZ6_Cs5I0wITdmWn4YmVOmPAcm4pn0d-6tO6XDBLoqdHiiEFCHG9YQzsQSAAwOGJak-X3DDcYr4cs5TFItovME_JEj8nI79HsLc5/s4032/IMG_3069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIyJZpWYBqPOGDzYJverapadYVHC9rrGB89fZluiT5FdeGG64hOjzdqP2QEMleGLpBxygEH7bXL5__U3FnFrzK6RhTZ6_Cs5I0wITdmWn4YmVOmPAcm4pn0d-6tO6XDBLoqdHiiEFCHG9YQzsQSAAwOGJak-X3DDcYr4cs5TFItovME_JEj8nI79HsLc5/w400-h300/IMG_3069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hancock and Carrigain are prominent behind South Potash.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedhXmhv926FFG85bNl6GVa7LznDh2a7mfQJWMhlhU0Bv2N1nvdQG5osRAS2GSbl6c5VjlZGXMZKwMuhtCudbvTq12NRVt8yXdz1yidbx9E1b7P47-60mNvo1YeTJ8y6j9EfTKVTVl7vfYCK9KlmcRm-hy8pMrPIQ93xtcVCKwBQjoVRt9L4X9wjLWkAHo/s4032/IMG_3071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedhXmhv926FFG85bNl6GVa7LznDh2a7mfQJWMhlhU0Bv2N1nvdQG5osRAS2GSbl6c5VjlZGXMZKwMuhtCudbvTq12NRVt8yXdz1yidbx9E1b7P47-60mNvo1YeTJ8y6j9EfTKVTVl7vfYCK9KlmcRm-hy8pMrPIQ93xtcVCKwBQjoVRt9L4X9wjLWkAHo/w400-h300/IMG_3071.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Middle and North Tripyramid and the Fool Killer are seen to the left.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhok_53B7XzjeNRhjyX25FsAWdxSZs1LrjLykNET0eN8FxaA9oDnvELEix3DxCSbkI4pkfpCWzL0PjmC4IK_oJL4x0AHUtDWZXocz0U6vLQAp__IOvFfpGBFKlv6WbhyphenhyphenU-YHwjbrx3oKqShNQELVxkTM4rysoIGUXXgO2zLwh1xplRSz_ghuT4eE4fpHKd2/s4032/IMG_3080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhok_53B7XzjeNRhjyX25FsAWdxSZs1LrjLykNET0eN8FxaA9oDnvELEix3DxCSbkI4pkfpCWzL0PjmC4IK_oJL4x0AHUtDWZXocz0U6vLQAp__IOvFfpGBFKlv6WbhyphenhyphenU-YHwjbrx3oKqShNQELVxkTM4rysoIGUXXgO2zLwh1xplRSz_ghuT4eE4fpHKd2/w400-h300/IMG_3080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The temperature was comfortable with no wind, so I fashioned a seat from my pack and stayed for a while.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJArqVysgRr3EAfSDgc4AACRKUtvTnVwANgAwY8bHBV1JkxccCbSBPVrR0fLqFZpN8T0XcRLHdugciEKU_atRZOb6M7diGoyT8ddz9LGeHBdS02wLYocwgVFwMsWQBx3GZdzm9R252_95RecI55hdNz3pAlqflQLVkTttOzA7h5iGwL0QjiBqc8xRCVit2/s4032/IMG_3097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJArqVysgRr3EAfSDgc4AACRKUtvTnVwANgAwY8bHBV1JkxccCbSBPVrR0fLqFZpN8T0XcRLHdugciEKU_atRZOb6M7diGoyT8ddz9LGeHBdS02wLYocwgVFwMsWQBx3GZdzm9R252_95RecI55hdNz3pAlqflQLVkTttOzA7h5iGwL0QjiBqc8xRCVit2/w400-h300/IMG_3097.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then I ventured a little farther up the slide. This part of the slide is a wet and slick swath of ledge in summer. It's much easier to climb in winter given good snow conditions. Three years ago Cath Goodwin and I went all the way to the top, where there is a neat ice cliff, but I didn't have time for that today.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNFc1Opbh19j5N-zUeICDfIE8VTqVOemHUar9YMhx9QNTbI5wja78cty-PO3HAEIxG4h2hXyHuj7gMt5-fBkFANCL5AU-WAwZitUGthiU8nHMmPgZD5jtgylDgu7Frlwk1W90VamgQ_G_JeGM0l6jKSV3M9XbkufrQJnS4meKtarzqeTvKOHNpssLnRQU/s4032/IMG_3106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNFc1Opbh19j5N-zUeICDfIE8VTqVOemHUar9YMhx9QNTbI5wja78cty-PO3HAEIxG4h2hXyHuj7gMt5-fBkFANCL5AU-WAwZitUGthiU8nHMmPgZD5jtgylDgu7Frlwk1W90VamgQ_G_JeGM0l6jKSV3M9XbkufrQJnS4meKtarzqeTvKOHNpssLnRQU/w400-h300/IMG_3106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I snowshoed up to the base of a very steep pitch (~40 degrees) topped by an ice bulge. On our ascent Cath and I skirted this through the woods.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhzPh-ShiKDPIzJ6Nhv2Edyycbu5HO1kJka_TnjjUm8R7eOGb0TvJvJ8wLqnOwH4zJX9hKBXZ0x8CJAwoAjII1QeuMsVVXu00xuOIRRdFZtScDW6eOPzIDumEoDOYw9uPSojjd4ND2AsKuIX9ZPExtjfoO33i5ryv72xFxwyNJ3TRHpU7qv7C5oiAXxrM/s4032/IMG_3109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhzPh-ShiKDPIzJ6Nhv2Edyycbu5HO1kJka_TnjjUm8R7eOGb0TvJvJ8wLqnOwH4zJX9hKBXZ0x8CJAwoAjII1QeuMsVVXu00xuOIRRdFZtScDW6eOPzIDumEoDOYw9uPSojjd4ND2AsKuIX9ZPExtjfoO33i5ryv72xFxwyNJ3TRHpU7qv7C5oiAXxrM/w400-h300/IMG_3109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back down.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJt-4N5CR3ooYOI60v-d3LCmUAzxKgcdoUoV3ixmKJxLglx5TgfijIFSeJo80p6EmBSQG0ijjnr5RX4WuhZ8p4iW3d7Ct-3jCB1HI871kEAxysrUO6z4bV2UG-lCDln8XBkVv46u3Vzyq2x82pHi4FGp_LrkFzAy8-G4nZrwNhMoFCETfxaFtRC8QZRGE/s4032/IMG_3122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJt-4N5CR3ooYOI60v-d3LCmUAzxKgcdoUoV3ixmKJxLglx5TgfijIFSeJo80p6EmBSQG0ijjnr5RX4WuhZ8p4iW3d7Ct-3jCB1HI871kEAxysrUO6z4bV2UG-lCDln8XBkVv46u3Vzyq2x82pHi4FGp_LrkFzAy8-G4nZrwNhMoFCETfxaFtRC8QZRGE/w300-h400/IMG_3122.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the way down, looking back up at my tracks.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHIHX7_mSS1eQhG9hGEgqnkdnaQkzT4DypMHgWY9wz6Vri7HC40ZZR81OXcymbkqBcClL5v894yOok7-OlWM4IAfgu0MdUjgbaMJXRo1nLZQau_kGfckWBTmpbNWibAjXEWYXhw8BuhfO86lVe0jltTDdp-M-BsvSrkCAt0Ne3bUA_5jbMFmP1fQelKIf/s4032/IMG_3128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHIHX7_mSS1eQhG9hGEgqnkdnaQkzT4DypMHgWY9wz6Vri7HC40ZZR81OXcymbkqBcClL5v894yOok7-OlWM4IAfgu0MdUjgbaMJXRo1nLZQau_kGfckWBTmpbNWibAjXEWYXhw8BuhfO86lVe0jltTDdp-M-BsvSrkCAt0Ne3bUA_5jbMFmP1fQelKIf/w400-h300/IMG_3128.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The world drops away ahead.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcEbh6ZixWebCpfvBnp0IJ8KIDAMI0B7-PGeZ9FD_34Pof1_piauGt96odYFu1Ss1pnJ3N1o5BvpaZNfNJ5AqFOEN0Onltm7_BH2Mee-JzJZEaqNH2sqpq5aqR0oTaBL1mQw-JetgMm4amOKTOp7mIVMWty0jEGeYVGL6VwAhRUqMHJRNYCh72r6SxiLn/s4032/IMG_3132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcEbh6ZixWebCpfvBnp0IJ8KIDAMI0B7-PGeZ9FD_34Pof1_piauGt96odYFu1Ss1pnJ3N1o5BvpaZNfNJ5AqFOEN0Onltm7_BH2Mee-JzJZEaqNH2sqpq5aqR0oTaBL1mQw-JetgMm4amOKTOp7mIVMWty0jEGeYVGL6VwAhRUqMHJRNYCh72r6SxiLn/w400-h300/IMG_3132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A large white pine stands tall near the top of the slab. I believe this slide is more than a century old.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlonVW_gwpvfsL_lI3BYtBaP3unjOrI2bvpvqv5SNRKtveYkvJoBgRSi5m56xE8XdUniTpXPAXmNRokTMOXgWXvYtUaHyZfgOHJ6BEvqe8_BC8vF7NScrNeAjE5hB13nqHsL0pjCpYqz0aqent0CEJ71IsnGKWlBmDdXkmsIs7nSN7aB18SBJGSs0xikQt/s4032/IMG_3143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlonVW_gwpvfsL_lI3BYtBaP3unjOrI2bvpvqv5SNRKtveYkvJoBgRSi5m56xE8XdUniTpXPAXmNRokTMOXgWXvYtUaHyZfgOHJ6BEvqe8_BC8vF7NScrNeAjE5hB13nqHsL0pjCpYqz0aqent0CEJ71IsnGKWlBmDdXkmsIs7nSN7aB18SBJGSs0xikQt/w400-h300/IMG_3143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> </div><div> </div><div>Heading back down through the woods. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAaOhvoUKWPLZ4T5bZAHJxoM8d1sOmgnTku6nUppMDytTkOadsB099PsWl7mcBZWuQNVldl8Pf_4Ju2f2XM12o_lRnbMyGxzttxjN_JMClR0WW0xt1JvtkSyJps4twYlFdklQ83H8p2w036Abwi7IH0-sgk_07_GlOyZZTyDH2ycIOHL3e-_z8YQOuMFP/s4032/IMG_3161.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAaOhvoUKWPLZ4T5bZAHJxoM8d1sOmgnTku6nUppMDytTkOadsB099PsWl7mcBZWuQNVldl8Pf_4Ju2f2XM12o_lRnbMyGxzttxjN_JMClR0WW0xt1JvtkSyJps4twYlFdklQ83H8p2w036Abwi7IH0-sgk_07_GlOyZZTyDH2ycIOHL3e-_z8YQOuMFP/w400-h300/IMG_3161.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I picked a better line on the traverse back to the Downes Brook Slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxWNDxTPrP4SIeXA04vT2IhqoJWrzIES5AaZi-wj0mlq20rE1_IxydJ7W05ZxipVX6Pc51icTrsOasFHt9S7Ay-Wg3xmIk-Md7uaHf5yNmndRdfeqPuvhKpIOO9KIEkvW5bbciTkdaL_kBEEUXC_iSIecKzY9NpHTY4AQGk0b7c1ydB9xrpZKlTVbrTGs/s4032/IMG_3187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxWNDxTPrP4SIeXA04vT2IhqoJWrzIES5AaZi-wj0mlq20rE1_IxydJ7W05ZxipVX6Pc51icTrsOasFHt9S7Ay-Wg3xmIk-Md7uaHf5yNmndRdfeqPuvhKpIOO9KIEkvW5bbciTkdaL_kBEEUXC_iSIecKzY9NpHTY4AQGk0b7c1ydB9xrpZKlTVbrTGs/w400-h300/IMG_3187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was happy to get back there.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY1tIRztsjvx4MRI0HDEOlGETsUua8C5COUkaQ8T-9t4DGCZt-2-669Ojn-KeBE9aOkmrq_ejvvU8ZK2_VRKVhxt9xAIxQB9tGx39hzjXPnMJCjNmgStvDtmagspqDwgFHAf6nPZ7US2YCZJ7fTpUjZeiLMjfcENTXTIrZKPT3WbvCCyzvO80nkATuM5c/s4032/IMG_3192.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY1tIRztsjvx4MRI0HDEOlGETsUua8C5COUkaQ8T-9t4DGCZt-2-669Ojn-KeBE9aOkmrq_ejvvU8ZK2_VRKVhxt9xAIxQB9tGx39hzjXPnMJCjNmgStvDtmagspqDwgFHAf6nPZ7US2YCZJ7fTpUjZeiLMjfcENTXTIrZKPT3WbvCCyzvO80nkATuM5c/w400-h300/IMG_3192.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last look back at Passaconaway.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHaAkxQVC_qxwBwSQX-rSutq48bhiOsB9lzGWti04XOXzJaG5yTityonZsaXVXkUqURSlAzT6pxZEVZjfewRhZVRG4sY2uW6ml6b6e1Ny0-VnNqYrEciBj-C5MVerASsAMON3afsL9H3vAoauO2ubW4PsxmBJSITMyvaMHPqC11FV9eJgFBIOD7rZXXPK/s4032/IMG_3204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHaAkxQVC_qxwBwSQX-rSutq48bhiOsB9lzGWti04XOXzJaG5yTityonZsaXVXkUqURSlAzT6pxZEVZjfewRhZVRG4sY2uW6ml6b6e1Ny0-VnNqYrEciBj-C5MVerASsAMON3afsL9H3vAoauO2ubW4PsxmBJSITMyvaMHPqC11FV9eJgFBIOD7rZXXPK/w400-h300/IMG_3204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p></div></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-75037452081192668512024-02-21T19:59:00.001-05:002024-02-21T20:39:53.692-05:00Downes Brook Slide: 2/20/24<p style="text-align: left;">Over the past few years one of my favorite winter outings has been a snowshoe climb of the Downes Brook Slide on the north side of Mount Passaconaway. This slide came crashing down around 1892, baring long swaths of granite bedrock. Many of the ledges remain open today. <span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">With the right conditions, the ledges of
the slide are suitable for experienced snowshoe bushwhackers. It is an entertaining and in places challenging snowshoe, with a variety of terrain and scenery.</span></span></span> The approach is on the Downes Brook Trail, which receives little use in winter after its first half-mile. The major consideration is whether Downes Brook has snow bridges for the quartet of crossings en route to the slide.</p><p style="text-align: left;">On this morning the trail was a mess of various ski tracks and old postholes between the Mt. Potash Trail junction and the upper X-C trail junction. Beyond there, I was pleased to find a partly broken, if uneven, snowshoe track. This made the approach hike easier and more pleasant.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ts0TlwhanPEHn7XA52ZqamQ3WBHFHcfwyZwbddtmEV7Mq-AMx8spJwp6gfwXDIedfQRWpBOTEmmKnngttVaG8TJWA-wsgXk0ikMEPMgvqL9yrPLn6htsIrTyeh3WqjO96iGJVRRSP-z_-kLrWW59LFSNwRxR1IeFl86nsWqoCBm3EvGPOK2GmLb3PoFZ/s4032/IMG_2667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ts0TlwhanPEHn7XA52ZqamQ3WBHFHcfwyZwbddtmEV7Mq-AMx8spJwp6gfwXDIedfQRWpBOTEmmKnngttVaG8TJWA-wsgXk0ikMEPMgvqL9yrPLn6htsIrTyeh3WqjO96iGJVRRSP-z_-kLrWW59LFSNwRxR1IeFl86nsWqoCBm3EvGPOK2GmLb3PoFZ/w400-h300/IMG_2667.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The crossings were mostly snow-bridged, but they were lumpy and in places a little sketchy.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0InTvvd2kZ1_1tyQkFLMU3smvjM3WF12PhqkuapEYvXg9EbtBlRmXsmQk68wfbekaayKN73Ym59rzL3IpIrij7wigTaxcKTJ84FArw-f6PbiEXzpx5qSWOwBbBYkEbgALOTmdIG5frl_zEuUDZpOR2m6uhR2rJdbAZ_e9u7Cs3LnpzJnLlvMvk28v_eC/s4032/IMG_2669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0InTvvd2kZ1_1tyQkFLMU3smvjM3WF12PhqkuapEYvXg9EbtBlRmXsmQk68wfbekaayKN73Ym59rzL3IpIrij7wigTaxcKTJ84FArw-f6PbiEXzpx5qSWOwBbBYkEbgALOTmdIG5frl_zEuUDZpOR2m6uhR2rJdbAZ_e9u7Cs3LnpzJnLlvMvk28v_eC/w400-h300/IMG_2669.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This spot won't last long.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qeM5gAMlO8Igm3OVe93Nu2mhLqoZ9OkEuzjDfN4_ZeZti_MNP1QdBa5Yn82vzV62UR166k3es5UaJM-kkcoJuWrYomBVsFFmdolNcAkGDTgLX5R90CjjKnVl9uqbEUiUDwRquYuywRxpHhR94PjAtR7d7lnCfzUG1k1JCtoHfPqf__MAiBcRm1Gm-Dxn/s4032/IMG_2675.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qeM5gAMlO8Igm3OVe93Nu2mhLqoZ9OkEuzjDfN4_ZeZti_MNP1QdBa5Yn82vzV62UR166k3es5UaJM-kkcoJuWrYomBVsFFmdolNcAkGDTgLX5R90CjjKnVl9uqbEUiUDwRquYuywRxpHhR94PjAtR7d7lnCfzUG1k1JCtoHfPqf__MAiBcRm1Gm-Dxn/w400-h300/IMG_2675.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Crossings done. Into the Wilderness.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdyCTG2BdpjYCmnTidLYSwNY40BFDBna6TkrSBZb29V7bdmIs61sNxRQ0-IwMosVa5BcTAJDOg-C0ECVqPH9D5PaddVW0MxyQkCZnvnglagh62oLbXrbh6p3xmc3YN1uJzx_CfVN9XSs9aSccHe5qMuIRXZjZEjWVfwP197rK5MkXzz03KNkjnhGzhna_/s4032/IMG_2680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdyCTG2BdpjYCmnTidLYSwNY40BFDBna6TkrSBZb29V7bdmIs61sNxRQ0-IwMosVa5BcTAJDOg-C0ECVqPH9D5PaddVW0MxyQkCZnvnglagh62oLbXrbh6p3xmc3YN1uJzx_CfVN9XSs9aSccHe5qMuIRXZjZEjWVfwP197rK5MkXzz03KNkjnhGzhna_/w400-h300/IMG_2680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A long straight section that follows an old logging road.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1i0xMD1Eh8PycAxsoQ5DIrzXZQuCurPw-u9apK0Jlzq1kgaUk1jXL5WyI-8bktB63tvWLbcxX5s75zvnwNUwR5CegZuKA9Me-Z-gs8UxLvI11wjjdfF7Diyd2iU9xIr3LXrLnwjHYNQUW3WrqCYsfSW_0tBiP6_EwsK1Y8XHWbrCPASUvYspzzlD_D5e/s4032/IMG_2683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1i0xMD1Eh8PycAxsoQ5DIrzXZQuCurPw-u9apK0Jlzq1kgaUk1jXL5WyI-8bktB63tvWLbcxX5s75zvnwNUwR5CegZuKA9Me-Z-gs8UxLvI11wjjdfF7Diyd2iU9xIr3LXrLnwjHYNQUW3WrqCYsfSW_0tBiP6_EwsK1Y8XHWbrCPASUvYspzzlD_D5e/w400-h300/IMG_2683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I wondered if the snowshoe tracks would lead up onto the slide. They did not, and they continued up the valley, perhaps making the long trek to East Sleeper? <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylb_GOsATIH9VRBy6G9GKnLzFJUzYxGKBnWpaju0FeZMaKqfI7n1IwIVfKWBEduFIx0J3otz5XkA9KLA9YO2sXELAJRWZAkAtknZ6pLuu4HEGGJA8gczfX8aOhDfQIDWofH88cLMcUkpG1Z1YdgYh3g45Fidy6nrOFIQT52yKAt6_0ACyyYt-qNuBFSBW/s4032/IMG_2687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylb_GOsATIH9VRBy6G9GKnLzFJUzYxGKBnWpaju0FeZMaKqfI7n1IwIVfKWBEduFIx0J3otz5XkA9KLA9YO2sXELAJRWZAkAtknZ6pLuu4HEGGJA8gczfX8aOhDfQIDWofH88cLMcUkpG1Z1YdgYh3g45Fidy6nrOFIQT52yKAt6_0ACyyYt-qNuBFSBW/w400-h300/IMG_2687.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: right;"> </p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up the brook that drains the slide, with the northern spur of Mount Passaconaway in the distance. Around 1900 a trail was cut from the top of the slide to the summit of
Passaconaway, and for many years, this was the primary hiking route to
that peak from the Albany Intervale. The trail was discontinued by the
Forest Service in 1957 due to its at times hazardous footing on the
ledges. <span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">About 1990 unknown parties
attempted to unofficially reopen the trail, painting blazes on the
ledges of the slide and posting signs at both ends. Subsequently the
USFS, in cooperation with the Wonalancet Out Door Club, obscured the
unauthorized blazes and posted signs noting that while public use of the
area was welcome, unauthorized maintenance of this closed trail was
illegal and subject to fines. In summer the old trail is obscure in many places, and in winter there is very little evidence of it at all.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju0vapMvMWNhdwAfiyhYkVSdo1yntuHgF2NfKZSduCag-489F6PNoZTVG4RJ0riax2oyM5gKwpTgTRaBiapx2hFRAbXfjf8vR8kfKBu2aRkzMrmqWesPCyenQAHOLo6manht1gk7k5BjXV24S6Q1g5AbV9iloHWqRekXeIyn7V7j-0eMybtDlJdPwMXf_/s4032/IMG_2691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju0vapMvMWNhdwAfiyhYkVSdo1yntuHgF2NfKZSduCag-489F6PNoZTVG4RJ0riax2oyM5gKwpTgTRaBiapx2hFRAbXfjf8vR8kfKBu2aRkzMrmqWesPCyenQAHOLo6manht1gk7k5BjXV24S6Q1g5AbV9iloHWqRekXeIyn7V7j-0eMybtDlJdPwMXf_/w400-h300/IMG_2691.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Weaving up the brookbed, avoiding thin ice and waterholes. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYJAcxoDcgEO2SivGWNzYaGebDPNdgPg3GvezG_SrpYz7pwCiapEZ0cSktuNRUEbZz1aYoxRiLn9wqHttvnW9tPPnAEwsh08z6I9cBLAo2C8s9F41biiowbvvH7jmldojuUUwAyjocpSeVwf5uzA8mrAYvD7BUpJhpjbHjQSv2MjAN6ZgQ3QJTsD98H75/s4032/IMG_2694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYJAcxoDcgEO2SivGWNzYaGebDPNdgPg3GvezG_SrpYz7pwCiapEZ0cSktuNRUEbZz1aYoxRiLn9wqHttvnW9tPPnAEwsh08z6I9cBLAo2C8s9F41biiowbvvH7jmldojuUUwAyjocpSeVwf5uzA8mrAYvD7BUpJhpjbHjQSv2MjAN6ZgQ3QJTsD98H75/w400-h300/IMG_2694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">After a short bushwhack through the woods, I emerged on the expansive, low-angle (17 to 20 degrees) lower ledges of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q9IMQMTuSB00kbz2G9PYfMuVeFMExV8e9a9gRg20FtAYi4yRWCPm8GKNT11Y0GudFAVHosAzPQmEhArLpOcX9tEKmOrWNp7mH5Tmq3xoU4SQzMg_gtYBJ2yaU4Adyb0p8JEyX2fPdCueNxhEldjHE3N_mBCSF3VSGB_FXMT8wehxaEuxTSjpu1a9c26-/s4032/IMG_2700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q9IMQMTuSB00kbz2G9PYfMuVeFMExV8e9a9gRg20FtAYi4yRWCPm8GKNT11Y0GudFAVHosAzPQmEhArLpOcX9tEKmOrWNp7mH5Tmq3xoU4SQzMg_gtYBJ2yaU4Adyb0p8JEyX2fPdCueNxhEldjHE3N_mBCSF3VSGB_FXMT8wehxaEuxTSjpu1a9c26-/w400-h300/IMG_2700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This slide has more white pine trees - including some good-sized ones - than I've seen on any other slide, perhaps due to its age (130 years) and relatively low elevation.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIL_FKm-8YjLTjiawZIfB28W8S7MA2GczZ6SW822cUtD4vU31w_kBX6szyfG-0h7UFDuWLDoo9OCplBGh4zI_ibzoDGO3gRGE83jG7QAPXVHp2fs8CxpCB_CgFgXCq1YVyzhh_H3k97ipwHqpbEI-HcGIkZJUej9-P1c32fmLe6INotzaX3arIwULqi3z/s4032/IMG_2712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIL_FKm-8YjLTjiawZIfB28W8S7MA2GczZ6SW822cUtD4vU31w_kBX6szyfG-0h7UFDuWLDoo9OCplBGh4zI_ibzoDGO3gRGE83jG7QAPXVHp2fs8CxpCB_CgFgXCq1YVyzhh_H3k97ipwHqpbEI-HcGIkZJUej9-P1c32fmLe6INotzaX3arIwULqi3z/w300-h400/IMG_2712.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Just snowshoeing these ledges is, by itself, worth the price of admission. Potash Mountain presides in the distance.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZaiD13ymWW9ycS_PEEX7m9MWYOIY6-dbU76bQ1JNesXaqkthngjpdGiJG3wG0hREmCowI_vwr0Z-w16y_JzISD3vCClr-OTo6PvQPNkhmue16g-2gTJ0S7x5NGQqUrtqw2LSvAsvkkunvY0H7_bEKJAayzHCXOPV5XeEKD7wbZGyM356uPsWfyPFk5E-/s4032/IMG_2715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZaiD13ymWW9ycS_PEEX7m9MWYOIY6-dbU76bQ1JNesXaqkthngjpdGiJG3wG0hREmCowI_vwr0Z-w16y_JzISD3vCClr-OTo6PvQPNkhmue16g-2gTJ0S7x5NGQqUrtqw2LSvAsvkkunvY0H7_bEKJAayzHCXOPV5XeEKD7wbZGyM356uPsWfyPFk5E-/w400-h300/IMG_2715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of several frozen cascades on the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiHb30-Qtg_0zt-cNxLdzZPwTBnqOqfmhyphenhyphen_4CLC6xEhHFzQF3m4VPED9a7jx6wyW2gI4dMuEdiC9Cwgait4oXgl-vTwdg3Osjc3ObVP6_1abM2mPHcg7Qf6a1KD8-6V0UAIcHp8vmLwnH9vG3fMzPsPhQefnsIm40S186gOZvFAOq6o8NQb0rjlKKwDga/s4032/IMG_2720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiHb30-Qtg_0zt-cNxLdzZPwTBnqOqfmhyphenhyphen_4CLC6xEhHFzQF3m4VPED9a7jx6wyW2gI4dMuEdiC9Cwgait4oXgl-vTwdg3Osjc3ObVP6_1abM2mPHcg7Qf6a1KD8-6V0UAIcHp8vmLwnH9vG3fMzPsPhQefnsIm40S186gOZvFAOq6o8NQb0rjlKKwDga/w400-h300/IMG_2720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of two larger cascades that must be bypassed via a steep bushwhack through spruce woods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQmvpMwGU_ODVN1bwDR6eLMYT9MRx92aTY4_RU86_daBrnqM4erkvpQIQIdDJRJdPn2syjUVZYyLCGgM7mG7nY09SMrdQlaKy6jp2pyekLgkUlvIfKGZv92yPcXkrLNRR2IiX9Rgutea63ie_xFJGIONeCjXY8fjjYT0upJ1u0ZG-QzOfrKyk0ADqLlJu/s4032/IMG_2734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQmvpMwGU_ODVN1bwDR6eLMYT9MRx92aTY4_RU86_daBrnqM4erkvpQIQIdDJRJdPn2syjUVZYyLCGgM7mG7nY09SMrdQlaKy6jp2pyekLgkUlvIfKGZv92yPcXkrLNRR2IiX9Rgutea63ie_xFJGIONeCjXY8fjjYT0upJ1u0ZG-QzOfrKyk0ADqLlJu/w400-h300/IMG_2734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are more large open slabs above. Here the dark cone of "South Potash" can be seen on the left.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlzbu1MipnYxh0UAlZozTUUK4HdIc9BMp-2GNWd_PGS130Bh2GhCjGTKLd4gY7dyMyyKfZm8D345l10MXocoqMCn_LHl3SA0_0mo5HqSv7QfmGLx44fq4XMtkDHMbS2Zz9S02Ejy3jNwt5y0RqV8OvMir8C8bCQ5_OpYWks7VkMP2xulScJ__5b-H9gF3/s4032/IMG_2740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlzbu1MipnYxh0UAlZozTUUK4HdIc9BMp-2GNWd_PGS130Bh2GhCjGTKLd4gY7dyMyyKfZm8D345l10MXocoqMCn_LHl3SA0_0mo5HqSv7QfmGLx44fq4XMtkDHMbS2Zz9S02Ejy3jNwt5y0RqV8OvMir8C8bCQ5_OpYWks7VkMP2xulScJ__5b-H9gF3/w400-h300/IMG_2740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of the steep little pitches along the way.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOPIyFU4-FdnBpx2mccIVUV0D9TdLhdtfrFL6NkikSQT4Z8ZOgejUI5W-b-aESrPTE5pb-O6rTNxYAeT40LWUyuGLUjnk4Xy5sf1I4wUHKIsyTrFJtLi5m4bQIMDQ5oefjdI4HRxgKk_FcrjocIqL7e9PvVz32sNfRPBz1DXkV2FXUGrl3rkMMSQHNuZN/s4032/IMG_2748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOPIyFU4-FdnBpx2mccIVUV0D9TdLhdtfrFL6NkikSQT4Z8ZOgejUI5W-b-aESrPTE5pb-O6rTNxYAeT40LWUyuGLUjnk4Xy5sf1I4wUHKIsyTrFJtLi5m4bQIMDQ5oefjdI4HRxgKk_FcrjocIqL7e9PvVz32sNfRPBz1DXkV2FXUGrl3rkMMSQHNuZN/w400-h300/IMG_2748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A clean slate ahead - a smooth blanket of snow for first tracks.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XCiRJ0sEL0D80Oi4FuY50sxIgtQ1NNcsz59PPkQNJZYHWWVV41_lBb67HPBen7aR134oSM5AUOfoLWrdrkwLfJ-Mx4ZQaApdrbRNueX-Brt1KblajIY9nbDWjvo34M1VUzNwRV0BLXByrGk1NMiYjZ8_lFM_LkpuRZab8AkScYd2lFFFU0vyfGvnU7DO/s4032/IMG_2749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XCiRJ0sEL0D80Oi4FuY50sxIgtQ1NNcsz59PPkQNJZYHWWVV41_lBb67HPBen7aR134oSM5AUOfoLWrdrkwLfJ-Mx4ZQaApdrbRNueX-Brt1KblajIY9nbDWjvo34M1VUzNwRV0BLXByrGk1NMiYjZ8_lFM_LkpuRZab8AkScYd2lFFFU0vyfGvnU7DO/w400-h300/IMG_2749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">What a delight to snowshoe up these long white corridors.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-wJuAGP2K9jARZpyL_CcUAfs6q4NI_-H1unycWAswBECOpBGZw-Mmzg7kLteR4hQoAkx71YES1NfgHnEl6G7pb1xbMwVmZT_YO_ktOeKdGR25JupNlceEAccOXWEbrQcKyXO4ppFvq2FOk_L6nfaoAnYYtKUHaPRmFITMITap0WqbZ8PpRSoWPIOMBPO/s4032/IMG_2752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-wJuAGP2K9jARZpyL_CcUAfs6q4NI_-H1unycWAswBECOpBGZw-Mmzg7kLteR4hQoAkx71YES1NfgHnEl6G7pb1xbMwVmZT_YO_ktOeKdGR25JupNlceEAccOXWEbrQcKyXO4ppFvq2FOk_L6nfaoAnYYtKUHaPRmFITMITap0WqbZ8PpRSoWPIOMBPO/w400-h300/IMG_2752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Pretty good snowpack for a below average snowfall season.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxM9sijm-txICp2_A6SsnwqtZQ9_6si5zUstdoXcnpRWvIMq9A615GBuL-xKal861GPw5bvtqZI9pP8Iiw74biRZm5NVVn6IL65erUINT1trn1ZGoJDR3sPtgHcVTFlYJtGHyUp-IKXjCsziFk7DsCoW_1dBwZ7mpFfeTGMEvuG2ihyphenhyphen-3R0gCTN3cWHmQ/s4032/IMG_2755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxM9sijm-txICp2_A6SsnwqtZQ9_6si5zUstdoXcnpRWvIMq9A615GBuL-xKal861GPw5bvtqZI9pP8Iiw74biRZm5NVVn6IL65erUINT1trn1ZGoJDR3sPtgHcVTFlYJtGHyUp-IKXjCsziFk7DsCoW_1dBwZ7mpFfeTGMEvuG2ihyphenhyphen-3R0gCTN3cWHmQ/w400-h300/IMG_2755.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Weaving up around another cascade.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6mf3OtUAiIqsN06-LiLjDB22buwp-hzVuppV1kjveSQ4qv-I7oWQMttVid5qjHfssPmeWmWPtUhpZDQ5woRqISQMdmaNRPsTtMyiYqqrepuy3NqCIazGnYJ_aXIsoQs4z5XzE-kMTJEu09p_NUTFcgB4fyVPJJlov8anuGEKAiNUJ1vPZ8eXhrZV0Eno/s4032/IMG_2759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6mf3OtUAiIqsN06-LiLjDB22buwp-hzVuppV1kjveSQ4qv-I7oWQMttVid5qjHfssPmeWmWPtUhpZDQ5woRqISQMdmaNRPsTtMyiYqqrepuy3NqCIazGnYJ_aXIsoQs4z5XzE-kMTJEu09p_NUTFcgB4fyVPJJlov8anuGEKAiNUJ1vPZ8eXhrZV0Eno/w400-h300/IMG_2759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The craggy northern spur of Passaconaway looms above. Up there is the spectacular north outlook reached via a spur path from the summit.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wTkdDlhfq-NvjA0KKe6Rdwu3Ocv5aPwjhlqkh263on3rOYNP1JB5gwXnMCFAmjNW5PB4V__blQaKbnmZOBXsozy7VWlRdOl_XBN8dTaoQA26EJ6Cs51GPtyeJ13q6Q6SMW0C7Trjr9bzmfG2HtWrfV7wIOIsdAg2hCyOuTlE_KtuyflikcSr5pwYoicb/s4032/IMG_2761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wTkdDlhfq-NvjA0KKe6Rdwu3Ocv5aPwjhlqkh263on3rOYNP1JB5gwXnMCFAmjNW5PB4V__blQaKbnmZOBXsozy7VWlRdOl_XBN8dTaoQA26EJ6Cs51GPtyeJ13q6Q6SMW0C7Trjr9bzmfG2HtWrfV7wIOIsdAg2hCyOuTlE_KtuyflikcSr5pwYoicb/w400-h300/IMG_2761.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading back into the woods to bypass a canyon-like section that has not filled in with enough snow and ice this winter to permit passage.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD2uSAEvNehMMm8n0TQSxnZhPhDgFFK1OLAtpMZRUiOcgG8BR2Ba6vA9h2Ppr85RaYVUyI8F5xprGD5FPqFiQlN7jHajHSbxVEqpESkJzpQpawQBmxViaQ_8YjkBAgCen8QBDiEy9g8ZeHHUDPIF6UDhX3IkOQF_2S6UmQTRZQO6_oLbTgvvoy2ppkL8O/s4032/IMG_2766.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD2uSAEvNehMMm8n0TQSxnZhPhDgFFK1OLAtpMZRUiOcgG8BR2Ba6vA9h2Ppr85RaYVUyI8F5xprGD5FPqFiQlN7jHajHSbxVEqpESkJzpQpawQBmxViaQ_8YjkBAgCen8QBDiEy9g8ZeHHUDPIF6UDhX3IkOQF_2S6UmQTRZQO6_oLbTgvvoy2ppkL8O/w400-h300/IMG_2766.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Emerging atop a big snowy slab, peering down into the canyon.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mNhBdbp2Ht4B5HZIDgPqWihkYdF1gjX9MHmit3Zd3WOT9U1IV8_Z42KTFj6kvTn0PJ7PjZTCodiEUR-gaMyiJr6Q2A6bpQ3Sca3wzUHAIomyn4rm3ViA89p3E1ZHM1-GNky0RKwMGVqHcb0lNcF-uUEO-_S7rSCDiSBUx4gQBQMUGGvNgelYAaT67i3m/s4032/IMG_2770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mNhBdbp2Ht4B5HZIDgPqWihkYdF1gjX9MHmit3Zd3WOT9U1IV8_Z42KTFj6kvTn0PJ7PjZTCodiEUR-gaMyiJr6Q2A6bpQ3Sca3wzUHAIomyn4rm3ViA89p3E1ZHM1-GNky0RKwMGVqHcb0lNcF-uUEO-_S7rSCDiSBUx4gQBQMUGGvNgelYAaT67i3m/w400-h300/IMG_2770.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Cutting a track across the top of the slab.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObiAxrFXrheBvA4nDewuEaKLTfGOtrXL_bKTQMVYUAZu1Ld2xQItMDD8o7PhWRlJ3ydNHxhklZkGSs-5hOfNw86wGfNbDBVgW96VTbjl43UxdUIofsCQ8Z7NTmwkMjSS4_freY_ZdNEy5ksCC6MooLeqDdSZqAQsePOfNBF9RrWGU-IbEZD5G5gqumkjf/s4032/IMG_2773.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObiAxrFXrheBvA4nDewuEaKLTfGOtrXL_bKTQMVYUAZu1Ld2xQItMDD8o7PhWRlJ3ydNHxhklZkGSs-5hOfNw86wGfNbDBVgW96VTbjl43UxdUIofsCQ8Z7NTmwkMjSS4_freY_ZdNEy5ksCC6MooLeqDdSZqAQsePOfNBF9RrWGU-IbEZD5G5gqumkjf/w400-h300/IMG_2773.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Here, at ~2600 ft., is a neat flat area at what is called "the turn of the slide." At this point the 1892 slide (the west fork) came rumbling down from the steep slope up to the right. Ahead, the main brookbed leads to a longer and more recent slide (the east fork) that may have fallen during the 1938 hurricane. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmNbgU2mSH1QMoCBRA2enLWxnZ0WPaTwDhlkpz949h8OGrqE6EoDTedKgwXhK5YI2YJ-WQ3-_fWODLcWp8pJ4nEBvrRCkh8D4Spj106Nv-wQcnXX420CcqTwo4kcAx7TkQ33rZc8w4Ca0Q37NTlxQqOzpIs2k9ymPQ4I1Wc2orR9Cyj4ZuQs4DIuTI1D3/s4032/IMG_2776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmNbgU2mSH1QMoCBRA2enLWxnZ0WPaTwDhlkpz949h8OGrqE6EoDTedKgwXhK5YI2YJ-WQ3-_fWODLcWp8pJ4nEBvrRCkh8D4Spj106Nv-wQcnXX420CcqTwo4kcAx7TkQ33rZc8w4Ca0Q37NTlxQqOzpIs2k9ymPQ4I1Wc2orR9Cyj4ZuQs4DIuTI1D3/w400-h300/IMG_2776.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuERzy1LpVZxq9Zl7rQIE0o0SGUDik0jDylVx2n9O2VUK0nJU1ZDatS7RslqTPlW9HekAN1MSeHoeGJOJSmjNRIKl4PyQIHwIfyH1R86F0lFitVE6-bLUFri0XlDeoZqPOtThg_lIHgCZ6NylrEkXw4fdfmj8XJM7JkaGlXAtticakNDIYZkTjwmPBLbob/s4032/IMG_2783.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuERzy1LpVZxq9Zl7rQIE0o0SGUDik0jDylVx2n9O2VUK0nJU1ZDatS7RslqTPlW9HekAN1MSeHoeGJOJSmjNRIKl4PyQIHwIfyH1R86F0lFitVE6-bLUFri0XlDeoZqPOtThg_lIHgCZ6NylrEkXw4fdfmj8XJM7JkaGlXAtticakNDIYZkTjwmPBLbob/w400-h300/IMG_2783.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking ahead up the east fork, which didn't appear filled in enough for reasonable passage, although I didn't have time to investigate. A few years ago, late in a deep snow winter, I was able to snowshoe most of the way up this fork.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHbmW2WDz4Pl_IA79jASRCWIWcVMQ26HgU4MJzDRb6DCQyI9ySkq1FkpGStCM26-Q4xdoRyTAwWT1GAJq8q_TJfFTdc8xBvW4Q5ZRHPkABOfl3rKP50545M_4bKdDt96Ucd509za5YsMNU7TaI3F6p1i-xbslubxtWHIMYX3eQa3H6SSxYjmcQfDHzVQI/s4032/IMG_2789.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHbmW2WDz4Pl_IA79jASRCWIWcVMQ26HgU4MJzDRb6DCQyI9ySkq1FkpGStCM26-Q4xdoRyTAwWT1GAJq8q_TJfFTdc8xBvW4Q5ZRHPkABOfl3rKP50545M_4bKdDt96Ucd509za5YsMNU7TaI3F6p1i-xbslubxtWHIMYX3eQa3H6SSxYjmcQfDHzVQI/w400-h300/IMG_2789.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up the west fork from the turn of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX8AQTIg21kpw7s_oF7ofGD2LjJVF9h8zGPaejWjwZFr5aLrg5x7UHbV59qNbleg-MtaOvmlhgEuDqd8bOS76J9NQQFQecvmhzyS9Aslgu48O1mO1WhNGgfk6yHItpo_45B32meBLzdXxMJOSc4v0e9FpBEQXYRQzocenfqJhHc-wIa22aZdStG37UBY6/s4032/IMG_2787.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX8AQTIg21kpw7s_oF7ofGD2LjJVF9h8zGPaejWjwZFr5aLrg5x7UHbV59qNbleg-MtaOvmlhgEuDqd8bOS76J9NQQFQecvmhzyS9Aslgu48O1mO1WhNGgfk6yHItpo_45B32meBLzdXxMJOSc4v0e9FpBEQXYRQzocenfqJhHc-wIa22aZdStG37UBY6/w400-h300/IMG_2787.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The west fork consists of two big, steep snowy slabs that, combined, rise 200 ft. in elevation. The lower slab, seen here, is a little shorter and less steep, with a maximum slope of ~36 degrees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYpn1HxeAlAAOZLGLz74C0Z8ROe1N525zTlK_pctDAnSKy4LZh_AweOwVjARWNJMkqpw4bMrC3T-cs08P6bPKMXPYxCFnL5Ve69PP6WNW7K-05ucHzkHBcQ_EGqsCedjagUZl18lGcC32eWbOCHRlrJOOQN_2uBsKXuP-hbTynAqFvkaUCZ9QX9Q6oHEy/s4032/IMG_2793.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYpn1HxeAlAAOZLGLz74C0Z8ROe1N525zTlK_pctDAnSKy4LZh_AweOwVjARWNJMkqpw4bMrC3T-cs08P6bPKMXPYxCFnL5Ve69PP6WNW7K-05ucHzkHBcQ_EGqsCedjagUZl18lGcC32eWbOCHRlrJOOQN_2uBsKXuP-hbTynAqFvkaUCZ9QX9Q6oHEy/w400-h300/IMG_2793.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">I worked my way up along the edge of the slab.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG98UVzzYhu8ARmJeeYXQqBNesLZHWc8r7FdngktMZjYipqfljBeBpBKtBgtOtVWX5btFpc3_-ZgmXOzFs93KaBrCJgoYm1_Qd5MIadmtsXoeM7EBKNp1yLfSGeSOD6KQslxsu9WSilDmGGt5GuNvnRjbMsWr7db4MRgKBGOELRRgehB4Sv0FPCW93IPG/s4032/IMG_2795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG98UVzzYhu8ARmJeeYXQqBNesLZHWc8r7FdngktMZjYipqfljBeBpBKtBgtOtVWX5btFpc3_-ZgmXOzFs93KaBrCJgoYm1_Qd5MIadmtsXoeM7EBKNp1yLfSGeSOD6KQslxsu9WSilDmGGt5GuNvnRjbMsWr7db4MRgKBGOELRRgehB4Sv0FPCW93IPG/w400-h300/IMG_2795.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Side view of the lower slab.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8wE4t1p1WgNIEeZ01Xk3B6P16pT8O7_TYYa_QaTvxWtwVbWr3U3D2UhUhWUFfvPGBmalAtvZIICQVIh_yHqyI0vS9pADHnp7ehflaGydaBoFtH6BTdhCCt3b8C1JRSEFWRuG-tVgvZWFRzu2vazB2NPyHoMPIc1mCPMJ8nbOl0SGMTbm4kFqq7r1agWc/s4032/IMG_2797.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8wE4t1p1WgNIEeZ01Xk3B6P16pT8O7_TYYa_QaTvxWtwVbWr3U3D2UhUhWUFfvPGBmalAtvZIICQVIh_yHqyI0vS9pADHnp7ehflaGydaBoFtH6BTdhCCt3b8C1JRSEFWRuG-tVgvZWFRzu2vazB2NPyHoMPIc1mCPMJ8nbOl0SGMTbm4kFqq7r1agWc/w400-h300/IMG_2797.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">At the top of this slab is a flat shelf with a view out to the north.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqiEn28E2U0O1rD3ROsrqDj2KalembAMwsiYRHsZaWKZ55b-Orw3lD-ZYdsW5VwTvjSUI8uN_oU1NZf_xUGdtotk9hQOP5-SALL9nht4y6h6I_cTAg-cjme5LzPmpOXo73M9Ipv99Fc6aqo68wx6dOA9YIS92IMZlNcX7DjvJscF37RA1G_MfgMUd5ZUP/s4032/IMG_2801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqiEn28E2U0O1rD3ROsrqDj2KalembAMwsiYRHsZaWKZ55b-Orw3lD-ZYdsW5VwTvjSUI8uN_oU1NZf_xUGdtotk9hQOP5-SALL9nht4y6h6I_cTAg-cjme5LzPmpOXo73M9Ipv99Fc6aqo68wx6dOA9YIS92IMZlNcX7DjvJscF37RA1G_MfgMUd5ZUP/w400-h300/IMG_2801.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A few snowshoe steps behind the shelf is the base of the bigger and steeper upper slab. At one point its slope is ~45 degrees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoOelZYACQ56evtbVIQGVbbRJ8mbUxXpHhclVREc0PFGyNX7t_djevhAKiBN76CsyE1HNKXbqJ_8OxflY_rxBS-uEfgJfwMhdNY7oJsflUjVweGUJJ3Hxix97arHe5jQRclg03RmNxr6t3TPO13OWVFi9zfbLWbSkt4NPM3HSSgtUF9Uza0b2pFkyZ_HU/s4032/IMG_2804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoOelZYACQ56evtbVIQGVbbRJ8mbUxXpHhclVREc0PFGyNX7t_djevhAKiBN76CsyE1HNKXbqJ_8OxflY_rxBS-uEfgJfwMhdNY7oJsflUjVweGUJJ3Hxix97arHe5jQRclg03RmNxr6t3TPO13OWVFi9zfbLWbSkt4NPM3HSSgtUF9Uza0b2pFkyZ_HU/w400-h300/IMG_2804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I made a steep climb through the woods to the right of the slab. It was slow going in sugary snow atop a slippery crust.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWEZq-R0hkBhYgHV67BpdQf34K_M33jyxhhN5a2Kb0WEkLx4NDr_dQbId-A-a2W4Og0bN-IN5yH3GVC4TBoxxqnhS9ieeXY5iWyqmhUc2O6Qk54zTofVNBvfYaduQn2GPWMWz-NJO26ZaxG7Oh1Al1HHS2FZLN3Yz7teKMPvskiAnM8z8B7zJOzbkPTUQ/s4032/IMG_2809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWEZq-R0hkBhYgHV67BpdQf34K_M33jyxhhN5a2Kb0WEkLx4NDr_dQbId-A-a2W4Og0bN-IN5yH3GVC4TBoxxqnhS9ieeXY5iWyqmhUc2O6Qk54zTofVNBvfYaduQn2GPWMWz-NJO26ZaxG7Oh1Al1HHS2FZLN3Yz7teKMPvskiAnM8z8B7zJOzbkPTUQ/w400-h300/IMG_2809.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Well worth the effort for the northern view from the uppermost ledge slab, at ~2800 ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFSGI4renR09rsGqNkXpavJzFLP3PMHh5-KLjECJwAN90KjiS5hfpP_ES71ae_ZD86IPGYYAQZ4Nf1c4G2jGjIzGsZ35otIBtUiMqp4L3Zw1eYc_qFp6MroUz9N9hh3rKDW5xQQYT1pqyHeGnYk9I3vnGW6DYZ_P9Ab2_K0gAU1Kfsh5_vLpM_5JaD1-2/s4032/IMG_2811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFSGI4renR09rsGqNkXpavJzFLP3PMHh5-KLjECJwAN90KjiS5hfpP_ES71ae_ZD86IPGYYAQZ4Nf1c4G2jGjIzGsZ35otIBtUiMqp4L3Zw1eYc_qFp6MroUz9N9hh3rKDW5xQQYT1pqyHeGnYk9I3vnGW6DYZ_P9Ab2_K0gAU1Kfsh5_vLpM_5JaD1-2/w400-h300/IMG_2811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I carefully worked my way down to a favorite perch at the brink of the big dropoff.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nUkQssCiPKmPXnZabFCzkLLGnFob305PkHd5Xh9fi1t-aLUYrRY1QUeuYXk9g6b18MD_6gtCRfjtXrS3eWlrgG-rMmD29oASaM1N-CKwuwE565312a725oY9JV0X3o4EuQbFzTZM_Js63zBJmmGCOXednntzKW3RfnktaiAM9nWO-KBNZw6dIbh2s7tU/s4032/IMG_2819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nUkQssCiPKmPXnZabFCzkLLGnFob305PkHd5Xh9fi1t-aLUYrRY1QUeuYXk9g6b18MD_6gtCRfjtXrS3eWlrgG-rMmD29oASaM1N-CKwuwE565312a725oY9JV0X3o4EuQbFzTZM_Js63zBJmmGCOXednntzKW3RfnktaiAM9nWO-KBNZw6dIbh2s7tU/w400-h300/IMG_2819.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">From here the view was truly expansive, even with the distant Presidentials smothered in cloud. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitra6D5NTMz9MRKeSxxjoepiOWbR4Qf-90h4tV1dULAeK5ezsDjb48UmyPuMixQYB57cz6qzDjaObdVSy_3GxML7MLT1es8gMZvfB9voqluXknEyyyzn_4v8ky6yVm00dTAUmV5tcjz7jNsb1s960PE0GhkkFJhNcbfigVmvY_yi7LicxpLfQCMGPuxaxw/s4032/IMG_2818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitra6D5NTMz9MRKeSxxjoepiOWbR4Qf-90h4tV1dULAeK5ezsDjb48UmyPuMixQYB57cz6qzDjaObdVSy_3GxML7MLT1es8gMZvfB9voqluXknEyyyzn_4v8ky6yVm00dTAUmV5tcjz7jNsb1s960PE0GhkkFJhNcbfigVmvY_yi7LicxpLfQCMGPuxaxw/w400-h300/IMG_2818.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Even up here, there are several large white pines.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaGv7BN7s8uebSV8qjB693Nb5DLHslx28GtUlpwS1awan38F78cm9FkLp56xkQKDnHb9yn76N-Wa5bk0hfcWvTtEc1MLCS7Uh6pl3eMboua56iJhYSmQK8s6xyPWK1-EbuWUVR0E5eDSoPx-y4C75dKNlAnyt3MzGWytEH9R3N4Rc5K7URsyoHyoXy21k/s4032/IMG_2832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaGv7BN7s8uebSV8qjB693Nb5DLHslx28GtUlpwS1awan38F78cm9FkLp56xkQKDnHb9yn76N-Wa5bk0hfcWvTtEc1MLCS7Uh6pl3eMboua56iJhYSmQK8s6xyPWK1-EbuWUVR0E5eDSoPx-y4C75dKNlAnyt3MzGWytEH9R3N4Rc5K7URsyoHyoXy21k/w300-h400/IMG_2832.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking across the uppermost slab of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO5hOxXjy5GW2KMCWgSYsalXIXdKbs9aHhsyy-IHRBKKlNLWo9IyIVS8NS3fMX_nU7wDjwfVDBPzLmNa2XGA_959bYuI5_Mvq7KWJERH1iWbRrohE492xOJ5UU-RRyCR_w-b-yJF9VrWf3szO7ghGZb2QF3Dit2Qnqy0M91carxE7MJpWiiCNaHL0X73Q/s4032/IMG_2844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO5hOxXjy5GW2KMCWgSYsalXIXdKbs9aHhsyy-IHRBKKlNLWo9IyIVS8NS3fMX_nU7wDjwfVDBPzLmNa2XGA_959bYuI5_Mvq7KWJERH1iWbRrohE492xOJ5UU-RRyCR_w-b-yJF9VrWf3szO7ghGZb2QF3Dit2Qnqy0M91carxE7MJpWiiCNaHL0X73Q/w400-h300/IMG_2844.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>After a careful descent, I was back down at the turn of the slide. My tracks highlight a sloping ledge that is a sliding cascade in summer, with a pool below.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuIL5PgepZnpwgqe_JlYC1V44G9hsxrkDbZva9HXCr7KiF4i6gKHplf5fKexT_v63s9I3cZ_JSkunlGNLHD1aKk1Cy-Guwe3WbO2LFJrthadKxZ1cGwXOHE9Dl8foSlEXYE1nKJnzhUWd0orSVOrHKlR5-At4BgGDrUZxNw0BzcJI_eatw1aXGLBPf_zg/s4032/IMG_2872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuIL5PgepZnpwgqe_JlYC1V44G9hsxrkDbZva9HXCr7KiF4i6gKHplf5fKexT_v63s9I3cZ_JSkunlGNLHD1aKk1Cy-Guwe3WbO2LFJrthadKxZ1cGwXOHE9Dl8foSlEXYE1nKJnzhUWd0orSVOrHKlR5-At4BgGDrUZxNw0BzcJI_eatw1aXGLBPf_zg/w400-h300/IMG_2872.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Through the woods along the edge of the canyon.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMnFoQEydhZYzaB7iJNMydordJal0z-S7liX1GMzM7dlfltvjF1-xLeqctUxFYGUF1lMWV8Lm7-sYTaz6BlOpNZvYAC0vD1VI72IkuursPSwTA_TmkHqSYGJie6pI4iZiCTMi0bVoLBP1FHekJhbeib4IViAzQnZIzJCULqj8xlUCfN__w9XH7ykVnUzR/s4032/IMG_2881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMnFoQEydhZYzaB7iJNMydordJal0z-S7liX1GMzM7dlfltvjF1-xLeqctUxFYGUF1lMWV8Lm7-sYTaz6BlOpNZvYAC0vD1VI72IkuursPSwTA_TmkHqSYGJie6pI4iZiCTMi0bVoLBP1FHekJhbeib4IViAzQnZIzJCULqj8xlUCfN__w9XH7ykVnUzR/w400-h300/IMG_2881.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Closer look at Passaconaway's northern spur.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz527Y50D65z9a_zAYYnVixrWkNNcavoDUavZgQKA0yus7WjGA6sBvel0qB9DXd-lYb3Z44tQ4WZj73SjrrpaV1DOLLtKpNNhcPsJ8IEAPGS0_IseZAGND8KY0-5fVbsHlVENYkXV9wrOgFkfdzWDfCPq3TvfB5d3euSovtkavoVrX1SiqYvIz-LM3Ml_/s4032/IMG_2886.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz527Y50D65z9a_zAYYnVixrWkNNcavoDUavZgQKA0yus7WjGA6sBvel0qB9DXd-lYb3Z44tQ4WZj73SjrrpaV1DOLLtKpNNhcPsJ8IEAPGS0_IseZAGND8KY0-5fVbsHlVENYkXV9wrOgFkfdzWDfCPq3TvfB5d3euSovtkavoVrX1SiqYvIz-LM3Ml_/w400-h300/IMG_2886.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Snow depth check on the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqJkdaQzzJfhBU9R7aq2YverolxqrYAOjTgXv6R-pGfNZ_vcPymXB_ysUu7yHYuGubPukC1xm9TB8NuCDSFdMjVCgmRFA9zfekxik1FniFiO_zD46IaQ8yyCb4tvmYQQVcjZmjcaQ5sNKyx7ENw241ILC_npjukgnJasbY2qLMRP5bIvARE4KSmW471rE/s4032/IMG_2892.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqJkdaQzzJfhBU9R7aq2YverolxqrYAOjTgXv6R-pGfNZ_vcPymXB_ysUu7yHYuGubPukC1xm9TB8NuCDSFdMjVCgmRFA9zfekxik1FniFiO_zD46IaQ8yyCb4tvmYQQVcjZmjcaQ5sNKyx7ENw241ILC_npjukgnJasbY2qLMRP5bIvARE4KSmW471rE/w400-h300/IMG_2892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Late afternoon on the lower slabs.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ-9qOEEiAGnl-2PymNZUwgoOcDgvzb2Whfnz1XvKXHxuw2OmVWXDeQ_A0HpvVyOkH4oHd9CeLB8E3nAHlCUm-q2Dv2nkZcjQQbz2R9dat1ocxVzpFBmWlPpA2i941xA5Iorj96-jU0Xa4Gk7nv1lWsUPCHNTRh9iNDJL5AyMyRttH1IA6nV5CBMQfvgp/s4032/IMG_2905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ-9qOEEiAGnl-2PymNZUwgoOcDgvzb2Whfnz1XvKXHxuw2OmVWXDeQ_A0HpvVyOkH4oHd9CeLB8E3nAHlCUm-q2Dv2nkZcjQQbz2R9dat1ocxVzpFBmWlPpA2i941xA5Iorj96-jU0Xa4Gk7nv1lWsUPCHNTRh9iNDJL5AyMyRttH1IA6nV5CBMQfvgp/w400-h300/IMG_2905.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-78111995552341986452024-02-16T17:42:00.000-05:002024-02-16T17:42:48.632-05:00North Slide, North Twin Mountain: 2/15/24<p style="text-align: left;"> Visiting the big north slide of North Twin Mountain in winter has been on my wish list ever since climbing it in summer three years ago with Cath Goodwin. The recent thaw-freeze cycle had set up some fairly firm snow conditions in the woods. It seemed like a good time to attempt the off-trail journey up the long valley that leads up to the slide. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I parked at the Seven Dwarves Motel on Little River Road, left $10 with my planned route in the mailbox, and booted over to Haystack Road (FR 304). After a short jog on that road I put my snowshoes on and turned onto FR 304A, which leads to the lower end of the drainage between North Twin and Peak Above the Nubble. Not far along FR 304A I saw this combined snowshoe/ski track leading up the unofficial path to Peak Above the Nubble.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb05hrmzKd9aPqlnow-o-QeBIFST02XY0wAZIy_U1t2UvU3wubrivNzJjXGNYpv1GXIF06A4zrhe0VqwRwRVCY7Io2zzR56y2noIZWpTiQJaOxep5hPsMIF2aTuXt7-whukc72R5CeOjqRokZiLzyiITwaj_LENosQPN8M3WEWX9z6OlShEp-3vv9cr57f/s4032/IMG_2410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb05hrmzKd9aPqlnow-o-QeBIFST02XY0wAZIy_U1t2UvU3wubrivNzJjXGNYpv1GXIF06A4zrhe0VqwRwRVCY7Io2zzR56y2noIZWpTiQJaOxep5hPsMIF2aTuXt7-whukc72R5CeOjqRokZiLzyiITwaj_LENosQPN8M3WEWX9z6OlShEp-3vv9cr57f/w400-h300/IMG_2410.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow conditions on FR 304A were excellent for snowshoeing, with a shallow soft layer atop a solid crust. The only downside of the road was the numerous drainage dips to maneuver across.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZjsbVBzXtxyRtiKJWelDtoFPz9ftt6jPLaLYmnmw8SGAOGwg6qtYs4F9DGhEZlYXgLtBSlKniGp-wMgDdLK1fwYaBR7vx_E9LX4JOKzh5duSPv1y7fgGI-BsQTfOMxmbG05wvr_l8n0wD0sREXdDTIscpV57esstUfq_W9C-cf0aO79zwz0reAG8eyFg/s4032/IMG_2417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZjsbVBzXtxyRtiKJWelDtoFPz9ftt6jPLaLYmnmw8SGAOGwg6qtYs4F9DGhEZlYXgLtBSlKniGp-wMgDdLK1fwYaBR7vx_E9LX4JOKzh5duSPv1y7fgGI-BsQTfOMxmbG05wvr_l8n0wD0sREXdDTIscpV57esstUfq_W9C-cf0aO79zwz0reAG8eyFg/w400-h300/IMG_2417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The brook that drains the long valley was not frozen and sported a tangle of blowdown atthe road crossing. I crossed on small rocks just upstream from the road.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihncxcDWj0iQS9mTL6VDkoxNyMQpxBiUuIHyOrDmYD_Fsyg-JrW82rbJ6sE7E7MKKsCZmGU1njXnOycAq1YWyTtkDhmvODaORmWk_h3ZfnkUvgHnxHd_pM9dPpiAT4MK8K-Ljj0oHy-NaPI6KEx0u23UssmAANhlIU4bBcSw3W7NfmEv_OOOY9trg1IXfp/s4032/IMG_2418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihncxcDWj0iQS9mTL6VDkoxNyMQpxBiUuIHyOrDmYD_Fsyg-JrW82rbJ6sE7E7MKKsCZmGU1njXnOycAq1YWyTtkDhmvODaORmWk_h3ZfnkUvgHnxHd_pM9dPpiAT4MK8K-Ljj0oHy-NaPI6KEx0u23UssmAANhlIU4bBcSw3W7NfmEv_OOOY9trg1IXfp/w400-h300/IMG_2418.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Leaving the road, I bushwhacked up the slope seeking a much older logging road that leads partway up the valley. When I reached it, I found an old hard-frozen track left by backcountry skiers. The north slide of North Twin is skied fairly regularly by backcountry adventurers, and there are several videos of it viewable online. I assumed these skiers must have come in via the North Twin Trail and a crossing of the Little River. It appeared that I had lucked out - a packed track would make the 1.5 mile whack up the valley much more feasible.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jAAJhyu7ixgwbFp_Z65TLwf1LxhlIGjnrOLiTCfMPDYkouuMC2IoV9ZoyiqET-nbAKXJ-5eRfMl5D37oBQCFHco04BDJTNxe7P_UIYPrYVk7CjmkT4GBEOwAtawr79SnhwcHdnyg53hEDA0zXBgAuTAgBJJnU3W5In4Rt9pA8g8dDA9gco-MFYbJm8vJ/s4032/IMG_2421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jAAJhyu7ixgwbFp_Z65TLwf1LxhlIGjnrOLiTCfMPDYkouuMC2IoV9ZoyiqET-nbAKXJ-5eRfMl5D37oBQCFHco04BDJTNxe7P_UIYPrYVk7CjmkT4GBEOwAtawr79SnhwcHdnyg53hEDA0zXBgAuTAgBJJnU3W5In4Rt9pA8g8dDA9gco-MFYbJm8vJ/w400-h300/IMG_2421.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The track soon passed a small bog with a view of Mount Hale.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph8_Tl4EkAsXmYO9HIYLqzncWA8t44pK-U6JQ1VRiQQN9RaY4LEWxwS1WK6MlyTUnVRkJYgfs1xFYLXRdJcm9uSNej35CF5AT8rXfyd6glDIq5wLCoWpO8wRvIp_xb-qdXF2xYvi_2LSYvh0X_ISkoMtX220C1NkIBbqAAg9Xu-OPX-U0vP2-4yTKvq1g/s4032/IMG_2425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph8_Tl4EkAsXmYO9HIYLqzncWA8t44pK-U6JQ1VRiQQN9RaY4LEWxwS1WK6MlyTUnVRkJYgfs1xFYLXRdJcm9uSNej35CF5AT8rXfyd6glDIq5wLCoWpO8wRvIp_xb-qdXF2xYvi_2LSYvh0X_ISkoMtX220C1NkIBbqAAg9Xu-OPX-U0vP2-4yTKvq1g/w400-h300/IMG_2425.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I left the track at a point where it went into an ugly sidehill, but my route higher up the slope led into a lumpy area of boulders and blowdown, so I looped back down to the track and followed it through a nice section of the old logging road. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QPKnC4Ibsir1dsoccs_95lRnVIPTwXbDUKvus5HOReFQSmrKDej4Djp94Tk23BbQPM2wBOjwLxAM2-Xq1o-loChUGZrAnVcX5Vujcxrw9-pEwrPGkSmXPZ1fzBpKk1z_1r3N8uyommNv15j4lPAlTRjJrzoTlz8Zy37HmAZHFy8ChD0GndXhIEa2tpQn/s4032/IMG_2426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QPKnC4Ibsir1dsoccs_95lRnVIPTwXbDUKvus5HOReFQSmrKDej4Djp94Tk23BbQPM2wBOjwLxAM2-Xq1o-loChUGZrAnVcX5Vujcxrw9-pEwrPGkSmXPZ1fzBpKk1z_1r3N8uyommNv15j4lPAlTRjJrzoTlz8Zy37HmAZHFy8ChD0GndXhIEa2tpQn/w400-h300/IMG_2426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">From a high bank above the stream there were several views of the imposing cliffs and slides on the eastern flank of Peak Above the Nubble.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHERbou_pK_hmMEPGMC58d8pkKfdn_lfklP-n9v8nNExBpJK9N5h-MPyopuLS3oDhKPXlXyXaMNO7t6XEYc9i_pgCcQRwr11bispugxe_Hirx4qXbKQyeOitQTlvGKTF5Ma_TjAbQb8IjIid8xk_Mh5n2xlEvs2DOO4M6d3VNzcVq7vbWHF8ez_7fUER9/s4032/IMG_2437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHERbou_pK_hmMEPGMC58d8pkKfdn_lfklP-n9v8nNExBpJK9N5h-MPyopuLS3oDhKPXlXyXaMNO7t6XEYc9i_pgCcQRwr11bispugxe_Hirx4qXbKQyeOitQTlvGKTF5Ma_TjAbQb8IjIid8xk_Mh5n2xlEvs2DOO4M6d3VNzcVq7vbWHF8ez_7fUER9/w400-h300/IMG_2437.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking down into the drainage. Too rough to enter it yet.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZGO5_0oiA6WTNygw5hrOTC-bwMimIxR8I4d112cMjYB-uEDK8Es6JJp3zE29sTc2K-4Kvapo5Uny05AmRCrle6TWuzLUSgzP6tpo0npJEHQDp0pj6-dsEs9FbJTBvx_0Wnp5FJo6Y9LpK4tmORf1WbrKgb16OzA3twNnFBOc00yqIsa30ayGTnCAufZC/s4032/IMG_2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZGO5_0oiA6WTNygw5hrOTC-bwMimIxR8I4d112cMjYB-uEDK8Es6JJp3zE29sTc2K-4Kvapo5Uny05AmRCrle6TWuzLUSgzP6tpo0npJEHQDp0pj6-dsEs9FbJTBvx_0Wnp5FJo6Y9LpK4tmORf1WbrKgb16OzA3twNnFBOc00yqIsa30ayGTnCAufZC/w400-h300/IMG_2447.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">At 2800 ft. the skiers' track led to these inscribed moose antlers, which have been a landmark of this valley for years.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfOBcwRUGq1BvmkQWSyF3RoR4Qrk6Eo6vvL_9I2YucIS_3axBEGGcys9FeU-tSuoISFfdhhqm0473X1qq5xL5W0JQ4Q256yBb6Bttg966Zc3K2khzY5fbSPUx0ClpEX71ISzmVrz7qdST3KAzGilWQbbAQTcQCD6R151TffBekoLvcG8muXLCBbSk7Mah/s4032/IMG_2449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfOBcwRUGq1BvmkQWSyF3RoR4Qrk6Eo6vvL_9I2YucIS_3axBEGGcys9FeU-tSuoISFfdhhqm0473X1qq5xL5W0JQ4Q256yBb6Bttg966Zc3K2khzY5fbSPUx0ClpEX71ISzmVrz7qdST3KAzGilWQbbAQTcQCD6R151TffBekoLvcG8muXLCBbSk7Mah/w400-h300/IMG_2449.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Just beyond, the track dropped into the drainage and followed it upstream. Here the brook was locked in with ice and good snowpack.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pLcwlpjYstDk89054jUvSo8yatWpIIQvyDRkVYWmmWnBLHIC9qCCOnV0o9N5YmDkzRekAgCIG2U-0chnQe-Z9HTWT2VI44bRSm_HticZxah1S3Jozn8hGaMwFrot-aAgim78sPU33HHPl3tDcL3PU0nexrR-8kK8ZT-5XH_fuG5ibnVHuDmluQ2zkUKL/s4032/IMG_2452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pLcwlpjYstDk89054jUvSo8yatWpIIQvyDRkVYWmmWnBLHIC9qCCOnV0o9N5YmDkzRekAgCIG2U-0chnQe-Z9HTWT2VI44bRSm_HticZxah1S3Jozn8hGaMwFrot-aAgim78sPU33HHPl3tDcL3PU0nexrR-8kK8ZT-5XH_fuG5ibnVHuDmluQ2zkUKL/w400-h300/IMG_2452.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The track soon led into an opening that marks the lower end of the open runout of the slide, which fell in an October 1995 rainstorm. Here I had the first glimpse of the slide itself, still far up the valley. And here the old skiers' track ended. Perhaps they just wanted to get a view of the slide, or decided it was too far away to continue. From here on I would have to earn my visit to the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH0Lv3MwwpbIc5zYfx4PV4zPY5pN7-0tjNekc-2vCrjt0axQ80CfA0JesCXCkiHmEhl87-FZhyIX7GaDw5fMMxTsrhWrFkmg8xQZ1bXF80Zyqp3WeqPIhmt8ibB8_0JX5dWn2eThbelt8FflWDVm4i32ZKE3d_23cdlxZ4FO2AqQVGRpQlRFTeHjHxyn3/s4032/IMG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH0Lv3MwwpbIc5zYfx4PV4zPY5pN7-0tjNekc-2vCrjt0axQ80CfA0JesCXCkiHmEhl87-FZhyIX7GaDw5fMMxTsrhWrFkmg8xQZ1bXF80Zyqp3WeqPIhmt8ibB8_0JX5dWn2eThbelt8FflWDVm4i32ZKE3d_23cdlxZ4FO2AqQVGRpQlRFTeHjHxyn3/w400-h300/IMG_2456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Closer look at the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95wt2ZuYa06JfrEXxkbJrHWPIpPMP3TIDna-sF1YOio8sLPVHd0EnkG9zuoHazswEPVvP_kCbN7AEriOkV72JpffTNnjqAunmqy8r8DnRD_U6wSaDNPyxoZ3Qiu3t-c0YhdU1N6rZGmi7W-mbbmZfQ5IDFSBRyicNT_fbiAawMsJwyo0Ct_KN7n42APWw/s4032/IMG_2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95wt2ZuYa06JfrEXxkbJrHWPIpPMP3TIDna-sF1YOio8sLPVHd0EnkG9zuoHazswEPVvP_kCbN7AEriOkV72JpffTNnjqAunmqy8r8DnRD_U6wSaDNPyxoZ3Qiu3t-c0YhdU1N6rZGmi7W-mbbmZfQ5IDFSBRyicNT_fbiAawMsJwyo0Ct_KN7n42APWw/w400-h300/IMG_2457.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Unbroken snow ahead, which turned out to be soft and unconsolidated on top, but thankfully with a firm underlayer to prevent me from punching through into a waterhole.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gSmQak9n52iJ4JAmgCnL-nGv16UjXp5NcgJCBel5NIhdmjohYrPvQPYR7YGQiw3vVsPp2AUdcxujVU-oYKTU73_nTmsC_Qn7lZqceR5_KB9Qd54B6ppnDS0H0a2CkEgpkKWXsAYaFdmfGoYdwa1bfJCM1wteN6yVnNLj9-fzWIXCXGtbe9aOTcvZebve/s4032/IMG_2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gSmQak9n52iJ4JAmgCnL-nGv16UjXp5NcgJCBel5NIhdmjohYrPvQPYR7YGQiw3vVsPp2AUdcxujVU-oYKTU73_nTmsC_Qn7lZqceR5_KB9Qd54B6ppnDS0H0a2CkEgpkKWXsAYaFdmfGoYdwa1bfJCM1wteN6yVnNLj9-fzWIXCXGtbe9aOTcvZebve/w400-h300/IMG_2463.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A red squirrel dashed out onto the slide track, then scurried back into the dense scrub along the edge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw0GiyktiBfzxfz1cCPmRxBamTSiG3VjPcdlOmXV62Xx2EkgQzemIKLdAwFQMxat68KC9WyJ6qeb5_4QDz8bbPZcEk4X9pznZ5VoqiNL2CMgs0yym4wcDkwZK8YNk1IyX3uYLIRqvrX6mB5e_rE9Mybtlr1tkSH0LbynsWBr_mNKcKlVt-KuMnQmzA87c/s4032/IMG_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw0GiyktiBfzxfz1cCPmRxBamTSiG3VjPcdlOmXV62Xx2EkgQzemIKLdAwFQMxat68KC9WyJ6qeb5_4QDz8bbPZcEk4X9pznZ5VoqiNL2CMgs0yym4wcDkwZK8YNk1IyX3uYLIRqvrX6mB5e_rE9Mybtlr1tkSH0LbynsWBr_mNKcKlVt-KuMnQmzA87c/w400-h300/IMG_2464.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It was a gorgeous sunny day, and as I continued up the track I started to get views back to Peak Above the Nubble.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_4tpAPQv3lgV15YOZlde9Vk2aCMGhxZe9s1d2u6H2AmhJCFJdlPmcp5DMbtgTqFyorsC3GD6ve_mu4N3sQV0suSZICF8uw8054DueWBmR-nSwR6yazzseu8U9ayK1bllm-M7iVViSt5ttWgujkSBuwO7ENy_g8ckUcNl1R67-NnX8h4v7Tsu1L64nR-h/s4032/IMG_2473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_4tpAPQv3lgV15YOZlde9Vk2aCMGhxZe9s1d2u6H2AmhJCFJdlPmcp5DMbtgTqFyorsC3GD6ve_mu4N3sQV0suSZICF8uw8054DueWBmR-nSwR6yazzseu8U9ayK1bllm-M7iVViSt5ttWgujkSBuwO7ENy_g8ckUcNl1R67-NnX8h4v7Tsu1L64nR-h/w400-h300/IMG_2473.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">My progress slowed in areas with short, steep pitches mixed with weaving around boulders.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiE_9P1DxOgBsI-ei-goaPcbspYhTecz6DLXywCez-6muvFENY4D5hGUBM1GvumYABm1mSH_AsAylS_zM2u7onquATs9xO3ErEhN6b2a9JFEckr7YGtMROnpreCySwqzLEFYTP_Cxf5QvZueBzM9CycyPUVonNBUV52oGxNHKUTAPtuTDTgq6MgEr1y1-/s4032/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiE_9P1DxOgBsI-ei-goaPcbspYhTecz6DLXywCez-6muvFENY4D5hGUBM1GvumYABm1mSH_AsAylS_zM2u7onquATs9xO3ErEhN6b2a9JFEckr7YGtMROnpreCySwqzLEFYTP_Cxf5QvZueBzM9CycyPUVonNBUV52oGxNHKUTAPtuTDTgq6MgEr1y1-/w400-h300/IMG_2477.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The long and winding road.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhZLHL9ZP2i3bGj484YstM9WfIlK_zXGXYnqw38ut66fmw4-BmI98p8IInY4SdpPzc3MMoVHJHqvYBZ990m6pEUQE8FtisWpBAs3YVmDV9_CDtsagOuYK2i5P5_cQuR9T_yftGyfxUAypAw3ZPex5QdJQfnpmFJeuwbDeV-Mc94GGuAVRHJG2YrHlqQqa/s4032/IMG_2478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhZLHL9ZP2i3bGj484YstM9WfIlK_zXGXYnqw38ut66fmw4-BmI98p8IInY4SdpPzc3MMoVHJHqvYBZ990m6pEUQE8FtisWpBAs3YVmDV9_CDtsagOuYK2i5P5_cQuR9T_yftGyfxUAypAw3ZPex5QdJQfnpmFJeuwbDeV-Mc94GGuAVRHJG2YrHlqQqa/w400-h300/IMG_2478.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Big rock barring the way.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0D8DOj24jgoN2KWUrDN43KEz47U0h2GWFIv0mRm136rqYzjgB96btnPpYCNQheI6BdywAjZHEiVrCneUz7VgtzTQG5MBXYjFpcuQEoczDHM_FlYGn35dpt8IIl46eq0qx-qRA57OdRxck0p5RnPjJxDt6FQP_TOwH1heENUtaNWcMiovgQtFvC5UGRFJ/s4032/IMG_2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0D8DOj24jgoN2KWUrDN43KEz47U0h2GWFIv0mRm136rqYzjgB96btnPpYCNQheI6BdywAjZHEiVrCneUz7VgtzTQG5MBXYjFpcuQEoczDHM_FlYGn35dpt8IIl46eq0qx-qRA57OdRxck0p5RnPjJxDt6FQP_TOwH1heENUtaNWcMiovgQtFvC5UGRFJ/w400-h300/IMG_2479.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The slide doesn't seem to be getting much closer...<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSqe11170ElLOvoQhX1Y4HiEBwMMB9dIIxu3Gq3A-ZxOZGkePbRUrxP9J9BMDNU7O7r1o7MKiqcb75VMGAHF4zQc-GSJVE23k9WotXVO7Z5TYgTKlYLC1o25_TL57VN7PodlxPpOa3sVmDPZqBO-br_kRsi-L7DMJjAdJPr-O46WG4TDCQmbQG0I_YOo/s4032/IMG_2483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSqe11170ElLOvoQhX1Y4HiEBwMMB9dIIxu3Gq3A-ZxOZGkePbRUrxP9J9BMDNU7O7r1o7MKiqcb75VMGAHF4zQc-GSJVE23k9WotXVO7Z5TYgTKlYLC1o25_TL57VN7PodlxPpOa3sVmDPZqBO-br_kRsi-L7DMJjAdJPr-O46WG4TDCQmbQG0I_YOo/w400-h300/IMG_2483.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny, snowy corridor.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIHxhkhlvIGJzd2UeoF6eOUUlDMCnL7pCDoFwbT5w5saGeyvCEkdRR0dXr0L3eEVaEszJhR1HUIzXbFySDYpZuYCL2JMJLJN1kQxQezZwhJVxYF_U6zAIbhS7Te-abnN6qzwbnl_Z5Quxw20resKYmb1lP64YFfmVrXOU1yrxy53kPC9E0LCuMa1CDKGz/s4032/IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIHxhkhlvIGJzd2UeoF6eOUUlDMCnL7pCDoFwbT5w5saGeyvCEkdRR0dXr0L3eEVaEszJhR1HUIzXbFySDYpZuYCL2JMJLJN1kQxQezZwhJVxYF_U6zAIbhS7Te-abnN6qzwbnl_Z5Quxw20resKYmb1lP64YFfmVrXOU1yrxy53kPC9E0LCuMa1CDKGz/w400-h300/IMG_2485.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Alder shrubs lined the corridor in many spots.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQjFX0kSWZznyWXwjz7WXyv30q8JJLlUv8z7zQQW9sfgz79lLILpGGP5q2rEbvvqQSkZWsW9abdCxj4bl68yyhsmU6eMT5VmKlsYCJEtKFHn_kPsmPr_YFtcwry2meY3Rw6ufhcIy6LK7l5CfFQ7uI4DUPCULXLIhnY7U5bz3wEHiJBWykZRoksfMHi19/s4032/IMG_2489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQjFX0kSWZznyWXwjz7WXyv30q8JJLlUv8z7zQQW9sfgz79lLILpGGP5q2rEbvvqQSkZWsW9abdCxj4bl68yyhsmU6eMT5VmKlsYCJEtKFHn_kPsmPr_YFtcwry2meY3Rw6ufhcIy6LK7l5CfFQ7uI4DUPCULXLIhnY7U5bz3wEHiJBWykZRoksfMHi19/w400-h300/IMG_2489.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Long view ahead.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69FpEL6y_q6AP2kHooyiHZmzjwTOt9E2X4lHNhfFpvtL7wl3KzLTJtnoJaYR_l_Bvz5qjaqAiHVOe5SnC8G8qNV3iDZQVKLvhF5C4zDUTkjYRThBDX7BwuClNENZc5NXyBZCMjB2OeWJTe26bx_ukl34GcDQzgGCRCAqSO-cZ9WhNto8GVW9NODuK4zhT/s4032/IMG_2496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69FpEL6y_q6AP2kHooyiHZmzjwTOt9E2X4lHNhfFpvtL7wl3KzLTJtnoJaYR_l_Bvz5qjaqAiHVOe5SnC8G8qNV3iDZQVKLvhF5C4zDUTkjYRThBDX7BwuClNENZc5NXyBZCMjB2OeWJTe26bx_ukl34GcDQzgGCRCAqSO-cZ9WhNto8GVW9NODuK4zhT/w400-h300/IMG_2496.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A nice open area with PATN in the rearview mirror.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmkKr0AvKmkvqyg6kbuC-aTRaEp31Urb0je0SN2YBW1UJhU4eA_UwLZZqKeNr2x5w_T-F6rWkBxrEzOs45-jai_M7bBY1PBFTYdtlVyCqDZqRnW9aVriz4g0rTBuFdD9O_goJKnAQB9ofXaRTjkkvCf6GqSC1a53Zj3excO3-w-VXF47IJ6nQ6hEyPKjo/s4032/IMG_2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmkKr0AvKmkvqyg6kbuC-aTRaEp31Urb0je0SN2YBW1UJhU4eA_UwLZZqKeNr2x5w_T-F6rWkBxrEzOs45-jai_M7bBY1PBFTYdtlVyCqDZqRnW9aVriz4g0rTBuFdD9O_goJKnAQB9ofXaRTjkkvCf6GqSC1a53Zj3excO3-w-VXF47IJ6nQ6hEyPKjo/w400-h300/IMG_2502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">From a bank along the edge I found a view of the older eastern slide that merges with the 1995 slide at its base. The upper part of this slide is a huge icy slab, sort of like Shining Rock on Franconia Ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4xBTsG5MoKow8WyBGiEztHsAl0LqiVfDKiaf8xWW1oApG1ZDDbrg8UxLVZMjrjKwzr1IEZiLXKXcFHLJ17uTfGDOPUTOo1w7B5uGvc9A1IGtoY3oYdr77FOotukpdJlmmgj0afcK7TYCdxDVUEUOhyphenhyphenh746SEkPSfDYBK5U8OTo5abX25KY465kruj-ia/s4032/IMG_2508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4xBTsG5MoKow8WyBGiEztHsAl0LqiVfDKiaf8xWW1oApG1ZDDbrg8UxLVZMjrjKwzr1IEZiLXKXcFHLJ17uTfGDOPUTOo1w7B5uGvc9A1IGtoY3oYdr77FOotukpdJlmmgj0afcK7TYCdxDVUEUOhyphenhyphenh746SEkPSfDYBK5U8OTo5abX25KY465kruj-ia/w400-h300/IMG_2508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Final approach to the base of the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs_RQbzO88wMn1QBPNL8d88GwMyfBaQh5Qyy7qiFCFLsbAqieA_Ffoxs917nf3TEkVULj0aWdCx9UbMUz5AEeO35-60t98d-cxGqEtrr2sTBPvlFYNqN3A4zn_xHWKdDbdUj1fm4DHCyQoUK0e-W_nGmnIlndO_Z89MisvSc2h-sCt3HxG8CPLOR1I86A/s4032/IMG_2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs_RQbzO88wMn1QBPNL8d88GwMyfBaQh5Qyy7qiFCFLsbAqieA_Ffoxs917nf3TEkVULj0aWdCx9UbMUz5AEeO35-60t98d-cxGqEtrr2sTBPvlFYNqN3A4zn_xHWKdDbdUj1fm4DHCyQoUK0e-W_nGmnIlndO_Z89MisvSc2h-sCt3HxG8CPLOR1I86A/w400-h300/IMG_2519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9dtaxa_vuQKUOeK_If8EbCNjuV0XtzhbLX6VzysIJm2cmt9brbKvnswZEgZoVK5ZafNeVRDCVwQlql42G2cHjvhWuYFTWNHUOiJdnvmhsYH3qHqsYDKWiBXMGFIIZp96j7VOtwEGA-e9kfwrSjhhHr2ifgl6AFAKpjUIBRYCbg66mvcKYNOgLXJdbo3m/s4032/IMG_2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9dtaxa_vuQKUOeK_If8EbCNjuV0XtzhbLX6VzysIJm2cmt9brbKvnswZEgZoVK5ZafNeVRDCVwQlql42G2cHjvhWuYFTWNHUOiJdnvmhsYH3qHqsYDKWiBXMGFIIZp96j7VOtwEGA-e9kfwrSjhhHr2ifgl6AFAKpjUIBRYCbg66mvcKYNOgLXJdbo3m/w400-h300/IMG_2525.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A steep pitch at the end.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaAwtWBDrwx-cuewqIvq6f1XbkJPc4vB3CUxyQTBzYuByrdhIYBr1HRvnat89s2avEVtuausaIi0msXQ-s7fwoxFeFyRVgzOJg_UQKWIVwrV10JuoxkuM4Eslgs7o4fkSPrvY-JwMx3w56a4sOhdgBrNP5UXeIXqD1wdG8y_dsKDAfVLQzXv5XfzTDH7N/s4032/IMG_2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaAwtWBDrwx-cuewqIvq6f1XbkJPc4vB3CUxyQTBzYuByrdhIYBr1HRvnat89s2avEVtuausaIi0msXQ-s7fwoxFeFyRVgzOJg_UQKWIVwrV10JuoxkuM4Eslgs7o4fkSPrvY-JwMx3w56a4sOhdgBrNP5UXeIXqD1wdG8y_dsKDAfVLQzXv5XfzTDH7N/w400-h300/IMG_2526.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">That was a workout. It took this slow old guy 1.5 hours to break trail the last 0.6 mile to the base of the slide, thanks to numerous little pitches and obstacles along the way.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lSKSQzhNbifUCCQAzo-vhyphenhyphenyucO7k2mrtu4ICckztivCI_uUXrWhj_uCUfsBTrqAiwrkRmCg5JyM1CWln5-15n6HVsEF_Kl4UgIER9tUL_41HsWxG9QM8YNa0zw3dtCHphbhlneRIKQUUGyvO0S7lBXq4m8M3GIzcLxDdgFhyphenhyphen4Ai9okvGrvS9yMr6isLP/s4032/IMG_2528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lSKSQzhNbifUCCQAzo-vhyphenhyphenyucO7k2mrtu4ICckztivCI_uUXrWhj_uCUfsBTrqAiwrkRmCg5JyM1CWln5-15n6HVsEF_Kl4UgIER9tUL_41HsWxG9QM8YNa0zw3dtCHphbhlneRIKQUUGyvO0S7lBXq4m8M3GIzcLxDdgFhyphenhyphen4Ai9okvGrvS9yMr6isLP/w400-h300/IMG_2528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The slide!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qe-j_iNh031cdL14NfZXEcOaujZgIq6oNjUmQb_zjfNkZ_b3mU0CgxxAx2kDT2pI_zDLFrcqmQ1MEK3JPlVenLnK5KfYJ-zXybmXSPd3EvJtz0QwXn8FJ3gJDsWCEOOLkDO_P7Yyg7DFlj83aUHbU5x6mz53OBuqs1wDGtG_36Oc4w5UULQMn1iGCaP1/s4032/IMG_2537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qe-j_iNh031cdL14NfZXEcOaujZgIq6oNjUmQb_zjfNkZ_b3mU0CgxxAx2kDT2pI_zDLFrcqmQ1MEK3JPlVenLnK5KfYJ-zXybmXSPd3EvJtz0QwXn8FJ3gJDsWCEOOLkDO_P7Yyg7DFlj83aUHbU5x6mz53OBuqs1wDGtG_36Oc4w5UULQMn1iGCaP1/w400-h300/IMG_2537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When Cath Goodwin and I climbed this slide in summer, these lower slabs were dangerously slick and we bypassed them through the woods. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu1-f9k-IVQq80Pgceg-18FPVXfYzX7Zv_lnVzlfCZxsDKA_WkKaEF-rrv20drWmNHXrYSiAfGu711AEUQ45ot6-qZT9r1M7boxrF3Ak4__flDw1NMtDeJXTnkupE_RZlvTbBQzUldvQYoEamZpcz7R77TH-uYgayJs-WLX85hMje6DS9UmwmCyHTu7Br/s4032/IMG_2539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu1-f9k-IVQq80Pgceg-18FPVXfYzX7Zv_lnVzlfCZxsDKA_WkKaEF-rrv20drWmNHXrYSiAfGu711AEUQ45ot6-qZT9r1M7boxrF3Ak4__flDw1NMtDeJXTnkupE_RZlvTbBQzUldvQYoEamZpcz7R77TH-uYgayJs-WLX85hMje6DS9UmwmCyHTu7Br/w400-h300/IMG_2539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A layer of crusty snow allowed safe passage alongside sheets of exposed ice.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE0pWruiAGQlmiOg6lBhc_MFPJ-u0DNjUUwQmtdEg6PzCCkj9gZ82MZGcYU1pwfemozHiDY9T4o7bKpY_3SoC4S4K_FwZH4xzNE_tMlZi36DrImNrWrh2oWIT4QCSW0MIvP-4GDnjmwVZtpe10xSAhBhbeAOgvTfEcnPXhUhKxInu8RpNiVGUv-Dsk4Rx/s4032/IMG_2541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE0pWruiAGQlmiOg6lBhc_MFPJ-u0DNjUUwQmtdEg6PzCCkj9gZ82MZGcYU1pwfemozHiDY9T4o7bKpY_3SoC4S4K_FwZH4xzNE_tMlZi36DrImNrWrh2oWIT4QCSW0MIvP-4GDnjmwVZtpe10xSAhBhbeAOgvTfEcnPXhUhKxInu8RpNiVGUv-Dsk4Rx/w400-h300/IMG_2541.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A tiny white pine struggles for survival at 3400 ft., well above its normal altitudinal range.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FHGnL35wkN7CvJ4TAsqW1WfHtw_exopQeHrqVDHFOVTAFhXnhR_pttnsnBFnxYGS1KWJQC1GCSxkihHL12KxQQqRlijlNvKCs2ABYHzY1x8Af7Gzd4HrfZKjjN4GjtqSu8GxfI0hZBCpzLd0A_KRRd3ctZn9eH5LGEB7cd_7EHKjuHv4X5uvihcX1Q17/s4032/IMG_2545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FHGnL35wkN7CvJ4TAsqW1WfHtw_exopQeHrqVDHFOVTAFhXnhR_pttnsnBFnxYGS1KWJQC1GCSxkihHL12KxQQqRlijlNvKCs2ABYHzY1x8Af7Gzd4HrfZKjjN4GjtqSu8GxfI0hZBCpzLd0A_KRRd3ctZn9eH5LGEB7cd_7EHKjuHv4X5uvihcX1Q17/w400-h300/IMG_2545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Ahead on the right was a funnel that is steeper than it looks in the photo, a potential terrain trap. There were no signs of avalanche activity and the snow seemed quite stable, but caution must prevail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3rKvjplDBOtAGH4tXdV1Wy-qw92tjAbmxsmkG6gobZE9vrPoMt01L8YJ2-nTJcXRXxZDPb5iJc8LBEIs2Yb4EufBkmqeAB4igF_7l3UWSd-p1WpLEvWO9oS59w2auwpL7gYEd3E_Le9UoXe_k-3FcuKBJEZHIIJPWX8AOOP-_h9DWNsTnMRg25EqIgSY/s4032/IMG_2547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3rKvjplDBOtAGH4tXdV1Wy-qw92tjAbmxsmkG6gobZE9vrPoMt01L8YJ2-nTJcXRXxZDPb5iJc8LBEIs2Yb4EufBkmqeAB4igF_7l3UWSd-p1WpLEvWO9oS59w2auwpL7gYEd3E_Le9UoXe_k-3FcuKBJEZHIIJPWX8AOOP-_h9DWNsTnMRg25EqIgSY/w400-h300/IMG_2547.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another white pine hanging out on the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiopJT7yQIhi9jlofMmpvKqsCfYcjKJfPl2UcYxCimMqSCIyzUNs4WrY9GD0y3ez4rJcGhiXYs_YLd-CGad3reZTdUFRb7qqNOi3MQI62ULULCPvCs3kHfICQOx8AfsLJCJV2L7WaSVtBllyszFd1ZSLWgDiUDAal6zHhor7c6XmelSE7q30FSOBzhLS1D/s4032/IMG_2549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiopJT7yQIhi9jlofMmpvKqsCfYcjKJfPl2UcYxCimMqSCIyzUNs4WrY9GD0y3ez4rJcGhiXYs_YLd-CGad3reZTdUFRb7qqNOi3MQI62ULULCPvCs3kHfICQOx8AfsLJCJV2L7WaSVtBllyszFd1ZSLWgDiUDAal6zHhor7c6XmelSE7q30FSOBzhLS1D/w400-h300/IMG_2549.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As I was climbing up the slide, I was startled to hear voices behind me. Two young backcountry skiers were coming up to take a run on the slide!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR492kw18jQYzlWrK0V587QPN-9w1W3xgpKn6QiU5s8PC9oEp62TIvdMs0lZPa4eMRT6SnfJhfsxv61AA6nB0GCf0fDvAsJXgWSE1cnfTGXWu80_d2vIiJe4Yv5LSkMuAXRS5n24UQvtIz6GN_KxXkYexKRxoirWdL8nxBS4N32M04YewM0loTpr7crIlb/s4032/IMG_2554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR492kw18jQYzlWrK0V587QPN-9w1W3xgpKn6QiU5s8PC9oEp62TIvdMs0lZPa4eMRT6SnfJhfsxv61AA6nB0GCf0fDvAsJXgWSE1cnfTGXWu80_d2vIiJe4Yv5LSkMuAXRS5n24UQvtIz6GN_KxXkYexKRxoirWdL8nxBS4N32M04YewM0loTpr7crIlb/w400-h300/IMG_2554.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">His name escapes me, but this skier was in my store recently and we engaged in some "slide talk."Among his recent descents are the Arrow Slide on Mt. Hancock, the Northwest Slides on Scar Ridge, one of the East Osceola slides, and the Dogleg Slide on Mt. Osceola. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pquGRSrWa6TWiFPAEMhkl9KQ11ZJ4n_6zeXTsX7Pw_hoNfGVtEVLBmyjL9mnpoPtZjJzDvj3Ohv1aVHVINphzW54Svxt4PjTbiAqcUPcNMLwpTv-GUgHxstZKMou8zVxZ2I4zjmvL1G4X__3VeuN49LfZoRRf4YhqX_0DrvLSV6nm3A6mqdJv56gv54L/s4032/IMG_2557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pquGRSrWa6TWiFPAEMhkl9KQ11ZJ4n_6zeXTsX7Pw_hoNfGVtEVLBmyjL9mnpoPtZjJzDvj3Ohv1aVHVINphzW54Svxt4PjTbiAqcUPcNMLwpTv-GUgHxstZKMou8zVxZ2I4zjmvL1G4X__3VeuN49LfZoRRf4YhqX_0DrvLSV6nm3A6mqdJv56gv54L/w400-h300/IMG_2557.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I continued up the slide while the skiers took a break below to exchange skis for crampons.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX3eTu9NX4sIsOcAGrHJyLMY1TUNbGXiAZj6-hbNxFeTuX6S79F_6zF0NQ60LAWVGiBhtuJNdPLNDJXhtLlQvxX2vQuiteGxujfIFLMoNgBRjQJpUuBzQNyRhI_muyykIVrCvEaBQeNuetupqKyuCOPmUbqNHuTznPtvCN6kppcm9kLiyQHpSO5lDTMty/s4032/IMG_2559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX3eTu9NX4sIsOcAGrHJyLMY1TUNbGXiAZj6-hbNxFeTuX6S79F_6zF0NQ60LAWVGiBhtuJNdPLNDJXhtLlQvxX2vQuiteGxujfIFLMoNgBRjQJpUuBzQNyRhI_muyykIVrCvEaBQeNuetupqKyuCOPmUbqNHuTznPtvCN6kppcm9kLiyQHpSO5lDTMty/w400-h300/IMG_2559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Side view of the funnel that I bypassed.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKQjbqZsSVaM8wo0CQy5NWJMjN6oVY0WI_HJpbp8xMCvW46XclNGVPlHJgEWjfwxMACo11WKsL6Sf3WAAFrOwIA8nbtN6m8unF8McUwr50kGHaCpLTDWi8NuY_V6BIAFyQglpNQ7NtjuQwchTfVOeglLgzeGWiSJiPD75X9WD5BTF0Ky2SJsm8I4_h7Zw/s4032/IMG_2563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKQjbqZsSVaM8wo0CQy5NWJMjN6oVY0WI_HJpbp8xMCvW46XclNGVPlHJgEWjfwxMACo11WKsL6Sf3WAAFrOwIA8nbtN6m8unF8McUwr50kGHaCpLTDWi8NuY_V6BIAFyQglpNQ7NtjuQwchTfVOeglLgzeGWiSJiPD75X9WD5BTF0Ky2SJsm8I4_h7Zw/w400-h300/IMG_2563.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Going higher.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi129VET4pk6lwpD9LdbUZKLq4P-f0vOTTMSW3Cqf3XBOgGN3mYR8zy6V06dNAjdoCLONwlWuB54BEY__2J_QCRIZAiYtATRND7B2A0oed_UZDbj-E7QDeRp3MxdWtaY4VSgOBk97_nBAe3ogu1sKlEFC8Zck780Z4SwjltZa4VC7K6AG7A-qIvi_wxqGFV/s4032/IMG_2575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi129VET4pk6lwpD9LdbUZKLq4P-f0vOTTMSW3Cqf3XBOgGN3mYR8zy6V06dNAjdoCLONwlWuB54BEY__2J_QCRIZAiYtATRND7B2A0oed_UZDbj-E7QDeRp3MxdWtaY4VSgOBk97_nBAe3ogu1sKlEFC8Zck780Z4SwjltZa4VC7K6AG7A-qIvi_wxqGFV/w400-h300/IMG_2575.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The exhilaration of open spaces.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHQbiLg1wJ8PWuj9RZEn7tngfBS7GTwkoI6o_IIgebsjh8d-UkoBsAn778uuIqozlTnjlQVFjacWEzp139dau91lVegDmbX735eS7qbwSlXxJqtmbFiFtfKKJnRgW78ePYXQVoze25LanArh7ya3XGvuy5BMapdtD0GP31JfhY1CefB3-8cywqjnRr5iR/s4032/IMG_2581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHQbiLg1wJ8PWuj9RZEn7tngfBS7GTwkoI6o_IIgebsjh8d-UkoBsAn778uuIqozlTnjlQVFjacWEzp139dau91lVegDmbX735eS7qbwSlXxJqtmbFiFtfKKJnRgW78ePYXQVoze25LanArh7ya3XGvuy5BMapdtD0GP31JfhY1CefB3-8cywqjnRr5iR/w400-h300/IMG_2581.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">What a view! <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIma9-npGBd9YATlKVAD1BxGThUDZ2KgpFHbCZbXZw3b9XgCLvdlAzlTjjNeXMdglGtuovMTXoSG_nJtnoHwIe2vlxNlDJhMIhjnWgFahrWO67ZmATWtAEVIKRGEudtHrtXEU0RF_es8t0nexgwMRx1VsPC1XDcDyvw3eP4eJFyjRdozZPO_i6vEYNBErK/s4032/IMG_2586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIma9-npGBd9YATlKVAD1BxGThUDZ2KgpFHbCZbXZw3b9XgCLvdlAzlTjjNeXMdglGtuovMTXoSG_nJtnoHwIe2vlxNlDJhMIhjnWgFahrWO67ZmATWtAEVIKRGEudtHrtXEU0RF_es8t0nexgwMRx1VsPC1XDcDyvw3eP4eJFyjRdozZPO_i6vEYNBErK/w400-h300/IMG_2586.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking north to the Nash Stream mountains, the Pilot Range, Mt. Cabot above Cherry Mountain, and Mts. Starr King and Waumbek.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OX9aMrp-FBMG-qmR7TH5LpidIPuqeP3PPF6OfoTLx-6cmDeQxoqZVejqBT-N_T_tCxAZkOFroqwC3GoIg67oJ-Tp5lge24kAjNLnOzJrnrkZhe2MRAppvl_CI6KfU4C6ALZ_Tc3HJuirA-wozmTjCphNv7VB-zq7ZasVOq_GHF0KWdDDpyCe7LSaFE9D/s4032/IMG_2601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OX9aMrp-FBMG-qmR7TH5LpidIPuqeP3PPF6OfoTLx-6cmDeQxoqZVejqBT-N_T_tCxAZkOFroqwC3GoIg67oJ-Tp5lge24kAjNLnOzJrnrkZhe2MRAppvl_CI6KfU4C6ALZ_Tc3HJuirA-wozmTjCphNv7VB-zq7ZasVOq_GHF0KWdDDpyCe7LSaFE9D/w400-h300/IMG_2601.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy to be earning his turns!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yxjss7YTw_EU6UlPhfwAgUjgP9dzC84hsh-LnhCEL-yfjIDzjT8SN8uus6ZbGxNsiLqDj07xS137Ms6rEEuns22jVrLzSGB1YfkpSV4h15JyrPRPpBKKk03DUpNZohCg76m1dMX7sXvKohiEE3cntfPsba8fyu9xQEv2TetlLxtLjFOhIwOOQKrArIr-/s4032/IMG_2593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yxjss7YTw_EU6UlPhfwAgUjgP9dzC84hsh-LnhCEL-yfjIDzjT8SN8uus6ZbGxNsiLqDj07xS137Ms6rEEuns22jVrLzSGB1YfkpSV4h15JyrPRPpBKKk03DUpNZohCg76m1dMX7sXvKohiEE3cntfPsba8fyu9xQEv2TetlLxtLjFOhIwOOQKrArIr-/w400-h300/IMG_2593.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Up they go, continuing almost to the top of the slide at 4250 ft. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA6QsnP8SEOHDlvKzz7Dl5Gi38Uuz4FZkpexXwUtgVbgJskB4IC2RnnERAD0HeiCfEnYNKEXIWrEAEz3i_crIW6JUuzgLM7sQNcaLtKR3RLt-JRT6H1L0GRccnaF1rNYnEyP7mibKwqXK-xSMoXn12UrTd2magS0XJjuY-hveeEMvmAIm7sbzkZp4wmuM/s4032/IMG_2594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA6QsnP8SEOHDlvKzz7Dl5Gi38Uuz4FZkpexXwUtgVbgJskB4IC2RnnERAD0HeiCfEnYNKEXIWrEAEz3i_crIW6JUuzgLM7sQNcaLtKR3RLt-JRT6H1L0GRccnaF1rNYnEyP7mibKwqXK-xSMoXn12UrTd2magS0XJjuY-hveeEMvmAIm7sbzkZp4wmuM/w400-h300/IMG_2594.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I climbed another 100 ft. to 3650 ft., from where I could see farther up the slide. It was tempting to keep going up, but it had taken a long time to get out here and I wanted to be back to the car before a predicted evening snowstorm moved in.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx50X4r8kjO5QAe0ieXgM4KX1J6auGS6DlzeBR1R6J0cuqDTK0Q3bmlHwC2AAduEjdcwxKLW61tl1H0PKMJMZCVY66ztOjbm7aDYUTTaGOgSlm12so4UDMVaZuVuPNpepOXfNEQo3QHGs6BSdlp92YWbS9KFfKrOa6UnGBEWidm0sPTYcayWIFmdFu8YwE/s4032/IMG_2606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx50X4r8kjO5QAe0ieXgM4KX1J6auGS6DlzeBR1R6J0cuqDTK0Q3bmlHwC2AAduEjdcwxKLW61tl1H0PKMJMZCVY66ztOjbm7aDYUTTaGOgSlm12so4UDMVaZuVuPNpepOXfNEQo3QHGs6BSdlp92YWbS9KFfKrOa6UnGBEWidm0sPTYcayWIFmdFu8YwE/w400-h300/IMG_2606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">From this shelf the world dropped away.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJtezqQCW8mjut91Hg2pQVbQv8tcDmuVBNObKsQBekxGdtXd4ITC4D2XbKxHVR4x6QFUR605iQD1u457GbcQfK9CKIu9WGFdcXyNuegPVtcK4Uh-P74Jlax836xC4osTcnULN9OQOGCFHvGKl77V5lxOM1CRWS87nwe6r86m1_gBqSra-pDa5I3pZFsjh/s4032/IMG_2613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJtezqQCW8mjut91Hg2pQVbQv8tcDmuVBNObKsQBekxGdtXd4ITC4D2XbKxHVR4x6QFUR605iQD1u457GbcQfK9CKIu9WGFdcXyNuegPVtcK4Uh-P74Jlax836xC4osTcnULN9OQOGCFHvGKl77V5lxOM1CRWS87nwe6r86m1_gBqSra-pDa5I3pZFsjh/w400-h300/IMG_2613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Icefall.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZFu0eKJNHjSJeitQSnDf_DRONzb0L_2JDwWYawBZGjlAi3607YZAvIdjTyDN4j9plMrwp35c4TRgN1ex4ljjsvhkzH_K3KsWR83AFRgGx82PvpyeboUlWo3mq-EG-X1ns668G08IthfQqdlC0vaQ8p_BE3V6ewmgAMMTwM4waA_ACYGEWAz5Itt8_pgA/s4032/IMG_2618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZFu0eKJNHjSJeitQSnDf_DRONzb0L_2JDwWYawBZGjlAi3607YZAvIdjTyDN4j9plMrwp35c4TRgN1ex4ljjsvhkzH_K3KsWR83AFRgGx82PvpyeboUlWo3mq-EG-X1ns668G08IthfQqdlC0vaQ8p_BE3V6ewmgAMMTwM4waA_ACYGEWAz5Itt8_pgA/w400-h300/IMG_2618.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Down-look.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyapJixXC-PX2vrM5ZyD5eCi6k2vm5oagwDWFlCz__SIEXSTo655dokheRrCO87EljLAQITxZK1-XZUONEyLH09pAEC87y_-VBXnX47ExZ2jn9LIUw8l_neX3y1GaK_9yav1rUhJvc_1ALVJTQlq6LG6jN9mq2FvY8kyUplqqBrYmYeIcrK5nsBkfBYMK/s4032/IMG_2621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyapJixXC-PX2vrM5ZyD5eCi6k2vm5oagwDWFlCz__SIEXSTo655dokheRrCO87EljLAQITxZK1-XZUONEyLH09pAEC87y_-VBXnX47ExZ2jn9LIUw8l_neX3y1GaK_9yav1rUhJvc_1ALVJTQlq6LG6jN9mq2FvY8kyUplqqBrYmYeIcrK5nsBkfBYMK/w400-h300/IMG_2621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">At 2:30 I headed back down. From the base of the 1995 slide I made a short probe up the track of the older eastern slide. With another hour to spare, I would love to have climbed partway up for a look at the big icy slab.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vc83xytNzQLzc-alRuJUnqLe1cFiBNN-Uxizbr_sg2kxZhpjadP2eP2Vlcio3-p_IycQHGV8AtCjYpVKUW5WpfwU8-oWSd8aRIDKg65LZMcWE-E-YRUwYwhV6Mf4jvKw8Hs99s60WP6khrmmbFipIa4-dlVdIr_sk7OAc78nd_TDn3NpydkkzbJr6iAO/s4032/IMG_2633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vc83xytNzQLzc-alRuJUnqLe1cFiBNN-Uxizbr_sg2kxZhpjadP2eP2Vlcio3-p_IycQHGV8AtCjYpVKUW5WpfwU8-oWSd8aRIDKg65LZMcWE-E-YRUwYwhV6Mf4jvKw8Hs99s60WP6khrmmbFipIa4-dlVdIr_sk7OAc78nd_TDn3NpydkkzbJr6iAO/w400-h300/IMG_2633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Parting shot from the base of the 1995 slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPVoFnMorlvIZXZ1tIFriyY4LbmqHYq-3mo6iMuPpC3Hj3FIuekRkAqrv903-L2NDIJcj1n6SN6C9q6mDGHC_vUuK_0o-iooDN-ybydF3LQ021Po8piwi934GNlMM7IWxqZonRXe4NCat0x6oA4DbUwT42sOVLrS8ifMt-ImFkN_uyTTGxEeTyMOyZlDT/s4032/IMG_2635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPVoFnMorlvIZXZ1tIFriyY4LbmqHYq-3mo6iMuPpC3Hj3FIuekRkAqrv903-L2NDIJcj1n6SN6C9q6mDGHC_vUuK_0o-iooDN-ybydF3LQ021Po8piwi934GNlMM7IWxqZonRXe4NCat0x6oA4DbUwT42sOVLrS8ifMt-ImFkN_uyTTGxEeTyMOyZlDT/w400-h300/IMG_2635.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading back down the slide track.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw4bvqGZtNVPHKazVf0GNmG5XT5nBbI17QAtstc60B5lzIXtEl8vU70m5twGlrxrqfFhPxswhgABHlflvfLfUYvHfxyvX3D5jfjzyCYwUi3KukaLgayBpNFTAuE0Um7CIRKB7dgQSMl7LBIQXoWmUH4T_H_XF4SDmCG8MCXOk8nnC8gGXL1oJDvH3Yw1Q/s4032/IMG_2639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw4bvqGZtNVPHKazVf0GNmG5XT5nBbI17QAtstc60B5lzIXtEl8vU70m5twGlrxrqfFhPxswhgABHlflvfLfUYvHfxyvX3D5jfjzyCYwUi3KukaLgayBpNFTAuE0Um7CIRKB7dgQSMl7LBIQXoWmUH4T_H_XF4SDmCG8MCXOk8nnC8gGXL1oJDvH3Yw1Q/w400-h300/IMG_2639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A good snowpack in here at 3000+ feet.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-cErXN6WTDQHr72WZke2_RJy368v69oezA2qLfWj9p90M2LgXOQS6ofs1w9Gf_FzVnIh90wKboFHLG1_W1Nyx7-jc5stP-qBkANrOZkm4eD6RJ_OgjZLMTgM4rnmcWRo3d_rg51ta3QxEaWORxoJhhJs9ocxrM1sW0FngoKt4VLMltYTPR4YNn0fOBmb/s4032/IMG_2646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-cErXN6WTDQHr72WZke2_RJy368v69oezA2qLfWj9p90M2LgXOQS6ofs1w9Gf_FzVnIh90wKboFHLG1_W1Nyx7-jc5stP-qBkANrOZkm4eD6RJ_OgjZLMTgM4rnmcWRo3d_rg51ta3QxEaWORxoJhhJs9ocxrM1sW0FngoKt4VLMltYTPR4YNn0fOBmb/w400-h300/IMG_2646.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhj_71dmlgts_qIQg5BSkYlHaxER9MfvvVfR_ctItHpJOTPxNThaQIpttq9DIqmGBIyPpuhYltVR5bn75t3z94oM2CHIshfNTC4sqto9ScxJRbKW3rWqYGI7nYjEcxfxuzoyjQJHizz-4Evnbh1upu68k0V4rm67NYEKpVcXEtBjFclmSblWNvLNMj2sD/s4032/IMG_2641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhj_71dmlgts_qIQg5BSkYlHaxER9MfvvVfR_ctItHpJOTPxNThaQIpttq9DIqmGBIyPpuhYltVR5bn75t3z94oM2CHIshfNTC4sqto9ScxJRbKW3rWqYGI7nYjEcxfxuzoyjQJHizz-4Evnbh1upu68k0V4rm67NYEKpVcXEtBjFclmSblWNvLNMj2sD/w400-h300/IMG_2641.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the way down I wandered off the packed track for a while, weaving through beautiful open woods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTLF63mWSfCIEO2cwD5ENa2G0gAAVZ872UI3iqAF6cZj4He_CzX8GqZkfFzua3yhdjc3HeBeTSzyoP31WBeNKLd2nm9hyphenhyphenmieACEBIHfbPY5qtmZitgU7m_S8McLPQFCn4PEPgbwurRN7jHBDBdQkEcSdfYoX0pRzOY7hHVLCSVgT71UccM3ySH99UNcJQ/s4032/IMG_2659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTLF63mWSfCIEO2cwD5ENa2G0gAAVZ872UI3iqAF6cZj4He_CzX8GqZkfFzua3yhdjc3HeBeTSzyoP31WBeNKLd2nm9hyphenhyphenmieACEBIHfbPY5qtmZitgU7m_S8McLPQFCn4PEPgbwurRN7jHBDBdQkEcSdfYoX0pRzOY7hHVLCSVgT71UccM3ySH99UNcJQ/w400-h300/IMG_2659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Farther down the valley I chatted with the two skiers. I was happy that they had a safe and enjoyable swoop down the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lDTDOp8bLmOVhESNXClP8BhIKvhuyu9hDty5OoPMm4RVYUVmD5jfOUs2hF4ECvi6jO4m7iG68Dh2oiD_jRkHY27-ISyXfwhh65UgFd3CyF9GN7IoCgPV3ppCoVh0E7N8vu1h0Qqx5RD8JclLP2DZ16aQiu0kDebdtckbzuEGwfSr5s4aFwtMMMe8SXWj/s4032/IMG_2664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lDTDOp8bLmOVhESNXClP8BhIKvhuyu9hDty5OoPMm4RVYUVmD5jfOUs2hF4ECvi6jO4m7iG68Dh2oiD_jRkHY27-ISyXfwhh65UgFd3CyF9GN7IoCgPV3ppCoVh0E7N8vu1h0Qqx5RD8JclLP2DZ16aQiu0kDebdtckbzuEGwfSr5s4aFwtMMMe8SXWj/w400-h300/IMG_2664.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-29543921776719279922024-02-13T19:30:00.000-05:002024-02-13T19:30:17.104-05:00Scaur Ridge Ramble: 2/12/24<p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny skies prevailed south of the notches on this fine winter day, following several days of unseasonable warmth. The snowpack had firmed up overnight and with cooler temperatures this day, it looked to remain supportive for snowshoeing. There were numerous reports of trails badly postholed during the thaw, so I headed down to Waterville Valley and the familiar Livermore Trail, where I knew at least the first 2.2 miles would provide smooth snowshoeing. Beyond there I hoped to head out to the NW side of Mount Tripyramid in the Scaur Ridge/Avalanche Ravine area.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiwLlxm0Q8Owf_8AHaJHMSiNGUIRz0CbcE98knyW3ieHzzuhyA4MpnQNfXkIFRaVRXfG6TxQRUkl0sId5A7utmfSPeU3uyGtOa5iFBYPam9sGy1hggJVEJWgXvKRkgpmAHgf8MPU1VDk6inYwI7mjnqhmxGkKRfK4HJ_-VGZ5LxDH6ixyVwZMEPx2xB5T/s4032/IMG_2150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiwLlxm0Q8Owf_8AHaJHMSiNGUIRz0CbcE98knyW3ieHzzuhyA4MpnQNfXkIFRaVRXfG6TxQRUkl0sId5A7utmfSPeU3uyGtOa5iFBYPam9sGy1hggJVEJWgXvKRkgpmAHgf8MPU1VDk6inYwI7mjnqhmxGkKRfK4HJ_-VGZ5LxDH6ixyVwZMEPx2xB5T/w400-h300/IMG_2150.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">I wasn't surprised to find a chopped-up jumble of frozen postholes on Livermore Trail beyond the groomed section. Time to suck it up and weave through them or go along the edge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAIcHmKi1TOc5YYxzzs-mltUGFQ0gSYYx4LefM3RK7qAudQbmC_ab4DHj_NBnkvsxOc4aWQHjGS1S1Z7oAY-CTZpwUHN5fEkiE3mM_gd4zEgveFMnAi_ql2i7yv9WOLl6hGNI2DTIrKKlAyzDT-fxugQMh3kxlzhSRg8haa6eleNjnawGXqub56Ly3mzy/s4032/IMG_2154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAIcHmKi1TOc5YYxzzs-mltUGFQ0gSYYx4LefM3RK7qAudQbmC_ab4DHj_NBnkvsxOc4aWQHjGS1S1Z7oAY-CTZpwUHN5fEkiE3mM_gd4zEgveFMnAi_ql2i7yv9WOLl6hGNI2DTIrKKlAyzDT-fxugQMh3kxlzhSRg8haa6eleNjnawGXqub56Ly3mzy/w400-h300/IMG_2154.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">White Cascade was sporting a different look after the thaw and refreeze.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwQcyQ2RjbEcfbSLxu6pyQmSSVnj8Glw-MXQVyrWWGB9gWTwIb-8_fpt9-MLzfsX4OivZJp2txOAONVjZ512vLYLLZFHid-QikjV7QZMHxkHrwgHgn0MWLwdO27MicppbfQZUTW1Y_DsXRVlQ6a5NrphVZi4qqTB2gPeP3LtCnfHCdSsNoGULa2JzCIfO/s4032/IMG_2158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwQcyQ2RjbEcfbSLxu6pyQmSSVnj8Glw-MXQVyrWWGB9gWTwIb-8_fpt9-MLzfsX4OivZJp2txOAONVjZ512vLYLLZFHid-QikjV7QZMHxkHrwgHgn0MWLwdO27MicppbfQZUTW1Y_DsXRVlQ6a5NrphVZi4qqTB2gPeP3LtCnfHCdSsNoGULa2JzCIfO/w400-h300/IMG_2158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Though there was still a bewildering mix of postholes and snowshoe tracks, the trail conditions were somewhat better after the junction with the south end of Mount Tripyramid Trail. The sun was pouring down in the expansive hardwood forest, but the snowpack was holding firm.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpylvHr7CBLPGa44o486DnN0qFnsnIClTZq6YrUyo4B2OMysvdKJsq6w6I2lYsHQCLttUpfCTSguECowO1Whf_8xwHoTXpjKxMwWnTidpGLm6w-4ff8P4Tlecgt9mAHqC78a7dQl3L4-MoBayRNzDeN8barec_TfwhvRTihfLyBLSTBrozgxVF0aB5JMQV/s4032/IMG_2165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpylvHr7CBLPGa44o486DnN0qFnsnIClTZq6YrUyo4B2OMysvdKJsq6w6I2lYsHQCLttUpfCTSguECowO1Whf_8xwHoTXpjKxMwWnTidpGLm6w-4ff8P4Tlecgt9mAHqC78a7dQl3L4-MoBayRNzDeN8barec_TfwhvRTihfLyBLSTBrozgxVF0aB5JMQV/w400-h300/IMG_2165.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">At 3.8 miles I turned onto the Scaur Ridge Trail, a longtime favorite that takes you high up on the flank of Scaur Peak.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg967jRQzl61CE0O-3ZZMXLt__8V5r_eF0ow17lfNzsW6ddtZycizn0vg4XSFr_7kuxOgmdVIMb424sCE6seGrTtV6eR_iLKqNNuvuqDlvDDh8aZCt_sSM8SsXIAMi2XvMtDnwdaxni5jyD6LqlK1Ecx1wxfd7tZMw0rOZT9FPJpAPsl90njqyQw9G9OWyF/s4032/IMG_2170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg967jRQzl61CE0O-3ZZMXLt__8V5r_eF0ow17lfNzsW6ddtZycizn0vg4XSFr_7kuxOgmdVIMb424sCE6seGrTtV6eR_iLKqNNuvuqDlvDDh8aZCt_sSM8SsXIAMi2XvMtDnwdaxni5jyD6LqlK1Ecx1wxfd7tZMw0rOZT9FPJpAPsl90njqyQw9G9OWyF/w400-h300/IMG_2170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A looming North Tripyramid welcomes you to the Wilderness.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHs6Ur5wua3_9td31vKZG08HsPobyWfBamcWLWckRcWil9IIzGIGaK8fK5YYHSspm_mU36t0QM29-hvRkN7ErSViBGO1EfHQ8x7hSkIoQGsFWMJYfm0Vj6N301Ue7yVQKopDmcBDtz0TEg46DD1dys7nNPeZBqRUsJFf5B5IJXkAYfhcZ4GENg4FtIX9n/s4032/IMG_2171.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHs6Ur5wua3_9td31vKZG08HsPobyWfBamcWLWckRcWil9IIzGIGaK8fK5YYHSspm_mU36t0QM29-hvRkN7ErSViBGO1EfHQ8x7hSkIoQGsFWMJYfm0Vj6N301Ue7yVQKopDmcBDtz0TEg46DD1dys7nNPeZBqRUsJFf5B5IJXkAYfhcZ4GENg4FtIX9n/w400-h300/IMG_2171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">For its first 0.9 mile the Scaur Ridge Trail follows an old logging road at easy to moderate grades. On this narrower trail snowshoers had coalesced onto a single track, which was quite firm if a bit choppy and peppered with a few postholes.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGGtQhQbgYn5pb5Lkmy022bFAw3D106F1zt5Ou4_v_q7vxIzEkWdj6nQ2kg2TCU63WtyJvf3oSqGjOOAxt4B41no7R9HT_ZXxP5PP4s28ScHMEgysMSwlZ9MwMkZaFyY7KvR3ZhTgIWb1G6mqCdojx9q8lHBGLZpAftuTf8JXTE9EUMbB-YgHERiQH8vH/s4032/IMG_2182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGGtQhQbgYn5pb5Lkmy022bFAw3D106F1zt5Ou4_v_q7vxIzEkWdj6nQ2kg2TCU63WtyJvf3oSqGjOOAxt4B41no7R9HT_ZXxP5PP4s28ScHMEgysMSwlZ9MwMkZaFyY7KvR3ZhTgIWb1G6mqCdojx9q8lHBGLZpAftuTf8JXTE9EUMbB-YgHERiQH8vH/w400-h300/IMG_2182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">As it cuts across the slope through open hardwoods, the trail provides several looks at the imposing North Slide of Tripyramid, seen across a deep ravine.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSDW678IuYFff1h4V81wM2gzU2R0Nr6uHUzg5AVbomxf-tv2ZuCxDTgXbuMZ5NFlQIJbluMNJna2MpaR_s7xjjMSg3K918OK5ug-JwnsLHS9Xs2Xtj5dS0eBzP9twcS5fXtXTNZli0Yu9omgRTEhyphenhyphenAUvoZgnzosjXBqLK9gJcFCeMeGa97ghIUpLDp6g7/s4032/IMG_2193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSDW678IuYFff1h4V81wM2gzU2R0Nr6uHUzg5AVbomxf-tv2ZuCxDTgXbuMZ5NFlQIJbluMNJna2MpaR_s7xjjMSg3K918OK5ug-JwnsLHS9Xs2Xtj5dS0eBzP9twcS5fXtXTNZli0Yu9omgRTEhyphenhyphenAUvoZgnzosjXBqLK9gJcFCeMeGa97ghIUpLDp6g7/w400-h300/IMG_2193.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">At 3100 ft. the trail bends around the head of the ravine above an open glade of old yellow birches.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf7emJk6gfCksuwm9ZctntoyZB0q7MTLN6gShU31okv5Z0a_qIw1xK9kk0byjAJYDT4wctr8PMsUvljdjwtqX3xIi6Oro7kaR-7PoO3rUpoFPjkvILfO6yQTMV58chFmZ5qcORViIEYCbTZx4L0CXUJpsZ6fBCm7oWSki-BeA2u-I2vZh0p_xYmP8M4zD/s4032/IMG_2203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf7emJk6gfCksuwm9ZctntoyZB0q7MTLN6gShU31okv5Z0a_qIw1xK9kk0byjAJYDT4wctr8PMsUvljdjwtqX3xIi6Oro7kaR-7PoO3rUpoFPjkvILfO6yQTMV58chFmZ5qcORViIEYCbTZx4L0CXUJpsZ6fBCm7oWSki-BeA2u-I2vZh0p_xYmP8M4zD/w400-h300/IMG_2203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Climbing briefly towards the sun.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIWGiYbRMe9kwCk-jjCW4Yf8pPbizw0-Z6KSct8JNGAi8Llsfj0qDysBWmQ5vYIIwvLqnhBEywzJPyNGtFwEd3NVYKMLKiKBn3oWrAISZAEkSkQti6IH9XM7ewJtEifoCTSbDL3m_KZGn2ENO-s626J6Bbu8W7NMiEqqeHv6_6G2aS73TfDOexpb6tcrk/s4032/IMG_2205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIWGiYbRMe9kwCk-jjCW4Yf8pPbizw0-Z6KSct8JNGAi8Llsfj0qDysBWmQ5vYIIwvLqnhBEywzJPyNGtFwEd3NVYKMLKiKBn3oWrAISZAEkSkQti6IH9XM7ewJtEifoCTSbDL3m_KZGn2ENO-s626J6Bbu8W7NMiEqqeHv6_6G2aS73TfDOexpb6tcrk/w400-h300/IMG_2205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A steady climbs leads to the crest of the ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxqXODByXcN7tU77G-Jr01xaHphvqGoUZY9x6i2eNggoTL79IdXchYI3QSlZDPyufqqe1RHpPERV4Dq9fBP0FlpLntzgQTQNK6Joho2r8f-5cRV0BQaeFcf96fD-aTM9WB-7jZPTaQIa7be1-7TfdtX0BABCvnxJwzbXZwsvdw7Djkl9QD9ay0DknWIpn/s4032/IMG_2209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxqXODByXcN7tU77G-Jr01xaHphvqGoUZY9x6i2eNggoTL79IdXchYI3QSlZDPyufqqe1RHpPERV4Dq9fBP0FlpLntzgQTQNK6Joho2r8f-5cRV0BQaeFcf96fD-aTM9WB-7jZPTaQIa7be1-7TfdtX0BABCvnxJwzbXZwsvdw7Djkl9QD9ay0DknWIpn/w400-h300/IMG_2209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This upper section was badly postholed.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFgXKL3DC96UGiJRgXuRh79_ZIKNDRMoIoiGBAoPBYErx_CdiNgtfaFYJv1u99JjMcVzFXXJjL8oQYllryh4gPXDMrRXvfe3O2VmRb-gU_dXtbEnN-5_ZbBi1pd0gPoQPxzvsrg2_FIXMBIs6VIZQTb-3t1K4HUXK8K0RtopMMx6GtwvgWMm2BUfxCKcP/s4032/IMG_2211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFgXKL3DC96UGiJRgXuRh79_ZIKNDRMoIoiGBAoPBYErx_CdiNgtfaFYJv1u99JjMcVzFXXJjL8oQYllryh4gPXDMrRXvfe3O2VmRb-gU_dXtbEnN-5_ZbBi1pd0gPoQPxzvsrg2_FIXMBIs6VIZQTb-3t1K4HUXK8K0RtopMMx6GtwvgWMm2BUfxCKcP/w400-h300/IMG_2211.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Near the junction with the Pine Bend Brook Trail, I headed off-trail down to a favorite glade that opens views to the north when there is a decent snowpack.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtIFjZSnhPwQIHAn5dN6lyEM6caR7RUxWamHKCTnZaHzKrGjFFpfuDbHyTU5YtOpay37UxLbv5zLUn9yDi8k29tNEGc7XcqeKzO_gj2MBBphJmgdk6uf7FbGt-VYhkIRdinz506Kef1gg8mBntqsBR-QnkwGrr1ZfJh9NPdFVh1cHVhuhOm8A_-aIWXKp/s4032/IMG_2214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtIFjZSnhPwQIHAn5dN6lyEM6caR7RUxWamHKCTnZaHzKrGjFFpfuDbHyTU5YtOpay37UxLbv5zLUn9yDi8k29tNEGc7XcqeKzO_gj2MBBphJmgdk6uf7FbGt-VYhkIRdinz506Kef1gg8mBntqsBR-QnkwGrr1ZfJh9NPdFVh1cHVhuhOm8A_-aIWXKp/w400-h300/IMG_2214.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mount Carrigain and Carrigain Notch, with Mount Willey peeking over in back.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYYdQKCSFopX27GLxrDRdbN-l0GM7GPEWNiYbAYpyUnvbrwno5TQxQYgGp22iNlSuqDTHHqzlt6zafEfnYQx3Y6d9cRO-y9so9JJFGFkZh5fVucbaH7qv_pTiEXRZlNWA642ZdL_EODQBC_34dCLBs1rRq21H8j3uVSNeHuo0uk5FqSE-SwgVd_CfuPiZ/s4032/IMG_2234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYYdQKCSFopX27GLxrDRdbN-l0GM7GPEWNiYbAYpyUnvbrwno5TQxQYgGp22iNlSuqDTHHqzlt6zafEfnYQx3Y6d9cRO-y9so9JJFGFkZh5fVucbaH7qv_pTiEXRZlNWA642ZdL_EODQBC_34dCLBs1rRq21H8j3uVSNeHuo0uk5FqSE-SwgVd_CfuPiZ/w400-h300/IMG_2234.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Baldface Range beyond Owl Cliff and Bartlett Haystack.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8xfG5bbooXdeIJX_TZk2oLnd_81igPjeAU2Z0-EELzdtNJ4HJqZ76SdYQEQ3oXTWoIZqeuu68YJqVa9HEMlk5LDQzfqq0jI5PyTzOzWKqwMFPanDWxGtHjR-qeVVl3ga_W3HLzVQ0r8kEAA9ak6SGWuPeHqjwuNvgqrXP6FGbTRL7yLHf3NtSwOt1L7E/s4032/IMG_2226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8xfG5bbooXdeIJX_TZk2oLnd_81igPjeAU2Z0-EELzdtNJ4HJqZ76SdYQEQ3oXTWoIZqeuu68YJqVa9HEMlk5LDQzfqq0jI5PyTzOzWKqwMFPanDWxGtHjR-qeVVl3ga_W3HLzVQ0r8kEAA9ak6SGWuPeHqjwuNvgqrXP6FGbTRL7yLHf3NtSwOt1L7E/w400-h300/IMG_2226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">This spot provides the widest view, including the Presidentials, Montalban Ridge, Green's Cliff, the Wildcats and Carters, and Mount Tremont.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLq1b2FAhvMOi2g8O7XW4IT1wdXQnPABfJme-AD0n0-yFS3bpWz3kp8dPMHqwiVx8DJJKyBa7SD5fvi0FpP1PqQqsN4E7ASwXAopkIHPfVJaOQ7cHQAMx3AWRLZu7DdBaritJ_-ihoNZAeRyHKjvOPWPS6ES_4Yecf_SZVbTAElLNKGW_oYbcT9QoUbBt/s4032/IMG_2239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLq1b2FAhvMOi2g8O7XW4IT1wdXQnPABfJme-AD0n0-yFS3bpWz3kp8dPMHqwiVx8DJJKyBa7SD5fvi0FpP1PqQqsN4E7ASwXAopkIHPfVJaOQ7cHQAMx3AWRLZu7DdBaritJ_-ihoNZAeRyHKjvOPWPS6ES_4Yecf_SZVbTAElLNKGW_oYbcT9QoUbBt/w400-h300/IMG_2239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Though the Southern Presidentials were mostly socked in, Mount Washington was clear and shining.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzNwBcfEt1AAO7GGgu_a3Ig4BY0PEtXAR6G5qGZ4Aw49d8zjJCXc77AlMZ6QnJS23DowZ1lEAwXXykZaz-mUlBOKydFO6-vhxv3DJE1WFiCLBtBbRkSsm5VQ2yu4jrdlL2FUcQMWV2kwTPnF8cbcrJnPv5nBH1Tm6Wad24uT56iaHANBkZoJ-Kdl2NXu7/s4032/IMG_2243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzNwBcfEt1AAO7GGgu_a3Ig4BY0PEtXAR6G5qGZ4Aw49d8zjJCXc77AlMZ6QnJS23DowZ1lEAwXXykZaz-mUlBOKydFO6-vhxv3DJE1WFiCLBtBbRkSsm5VQ2yu4jrdlL2FUcQMWV2kwTPnF8cbcrJnPv5nBH1Tm6Wad24uT56iaHANBkZoJ-Kdl2NXu7/w400-h300/IMG_2243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As expected, the well-used Pine Bend Brook Trail was a near-concrete sidewalk. A hiker I chatted with by the junction said some of the steep pitches on the cone of North Tripyramid were getting icy and were not pleasant coming down. I opted not to head to the summit, but instead followed the trail along the neat knife-edge ridge shown here, climbed a little way up the cone, then bushwhacked to an open slide patch on the headwall of Avalanche Ravine for more views. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ccJ094-hew6BxbVLL27nZFoUo9NlA3LE3pJhT_1kvOl26eQOBzRqp-UOaU003qfSpDdph9NkXvHlplYfoeRI8pZs2Zo1GD0RO8pFF3Z7o9L1zM-qm0J7RlTVxS6NJ3LrAaAz6UcBoj89Ll_EgeHgV4Ra-ncygvGluXrLtar3XDlcavBEnU5uoFKe0cHu/s4032/IMG_2255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ccJ094-hew6BxbVLL27nZFoUo9NlA3LE3pJhT_1kvOl26eQOBzRqp-UOaU003qfSpDdph9NkXvHlplYfoeRI8pZs2Zo1GD0RO8pFF3Z7o9L1zM-qm0J7RlTVxS6NJ3LrAaAz6UcBoj89Ll_EgeHgV4Ra-ncygvGluXrLtar3XDlcavBEnU5uoFKe0cHu/w400-h300/IMG_2255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">From several previous visits, I knew that the woods were open on the bushwhack, and on this day the sugary snow was quite supportive.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBzyLgxV6Ur-Dg_BLm_lTY75Hd4Jse9ZV_JmYCMMyyPtNFN9nm_MCuaAae8iKgHn8JD_6gL1L8dgA1OabaO_uiwc3GS_Q5bYyOmqePixGwYZhzlGGnLbaYsskEONaYHtUbwaal-XY3FaNglwBmD5P6INoTEL3wF8AyN7sF2GWIzob_TRmJnAjunCy_vrV/s4032/IMG_2258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBzyLgxV6Ur-Dg_BLm_lTY75Hd4Jse9ZV_JmYCMMyyPtNFN9nm_MCuaAae8iKgHn8JD_6gL1L8dgA1OabaO_uiwc3GS_Q5bYyOmqePixGwYZhzlGGnLbaYsskEONaYHtUbwaal-XY3FaNglwBmD5P6INoTEL3wF8AyN7sF2GWIzob_TRmJnAjunCy_vrV/w400-h300/IMG_2258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Nice!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7ztxkJW9Wjt41kkw2pJM3a2ttSH9W7-PtFdyNFynY2_aDDBtBgGkrJJUoRzEJXGBYkwNidPEHaNjNUCT27s7CQ-IuR5JD-9m_AA-uIlzgKpS1-giJtu-Uo9seDsXlv65o9CFqfDXxKvaioXip1LK_vylcys0odK3hyqzbUoFHXPUAzDv4SJbheL2oKvD/s4032/IMG_2262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7ztxkJW9Wjt41kkw2pJM3a2ttSH9W7-PtFdyNFynY2_aDDBtBgGkrJJUoRzEJXGBYkwNidPEHaNjNUCT27s7CQ-IuR5JD-9m_AA-uIlzgKpS1-giJtu-Uo9seDsXlv65o9CFqfDXxKvaioXip1LK_vylcys0odK3hyqzbUoFHXPUAzDv4SJbheL2oKvD/w400-h300/IMG_2262.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, no sun on the NW-facing slide. This is the upper of two remaining open strips on a slide that fell during the same August 1885 rainstorm that triggered Tripyramid's massive North Slide and several others in Avalanche Ravine (or more properly the Ravine of Avalanches).<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYHcDl6TbKOIgN-rjCWvSu8PKIs294kdxlCojCQ8oliqan9vwQFvkkqbO5wRB1yLcgR2DlG8Wn24td1eKbejnNH9TwRLiatRY_lpm9o5B2IG8bBAEpUOFCSc6iUPcxueTLhbKWu15ET21ufAJRMWgoZRC5k3MQJtX9TMGXKnFwX4zjk5nt9tL5Osy3LJA/s4032/IMG_2268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYHcDl6TbKOIgN-rjCWvSu8PKIs294kdxlCojCQ8oliqan9vwQFvkkqbO5wRB1yLcgR2DlG8Wn24td1eKbejnNH9TwRLiatRY_lpm9o5B2IG8bBAEpUOFCSc6iUPcxueTLhbKWu15ET21ufAJRMWgoZRC5k3MQJtX9TMGXKnFwX4zjk5nt9tL5Osy3LJA/w400-h300/IMG_2268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There's a nice view here centered on Mounts Hancock and Carrigain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRcU6FfTd0EkK7kKlKQpzNdLOZ4mI5c39NkrJSu1ttcPkdERB2FxSaBfbI7U1KCWmz4ITHej-aF4ptKoLzFsWUSWXkPnX8bClf6zMOomNvicHztqdLhAcZST5M1smxpFN_yR8krSOD58CPj9USSdwK8DQTpMNwgXTi9OiDSiiDKFRYsHsoH5wMjIUo3B6/s4032/IMG_2278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRcU6FfTd0EkK7kKlKQpzNdLOZ4mI5c39NkrJSu1ttcPkdERB2FxSaBfbI7U1KCWmz4ITHej-aF4ptKoLzFsWUSWXkPnX8bClf6zMOomNvicHztqdLhAcZST5M1smxpFN_yR8krSOD58CPj9USSdwK8DQTpMNwgXTi9OiDSiiDKFRYsHsoH5wMjIUo3B6/w400-h300/IMG_2278.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Zoom on Hancock and Carrigain, with Bondcliff and West Bond peering over on the far left.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln6vo7kY0uSRGpw4GNaHtfltvOcV7vblsbMEBsLZzYguVNgro5KdlbY09xslBD6BXxm4H1zqEAymeNDteCpZFLl8vqHqE6C7J30-5zwh-qX-Xw3Y5AbZB9xM41WI0p6KUgMkxvyrq-3QoC6K8rAUbtgBhYPqqElT15azXh3D2KGcA-Jq82O5hHtyr05pf/s4032/IMG_2281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln6vo7kY0uSRGpw4GNaHtfltvOcV7vblsbMEBsLZzYguVNgro5KdlbY09xslBD6BXxm4H1zqEAymeNDteCpZFLl8vqHqE6C7J30-5zwh-qX-Xw3Y5AbZB9xM41WI0p6KUgMkxvyrq-3QoC6K8rAUbtgBhYPqqElT15azXh3D2KGcA-Jq82O5hHtyr05pf/w400-h300/IMG_2281.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Nearly three feet of snow at this open spot at 3600 ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQmF9oDNPOo4r0pC9NXLFdeYpfM4os2vwRoILxWID46voLENUt3qwEobJhEbw02ZvEV20gKzm3_tSRhyphenhyphenrFeCwzbsmCDKisgIIHYa0q1OIXQMma8CeEVVDN6Pwy83Qa1UuJ2fU45_fMiB-8jwieARnJRb403qU5r5rMZrb4UElC9T11pLkwDkXyhk_lqHJ/s4032/IMG_2291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQmF9oDNPOo4r0pC9NXLFdeYpfM4os2vwRoILxWID46voLENUt3qwEobJhEbw02ZvEV20gKzm3_tSRhyphenhyphenrFeCwzbsmCDKisgIIHYa0q1OIXQMma8CeEVVDN6Pwy83Qa1UuJ2fU45_fMiB-8jwieARnJRb403qU5r5rMZrb4UElC9T11pLkwDkXyhk_lqHJ/w400-h300/IMG_2291.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Flat-topped Scaur Peak rises across the ravine.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pAwMVOvBsAXX8ZX_6ldgXTWaSTacWBuyqI7lC7I7J2A-Yq1nWBfmzTUlmPsJLreknOawAA61gvCohPMzjQQ2JzzIOnxrBdsCSfHMGklyU_Gpyk0AIcvXj8Vf5pCvrYl7vrtHGkIv7MtkrZ6Lwc_fIDT-zKK2AtAYDVjl9r0wq5C61CMxdmnHzfPQehPq/s4032/IMG_2301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pAwMVOvBsAXX8ZX_6ldgXTWaSTacWBuyqI7lC7I7J2A-Yq1nWBfmzTUlmPsJLreknOawAA61gvCohPMzjQQ2JzzIOnxrBdsCSfHMGklyU_Gpyk0AIcvXj8Vf5pCvrYl7vrtHGkIv7MtkrZ6Lwc_fIDT-zKK2AtAYDVjl9r0wq5C61CMxdmnHzfPQehPq/w400-h300/IMG_2301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Franconia Range is in the distance over the left side of Scaur Peak.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeui0in8wjO2vh5rindhHr6ofEyl-UOu5Xn4T-kcrGWtc9BEihwCQBG04p1VT739OeJDd4K0hlUDkinAT2kwIvhcFk3DJYYq2b_eh8-dTLeAfPBuX_TWc0_6dFzP9meoNILKzJp5ta6_asfQkaFqi_kIZeMqiTb2boCBMd9Iq90wFgPKPyXqnawy4KjfX/s4032/IMG_2302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeui0in8wjO2vh5rindhHr6ofEyl-UOu5Xn4T-kcrGWtc9BEihwCQBG04p1VT739OeJDd4K0hlUDkinAT2kwIvhcFk3DJYYq2b_eh8-dTLeAfPBuX_TWc0_6dFzP9meoNILKzJp5ta6_asfQkaFqi_kIZeMqiTb2boCBMd9Iq90wFgPKPyXqnawy4KjfX/w400-h300/IMG_2302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Afternoon shadows on the Osceolas.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_p1OCBxF_SRrmnAHeLNob9I5vIhSVX0HuvLM0o2V3KotAIjAAattCpmj8CH1pte39H9l0HBAUZpEvK-t3Q_1hwejueXOnFH8MWRgUE47OcONuKmqQkcavQIr_fvgjvywG1GH6M9LZnBC-Iudx8mWw0KDhqfRVJf44i718Fe62cRZehiwYkykaxBEIe5X/s4032/IMG_2309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_p1OCBxF_SRrmnAHeLNob9I5vIhSVX0HuvLM0o2V3KotAIjAAattCpmj8CH1pte39H9l0HBAUZpEvK-t3Q_1hwejueXOnFH8MWRgUE47OcONuKmqQkcavQIr_fvgjvywG1GH6M9LZnBC-Iudx8mWw0KDhqfRVJf44i718Fe62cRZehiwYkykaxBEIe5X/w400-h300/IMG_2309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back at my tracks on the return trip to the trail. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxLWsRdFiSju3aFYDv3amCACG5QuAldzyr2OEEmOoPkaIlfPh-DpN-g6u5FoIj0U2B8kOAMw5PyyGj8afWxP6pZ3dtVGdRhvUXRgIMOWLBmWEl6pqp1GQZLemqzXjg1KlEc9ly1VRenK80JD_de2VOSAAAI6notk3bS3yfAJbSRGeR93yHVvPs59Fg1DJ/s4032/IMG_2322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxLWsRdFiSju3aFYDv3amCACG5QuAldzyr2OEEmOoPkaIlfPh-DpN-g6u5FoIj0U2B8kOAMw5PyyGj8afWxP6pZ3dtVGdRhvUXRgIMOWLBmWEl6pqp1GQZLemqzXjg1KlEc9ly1VRenK80JD_de2VOSAAAI6notk3bS3yfAJbSRGeR93yHVvPs59Fg1DJ/w400-h300/IMG_2322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Afternoon sun on the knife-edge ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzk_Mr541jSKOTamrT4SvGUgvagT-2NIxI0UA-ia950KngZELTbCNb1zDCQC-4ylhR3N5aR8b14eAEcTZE9dqEtKXF7P9miBVGtTnlpa5MTpxdNjGQ5rnU-aRHgAZ9zMG220SFYcedJCcNsJFy42oM1SeUmKTylSKLqdnmlOXiZSk0qeF95wLJ7SsC6gS/s4032/IMG_2326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzk_Mr541jSKOTamrT4SvGUgvagT-2NIxI0UA-ia950KngZELTbCNb1zDCQC-4ylhR3N5aR8b14eAEcTZE9dqEtKXF7P9miBVGtTnlpa5MTpxdNjGQ5rnU-aRHgAZ9zMG220SFYcedJCcNsJFy42oM1SeUmKTylSKLqdnmlOXiZSk0qeF95wLJ7SsC6gS/w400-h300/IMG_2326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The postholes on the upper Scaur Ridge Trail were more of a hindrance on the descent.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSXE5szdIlvrL5vXNYHwPnjiwYT9Unv6Ese6lGTQWAUe70ie5Ef6BzSuXAY0_V6ZzpKrmvsQxg2I5_ctEHsC9T61KYPn4A5UjbV8C4IIhsdnZmMVLOprpsjT8QRX0zkAN4J0D2mAWkkgKQ9ayXE32umK9NYqkEHALBJRQlKP0AmhHcNu5njzz3WOAxidk/s4032/IMG_2332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSXE5szdIlvrL5vXNYHwPnjiwYT9Unv6Ese6lGTQWAUe70ie5Ef6BzSuXAY0_V6ZzpKrmvsQxg2I5_ctEHsC9T61KYPn4A5UjbV8C4IIhsdnZmMVLOprpsjT8QRX0zkAN4J0D2mAWkkgKQ9ayXE32umK9NYqkEHALBJRQlKP0AmhHcNu5njzz3WOAxidk/w400-h300/IMG_2332.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I took a shortcut down through the woods to bypass part of that section.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaspmO8yxGan8-CBPkiyxWahNs_3wjikVqWJUWwTC2Wm53RJ8tC6duvTfUiidq2wAOyAQplztt9by-45JzCKCYqsPB5CDabNTfxFfyQ3-MD5W1CqejxcWo76wjsUlwh343AoITVuo8zrqdzJVbuGpHQDSmsFa5ZrH2iQyK927o97ok7FoAYKCylHR3HZO/s4032/IMG_2335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaspmO8yxGan8-CBPkiyxWahNs_3wjikVqWJUWwTC2Wm53RJ8tC6duvTfUiidq2wAOyAQplztt9by-45JzCKCYqsPB5CDabNTfxFfyQ3-MD5W1CqejxcWo76wjsUlwh343AoITVuo8zrqdzJVbuGpHQDSmsFa5ZrH2iQyK927o97ok7FoAYKCylHR3HZO/w400-h300/IMG_2335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Gnarled yellow birches at the head of the ravine.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahT7PpauiWjoGc1oUugOH5_jIVKGW5Rxue8MrILYhndrIX3R3yC2YaZ_kAcP9oAd6qQlSowqpu6OaYfSHRY5AGv5rFrhL1Yz8hgNdKSGAdc8uHU4NOGouRSkNgbnmWyJtEj9wdAbGvsisz91GJCkUk0t9_EPqRgGblAZPrKt1cK-62IjbQrW4ZMr7qgEr/s4032/IMG_2349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahT7PpauiWjoGc1oUugOH5_jIVKGW5Rxue8MrILYhndrIX3R3yC2YaZ_kAcP9oAd6qQlSowqpu6OaYfSHRY5AGv5rFrhL1Yz8hgNdKSGAdc8uHU4NOGouRSkNgbnmWyJtEj9wdAbGvsisz91GJCkUk0t9_EPqRgGblAZPrKt1cK-62IjbQrW4ZMr7qgEr/w300-h400/IMG_2349.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">North Tripyramid looking fine.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4m2hIDR_Q7SPAh3eFLKG3Q5NQCbDae8_e00oo3JKjVKmG4MS8RMVQVTpN40sYC5YirULwtXuDbBGLi4NNVUIEtoOXMN5nCKYMPq4L2FJeOMWPtL0hDoNeOv1v32ULBsqUOle9C5eoCfqyyJN65ie1jY803Of7diGC-tbebpcpceuPHlhsA7Fs9aCe-aU/s4032/IMG_2373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4m2hIDR_Q7SPAh3eFLKG3Q5NQCbDae8_e00oo3JKjVKmG4MS8RMVQVTpN40sYC5YirULwtXuDbBGLi4NNVUIEtoOXMN5nCKYMPq4L2FJeOMWPtL0hDoNeOv1v32ULBsqUOle9C5eoCfqyyJN65ie1jY803Of7diGC-tbebpcpceuPHlhsA7Fs9aCe-aU/w400-h300/IMG_2373.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Golden hour in the hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXHWIn8BHJvD5dD-jhREK6yV5_W6tJxQbvUW0QoQE7_NceJS1eu3EtJnltOPPF56r1puzjKweGySZMhO_ZlDNMgF8QEBk1OqIBFCjX5uEW2XRwxB6NXqq1m8w3b7OWgoexeX5TaBb1ytO4pYLzh_ABo5aBAT7bHYB9M2pjvO3bUYo0Gd3z9dsvvQLuPPo/s4032/IMG_2388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXHWIn8BHJvD5dD-jhREK6yV5_W6tJxQbvUW0QoQE7_NceJS1eu3EtJnltOPPF56r1puzjKweGySZMhO_ZlDNMgF8QEBk1OqIBFCjX5uEW2XRwxB6NXqq1m8w3b7OWgoexeX5TaBb1ytO4pYLzh_ABo5aBAT7bHYB9M2pjvO3bUYo0Gd3z9dsvvQLuPPo/w400-h300/IMG_2388.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Homeward bound on the Livermore Trail. I navigated the last mile or so by the dim light of a crescent moon.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM98rAb4I36y93VKgaT67JFZ3I5eSkxl8xQRS9ac96iygpGMepI2FNezETh9KhVkIK8H1Fh9to0hlozhXo9Dj28as7aOn-t0pq8OUoa8emLjutDGKF94UuybvgoLuwybrb-BttOkw0JFLv5VzFrznpyPtKL04TThH__w5utTNraoO-OjnkYuLVsJQh4Dt/s4032/IMG_2400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM98rAb4I36y93VKgaT67JFZ3I5eSkxl8xQRS9ac96iygpGMepI2FNezETh9KhVkIK8H1Fh9to0hlozhXo9Dj28as7aOn-t0pq8OUoa8emLjutDGKF94UuybvgoLuwybrb-BttOkw0JFLv5VzFrznpyPtKL04TThH__w5utTNraoO-OjnkYuLVsJQh4Dt/w400-h300/IMG_2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This hike is dedicated to the memory of my bushwhacking partner Mark Klim, who made frequent appearances in this blog. In the photo below, while en route to Mt. Osceola's Dogleg Slide, Mark had just fooled me by playing a recording of a Saw-Whet Owl and was relishing his prank. He was the best hiking companion you could ask for. RIP, my friend.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VM2sBBsVhvh3bxdRbXX61wPdIfCqpO7Q9Y2Pwe58Y63KlEa9qfts0NXhGw0FwmjXdMxN2266275UY8QPkJca4Mn79dXbkB7WN1bJZfpIZeeYYywQUYSOvMNcDlnPER9Ld88OitbPkLt1p_QfnCWlMhc43_oWBK72HJbdLIJO1pBxrcQ3QTRVaj4w502N/s5184/saw-whet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VM2sBBsVhvh3bxdRbXX61wPdIfCqpO7Q9Y2Pwe58Y63KlEa9qfts0NXhGw0FwmjXdMxN2266275UY8QPkJca4Mn79dXbkB7WN1bJZfpIZeeYYywQUYSOvMNcDlnPER9Ld88OitbPkLt1p_QfnCWlMhc43_oWBK72HJbdLIJO1pBxrcQ3QTRVaj4w502N/w400-h300/saw-whet.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-43681176036519971922024-02-08T19:54:00.000-05:002024-02-08T19:54:07.547-05:00Mount Passaconaway: 2/7/24<div><p style="text-align: left;">My original plan for this fine winter day was to head into the Sandwich Range Wilderness on the Downes Brook Trail and snowshoe up to the top of the Downes Brook Slide on Mount Passaconaway for some northerly views. When I went in on the Downes Brook Trail to where the hard-packed route to Potash Mountain veered off, I found abysmal snow conditions beyond: a single ski track paralleling a jumble of postholes. A few lurching snowshoe steps through this mess convinced me to turn around and go for Plan B. I had seen two recent NETC reports on ascents of Mount Passaconaway via the Oliverian Brook Trail route, so I returned to my car and drove a mile east to that trailhead. Depending on trail conditions, I figured I would at least ascend to the Nanmaocomuck Slide along the Square Ledge Trail to get a northern view there.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanT85Yh5IunGWWOD0pDCJyH7NgdOd6y-F7OWZm9MagQI4DwyRjR-VtD5v6Z9Ai41YyeD14ewD40T9D1tqqDQ5Sd0Rw0dqvjdnJBVpSmTuA0e89ChZfQdtTjroUbUN0KB9GWZqDvADep_R8X3s5_4VEzKlvXxOZY8ajtF4em3AO42AGFnuoK3dN4gC76xY/s4032/IMG_1972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanT85Yh5IunGWWOD0pDCJyH7NgdOd6y-F7OWZm9MagQI4DwyRjR-VtD5v6Z9Ai41YyeD14ewD40T9D1tqqDQ5Sd0Rw0dqvjdnJBVpSmTuA0e89ChZfQdtTjroUbUN0KB9GWZqDvADep_R8X3s5_4VEzKlvXxOZY8ajtF4em3AO42AGFnuoK3dN4gC76xY/w400-h300/IMG_1972.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Conditions were firm but choppy on the Oliverian Brook Trail. There were various critter tracks on the frozen beaver pond 0.7 mile up the trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0Xtip-rgiNKWp30P27hOoFxCkQtjQNkE7KY6LLPYCis8Nrha9rq-6uxJUHYcJwEF6XrH4gMqqFBt8CqGnck62n_Fi5vXM5SrMTEcfi53uy9CwCLJT5GgZIL9M04cNb6ecpY79SUyrBxJBGIARa_IWO6LAWHLWPXuxX3eDYqCtcIvpU9SiSrFqlmLUhlO/s4032/IMG_1975.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0Xtip-rgiNKWp30P27hOoFxCkQtjQNkE7KY6LLPYCis8Nrha9rq-6uxJUHYcJwEF6XrH4gMqqFBt8CqGnck62n_Fi5vXM5SrMTEcfi53uy9CwCLJT5GgZIL9M04cNb6ecpY79SUyrBxJBGIARa_IWO6LAWHLWPXuxX3eDYqCtcIvpU9SiSrFqlmLUhlO/w400-h300/IMG_1975.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A straight shot on the bed of the early 1900s Swift River Railroad.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsy0wpARCI3pYKSE8GE5BVCViocGDGsDTzsdAcmwrG1PAoZ2PNO-FVCCk8yvnw4F4DqU4rXeSQPXVTtObw8XSKrPzJ1wNZOdRXlmmF6KQ47KHDFeQoYbejWkRgyQjJZs_H1M27aw7JDhSZtpjPXvZ0fbEh39hfPy6XSa98-daqnQdPA0u5HNDkLrkfHwO/s4032/IMG_1976.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsy0wpARCI3pYKSE8GE5BVCViocGDGsDTzsdAcmwrG1PAoZ2PNO-FVCCk8yvnw4F4DqU4rXeSQPXVTtObw8XSKrPzJ1wNZOdRXlmmF6KQ47KHDFeQoYbejWkRgyQjJZs_H1M27aw7JDhSZtpjPXvZ0fbEh39hfPy6XSa98-daqnQdPA0u5HNDkLrkfHwO/w400-h300/IMG_1976.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Marshmallow boulders on Oliverian Brook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCWE10GE0M5_lz7H7qLm9B5jxqhuERAwEJjW1ZGfMX3sz0JacRJymMmBA_EglAYiOO66GPrzKvM1p4WoFdTPDytRUruvErAtohwmp-MIQolN0lOHzgutSxEju-K2ZznbIE-W-0_PLtbk9gjMbfzQ5jNDkTkvRzJ07BJL-lxuuGMKcSxGEKfbafGXWROO3/s4032/IMG_1980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCWE10GE0M5_lz7H7qLm9B5jxqhuERAwEJjW1ZGfMX3sz0JacRJymMmBA_EglAYiOO66GPrzKvM1p4WoFdTPDytRUruvErAtohwmp-MIQolN0lOHzgutSxEju-K2ZznbIE-W-0_PLtbk9gjMbfzQ5jNDkTkvRzJ07BJL-lxuuGMKcSxGEKfbafGXWROO3/w400-h300/IMG_1980.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">This is an awkward rocky, side-sloping tributary crossing in summer. Much easier when buried in snow.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj483B800ZbaW6SsstA4b3nno-HTfqeZxoIFXHCs78fIbAoPZvCm91YWP07JO4ispgAHivz5oZgxbcbDrE-FrNg8V2caLayMSEXbX-6U3SCi_1QQ81u-4L3gSUyPX5ysRznMKvQUMkkcFnaJRCG1xIHBJtADLejP2qOu1xKZgYhBO1PJ2stswZvGwWHmeKs/s4032/IMG_1982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj483B800ZbaW6SsstA4b3nno-HTfqeZxoIFXHCs78fIbAoPZvCm91YWP07JO4ispgAHivz5oZgxbcbDrE-FrNg8V2caLayMSEXbX-6U3SCi_1QQ81u-4L3gSUyPX5ysRznMKvQUMkkcFnaJRCG1xIHBJtADLejP2qOu1xKZgYhBO1PJ2stswZvGwWHmeKs/w400-h300/IMG_1982.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A bonus of this route would be a check for any new blowdowns on the Passaconaway Cutoff, which I work on as the adopted trail of the AMC Four Thousand Footer Committee. Happily, there were none.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tjHb98BJ9yHiNe3vyATY2Gw2rSNrW7FD60FsHiZlGVEnZ0vpQsIcRHW7LzDlYANTGOwmd7W8zktyhpiF-nq0e2qHPwzJVAU6SEuLG6dH4Dlh9jbGAJ2YI9_NIl3GwS6m70u2iSQnej449qAwD-xJ6SbPioL3HQB3j0HKCTDa8a7fijTBFXYkPXpbulyo/s4032/IMG_1984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tjHb98BJ9yHiNe3vyATY2Gw2rSNrW7FD60FsHiZlGVEnZ0vpQsIcRHW7LzDlYANTGOwmd7W8zktyhpiF-nq0e2qHPwzJVAU6SEuLG6dH4Dlh9jbGAJ2YI9_NIl3GwS6m70u2iSQnej449qAwD-xJ6SbPioL3HQB3j0HKCTDa8a7fijTBFXYkPXpbulyo/w400-h300/IMG_1984.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately the Cutoff was chewed up by barebooters, making for tedious snowshoeing in places.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHwjpHv3h2te9RwiNV3pZSasR5NbDjeP8WdVwQTrJ1OIab1tZs57U1bWSRlVhOq7zbAcZ4mMXXUSUxJ2D0uXoVt0xydHWbreISN1Qkfvg_tR5djasDI1bRDuBN4CKvXX-5iU3iWbcWDL-9kLPu-oWikYo4rRN-JTyslM0-WdVutS_hQb5DcBTVXq-6Z4U/s4032/IMG_1990.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHwjpHv3h2te9RwiNV3pZSasR5NbDjeP8WdVwQTrJ1OIab1tZs57U1bWSRlVhOq7zbAcZ4mMXXUSUxJ2D0uXoVt0xydHWbreISN1Qkfvg_tR5djasDI1bRDuBN4CKvXX-5iU3iWbcWDL-9kLPu-oWikYo4rRN-JTyslM0-WdVutS_hQb5DcBTVXq-6Z4U/w300-h400/IMG_1990.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunshine was pouring into the hardwoods along my favorite section of the Cutoff.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXegM3esF7fTSLjmvtLJOdhBH4VYtvTs_7_BX-Sjp_ZrvQtVBtDZtgsqmX0QkyldX2dUYSIPVW69ZR3vEzf1WLA6wr9_0DToeF55T2N-W6M8M8-prn4LUfUzBhYoui-QI10a1romSbtJ6C3fG2jyVSb6Z0p1f52i8GvtPrbwKK0EnFA4-E42J8jIvUsz8N/s4032/IMG_1992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXegM3esF7fTSLjmvtLJOdhBH4VYtvTs_7_BX-Sjp_ZrvQtVBtDZtgsqmX0QkyldX2dUYSIPVW69ZR3vEzf1WLA6wr9_0DToeF55T2N-W6M8M8-prn4LUfUzBhYoui-QI10a1romSbtJ6C3fG2jyVSb6Z0p1f52i8GvtPrbwKK0EnFA4-E42J8jIvUsz8N/w400-h300/IMG_1992.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The West Branch of Oliverian Brook was buried.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcyIui8U2tr2-1J6J1-6SZCPgFJkXmsz-9OEXq8_DKxHkuJhGqfAILeIV42_znHoaPbH09USYraf-sZUch8-ECPekpcNBg9LhZuiqO03d1rfQ-d6zOwIt_MDPLD54W9DhH2nbIDbhajxO3OBJVGx2LV3RFhDAGOx9fIjwo0p98a4mLEqcLE-FpbSy0DBV/s4032/IMG_1997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcyIui8U2tr2-1J6J1-6SZCPgFJkXmsz-9OEXq8_DKxHkuJhGqfAILeIV42_znHoaPbH09USYraf-sZUch8-ECPekpcNBg9LhZuiqO03d1rfQ-d6zOwIt_MDPLD54W9DhH2nbIDbhajxO3OBJVGx2LV3RFhDAGOx9fIjwo0p98a4mLEqcLE-FpbSy0DBV/w400-h300/IMG_1997.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A steady climb along the northwestern flank of Square Ledge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QeDL8rDT2xCAMjriy8LA8d1Blhvrom5wg9vvfncXW-wmhCPaEhkLiVWkHT3aFKtNLxTUejtzxKF-7vDzQsvIv6Va3rHoj06lFE4whtNQzI-DENPR_EQ_27wXp-Qr3PVKoyGqINGwOQ3GvyqWu3e53xLRE0Xnzl5OZ5Egbq-_qacsF23rcQXmw0yhRZUn/s4032/IMG_2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QeDL8rDT2xCAMjriy8LA8d1Blhvrom5wg9vvfncXW-wmhCPaEhkLiVWkHT3aFKtNLxTUejtzxKF-7vDzQsvIv6Va3rHoj06lFE4whtNQzI-DENPR_EQ_27wXp-Qr3PVKoyGqINGwOQ3GvyqWu3e53xLRE0Xnzl5OZ5Egbq-_qacsF23rcQXmw0yhRZUn/w400-h300/IMG_2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Mount Passaconaway is a constant looming presence across the valley to the west. In winter, the whitened scar of the East Slide, which fell during the Hurricane of 1938, is a prominent feature.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVLsyIr2-6TwGKvzlp-4UQBQgk053-Mdk2eZBVImLcZBzw2wYPv90256abnp7chtUjwDxfTXbbR3rWNjZFlhd4-pUqXSjHVUGnX1Ousr-jMW62jvv6h-Z2AF2MzSEUx5V68Ak00J3rFQ01RhGKl7WlNTBSXBqNlykfr9VmeFTXZj1l_OsAw8Jz4_xEyfz/s4032/IMG_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVLsyIr2-6TwGKvzlp-4UQBQgk053-Mdk2eZBVImLcZBzw2wYPv90256abnp7chtUjwDxfTXbbR3rWNjZFlhd4-pUqXSjHVUGnX1Ousr-jMW62jvv6h-Z2AF2MzSEUx5V68Ak00J3rFQ01RhGKl7WlNTBSXBqNlykfr9VmeFTXZj1l_OsAw8Jz4_xEyfz/w400-h300/IMG_2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Climbing Passaconaway from the north has always seemed rather daunting to me. Upon arriving at this junction, you've come 3.6 miles (3.7 in winter) but still have 1550 ft. of climbing to go in the last mile and a half.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTKkWXOhP3rSC3V_ThE3n12l17jTiKXleWaZPutIVxolKB5W8aEn1wWqU_AoZ4smqlFbw66aDy_SvdEFgkUWBpydTnuW0OZZp81NAb8qHZCqrXa5vzj4nbCI3CUOJ3PD18rh3fVOmpVGOQNIYlBq8_MEvH2hNEBUlvZGSYKcqnKYpQYTJFpTmeLd9ay4h/s4032/IMG_2018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTKkWXOhP3rSC3V_ThE3n12l17jTiKXleWaZPutIVxolKB5W8aEn1wWqU_AoZ4smqlFbw66aDy_SvdEFgkUWBpydTnuW0OZZp81NAb8qHZCqrXa5vzj4nbCI3CUOJ3PD18rh3fVOmpVGOQNIYlBq8_MEvH2hNEBUlvZGSYKcqnKYpQYTJFpTmeLd9ay4h/w400-h300/IMG_2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Square Ledge Trail had some of the nicest trail conditions of the day, with a softly packed snowshoe track littered with just a few postholes.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYllwo2p5dJwZS5oCWyYs5fbO4iLyROu7INUnseFxHySHGb0ceGwAlhHSAtHTUGIV7wHSXH7lqJudmxpd8bSlInWGJWAVMxBvGwjJoKynjNw57XOq2zsGdZR5rmX_2hrjZIxeEF-Hxm-wvU0TD-JLCaOu3gOytvGHr5INZJ_W68-vkBJnV4YTVv4d0voo/s4032/IMG_2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYllwo2p5dJwZS5oCWyYs5fbO4iLyROu7INUnseFxHySHGb0ceGwAlhHSAtHTUGIV7wHSXH7lqJudmxpd8bSlInWGJWAVMxBvGwjJoKynjNw57XOq2zsGdZR5rmX_2hrjZIxeEF-Hxm-wvU0TD-JLCaOu3gOytvGHr5INZJ_W68-vkBJnV4YTVv4d0voo/w400-h300/IMG_2022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The trail passes along the base of the Nanamocomuck Slide, which also fell during the 1938 Hurricane. It is very steep and in winter looks rather ominous.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqsoBqS1nSzWClmqdI_BYlmXqcNPkAwON0HhF2edYJPd_yOQomgc9OpJl3myscQGi0Fpt-mQNYuJFtKrlCT-_FPAilCj86FLNDVUN6hBMy7ghBgW57aYfPdB-qLGEFH2v6LDAsGDXr4UcDNV-9wAqe7d_Lj34FOOIxySIooMNcuxD2wfAi8dacsGYU1pu/s4032/IMG_2026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqsoBqS1nSzWClmqdI_BYlmXqcNPkAwON0HhF2edYJPd_yOQomgc9OpJl3myscQGi0Fpt-mQNYuJFtKrlCT-_FPAilCj86FLNDVUN6hBMy7ghBgW57aYfPdB-qLGEFH2v6LDAsGDXr4UcDNV-9wAqe7d_Lj34FOOIxySIooMNcuxD2wfAi8dacsGYU1pu/w400-h300/IMG_2026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A snowshoer had made a track up along the side to a spot with a fine view to the north, a perch I have visited many times in summer and fall.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HovG0eKDp2_UwUpNiLtgovy83p7pkIZ4OlqhYWQdWjHDLts9tUzFgXzNPoowApq6mIRMq-i1gW4Xsb9eOMbyv68w_JvGO7N8pkAfpWvD8WZlGjTWKCA4IvwcrlfJFSGjo3KV-P19RqTr7vs_jTB0YhmqYI6NjdWesB_QwnnV7bOQDBw26t9mRaVCfkyb/s4032/IMG_2027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HovG0eKDp2_UwUpNiLtgovy83p7pkIZ4OlqhYWQdWjHDLts9tUzFgXzNPoowApq6mIRMq-i1gW4Xsb9eOMbyv68w_JvGO7N8pkAfpWvD8WZlGjTWKCA4IvwcrlfJFSGjo3KV-P19RqTr7vs_jTB0YhmqYI6NjdWesB_QwnnV7bOQDBw26t9mRaVCfkyb/w400-h300/IMG_2027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Prominent in the view are Mt. Tremont, Mt. Washington, Bartlett Haystack and the Wildcats/Carters, with Hedgehog Mountain down in front.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksncwfKcxV6AdoXxfmyVjtqqrNUXam1svDTur1-SHysmgI7kE7_J_En9oqJzZKUbeOz0ZyNQ5JTZZAdTNuNQhf-m0aLHaJJVvJYEuGGDksVAFgLUkcRbD6ZfOKH53ez_mp40hepskRbCZZdjGx2fboNaW9zwh5tmYy9gYOvfLyfErBjz2kEmWJPF65UFc/s4032/IMG_2041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksncwfKcxV6AdoXxfmyVjtqqrNUXam1svDTur1-SHysmgI7kE7_J_En9oqJzZKUbeOz0ZyNQ5JTZZAdTNuNQhf-m0aLHaJJVvJYEuGGDksVAFgLUkcRbD6ZfOKH53ez_mp40hepskRbCZZdjGx2fboNaW9zwh5tmYy9gYOvfLyfErBjz2kEmWJPF65UFc/w400-h300/IMG_2041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up to a shoulder of Passaconaway.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbyGVYSWyxiWiG9Y7UMRVa1yCD2pS3IfZiDMgwX9SSVXcT2Od2iD3Q4hbldPD7bsiTDA1pkeJYgw24F7LUwh53YJ9LSFWSPRMYf9PPprFP5JGnD_v7Agu9HnsNB3mKekR9DgfNJSxkDcpBglvawQhK3sRh-K1kso4RmgnPoLxWujsnDDmcgcfc8YT_eYK/s4032/IMG_2044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbyGVYSWyxiWiG9Y7UMRVa1yCD2pS3IfZiDMgwX9SSVXcT2Od2iD3Q4hbldPD7bsiTDA1pkeJYgw24F7LUwh53YJ9LSFWSPRMYf9PPprFP5JGnD_v7Agu9HnsNB3mKekR9DgfNJSxkDcpBglvawQhK3sRh-K1kso4RmgnPoLxWujsnDDmcgcfc8YT_eYK/w400-h300/IMG_2044.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Side view of the slide. Since there was no comfortable perch on this steep snow slope, not to mention a lack of sun, I decided to continue up to Mt. Passaconaway.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx1GNykAIYzhgHb5Ug9-1DHnCNvJJESPP3NsPeaG8rC8GhqhKAfEUGdcLAL131v_WthtvU332F8L0hZxu2isljwN_JQ0BvWp7D_RuvXrTtzT2ZpcU_3gADvL6OM_uQ5SI72cBZgaMDTBGvvRJUcsvcShNUHv8zQwSYO5eI6IdxAmDpMF0LDThaLgJwviU/s4032/IMG_2032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx1GNykAIYzhgHb5Ug9-1DHnCNvJJESPP3NsPeaG8rC8GhqhKAfEUGdcLAL131v_WthtvU332F8L0hZxu2isljwN_JQ0BvWp7D_RuvXrTtzT2ZpcU_3gADvL6OM_uQ5SI72cBZgaMDTBGvvRJUcsvcShNUHv8zQwSYO5eI6IdxAmDpMF0LDThaLgJwviU/w400-h300/IMG_2032.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Above the slide the Square Ledge Trail makes a long, stiff climb, gaining 600 ft. in 0.4 mile.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wtTNfMdnP51atrRHz5gS7f9Bmg30JwvKnHSVh6hHXJ0VLU_ZVBYIc9Ka5J9ex0U-z21uEAFwzucIdEdd9ORmnXokdL95v-E0am9Ig2TfhHBWSRjlnUI1wVu_uifbGwVGzI9cLdwZ0iJYx97VsLXg12i11051m7pKOn-s6TXB8-HYWr_RNJ_2gWVnOS_g/s4032/IMG_2052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wtTNfMdnP51atrRHz5gS7f9Bmg30JwvKnHSVh6hHXJ0VLU_ZVBYIc9Ka5J9ex0U-z21uEAFwzucIdEdd9ORmnXokdL95v-E0am9Ig2TfhHBWSRjlnUI1wVu_uifbGwVGzI9cLdwZ0iJYx97VsLXg12i11051m7pKOn-s6TXB8-HYWr_RNJ_2gWVnOS_g/w400-h300/IMG_2052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Back into the sun approaching the Walden Trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vIQeL1o6-NkMUctUhOjY0Gu1ayY_gOFyU-TH_cSgPV_f-KUav2i9cmTfpfXgxhCGpazwRHT-j-7IYoZWnSlj1QhmXRcWNmUkvXLP3i29JYokK4gF4Pdjc3IQJDGn_yEvoxzXTEq8p_6_zUeXn2sjFyalhcwSeakKlOLphonIwCXYz_hWTWWFe9gf4wuv/s4032/IMG_2053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vIQeL1o6-NkMUctUhOjY0Gu1ayY_gOFyU-TH_cSgPV_f-KUav2i9cmTfpfXgxhCGpazwRHT-j-7IYoZWnSlj1QhmXRcWNmUkvXLP3i29JYokK4gF4Pdjc3IQJDGn_yEvoxzXTEq8p_6_zUeXn2sjFyalhcwSeakKlOLphonIwCXYz_hWTWWFe9gf4wuv/w400-h300/IMG_2053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">New signage.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApNcmtUjGCAEYR_5VKPosRDPpET2tjMScoeYgXgMbQP4EVlPI7swV3o32nzzAk6gOLzuaeeYxwDlFVWDMpoCxH9Ss7Q9HutI8d0hLauSpznpfK7PUzJWzuvlUEzwvDPRL1-8Oc5kcFrt4WTnTej0Kg2ZyRcS2jb6Yfj8Ne16W2ynJRuZl52r-iqLB9pnJ/s4032/IMG_2054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApNcmtUjGCAEYR_5VKPosRDPpET2tjMScoeYgXgMbQP4EVlPI7swV3o32nzzAk6gOLzuaeeYxwDlFVWDMpoCxH9Ss7Q9HutI8d0hLauSpznpfK7PUzJWzuvlUEzwvDPRL1-8Oc5kcFrt4WTnTej0Kg2ZyRcS2jb6Yfj8Ne16W2ynJRuZl52r-iqLB9pnJ/w400-h300/IMG_2054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I bypassed the crazy steep upper section of Walden Trail by taking the East Loop across to Dicey's Mill Trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSug6mVbdf3h59uvO8rIBgUfyuadgyHF9NhVmlqZa942268yI8lDDuaEC8c2xm2F0bb546BRrfofQjZx70QRXDlAFRjwv9kqMWYp58nG4rwk0jywxx2f-v2vVDWGSeo-VL3CwfykfeDBNfKcJVboVTPON-ySNf93imfEXDSwWkt6ZhX3d2LKt5qr58uQk/s4032/IMG_2061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSug6mVbdf3h59uvO8rIBgUfyuadgyHF9NhVmlqZa942268yI8lDDuaEC8c2xm2F0bb546BRrfofQjZx70QRXDlAFRjwv9kqMWYp58nG4rwk0jywxx2f-v2vVDWGSeo-VL3CwfykfeDBNfKcJVboVTPON-ySNf93imfEXDSwWkt6ZhX3d2LKt5qr58uQk/w400-h300/IMG_2061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As expected, the heavily-used Dicey's Mill Trail was a smooth sidewalk.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgubutufkPzNFy2EUKGZ02Il8-oaTfbbtngHg1FMoDx1wnhasg3jY9y4eUUZTraBXAm8aTqSs-_y3Ho-WZRI_LhPFDLRZwjXzA81i-sRmULNOvUHBkEkSuR1JE__OjTAuCUywVoKvFvntLNZ9MdUBVY8U7qsgvLnruSw16o95os1ASFwsdOS0TuwbiNFV/s4032/IMG_2067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgubutufkPzNFy2EUKGZ02Il8-oaTfbbtngHg1FMoDx1wnhasg3jY9y4eUUZTraBXAm8aTqSs-_y3Ho-WZRI_LhPFDLRZwjXzA81i-sRmULNOvUHBkEkSuR1JE__OjTAuCUywVoKvFvntLNZ9MdUBVY8U7qsgvLnruSw16o95os1ASFwsdOS0TuwbiNFV/w400-h300/IMG_2067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The scramble at the top of the steep climb on the upper cone had only a little exposed ice.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVwhPo669xw5a_19SSQaKflM38Iu3QtfHTbPiI8AA7PMTBWJGZi8zyySuR6PMAMxlBX9vRri_Rbx_euGS66rcsxMjMjmStyNxBMO-aiuEUi-BghhtDfcma2AcQ8rREUOBg2PSaj5zq__HPkWTIpgTLrxVu0w8mHcLlub6aigEv4SjiJdFfP3OoUvfvv7X/s4032/IMG_2076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVwhPo669xw5a_19SSQaKflM38Iu3QtfHTbPiI8AA7PMTBWJGZi8zyySuR6PMAMxlBX9vRri_Rbx_euGS66rcsxMjMjmStyNxBMO-aiuEUi-BghhtDfcma2AcQ8rREUOBg2PSaj5zq__HPkWTIpgTLrxVu0w8mHcLlub6aigEv4SjiJdFfP3OoUvfvv7X/w400-h300/IMG_2076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The northwest outlook, which has become severely restricted in summer, is much improved with a platform of snow. I especially like the close-up of Mt. Tripyramid, with Mt. Tecumseh on the left and the Osceolas on the right. The 2011 slide on West Sleeper is seen at lower left.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FqSSE9_Y7soTZ0VEj8O_dUNS4nu5uVo2ZNOrY0FEIX3Mm00NUD4b21tfzn03Qs8XaaxyuK61ZtcfCNGnUAmf86rYsfuMDlmVYbTcP4UkNK_CUmMY3g8KtdtxrZFQt4oTjDw5nWdf7-xf27jm2czYFQrxdqix1A6FIT5eRpDbiPqAA3qLfN95qrrkqOYc/s4032/IMG_2084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FqSSE9_Y7soTZ0VEj8O_dUNS4nu5uVo2ZNOrY0FEIX3Mm00NUD4b21tfzn03Qs8XaaxyuK61ZtcfCNGnUAmf86rYsfuMDlmVYbTcP4UkNK_CUmMY3g8KtdtxrZFQt4oTjDw5nWdf7-xf27jm2czYFQrxdqix1A6FIT5eRpDbiPqAA3qLfN95qrrkqOYc/w400-h300/IMG_2084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A peek over at East Sleeper, with Vermont peaks on the horizon.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ6JpTQxLIA26DTkurvh4LnVKOzY8Y8rfLrKaQyto_4-YDoBgye7znrfssq77uWw6nYvFGfwLWtG0ORrEyqg-MuBRj_2REsCu6EPLbD4bCXWNq88Lhu7-MxHikiW9DSKdcVm8BDYIUHDBtYm3LZqunYLbMtr1V3I5DGPuDUiH7jBUih0RSWTMv2As_NwF/s4032/IMG_2088.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ6JpTQxLIA26DTkurvh4LnVKOzY8Y8rfLrKaQyto_4-YDoBgye7znrfssq77uWw6nYvFGfwLWtG0ORrEyqg-MuBRj_2REsCu6EPLbD4bCXWNq88Lhu7-MxHikiW9DSKdcVm8BDYIUHDBtYm3LZqunYLbMtr1V3I5DGPuDUiH7jBUih0RSWTMv2As_NwF/w400-h300/IMG_2088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Franconia Ridge, Mt. Garfield, the Hancocks, Bonds-Twins, Zealand and Mt. Carrigain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6ONFpDccorwP7Nakh0A_FGBO9DSPoOY5MUnp6XsSm-VLWcY65K1QGxGNCrpzp3hsRBKgPo8irnIdD-bloXqS6h3zra-13nhBLCMQebDv-PUHXIuusUVsm79DchZtJ8MFnucHdMmngepBYrqa8I3ZhpRNllhL2PhJ-yy3JPGvRDE1ptSr-4KnvNlDSoNs/s4032/IMG_2090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6ONFpDccorwP7Nakh0A_FGBO9DSPoOY5MUnp6XsSm-VLWcY65K1QGxGNCrpzp3hsRBKgPo8irnIdD-bloXqS6h3zra-13nhBLCMQebDv-PUHXIuusUVsm79DchZtJ8MFnucHdMmngepBYrqa8I3ZhpRNllhL2PhJ-yy3JPGvRDE1ptSr-4KnvNlDSoNs/w400-h300/IMG_2090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nice to run into Amy Hildreth and David Senecal, over from New York as they close in on their winter 48 and four-season lists. They had come over from Whiteface.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqbV2qA71mgPOZd3Wa2KznsR4vkmkn0WL72_eRKmVMRxOPZyWpBd04rw9h6RAGPgfPrP88S4WbAwC-yMs_Ktd3NSBm3KAH1the8RhC9oRa2FP9jnq8zDF2omcifhpkgVcMmZ1N2d7_8PiI7Y9xMVggXNCfg-56m5tdQc0N6IBkYV7-qG0g-YZBMJa2QcT/s4032/IMG_2091.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqbV2qA71mgPOZd3Wa2KznsR4vkmkn0WL72_eRKmVMRxOPZyWpBd04rw9h6RAGPgfPrP88S4WbAwC-yMs_Ktd3NSBm3KAH1the8RhC9oRa2FP9jnq8zDF2omcifhpkgVcMmZ1N2d7_8PiI7Y9xMVggXNCfg-56m5tdQc0N6IBkYV7-qG0g-YZBMJa2QcT/w300-h400/IMG_2091.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Amy and David at the wooded true summit of Passaconaway.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYUPqjj6AdT5cNyzbjB60jbArLyru0B1VuoNBzbsrPj7EXquDaAHqWtHBoTfmASTPkDmhT3rGwROlMvBOWOtYIwDC231VL4Bdtzztd9rNQlryLJagsvQ8W7iz-hmFBKL-nqK7u1qkwYIPfN0oLzMYjo7QVIYL9r629t7J2O2vi7X1-y6WXW0ZYp8yvTZ9/s4032/IMG_2093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYUPqjj6AdT5cNyzbjB60jbArLyru0B1VuoNBzbsrPj7EXquDaAHqWtHBoTfmASTPkDmhT3rGwROlMvBOWOtYIwDC231VL4Bdtzztd9rNQlryLJagsvQ8W7iz-hmFBKL-nqK7u1qkwYIPfN0oLzMYjo7QVIYL9r629t7J2O2vi7X1-y6WXW0ZYp8yvTZ9/w400-h300/IMG_2093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Following the Walden Trail across the summit plateau.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYnbKu2w6W9qknv1CuSU2d8buodTj4IjyYhX9j7qwFH0XGUE-1F9RDK_eo8c2Rd1T07q3qfAsp4nY70K9zQV-8TEBiOJR7nuNiogypXUwylqg4hCnEu6G-GmM5Bj_oApFHe-_vCZ6CzrJ2SqVBC90Zfm9GCsefcknXQvOHT4unZCEsPkrTxNnr4atpAmC/s4032/IMG_2095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYnbKu2w6W9qknv1CuSU2d8buodTj4IjyYhX9j7qwFH0XGUE-1F9RDK_eo8c2Rd1T07q3qfAsp4nY70K9zQV-8TEBiOJR7nuNiogypXUwylqg4hCnEu6G-GmM5Bj_oApFHe-_vCZ6CzrJ2SqVBC90Zfm9GCsefcknXQvOHT4unZCEsPkrTxNnr4atpAmC/w400-h300/IMG_2095.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From the east outlook, Mt. Paugus and Mt. Chocorua, with vast lowlands beyond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i-lRqPQDDEbfT-5upiL2YaZc2vobs9SFPENxQThvO5tzhq9XtjglovEEBqtNP5RzSYqWJsso_HZXI-nMaF3FLPSqeRmFiiWOu9caWqXxCdjLikNLgxAcpG2319vNTqRST-ZO60oVWFv8KFYtncVFHBtl3fth2Bl6LhO64n0csVHXCooy034px8t-ybs5/s4032/IMG_2099.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i-lRqPQDDEbfT-5upiL2YaZc2vobs9SFPENxQThvO5tzhq9XtjglovEEBqtNP5RzSYqWJsso_HZXI-nMaF3FLPSqeRmFiiWOu9caWqXxCdjLikNLgxAcpG2319vNTqRST-ZO60oVWFv8KFYtncVFHBtl3fth2Bl6LhO64n0csVHXCooy034px8t-ybs5/w400-h300/IMG_2099.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Chocorua. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ydHXGG2su5IbwB0TaZs5cVXN3TFXkvGh63eYy5J3qIEP66ijRcUgnv-TlqGJVYtaf2EI5T3nv4wPgWQI7wScbwLBmKfK3ANZfEWOfVLPPsybLCC9jlY9vmnJzrmd3ZMgkg4tqqXqcxuwbPIufSBvhNMA1SAWc0rHDzlfto8LXvoxftDFUqyu3MyJMenw/s4032/IMG_2108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ydHXGG2su5IbwB0TaZs5cVXN3TFXkvGh63eYy5J3qIEP66ijRcUgnv-TlqGJVYtaf2EI5T3nv4wPgWQI7wScbwLBmKfK3ANZfEWOfVLPPsybLCC9jlY9vmnJzrmd3ZMgkg4tqqXqcxuwbPIufSBvhNMA1SAWc0rHDzlfto8LXvoxftDFUqyu3MyJMenw/w400-h300/IMG_2108.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The view southeast.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWb-GylBVUfQqsSWK-yt5UbYsygLAeWW7tfqZAiLfyJvbhy95g71JALpif9ctpOs30xX76Kz0GDqb3gcDIixVkRZ9YA7PoAUEN5Isv_VD6oY6mTQazaTdcODDWO1oTH69pBGLDExxjVIkaFde3TS1CGXlcuX_OzcJR57sbOpF71pu_-EnKJDKnNs6Bm_4/s4032/IMG_2103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWb-GylBVUfQqsSWK-yt5UbYsygLAeWW7tfqZAiLfyJvbhy95g71JALpif9ctpOs30xX76Kz0GDqb3gcDIixVkRZ9YA7PoAUEN5Isv_VD6oY6mTQazaTdcODDWO1oTH69pBGLDExxjVIkaFde3TS1CGXlcuX_OzcJR57sbOpF71pu_-EnKJDKnNs6Bm_4/w400-h300/IMG_2103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Peering down into the upper Oliverian Brook valley.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIZGidCDdSgNqLCBgqpTQPSOvHfcKcVxkutGOhMpEHuAHsXLyFMB-qUOoMNi-50khW_oBEP7IXs2k4hy16xskseJPTZI68yPkVo8Kjy1VFui67hcpO8ppWULUMJia7pIfK2-Ql5TR2x029MSVJWbXbLxMKoFvqubVd56yPaKH8vHpoZYQLjMsAPyTYcG4/s4032/IMG_2113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIZGidCDdSgNqLCBgqpTQPSOvHfcKcVxkutGOhMpEHuAHsXLyFMB-qUOoMNi-50khW_oBEP7IXs2k4hy16xskseJPTZI68yPkVo8Kjy1VFui67hcpO8ppWULUMJia7pIfK2-Ql5TR2x029MSVJWbXbLxMKoFvqubVd56yPaKH8vHpoZYQLjMsAPyTYcG4/w400-h300/IMG_2113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Across the Albany Intervale to the Moats.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OJ2eB43ElbkgOKOSveZ8kX4vTnoWuWnDesWhF0YSoDQQVM-I5GKHjk_3wGM2uKUnvqxgDJFTVHWJuVVkXmOdKT-EBkY_OtAO70yf3JDm1dSVqEnWG0sqjP5AkgLwUFuIy54JIGbdH9WX1NYHW4ElhypT8LI7qy_BOhqMs_QmPI66zkAHEvCkEWQIXrUc/s4032/IMG_2115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OJ2eB43ElbkgOKOSveZ8kX4vTnoWuWnDesWhF0YSoDQQVM-I5GKHjk_3wGM2uKUnvqxgDJFTVHWJuVVkXmOdKT-EBkY_OtAO70yf3JDm1dSVqEnWG0sqjP5AkgLwUFuIy54JIGbdH9WX1NYHW4ElhypT8LI7qy_BOhqMs_QmPI66zkAHEvCkEWQIXrUc/w400-h300/IMG_2115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was too late in the day to make the side trip down to the fabulous north outlook. From the top of Dicey's Mill Trail I had the day's last view, looking to Jennings Peak, Sandwich Dome and the north ridge of Mt. Whiteface. Time to start the 5.4 mile descent, the last couple of miles by headlamp. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQcXTb26HRUsWIFx4YL0vGxEhYMk4_Ixo4pnQ801_rZZSxhiNOxqjt1FA1nEAeVw0uGiPtq17v1g-UNUXziRBN5XO7pN_2a0KUgS6HCLpnzN7uvunlmxDt7mv0D0QnoVTC3UT2KZVIu7b3tuPWCPAvLhVaFyr-FRiZEdrBEW88grUiZOX80C9W6pjItlC/s4032/IMG_2132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQcXTb26HRUsWIFx4YL0vGxEhYMk4_Ixo4pnQ801_rZZSxhiNOxqjt1FA1nEAeVw0uGiPtq17v1g-UNUXziRBN5XO7pN_2a0KUgS6HCLpnzN7uvunlmxDt7mv0D0QnoVTC3UT2KZVIu7b3tuPWCPAvLhVaFyr-FRiZEdrBEW88grUiZOX80C9W6pjItlC/w400-h300/IMG_2132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-3142657807948356552024-02-06T14:19:00.001-05:002024-02-06T14:19:46.899-05:00Mount Waumbek: 2/5/24<div><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny days are here again! After an extended stretch of gloomy weather, bright blue skies have taken over for a few days. Time to get up high for some views and snow-caked softwoods. With a biting north breeze in the forecast, Mounts Starr King and Waumbek, with their south-facing outlooks and picturesque fir forest, were an ideal choice for the day.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Having read about the icy, bumpy road leading up to the summer trailhead parking lot, I opted to park in the public lot near the Irving gas station on Route 2 and do the 0.4 mile road walk. The approach road was indeed icy, and at the time it was blocked by a construction vehicle.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oCPRmdNgelCMAKjxC0ABNv-iy0l4IrImcKAoiDuafCl2Htf7idcwhtjGfMobYGWXxima2CjPQPme7bGihZFOznGNiWy0YAnKk8JawpJKFTYtBuGt9SEZK0pyP4HeHgTL68HyF9kNiPnEBvukt-CihEVoZ1RgPKLGLA0tnwuSWeyx5xSS6zk5qqOOT22b/s4032/IMG_1773.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oCPRmdNgelCMAKjxC0ABNv-iy0l4IrImcKAoiDuafCl2Htf7idcwhtjGfMobYGWXxima2CjPQPme7bGihZFOznGNiWy0YAnKk8JawpJKFTYtBuGt9SEZK0pyP4HeHgTL68HyF9kNiPnEBvukt-CihEVoZ1RgPKLGLA0tnwuSWeyx5xSS6zk5qqOOT22b/w400-h300/IMG_1773.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Starr King Trail is well maintained by the Randolph Mountain Club. Though Waumbek is considered one of the "easier" 4000-footers, with moderate grades the whole way, it does pack a significant elevation gain of 3000 ft. when approached from the parking on Route 2.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-sKjVT32S-GIdyjoPXR3O84S4TMP4QsJdboy-WJ5wwPTEgOjsEFsObKTKrNIwn3mx2UC0dL8uP7xQc_3nfTXKinFn7Hh5-AXHctFyszoFYIiD-Ba6rgRS8QPF9YKilKdY3MXEh3ULhyphenhyphen5svlXR-l1R31u85yqLGqIaNi3Ky9xbD9RT_5piYbrdKFoEYOV/s4032/IMG_1775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-sKjVT32S-GIdyjoPXR3O84S4TMP4QsJdboy-WJ5wwPTEgOjsEFsObKTKrNIwn3mx2UC0dL8uP7xQc_3nfTXKinFn7Hh5-AXHctFyszoFYIiD-Ba6rgRS8QPF9YKilKdY3MXEh3ULhyphenhyphen5svlXR-l1R31u85yqLGqIaNi3Ky9xbD9RT_5piYbrdKFoEYOV/w400-h300/IMG_1775.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As advertised, the trail was a smooth hard-packed snow sidewalk, ideal for spike hiking. This was quite a contrast to most of my hiking so far this winter, which has involved a lot of untracked off-trail snowshoeing.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiWf5G-3S5vvPhD_ZI5rJafx09c6wPtQ2cZvgZoiSVTGWxPH6eRzE2YjoAcvET5L4WzrYp4VRbCk_ACeMsNNaMyHJybGvIvneYRuzChYaJzhn5DiCI_hARoC7lgssBD_UWQXSF7K3tchMB41EE0VDgKD7XvSy9jX8gzGnDloBPyy8drGiWk05__DS5ave/s4032/IMG_1777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiWf5G-3S5vvPhD_ZI5rJafx09c6wPtQ2cZvgZoiSVTGWxPH6eRzE2YjoAcvET5L4WzrYp4VRbCk_ACeMsNNaMyHJybGvIvneYRuzChYaJzhn5DiCI_hARoC7lgssBD_UWQXSF7K3tchMB41EE0VDgKD7XvSy9jX8gzGnDloBPyy8drGiWk05__DS5ave/w400-h300/IMG_1777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Morning sun in the beautiful mature hardwood forest on Starr King's southwest ridge. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQscAUonAxdSNbTlsUXdyQgrYheHwtcMB4kwZ19aOvIOdxZrqyLPyUoiuBEPSkJXKFLkBya3Baj4b75CAvxPwSDPxUCZn_m85PMOq1RXrlG1bwmXhdcwhv6Oc2ylJaahH52qNrX8GIHgDYNd4kCJs8nZ6M2ggh5nWO4hfjPYRzhkBrVNUx_z1z7xsCCNbY/s4032/IMG_1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQscAUonAxdSNbTlsUXdyQgrYheHwtcMB4kwZ19aOvIOdxZrqyLPyUoiuBEPSkJXKFLkBya3Baj4b75CAvxPwSDPxUCZn_m85PMOq1RXrlG1bwmXhdcwhv6Oc2ylJaahH52qNrX8GIHgDYNd4kCJs8nZ6M2ggh5nWO4hfjPYRzhkBrVNUx_z1z7xsCCNbY/w400-h300/IMG_1788.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The traverse along the crest of this ridge is a delight in any season.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cxsO314xiaM9Y3rmh0ar-EaJviYryk5D7IZJ3OoQcPxxsfR8Wn-Vo3CNdnxim2-A2E2BBxlXo0FJxkhYdhP5lkwPKodTnG2eZmGfpFWKv90I7mXQZa4KjUlB7V5Hp3H-JimDcZlIBubdKJsv1XsPmIGr6w2RmF5pFE5f1u-d6-4jxOUNTZ5sBCqoBs3p/s4032/IMG_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cxsO314xiaM9Y3rmh0ar-EaJviYryk5D7IZJ3OoQcPxxsfR8Wn-Vo3CNdnxim2-A2E2BBxlXo0FJxkhYdhP5lkwPKodTnG2eZmGfpFWKv90I7mXQZa4KjUlB7V5Hp3H-JimDcZlIBubdKJsv1XsPmIGr6w2RmF5pFE5f1u-d6-4jxOUNTZ5sBCqoBs3p/w400-h300/IMG_1792.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Higher up, there was a thin soft layer of snow on top, so I exchanged spikes for snowshoes, which I find to be more efficient. I was happy to get the extra weight off my back. Here the trail approaches the abrupt transition at 2900 ft. from open sunny hardwoods to cold shadowed conifers.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQRXSq3PS3Bn3dPuvNq4OqLLqG4Gg_w-U7ZJoBLphc1ig5-GNV6vUMx_g4GVIjiIA8M2Y76EobhUuMzB7Q_cy5Xlr6nf-wo1jtN0M2SMkkW3zSaOzOqXyYJFrn6fwVgsyuxxqkZ0zprl6hKhjQBs58O_duzq-lfXu9k8T_bVv-iMIpQX2A4zpj-7nB0-x/s4032/IMG_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQRXSq3PS3Bn3dPuvNq4OqLLqG4Gg_w-U7ZJoBLphc1ig5-GNV6vUMx_g4GVIjiIA8M2Y76EobhUuMzB7Q_cy5Xlr6nf-wo1jtN0M2SMkkW3zSaOzOqXyYJFrn6fwVgsyuxxqkZ0zprl6hKhjQBs58O_duzq-lfXu9k8T_bVv-iMIpQX2A4zpj-7nB0-x/w400-h300/IMG_1793.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Snow-caked softwoods lined the trail the rest of the way.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_Skfp8tr_Qx-OXdkoif3-pFQ1JbIrozM5iU5XRnY9QxGm-qMwMH5EW9zVQNadT73ngPqdEFGIc1gp5iqf6ZB_SilsfEFFgHQJmmoOK6c0wBBo4V3ZPnKl2sOUVZqjXXnkFsXGPnXTG9xVa0HhgfFg-rIz978d4R60QbkY0Atj4tAR-VTxzxrrphonK1U/s4032/IMG_1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_Skfp8tr_Qx-OXdkoif3-pFQ1JbIrozM5iU5XRnY9QxGm-qMwMH5EW9zVQNadT73ngPqdEFGIc1gp5iqf6ZB_SilsfEFFgHQJmmoOK6c0wBBo4V3ZPnKl2sOUVZqjXXnkFsXGPnXTG9xVa0HhgfFg-rIz978d4R60QbkY0Atj4tAR-VTxzxrrphonK1U/w400-h300/IMG_1795.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A signed trailside spring is passed at 3400 ft.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBYn3xaYJYln1je5X0BymiOP9fixPKW7NvSb9VBLrS7LJQie5pQAdYJfkBFRlrn8ipg2pvg4rD-tGGun_qiaxiBVitQ_7nqGz-wJ_IHJ0iXMDe6HOCNAnYoue5EJEqCayGO9o6h5artbic2e6UfMB1Inu7UKjJ3UQsc9_WDfPXhDdsTd2aWnhgSZyXvpq/s4032/IMG_1797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBYn3xaYJYln1je5X0BymiOP9fixPKW7NvSb9VBLrS7LJQie5pQAdYJfkBFRlrn8ipg2pvg4rD-tGGun_qiaxiBVitQ_7nqGz-wJ_IHJ0iXMDe6HOCNAnYoue5EJEqCayGO9o6h5artbic2e6UfMB1Inu7UKjJ3UQsc9_WDfPXhDdsTd2aWnhgSZyXvpq/w400-h300/IMG_1797.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Not far below the summit of Starr King, I had the pleasure of a chat with Peter Crane, Curator at the Mount Washington Observatory. Peter was on his way down after bagging one of his first "over 70" summits following a recent birthday.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSfoI3tsb6jzDLXQl-MYgeAnfxDYR_zCX8ChZME4rrFUt2JJt9VmDaNnvd7Uyv-nPn0xxHS1ixHaKIE0HE1JET5A44uKdhKbYdc1_09c3_QBx3W4tzLRu-YnU_13kGd-UNJDLErbHtHaegBt8N4d4ZLjvmXiOF1KAa_pZ4eIQd1rPDeP22Ejk3oxVHdRR/s4032/IMG_1804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSfoI3tsb6jzDLXQl-MYgeAnfxDYR_zCX8ChZME4rrFUt2JJt9VmDaNnvd7Uyv-nPn0xxHS1ixHaKIE0HE1JET5A44uKdhKbYdc1_09c3_QBx3W4tzLRu-YnU_13kGd-UNJDLErbHtHaegBt8N4d4ZLjvmXiOF1KAa_pZ4eIQd1rPDeP22Ejk3oxVHdRR/w400-h300/IMG_1804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Fantasy forest approaching the Starr King summit.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPpcqv_1X8HYGNZNDpKSNxRHZMcdXUh8Wc5PZqWLFBKXEa7gI-0Wp2NAIWlr7o94AOXo37t6fOeS4C7B_GRl-8xTylaV-89vyzQtcORGfQJSPsd33n85dg031J41YJJtpyZeNy_7MCKvKig9pkkbGmuYs621yHJbbLaz3gFuXlv8bJ49R5BrNCgXVMRCj/s4032/IMG_1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPpcqv_1X8HYGNZNDpKSNxRHZMcdXUh8Wc5PZqWLFBKXEa7gI-0Wp2NAIWlr7o94AOXo37t6fOeS4C7B_GRl-8xTylaV-89vyzQtcORGfQJSPsd33n85dg031J41YJJtpyZeNy_7MCKvKig9pkkbGmuYs621yHJbbLaz3gFuXlv8bJ49R5BrNCgXVMRCj/w400-h300/IMG_1808.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Presidentials were gleaming in glory from the Starr King outlook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5IfctP6EJ0nPuVMa2HlpuDtAAamd6M3WARSQA6hTpjt00SxbNBBrkHnZtstOCkQ6CwMXoeQDR1voGL8fwlfE4Xas1l6EKIUDvl4YNV_nkVakNpNsQQAYpI2TFsVkLxA_2E39K8ed6cEhLUMCVlKNI-CQrpCi6zp_x1dJ665r-tloqkHj9juCtLrGAQLr/s4032/IMG_1821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5IfctP6EJ0nPuVMa2HlpuDtAAamd6M3WARSQA6hTpjt00SxbNBBrkHnZtstOCkQ6CwMXoeQDR1voGL8fwlfE4Xas1l6EKIUDvl4YNV_nkVakNpNsQQAYpI2TFsVkLxA_2E39K8ed6cEhLUMCVlKNI-CQrpCi6zp_x1dJ665r-tloqkHj9juCtLrGAQLr/w400-h300/IMG_1821.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Many peaks could be spotted in the central and western Whites, including Mount Hancock on the left, the Bond-Twin Range in the center, and Franconia Ridge on the right. All told, with a little walking around, 34 NH 4000-footers are visible from the outlook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxBBCluSDwnFiwdvdg1SXS5HrWkZRfaTfve8qYNfSsO_eRs29KQUf93qi-5OspghvcO_AR5rZBXax5Z0MYselt-63v_CICB4SGnGbeviVAz3RXAixRjD4xJeX1G9E8oJvQuW37fuvi3WwkDzV3lNxcFVhFi1seUbWoNzJn7LDOWVDEvmCAYPN6fPsqst7/s4032/IMG_1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxBBCluSDwnFiwdvdg1SXS5HrWkZRfaTfve8qYNfSsO_eRs29KQUf93qi-5OspghvcO_AR5rZBXax5Z0MYselt-63v_CICB4SGnGbeviVAz3RXAixRjD4xJeX1G9E8oJvQuW37fuvi3WwkDzV3lNxcFVhFi1seUbWoNzJn7LDOWVDEvmCAYPN6fPsqst7/w400-h300/IMG_1823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The fireplace from the old Starr King Shelter, which must be an historic relic by now.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTA1yIWjsc49pL1l7owKtvnFx2xfhj9v2i4eCHNE1urutSroUDJ6cGad5C-vILoi6oVJgmE-HEL3jwI-4_EietgkIph3hPO37tcUelpbSp-dV9vAAJx4-BSmXgifBqV0x4kavRsLI4qMqyMepJdNFEydNrSUTXIMG3avkZh8bq_CX1iVdAdJah7OhDAW6/s4032/IMG_1827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTA1yIWjsc49pL1l7owKtvnFx2xfhj9v2i4eCHNE1urutSroUDJ6cGad5C-vILoi6oVJgmE-HEL3jwI-4_EietgkIph3hPO37tcUelpbSp-dV9vAAJx4-BSmXgifBqV0x4kavRsLI4qMqyMepJdNFEydNrSUTXIMG3avkZh8bq_CX1iVdAdJah7OhDAW6/w400-h300/IMG_1827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Descending off Starr King.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aT9rPsZvKNcTqRWyUJMAdDx5Gfk7yI2-NZvP1JY4I2mSRnIGoUMsjYo2xJfeT9on8TVtI1bfmZIoK_BW_zKyuF-LqPuResykbO5KMMPBm_x7cFKsHYxoX9x_zTeAx7laFgqi91vLAcZw-YhXZ0xwD7GsWu1z42emi08ks1aLsT4W3ymFIAjl1wGLhOYt/s4032/IMG_1832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aT9rPsZvKNcTqRWyUJMAdDx5Gfk7yI2-NZvP1JY4I2mSRnIGoUMsjYo2xJfeT9on8TVtI1bfmZIoK_BW_zKyuF-LqPuResykbO5KMMPBm_x7cFKsHYxoX9x_zTeAx7laFgqi91vLAcZw-YhXZ0xwD7GsWu1z42emi08ks1aLsT4W3ymFIAjl1wGLhOYt/w400-h300/IMG_1832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The frosted trees take many different forms.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r7yl1u2YHE5EaZybVGlzPRh0VX3lnCUj6oWqqJH_0hx6uZye6S4wSDtLGqVcyb8k17O47eZgW_9XJTgzn-KErPKDTuy-aZCWvPfWzfwsyscWH8wnTupQW1xik1QkmAaEExUs-UqEGJg46CrEb0xoPe2QvzTIJDGp82aa9fugsyrpaCQm4mZU3di-cdeO/s4032/IMG_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r7yl1u2YHE5EaZybVGlzPRh0VX3lnCUj6oWqqJH_0hx6uZye6S4wSDtLGqVcyb8k17O47eZgW_9XJTgzn-KErPKDTuy-aZCWvPfWzfwsyscWH8wnTupQW1xik1QkmAaEExUs-UqEGJg46CrEb0xoPe2QvzTIJDGp82aa9fugsyrpaCQm4mZU3di-cdeO/w400-h300/IMG_1834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Fantastic corridor.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxS3_nhYQCDYX8kJh_kpUe2zTCdu8QTEPXNUp75NhPRl_O_fKqtLfMNJ_ccZoTCJfcywp-pJjmKx1Qsvn9eMbG-T-wSiPZXpJEnCdvQiybBkANatf2wWuLglETgfVyoIuvuUaB4sXdXxIt3Z5J429PhoPERDZ1xFQLHO9V18Tzu1e84qCxo3kbpGBNC-A/s4032/IMG_1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxS3_nhYQCDYX8kJh_kpUe2zTCdu8QTEPXNUp75NhPRl_O_fKqtLfMNJ_ccZoTCJfcywp-pJjmKx1Qsvn9eMbG-T-wSiPZXpJEnCdvQiybBkANatf2wWuLglETgfVyoIuvuUaB4sXdXxIt3Z5J429PhoPERDZ1xFQLHO9V18Tzu1e84qCxo3kbpGBNC-A/w300-h400/IMG_1836.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A marvelous mile between the summits.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxb9kd5S1HVZYAOzEsqHMYptJsMvIrc1aV60GUwJljGxctDo0tYnrFYOUIdOkBY_HJdvwaJeY5UR5Muhc-wPZ8w_WnptVBijWvKNLJK7fyqfRdXBFDPygo89_PYlT4sV2vHVrELMttpJQyRPKPoDdenWrx2R_KwkHGUkWpWbIixIIldhFBwXa1ba85TSJ/s4032/IMG_1838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxb9kd5S1HVZYAOzEsqHMYptJsMvIrc1aV60GUwJljGxctDo0tYnrFYOUIdOkBY_HJdvwaJeY5UR5Muhc-wPZ8w_WnptVBijWvKNLJK7fyqfRdXBFDPygo89_PYlT4sV2vHVrELMttpJQyRPKPoDdenWrx2R_KwkHGUkWpWbIixIIldhFBwXa1ba85TSJ/w400-h300/IMG_1838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An unobtrusive trail sign marks the summit of Waumbek.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXwRR_MM9wrQsHc-YZ3wv_f6ICQN-D8icC7QFNH3JCSRC2KEBrL3GayQ-LwY0AEVkgwuNdQM24i2ze5wBKe58xo3VEmrzJVFwCTM_vCPpGGwLVgJiwqCVDdIrfBE093c20oD5Wr_GiXgFZ8VDKG8aNS239EmFWTHQ4i2yQ_9_n_cqzIvr5HVpAvy-mj4j/s4032/IMG_1842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXwRR_MM9wrQsHc-YZ3wv_f6ICQN-D8icC7QFNH3JCSRC2KEBrL3GayQ-LwY0AEVkgwuNdQM24i2ze5wBKe58xo3VEmrzJVFwCTM_vCPpGGwLVgJiwqCVDdIrfBE093c20oD5Wr_GiXgFZ8VDKG8aNS239EmFWTHQ4i2yQ_9_n_cqzIvr5HVpAvy-mj4j/w400-h300/IMG_1842.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A pathway to remote high country adventure.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxadnL0iAdWTHsH3DAjSxb5VGlhVVZ-OMvXlKqXBM4FcSllS4KgfVauPXeZK2y_E_4Kj7QNBgftG7IFWCv4WOI6EOE43vxvK57_FVTscEc41UWYUIUhyphenhyphenxOQNVRiIcV1bRlCYnwTRwU5mMt1lnc-u6QzRBgC2DsnO1afCn0908TrwfiH3y5qP6GzaVjZRT/s4032/IMG_1845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxadnL0iAdWTHsH3DAjSxb5VGlhVVZ-OMvXlKqXBM4FcSllS4KgfVauPXeZK2y_E_4Kj7QNBgftG7IFWCv4WOI6EOE43vxvK57_FVTscEc41UWYUIUhyphenhyphenxOQNVRiIcV1bRlCYnwTRwU5mMt1lnc-u6QzRBgC2DsnO1afCn0908TrwfiH3y5qP6GzaVjZRT/w400-h300/IMG_1845.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Waumbek outlook, 50 yards beyond the summit.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynjH1k3K8BmCyIjowdlhQE86DL4_fbcIN9ssU78ml-eUn_IFy_yKV0XQQ78CMHBofHQSrFfJ1Me1D_VSYpMKDSQ8sOvFxwWipPmkx7laI6k4kok5oCYzVLSz5eWyhf_QTwm7ZbwDWoC0IHFr7DZK8U7LN2h4mBJWZBHQcvDHRbD9nldVysXhoysUaaJyp/s4032/IMG_1853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynjH1k3K8BmCyIjowdlhQE86DL4_fbcIN9ssU78ml-eUn_IFy_yKV0XQQ78CMHBofHQSrFfJ1Me1D_VSYpMKDSQ8sOvFxwWipPmkx7laI6k4kok5oCYzVLSz5eWyhf_QTwm7ZbwDWoC0IHFr7DZK8U7LN2h4mBJWZBHQcvDHRbD9nldVysXhoysUaaJyp/w400-h300/IMG_1853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Adams, Jefferson and Washington, plus King, Cascade and Castle Ravines.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd52SkLsTmcoxQXDIjOiM8V6Tx1Zni-wnwUecJZOkX41VSzQ8lDs-iBHYoluSU2o7Br7R951iBGLB-ZpFLizNl29RWDcngQkO1psTGBnOGTWVc7IwCUO9cTPizTmatE4iySYVMg_fBMLCH_MfVGsWzF5zPBXh5zxfV8q-TqT3oOvtW1IMOF7NZwmk5_As/s4032/IMG_1862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd52SkLsTmcoxQXDIjOiM8V6Tx1Zni-wnwUecJZOkX41VSzQ8lDs-iBHYoluSU2o7Br7R951iBGLB-ZpFLizNl29RWDcngQkO1psTGBnOGTWVc7IwCUO9cTPizTmatE4iySYVMg_fBMLCH_MfVGsWzF5zPBXh5zxfV8q-TqT3oOvtW1IMOF7NZwmk5_As/w400-h300/IMG_1862.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Off to the east, Mount Moriah, Imp Mountain, and North/Middle/South Carter.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXdRlZEmsUAJSlkUxlUEZBAKtYoyj6BKzLBwGrLUKvE9g7gL5klIPRWTvcix59dBQDbYuVGolYZg9MJ_i3F_aPvnqfLQ-f0vb9ywdvqNZw8pmTT2OfUWmNYFgrujRvQ1ME2GMVTyt7D1uzTHuNjI6BON5mV_pgloQ9kxBq4ORhHxMMrQ72cv7lBAntTRw/s4032/IMG_1857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXdRlZEmsUAJSlkUxlUEZBAKtYoyj6BKzLBwGrLUKvE9g7gL5klIPRWTvcix59dBQDbYuVGolYZg9MJ_i3F_aPvnqfLQ-f0vb9ywdvqNZw8pmTT2OfUWmNYFgrujRvQ1ME2GMVTyt7D1uzTHuNjI6BON5mV_pgloQ9kxBq4ORhHxMMrQ72cv7lBAntTRw/w400-h300/IMG_1857.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">To the right of center, the Willey Range with Mount Carrigain behind.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzH3eYoSWjNzeNAO2Opc1hwwtmE7Pi2lVRBVGk49Sh7hik0x1xQOH2nDYOvmN2pb2WRgeaapP2zTYv4kR8xZv9fW-CiChyGuFhGfWWPv-N0P6Hz2ciupl93CsjKF5OnUAJoc5i7gouhE9Kps2KtUFbV76mCwOdd5Ggh7P27P4kQqLJaeWJRbN-8Ds51Ad/s4032/IMG_1863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzH3eYoSWjNzeNAO2Opc1hwwtmE7Pi2lVRBVGk49Sh7hik0x1xQOH2nDYOvmN2pb2WRgeaapP2zTYv4kR8xZv9fW-CiChyGuFhGfWWPv-N0P6Hz2ciupl93CsjKF5OnUAJoc5i7gouhE9Kps2KtUFbV76mCwOdd5Ggh7P27P4kQqLJaeWJRbN-8Ds51Ad/w400-h300/IMG_1863.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>But, of course.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMAQyCXjhg6KMxysfpFiEuHQ2-BaRKD4YViuU_r2m7O-5m1XVbLmtxCy3dMj_NQ5doCA7CHnttSXKQ_N53lCwRLmzxOJSL7HX5pAnAvwQWzWs9LH5ECJf8cQKHSQJ4m3vOLtgwqT7DgoyvJoHXPia7P6G-Mwx0LiU-tA29frO6Vok6OVAnMGuY8uz1lE8/s4032/IMG_1867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMAQyCXjhg6KMxysfpFiEuHQ2-BaRKD4YViuU_r2m7O-5m1XVbLmtxCy3dMj_NQ5doCA7CHnttSXKQ_N53lCwRLmzxOJSL7HX5pAnAvwQWzWs9LH5ECJf8cQKHSQJ4m3vOLtgwqT7DgoyvJoHXPia7P6G-Mwx0LiU-tA29frO6Vok6OVAnMGuY8uz1lE8/w400-h300/IMG_1867.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I continued east for 0.2 mile on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail to Waumbek's east knob, to see if there was any remnant of a former view north into The Kilkenny. I didn't have to break trail since a group had snowshoed out to South Weeks and back a few days earlier.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvM4EME9DZum40ZZ-IDs75Bgw3XzLPejEYkshCcggvt-Y1PHKpkanBTaDSVJXqKDzyUEZ8tIMGr9wxU4EJapUkvwPKLK3eCFw-969DtriNFdzklj94wNSpI1T7pg9vHeyh3SgF5_VqQdVCc9buJ1TIlWMFj4NxQnIHS4QkNXO8jpwOImDmm07g7qz9h1X/s4032/IMG_1892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvM4EME9DZum40ZZ-IDs75Bgw3XzLPejEYkshCcggvt-Y1PHKpkanBTaDSVJXqKDzyUEZ8tIMGr9wxU4EJapUkvwPKLK3eCFw-969DtriNFdzklj94wNSpI1T7pg9vHeyh3SgF5_VqQdVCc9buJ1TIlWMFj4NxQnIHS4QkNXO8jpwOImDmm07g7qz9h1X/w400-h300/IMG_1892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">That must have been an amazing 4 1/2 mile round trip with this kind of scenery along the way. Not to mention a challenge to follow the trail in many places.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5glS_BoDYxJWNSaeLGyo112iSxZJvKeFCFFP7zaubYUjAZASTKbxG6fWlqU-515ACNyoCElo8iHuR7qI80sUV5mGdnglH281B2GzL2OPf2y5mydhIYJDPzIFHCNSN_cFGTjadExIFOaVAHqdQZtZLRKO6BypT5NW9lxGnTiRqUxWKy7ShAqWVL8KMUBq/s4032/IMG_1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5glS_BoDYxJWNSaeLGyo112iSxZJvKeFCFFP7zaubYUjAZASTKbxG6fWlqU-515ACNyoCElo8iHuR7qI80sUV5mGdnglH281B2GzL2OPf2y5mydhIYJDPzIFHCNSN_cFGTjadExIFOaVAHqdQZtZLRKO6BypT5NW9lxGnTiRqUxWKy7ShAqWVL8KMUBq/w400-h300/IMG_1896.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There was no hope of a view from the trail along the east knob, so I dropped down into the forest on the north side of the ridge for a brief off-trail exploration.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEd8fwe-kBJbWvcqjyhN7GAsTQ3pKW2hFXNawZiP0ALd0g09NzljjCkjGqPVds8ifckQJZyBQgER5kSdweFRf4wKUpZl7qBeJut79jfA2mnu6mDUMoTxopVolqQtvQenr92Rl6XDC7ThVUiDbcXZVMFBRZZcEAqsqiSy9FqzR-p6sknnsSt1e7S90XCSo/s4032/IMG_1897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEd8fwe-kBJbWvcqjyhN7GAsTQ3pKW2hFXNawZiP0ALd0g09NzljjCkjGqPVds8ifckQJZyBQgER5kSdweFRf4wKUpZl7qBeJut79jfA2mnu6mDUMoTxopVolqQtvQenr92Rl6XDC7ThVUiDbcXZVMFBRZZcEAqsqiSy9FqzR-p6sknnsSt1e7S90XCSo/w400-h300/IMG_1897.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Along the way I passed this tight huddle.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXgkKOUJznjZy2tytlBLYSIS09J-Gz1slOM8hJNVXrsVgDIAjiePmocgQfxyj3qFOQcuWnkAkutTeW7yeCJR8Ek_R-k4unFeUHtvT_GghQZ6iD8MLwzl8DPFnwwaBEMtqDv1TVTl0GZC-drCuR2enttL1CTeM2eJxbHoMsicLy_MALOI-ouwRl5sylIao/s4032/IMG_1902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXgkKOUJznjZy2tytlBLYSIS09J-Gz1slOM8hJNVXrsVgDIAjiePmocgQfxyj3qFOQcuWnkAkutTeW7yeCJR8Ek_R-k4unFeUHtvT_GghQZ6iD8MLwzl8DPFnwwaBEMtqDv1TVTl0GZC-drCuR2enttL1CTeM2eJxbHoMsicLy_MALOI-ouwRl5sylIao/w400-h300/IMG_1902.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I came down to a remarkable little plateau with a gorgeous open fir forest - one of the highlights of the day.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauTgc4BLnKuu3I-PPPMdQOZrZR5F23JRRCk_mtr8NX2TOKtfLqXIS8QoPNFNxGqczk04jxej9iQrWPqQlXyWwVJgvcneBAkdpuKcbhCZvzAIID3rpsTxjEzZRK-aUY86aquyRMcm6SGijDfcU6FygotJttiPKRuXYH7ZodmoFLxQHNtG_vchwiQ0cdDiP/s4032/IMG_1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauTgc4BLnKuu3I-PPPMdQOZrZR5F23JRRCk_mtr8NX2TOKtfLqXIS8QoPNFNxGqczk04jxej9iQrWPqQlXyWwVJgvcneBAkdpuKcbhCZvzAIID3rpsTxjEzZRK-aUY86aquyRMcm6SGijDfcU6FygotJttiPKRuXYH7ZodmoFLxQHNtG_vchwiQ0cdDiP/w400-h300/IMG_1905.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">What a pleasure to make tracks through here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVS1d2cFwIxv-7g_qUSQxKH-kmrsOPd6OdecW8UY2hswDbSKC857CgYrVU3Et4t2YGwERTsa7JQ84Ui4a5wn27ItzdLTvjbDra2EbFipB10JSWXexk30QHTxg5DTv7O_81GjDGyUk8yDHB4ad1jFO2MMN9w1JtxTY3YOBOPc8BskQAJxVyLB2O6vDFLyM/s4032/IMG_1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVS1d2cFwIxv-7g_qUSQxKH-kmrsOPd6OdecW8UY2hswDbSKC857CgYrVU3Et4t2YGwERTsa7JQ84Ui4a5wn27ItzdLTvjbDra2EbFipB10JSWXexk30QHTxg5DTv7O_81GjDGyUk8yDHB4ad1jFO2MMN9w1JtxTY3YOBOPc8BskQAJxVyLB2O6vDFLyM/w400-h300/IMG_1909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Back at the Waumbek outlook, the light was getting nice on the Presys.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqUoZJXjNKczC-mtg6w8qNbEzSiltyWRKiZxX_9gEmWxlAqeNmdYDcc0wPvVBTnsZl6pohZdOsFBLEqHp0s9-oARdciiGvWTytRgwKP1Bi-dJg279GpCiVZTJwHPfAiMGV1vYmFlgerCy1PDbsKKkCRZkGThfZzEkpVhxaLG8x48aXnVOZaNkNZdW9GGx/s4032/IMG_1913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqUoZJXjNKczC-mtg6w8qNbEzSiltyWRKiZxX_9gEmWxlAqeNmdYDcc0wPvVBTnsZl6pohZdOsFBLEqHp0s9-oARdciiGvWTytRgwKP1Bi-dJg279GpCiVZTJwHPfAiMGV1vYmFlgerCy1PDbsKKkCRZkGThfZzEkpVhxaLG8x48aXnVOZaNkNZdW9GGx/w400-h300/IMG_1913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Madison to Franklin.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4pSiDcFkbvwFNDYbMufAFNM-WTIyGgXhysNyvJawREWLQKOgwXA9Q28ULrymmXqg0Kq9EZJHV37VOqo9mTCrEZyIF5QUv0mQywJbbJOfexuJojEy0ACU8zqZD6htcJy0RtXaE0YI3r4IqJhHWcQGhfSWwRoliTOfuye9sJvnl27-MdhOEajsD9gKRfIH/s4032/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4pSiDcFkbvwFNDYbMufAFNM-WTIyGgXhysNyvJawREWLQKOgwXA9Q28ULrymmXqg0Kq9EZJHV37VOqo9mTCrEZyIF5QUv0mQywJbbJOfexuJojEy0ACU8zqZD6htcJy0RtXaE0YI3r4IqJhHWcQGhfSWwRoliTOfuye9sJvnl27-MdhOEajsD9gKRfIH/w400-h300/IMG_1915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">On the way back towards Starr King, another off-trail foray was rewarded with a framed vista of snow-caked South Terrace Mountain, marked by a small slide on its steep south face.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB4FliK44mTt98s3yEm5PEmKeEJ_u1-ebyYbColQdMmc8VVS42vxLm8DE-Al4X2zV1NDYSHeTUIG8kKBaJePIsdJXAzNzFQKX191up57UzZA0r-lmMp93iJMBY2HAO2cu3avYb6enA8qpMfMAppO8fZc5XaYAdMv8wIKALqbzktgJcpXEnuLQM-jT1gg7/s5184/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB4FliK44mTt98s3yEm5PEmKeEJ_u1-ebyYbColQdMmc8VVS42vxLm8DE-Al4X2zV1NDYSHeTUIG8kKBaJePIsdJXAzNzFQKX191up57UzZA0r-lmMp93iJMBY2HAO2cu3avYb6enA8qpMfMAppO8fZc5XaYAdMv8wIKALqbzktgJcpXEnuLQM-jT1gg7/w400-h300/IMG_0164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mount Cabot also came into view, with the tip of The Horn peeking over on the right.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiir_UPjLzzlAfAyT7npTfp3kudv-uLn341uj86JryP10vVgjR2KJfBVEbtHRJaxcsu3xQVINLrAhXJaxd1VlTjtkOeEANkcBfQVC0bQxMrB6wnucaLOulhyphenhyphen7lX5Shb4azl9vTuKcxLzOdrMv1KVu0EPphr7pqDY8lNEiezNCpKUtAP5NIFcYaKkpk8EO/s5184/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiir_UPjLzzlAfAyT7npTfp3kudv-uLn341uj86JryP10vVgjR2KJfBVEbtHRJaxcsu3xQVINLrAhXJaxd1VlTjtkOeEANkcBfQVC0bQxMrB6wnucaLOulhyphenhyphen7lX5Shb4azl9vTuKcxLzOdrMv1KVu0EPphr7pqDY8lNEiezNCpKUtAP5NIFcYaKkpk8EO/w400-h300/IMG_0173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Down in the Waumbek-Starr King col, I made a probe down the south slope towards the top of the 1957 Waumbek Slide, which I had visited in the summer of 2021. I soon realized that the very steep 250-ft. descent would be treacherous in the sugary unconsolidated snow, with spruce traps and blowdowns lying in wait. Nope.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0vz9helLz_Bmlxe08zyRmmj0a1UL-_mE1k739abc8aKM7IUQ7c4DKutmbGkGCO7s3GFpsQElyONdL7nCIm9BluumcrF3Y4iOrrEfR_O6EfzsLNx2UcmUyQIlzTZB02ZYn1oLktBJ5tAFrbsMkiJzkBUq5V1rGLH8-hrX2tw7EpeouPaANoc6O510OyfC/s4032/IMG_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0vz9helLz_Bmlxe08zyRmmj0a1UL-_mE1k739abc8aKM7IUQ7c4DKutmbGkGCO7s3GFpsQElyONdL7nCIm9BluumcrF3Y4iOrrEfR_O6EfzsLNx2UcmUyQIlzTZB02ZYn1oLktBJ5tAFrbsMkiJzkBUq5V1rGLH8-hrX2tw7EpeouPaANoc6O510OyfC/w400-h300/IMG_1936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I spent 40 minutes enjoying glorious late afternoon light at the Starr King outlook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yuOsYzUHChIOdKnn0g6waboI-CkMo6aHWCbcLvI_wz3T5QG8NdTgvyzr89H1uqGsKvR4CMu2sNbH8_GcPz453km7909rBnbODZd-nTSJ8dkGt2JjjtPEqm2enirYB37OVrZAxBniXfMwnKLpj27zgrpx-cTsRUj2jH-aLtjh_qAwExCrmvXR0m4HNi9R/s4032/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yuOsYzUHChIOdKnn0g6waboI-CkMo6aHWCbcLvI_wz3T5QG8NdTgvyzr89H1uqGsKvR4CMu2sNbH8_GcPz453km7909rBnbODZd-nTSJ8dkGt2JjjtPEqm2enirYB37OVrZAxBniXfMwnKLpj27zgrpx-cTsRUj2jH-aLtjh_qAwExCrmvXR0m4HNi9R/w400-h300/IMG_1942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Golden hour down in the hardwoods.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpoNxrbTW0aNQUAX-Zm-ZIVa9L8HDfCSpPfEr2-2aTIjiPXBS5WcYAMxj-DZiSmLFLBtK2cwjw_qVp1n2HF0-tYRTRPsAJYW9W_hWKZD5_-xAERpjzQTsUBlsDMIs2aBWGeD4jDTriC5G2PROnReI1oVo8DHXCmwTnOKrJ4FQQSDmYpgXTydeQOgUPUn8/s4032/IMG_1951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpoNxrbTW0aNQUAX-Zm-ZIVa9L8HDfCSpPfEr2-2aTIjiPXBS5WcYAMxj-DZiSmLFLBtK2cwjw_qVp1n2HF0-tYRTRPsAJYW9W_hWKZD5_-xAERpjzQTsUBlsDMIs2aBWGeD4jDTriC5G2PROnReI1oVo8DHXCmwTnOKrJ4FQQSDmYpgXTydeQOgUPUn8/w400-h300/IMG_1951.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Shadows getting long.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgmJjFZiCYMrOtYWr-TRC4jVvoRD9SPAHPzn3llEwOBfjxLOhTihQi3WUkdus2HrAmW7PBKVndZFDf9ZkVOFXR5a8xgXlqr0-SXa6dSjKFWgcYqeZF8XeFsoSPu85qmjWz1_xMW3Yw-yfRMZnKHqEqwbkbPIZpVD7rmLBdBB2rUE2ptK76-4BiEb5h4j9/s4032/IMG_1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgmJjFZiCYMrOtYWr-TRC4jVvoRD9SPAHPzn3llEwOBfjxLOhTihQi3WUkdus2HrAmW7PBKVndZFDf9ZkVOFXR5a8xgXlqr0-SXa6dSjKFWgcYqeZF8XeFsoSPu85qmjWz1_xMW3Yw-yfRMZnKHqEqwbkbPIZpVD7rmLBdBB2rUE2ptK76-4BiEb5h4j9/w400-h300/IMG_1952.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A touch of alpenglow to cap off the day.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI52KKbi10NnC4-7zDcuyVQkDk5P32iARN09kCEIZxWCzn8oxBQ_eVnDW9EPWzjA2vKVj91lpYUp-giaGGb0OmclYSqiL3STpJHEG7YCtOZ6VPVO9NLDxhSaqOZ8l9DCJgVYRWsaTk8OpcUm-h7bfDZ_GsmrP-IqY00SuvQQbFrOAT1ER7wkU7w2tNIK_/s4032/IMG_1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAI52KKbi10NnC4-7zDcuyVQkDk5P32iARN09kCEIZxWCzn8oxBQ_eVnDW9EPWzjA2vKVj91lpYUp-giaGGb0OmclYSqiL3STpJHEG7YCtOZ6VPVO9NLDxhSaqOZ8l9DCJgVYRWsaTk8OpcUm-h7bfDZ_GsmrP-IqY00SuvQQbFrOAT1ER7wkU7w2tNIK_/w400-h300/IMG_1962.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-72811506429189070802024-02-03T17:08:00.000-05:002024-02-03T17:08:29.521-05:00Greeley Ponds & East Osceola's Southeast Slide: 2/2/24<div><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;">On yet another cloudy I journeyed into Mad River Notch for one of my favorite snowshoe trips, visiting the two Greeley Ponds and climbing partway up the Southeast Slide of East Osceola, which dates back to 1897. Mad River Notch is a wonderful place in winter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I approached via the Greeley Ponds X-C Ski Trail, which has a plowed pulloff parking area and has seen much more use from snowshoers since plowing ceased at the Greeley Ponds hiking trailhead a few years ago. The trail had a fine firm snowshoe track with a bit of new snow on top.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVk_PR9oTWjEoUEOf8l36GR_jR8E_Mt7za3bVBpzf3EF2EVTPwfF4ERQ8DKcUfNzCaz7QiayLK3YvUQZU5tuXYalMPEnckOC1Y5EAo0UrHTz3PNwCq8eohYG-5Iem9_wqzV-x1vp5OARNwAz4dhXgWp_JhxZ1cCzfSH7EvWONdDd44Rh_vmnbWZ7v-qlW/s4032/IMG_1491.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVk_PR9oTWjEoUEOf8l36GR_jR8E_Mt7za3bVBpzf3EF2EVTPwfF4ERQ8DKcUfNzCaz7QiayLK3YvUQZU5tuXYalMPEnckOC1Y5EAo0UrHTz3PNwCq8eohYG-5Iem9_wqzV-x1vp5OARNwAz4dhXgWp_JhxZ1cCzfSH7EvWONdDd44Rh_vmnbWZ7v-qlW/w400-h300/IMG_1491.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The snowpack beside the trail was close to two feet deep.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMjkbYQ-8id7fG9x4hfrKrq1kUON7Ng8TgQaq6Dj6bUEpHkY89mloKlg4MNTpw5bDJYJ3yXMCFSADPTEIGMdUdL0Y6VRmwGo92vhqfBc69Lnugc6XqJzsJb-gmFTmgHetEjcgICH8N_3Ro7Mf_9yhGAI7YQg9YvXUXYHRvFh6BnWa9UBb1HRVw3pgghh9/s4032/IMG_1492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMjkbYQ-8id7fG9x4hfrKrq1kUON7Ng8TgQaq6Dj6bUEpHkY89mloKlg4MNTpw5bDJYJ3yXMCFSADPTEIGMdUdL0Y6VRmwGo92vhqfBc69Lnugc6XqJzsJb-gmFTmgHetEjcgICH8N_3Ro7Mf_9yhGAI7YQg9YvXUXYHRvFh6BnWa9UBb1HRVw3pgghh9/w400-h300/IMG_1492.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was disappointing to see that some people had barebooted on this trail, ignoring the prominent sign at the trailhead indicating that this is for skis and snowshoes only, and not for bare boots.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOphugXMs1jyNh0GmYVcWk66KrD-rIen02EKe-ZzkjmaPSvC_wXvY3YXgsbx3E-e7x75DyTwIM1xt9o9prrE7bY_I9tdX938AKu61TMl1NCcT2wf5R0UnCEfMJLecz7NDTERRNK4fxJ-ARnCTgvuGS7L5sfeAHX3a4ifxmSU3d9-MXd89koseBGOK41T6/s4032/IMG_1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOphugXMs1jyNh0GmYVcWk66KrD-rIen02EKe-ZzkjmaPSvC_wXvY3YXgsbx3E-e7x75DyTwIM1xt9o9prrE7bY_I9tdX938AKu61TMl1NCcT2wf5R0UnCEfMJLecz7NDTERRNK4fxJ-ARnCTgvuGS7L5sfeAHX3a4ifxmSU3d9-MXd89koseBGOK41T6/w400-h300/IMG_1494.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This split boulder is a notable landmark along the trail.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp3S8Ug3UTrZTq4QmiMrMgjDEnmGY20AxJEYe6ujrOHb0MTUksT9TX_a2S85wO3B6On751u05SuKTY1FlodwtZ3jsVY_TvFX7bbIwBHv53GjjLHaTMFH3DPAWUL0BpN_YfKtZ7LK1nveINx92H-9Dci0G_h2X0o7S2VveG7T0NELV9qNqvwzUvWuXYEx8/s4032/IMG_1497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp3S8Ug3UTrZTq4QmiMrMgjDEnmGY20AxJEYe6ujrOHb0MTUksT9TX_a2S85wO3B6On751u05SuKTY1FlodwtZ3jsVY_TvFX7bbIwBHv53GjjLHaTMFH3DPAWUL0BpN_YfKtZ7LK1nveINx92H-9Dci0G_h2X0o7S2VveG7T0NELV9qNqvwzUvWuXYEx8/w400-h300/IMG_1497.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A small, steep slide that fell during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 can be seen through the trees.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9hUtupNXYgiTfCF1o-InSFEE1GnZaKVV1WBC4GoJl9TV8chFbOPCuLN9AGnab32bHImlZB16jaSFJxTiPdjuAnisL9x-jKunTQbvGv3ojTtx5G0GLZqUFtQxNn8aL7RUFunnzfsZ-ouTIt2VuemXNJw0nbXnXzOotSPmPjYB-kelYP_0mT52qqOnJMmL/s4032/IMG_1502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9hUtupNXYgiTfCF1o-InSFEE1GnZaKVV1WBC4GoJl9TV8chFbOPCuLN9AGnab32bHImlZB16jaSFJxTiPdjuAnisL9x-jKunTQbvGv3ojTtx5G0GLZqUFtQxNn8aL7RUFunnzfsZ-ouTIt2VuemXNJw0nbXnXzOotSPmPjYB-kelYP_0mT52qqOnJMmL/w400-h300/IMG_1502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some nice hardwood forest on this route.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8v8Z1HYC4TZD0Iq6oeQp4qcsuL3bdJDgI4W-7t1tGxRObF0gsFZ6NHm4KJzHvl1r8_ykASeac7oEQzDXFeXrPtTGEQwNfw551NDuWZf6ptjYZcW2rOEtdwzzV1Rszb62tvTy1grH8CVSQhHYFS-l2Lj2S3_jsrhGfKpR8EXBNgGnhoSKgZechMvGc2rBw/s4032/IMG_1504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8v8Z1HYC4TZD0Iq6oeQp4qcsuL3bdJDgI4W-7t1tGxRObF0gsFZ6NHm4KJzHvl1r8_ykASeac7oEQzDXFeXrPtTGEQwNfw551NDuWZf6ptjYZcW2rOEtdwzzV1Rszb62tvTy1grH8CVSQhHYFS-l2Lj2S3_jsrhGfKpR8EXBNgGnhoSKgZechMvGc2rBw/w400-h300/IMG_1504.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moody skies at Upper Greeley Pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXU8g56f5wN4qhe4LwvTOePa8W6rJDydfiw6EbUzzs3nODTQZPB4G79bCTOs4kKO9x24mmICpMweFuxSMHwT0gemkyfyU7-PZxbOfn_c3P3FwkX7PTLNQfF_LZS3hWl9fbphO0CZX-6vNrG_ZBp4WsKsy5nNO9aiIOheJiQKD_xSGWzKrYdmBXjciO9GSv/s4032/IMG_1512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXU8g56f5wN4qhe4LwvTOePa8W6rJDydfiw6EbUzzs3nODTQZPB4G79bCTOs4kKO9x24mmICpMweFuxSMHwT0gemkyfyU7-PZxbOfn_c3P3FwkX7PTLNQfF_LZS3hWl9fbphO0CZX-6vNrG_ZBp4WsKsy5nNO9aiIOheJiQKD_xSGWzKrYdmBXjciO9GSv/w400-h300/IMG_1512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Traversing the pond through a few inches of snow atop solid ice.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzRr7LVRA4D4GDEc_tfhPA49RuRR_rVmmTGCy4vNX1oO0HrG7HX0YuGhFH79wkNI8cHQaxsSDZ1yqGkPmapI0cE_eQajExZUEZQRsyHLj-Rci0acDuD_YIG-Yiue_PtyghNH-TJuJM-k39nz5ozs9fmn0-z1VI_rNkOnUPL3-aJh8Mi7pjZFNEDgZnycG/s4032/IMG_1519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzRr7LVRA4D4GDEc_tfhPA49RuRR_rVmmTGCy4vNX1oO0HrG7HX0YuGhFH79wkNI8cHQaxsSDZ1yqGkPmapI0cE_eQajExZUEZQRsyHLj-Rci0acDuD_YIG-Yiue_PtyghNH-TJuJM-k39nz5ozs9fmn0-z1VI_rNkOnUPL3-aJh8Mi7pjZFNEDgZnycG/w400-h300/IMG_1519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The northeast cliffs of East Osceola.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyl9CoVbMEOEJaOikDqzTi4Hl0F1GLhjCJslySTo-pzzCwe4VgEAMVaPD2pvHeV0go8mueIZHxfmvAjfHwQkoyz-neqnTT1Qu-CgPEGgXEDQGbhGy5F-zHIRgZub9We97zT1HXX-2npknL01Q5YJ23zKub1_rEkAjbVjuYvUEcRYfSKwz0n3jVWy_CQLw/s4032/IMG_1523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyl9CoVbMEOEJaOikDqzTi4Hl0F1GLhjCJslySTo-pzzCwe4VgEAMVaPD2pvHeV0go8mueIZHxfmvAjfHwQkoyz-neqnTT1Qu-CgPEGgXEDQGbhGy5F-zHIRgZub9We97zT1HXX-2npknL01Q5YJ23zKub1_rEkAjbVjuYvUEcRYfSKwz0n3jVWy_CQLw/w400-h300/IMG_1523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The track of the multiple Northeast Slides of East Osceola comes right down beside the trail.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoesywfG4oOasVHrSe7DO8k3l60SH81k0_iny2rbjEBjRm7ZNg1yAY5_8EQJXdKg5vtvLbwzfwhv0_9un4gNuF0udGrLCppOWvt2FSE01w0cFS9eCJq375IRxZ1JCZfAURBbW7nHDhCTyE-8gckmeTtJz6z4mVs-WsVTgWWVW9FomhsEyCdUrWXspodGrm/s4032/IMG_1527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoesywfG4oOasVHrSe7DO8k3l60SH81k0_iny2rbjEBjRm7ZNg1yAY5_8EQJXdKg5vtvLbwzfwhv0_9un4gNuF0udGrLCppOWvt2FSE01w0cFS9eCJq375IRxZ1JCZfAURBbW7nHDhCTyE-8gckmeTtJz6z4mVs-WsVTgWWVW9FomhsEyCdUrWXspodGrm/w400-h300/IMG_1527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Good snowshoeing on the Greeley Ponds Trail between the two ponds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi234NKAxW1AsjKDioZ9-_HxZ-M-CHzjdXzk6YCFJ8hR7OKnZ1lA9VqCcTajLFe5mUJgyCMTXjpRfR03EOXPAKeETqiqJFU9lDRRU1Z3H8xLMZqyMnp14fdL1hH7Xu3klP3Q9oa57zmsMO_72IWFkgwemrPMiHO3ZPzc3GcebjBu5MCspgLg3hTiyah5vHz/s4032/IMG_1529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi234NKAxW1AsjKDioZ9-_HxZ-M-CHzjdXzk6YCFJ8hR7OKnZ1lA9VqCcTajLFe5mUJgyCMTXjpRfR03EOXPAKeETqiqJFU9lDRRU1Z3H8xLMZqyMnp14fdL1hH7Xu3klP3Q9oa57zmsMO_72IWFkgwemrPMiHO3ZPzc3GcebjBu5MCspgLg3hTiyah5vHz/w400-h300/IMG_1529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lower Greeley Pond has not frozen well this winter. Crossing it was a no-go.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2NEZOEWm8pF3iTQG12wROWfMDehIzB0MklVNnXAgiqlWyYEm53AfDOIbq7TF8TyPR7Td1ltl2bzQeCnUGmvjmCZnxOedI1LoJUk40SkX_u_KhN9LGEcLEZOsgflHK5Mt0AwXQyBLJZXxVsxWs0411eKBjTm7QBLiLehSDT7ibPpflWSSUawjmb7QA4IA/s4032/IMG_1530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2NEZOEWm8pF3iTQG12wROWfMDehIzB0MklVNnXAgiqlWyYEm53AfDOIbq7TF8TyPR7Td1ltl2bzQeCnUGmvjmCZnxOedI1LoJUk40SkX_u_KhN9LGEcLEZOsgflHK5Mt0AwXQyBLJZXxVsxWs0411eKBjTm7QBLiLehSDT7ibPpflWSSUawjmb7QA4IA/w400-h300/IMG_1530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I followed the trail to the south end of the pond and worked along the edge on deep firm snow, gaining this view north into Mad River Notch.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5j5p9pzo45Ar1jvS6H5Mpbe2RBqC7MuKLOLmRzwCzKoO1CB1jXsrZDnOfIQ1vlgFB9Ul75nkHstG5DJxExWiq8myW_pG-iiVmeDJIe1W0wGUt4QB7f9qCvU_h8s44xmhTpAInNZ5cuHyl6Me1nm4kg_OoHFGK2Ys4RQBtYfbYLjHb6Opw6NixyjHY-rR/s4032/IMG_1544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5j5p9pzo45Ar1jvS6H5Mpbe2RBqC7MuKLOLmRzwCzKoO1CB1jXsrZDnOfIQ1vlgFB9Ul75nkHstG5DJxExWiq8myW_pG-iiVmeDJIe1W0wGUt4QB7f9qCvU_h8s44xmhTpAInNZ5cuHyl6Me1nm4kg_OoHFGK2Ys4RQBtYfbYLjHb6Opw6NixyjHY-rR/w400-h300/IMG_1544.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">A view up the pond to the East Osceola cliffs from the southeast corner of the pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlI5huJ4WB4Szvy4GZ5gJhq61hApUBIA8JIxwrlvhfb3qeC-ePwZ9U2GT9zMfMxOSEf3XHf3AUsz1FYD2XWtgt39myli8vwPhGsRpcYu0SdxTjuMVQn9HVMI-TBCtMS3KzYfd0VjxbZsE9fKOP2vZo_evn18Yjz1bkt5aQ4My98NZ0EoYs7vZrAxptOMy/s4032/IMG_1555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlI5huJ4WB4Szvy4GZ5gJhq61hApUBIA8JIxwrlvhfb3qeC-ePwZ9U2GT9zMfMxOSEf3XHf3AUsz1FYD2XWtgt39myli8vwPhGsRpcYu0SdxTjuMVQn9HVMI-TBCtMS3KzYfd0VjxbZsE9fKOP2vZo_evn18Yjz1bkt5aQ4My98NZ0EoYs7vZrAxptOMy/w400-h300/IMG_1555.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From here I could see the big, steep snowy slab that I was heading for on the Southeast Slide of East Osceola. It looks close, but getting there requires a steep and strenuous bushwhack with 400 feet of elevation gain. Seen on the left, beneath a pointy nubble, is part of the Painted Cliff.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8qxm1XL45SsLeDFqtkTsQSP7nBk0WMp2J8U-bDNb-eBAN6WZwrLV1Oa8A2p1Omm_fVMGXKp1QPpYVLe-2Djnsy8EpyMzEntMfuvldNb8mMwMa75fTu1auVuszUcyk4bcAPkN16ND45GGxALGR8OiC8WZuBiK0thfwKuxSoAKMl3jgmi4kbaQok-NOXYr/s4032/IMG_1550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8qxm1XL45SsLeDFqtkTsQSP7nBk0WMp2J8U-bDNb-eBAN6WZwrLV1Oa8A2p1Omm_fVMGXKp1QPpYVLe-2Djnsy8EpyMzEntMfuvldNb8mMwMa75fTu1auVuszUcyk4bcAPkN16ND45GGxALGR8OiC8WZuBiK0thfwKuxSoAKMl3jgmi4kbaQok-NOXYr/w400-h300/IMG_1550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When the Southeast Slide fell in 1897, it came all the way down to Lower Greeley Pond and partly filled it. The Greeley Ponds Trail had to be cleared through the debris. As I'd done several times before, I followed the track of the slide up from where it crosses the trail. The first part winds gently through hardwoods.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_scsJh8I9s0bsKmO8UHqI_y-67XXV-iUJ5pRDZZw6-jTzZacEQuK0z7_Q1di_6Si36x9TG7CNErR1sRI_TCwnacKfKCngWitk8zMi0LtwxVUsPuofaWeYGOK_z1Zk1kyp1KQXAZDO-cXq_7mMKnzrqNxrJ_RBxTqkeQ9gF9U1xT2EVHZJnYnn82Wt_3u/s4032/IMG_1575.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_scsJh8I9s0bsKmO8UHqI_y-67XXV-iUJ5pRDZZw6-jTzZacEQuK0z7_Q1di_6Si36x9TG7CNErR1sRI_TCwnacKfKCngWitk8zMi0LtwxVUsPuofaWeYGOK_z1Zk1kyp1KQXAZDO-cXq_7mMKnzrqNxrJ_RBxTqkeQ9gF9U1xT2EVHZJnYnn82Wt_3u/w400-h300/IMG_1575.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then it gets steeper.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWg-B2ftx7KhfcFG880ytbQkkGBNabsnRr9Mzf0M63iYn1mus_4K32CXiQzXFE3EP3Yt1vN7UAI37kF1BPBkC2PpYglX1cjexT4nJD394agMyg10opmkY_nxgZyY1SG5afd6W7LyckRGqL5gzvd58rA5tOLS0uzVaY9WDm54kEGpYIX0c0_VYHnPQsIDDz/s4032/IMG_1582.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWg-B2ftx7KhfcFG880ytbQkkGBNabsnRr9Mzf0M63iYn1mus_4K32CXiQzXFE3EP3Yt1vN7UAI37kF1BPBkC2PpYglX1cjexT4nJD394agMyg10opmkY_nxgZyY1SG5afd6W7LyckRGqL5gzvd58rA5tOLS0uzVaY9WDm54kEGpYIX0c0_VYHnPQsIDDz/w400-h300/IMG_1582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A snowy corridor through the conifers.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xQBcr0asGG2zYH3n8yM6rao3DrVwVrWu2WVaBX5TzX1k_j4azARnshatxuDbvMabF5G2HZxcGuMzCM_ARW1UTxEzSowjD1G4H7BhnsVmjoQKItCxoQOFKAydHs89uOaY3Li1_y-hJdpfUjcz2CKiBYGb9Qd7jhle66ocYtlfC88Fn0R2H2lNk-z_20JD/s4032/IMG_1584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xQBcr0asGG2zYH3n8yM6rao3DrVwVrWu2WVaBX5TzX1k_j4azARnshatxuDbvMabF5G2HZxcGuMzCM_ARW1UTxEzSowjD1G4H7BhnsVmjoQKItCxoQOFKAydHs89uOaY3Li1_y-hJdpfUjcz2CKiBYGb9Qd7jhle66ocYtlfC88Fn0R2H2lNk-z_20JD/w400-h300/IMG_1584.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A steep ledge step bars the way.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM87oELElWhToIdBGG2TScdgQi-NSBkgrp1ylpqzudNOY6DJ3j9zZRTaIqZDz9u0ouYho2KRNf-3RtJ_XPKMkAdeN7K7jCV9jhBwWb_5gNnUEMxn6aCDfXGkbisKzavZRwE4OEXJ2toX5nTZ9wxARr3qRVvzkscQWpubHlSNybO3-0VNpgca_Pb4eT5Fvn/s4032/IMG_1585.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM87oELElWhToIdBGG2TScdgQi-NSBkgrp1ylpqzudNOY6DJ3j9zZRTaIqZDz9u0ouYho2KRNf-3RtJ_XPKMkAdeN7K7jCV9jhBwWb_5gNnUEMxn6aCDfXGkbisKzavZRwE4OEXJ2toX5nTZ9wxARr3qRVvzkscQWpubHlSNybO3-0VNpgca_Pb4eT5Fvn/w300-h400/IMG_1585.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hugged the edge to get up it. The snow was deep and dense enough to allow good snowshoe steps on the steep pitches.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HD1kCK1eylZBq27IQ2v_pGQCQrSJiLpPAo3jT_cwByio5i1eelXBx2APNXYcafJmbNZXdWYwfN12suWq4fMjyWa_bB_MnJ29zqzhcZQ4ihoLPpsYqGnJxt12ZROn6p8Rc8lvLH-7vLSlvjlXOqtsg7Fbz9Jlke6isQKLkBpx8COjDgdfB3JDU2_qb75F/s4032/IMG_1591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HD1kCK1eylZBq27IQ2v_pGQCQrSJiLpPAo3jT_cwByio5i1eelXBx2APNXYcafJmbNZXdWYwfN12suWq4fMjyWa_bB_MnJ29zqzhcZQ4ihoLPpsYqGnJxt12ZROn6p8Rc8lvLH-7vLSlvjlXOqtsg7Fbz9Jlke6isQKLkBpx8COjDgdfB3JDU2_qb75F/w400-h300/IMG_1591.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This ledge step, festooned with snow rollers, is too steep for my liking.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_KcSjMtRvujKYchEdJiGLNwHgRinbiJGpDXbuxc3GX5klmkTchQyd-NBo1ttMU7x6fGWVKjHEkruQ4PnQ4BhGI_hGDZ1n7XXvOrG3yL9Eck08z6M0R6lNrsKKgXE6qTJi1FRa560Kqdru_Rvna42l_2l7auSsvJSxZ_Mx8jmT50RujzDlTRKtn0InaS2/s4032/IMG_1599.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_KcSjMtRvujKYchEdJiGLNwHgRinbiJGpDXbuxc3GX5klmkTchQyd-NBo1ttMU7x6fGWVKjHEkruQ4PnQ4BhGI_hGDZ1n7XXvOrG3yL9Eck08z6M0R6lNrsKKgXE6qTJi1FRa560Kqdru_Rvna42l_2l7auSsvJSxZ_Mx8jmT50RujzDlTRKtn0InaS2/w400-h300/IMG_1599.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Time to take to the woods for the climb to the top of the big slab.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JPga9ALPfQQ0C8oTPHwYClx9S0zzYx8M3vPQesif6YphIXCkOXAjgwsvFn6-Ae_ZgsNhsJcKent5-zlJX6sDg-JYGeVJdM1PGFFZH_BPAeputTZ6ldqZApyLYc-VXmQtblTtZ0UWDcLUS8Ga-ngbGYJsWEw4uH1szog0ixtVay9LxobfBI5bFqGMXRe4/s4032/IMG_1600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JPga9ALPfQQ0C8oTPHwYClx9S0zzYx8M3vPQesif6YphIXCkOXAjgwsvFn6-Ae_ZgsNhsJcKent5-zlJX6sDg-JYGeVJdM1PGFFZH_BPAeputTZ6ldqZApyLYc-VXmQtblTtZ0UWDcLUS8Ga-ngbGYJsWEw4uH1szog0ixtVay9LxobfBI5bFqGMXRe4/w400-h300/IMG_1600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Steep...<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGphxyQVCv3c1fJ0bX6vGpbcGsDw_fA0fOTHktEuodOZREHKj1X4RSeMHqU-sZg77dRuv3ZkUZKkQwiPYsVwsEphI_rQhIUsrZnegBlkbLI4ZI3HRZSnPL8H3eNNWvBowx4HsA33kReNbYsCw0DXd6cprU2w43DBuhDnvt2Ys_pEl0dG01SZOZ7fl250B4/s4032/IMG_1606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGphxyQVCv3c1fJ0bX6vGpbcGsDw_fA0fOTHktEuodOZREHKj1X4RSeMHqU-sZg77dRuv3ZkUZKkQwiPYsVwsEphI_rQhIUsrZnegBlkbLI4ZI3HRZSnPL8H3eNNWvBowx4HsA33kReNbYsCw0DXd6cprU2w43DBuhDnvt2Ys_pEl0dG01SZOZ7fl250B4/w400-h300/IMG_1606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and prickly. I advanced slowly, shaking snow off the small conifers with my poles to minimize refreshing neck showers.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig92CzwnVAa6sCCKOFboz81-HItBPXW-HiJZygX5J_bMAa8q-DFcoN68xeguOo1kOjPFnarGxGaCC1MUmOY7r2o6Rfj6OETQoDKI7rFQS8bnv6s28EWAzgZEaEMdQVjFF1bBZIqKC1O7WpkNoVqAeHM-q-XJqLqf9TUW-ioD-334NPHihjqWfaeq6rigm/s4032/IMG_1610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig92CzwnVAa6sCCKOFboz81-HItBPXW-HiJZygX5J_bMAa8q-DFcoN68xeguOo1kOjPFnarGxGaCC1MUmOY7r2o6Rfj6OETQoDKI7rFQS8bnv6s28EWAzgZEaEMdQVjFF1bBZIqKC1O7WpkNoVqAeHM-q-XJqLqf9TUW-ioD-334NPHihjqWfaeq6rigm/w400-h300/IMG_1610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I emerged at the edge of the slab, not far below the top.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VqkLpPTDrc3IUNPFles3eTU3yakJvmSG6UdVZu1pbDsV4QQdE3mzKTOHd4S3P8TvuyNRdSG3yP13oYR7kD9I6wWL8Ic50cOPcYGWlhMvP46rPzehjUI0mOCL6GNDJw1jtgSYboWw5iPdNPYZN8-UjirrE7aWQJbAOzKMwFXgsbKvpdhQVvOuvAPYSeo3/s4032/IMG_1613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VqkLpPTDrc3IUNPFles3eTU3yakJvmSG6UdVZu1pbDsV4QQdE3mzKTOHd4S3P8TvuyNRdSG3yP13oYR7kD9I6wWL8Ic50cOPcYGWlhMvP46rPzehjUI0mOCL6GNDJw1jtgSYboWw5iPdNPYZN8-UjirrE7aWQJbAOzKMwFXgsbKvpdhQVvOuvAPYSeo3/w400-h300/IMG_1613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is an impressive dropoff below.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPWio3ii0AHo5WoIHtS56eQqF6hN_JncANQx7DxrVohi-rmRZaUCRdVH1NPS8K2kbxAqDDr4jZz2esO0e-GBjA6usfHrl_yBlxAr_LuwuyRa5QNqr6jhHosSyVaNhKhKPf_ZkQczzXqz64glVWiB5huPHOw6P1mrUwHuGFmS92h8dFkX1jPuSeQhnxGe/s4032/IMG_1620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPWio3ii0AHo5WoIHtS56eQqF6hN_JncANQx7DxrVohi-rmRZaUCRdVH1NPS8K2kbxAqDDr4jZz2esO0e-GBjA6usfHrl_yBlxAr_LuwuyRa5QNqr6jhHosSyVaNhKhKPf_ZkQczzXqz64glVWiB5huPHOw6P1mrUwHuGFmS92h8dFkX1jPuSeQhnxGe/w400-h300/IMG_1620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">From here there is a view down to Lower Greeley Pond, with the west knob of Mt. Kanacamagus and its K2 Cliff rising above. <br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeKXqpgT-Du2RZDO2tyvEackyoxKwp7_YVeQgteoqSE9SGmZK4S9fEk8c1-5BHBIjOT7htiBsUk3NHBThcMBkL1w5QzPt7QupNbsUpbfhRmOrVS_O907PCQvej4T0gMv4CDMX_RfeG-WlrWr7uC2UKQ9HCuW5ZIP2WhyvtxRUv8pxF-6l-xVvtaw90MhJ/s4032/IMG_1621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeKXqpgT-Du2RZDO2tyvEackyoxKwp7_YVeQgteoqSE9SGmZK4S9fEk8c1-5BHBIjOT7htiBsUk3NHBThcMBkL1w5QzPt7QupNbsUpbfhRmOrVS_O907PCQvej4T0gMv4CDMX_RfeG-WlrWr7uC2UKQ9HCuW5ZIP2WhyvtxRUv8pxF-6l-xVvtaw90MhJ/w400-h300/IMG_1621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made my way carefully up along the edge of the slab.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TPZRiRs0XsuiRA5x7ZgYobvMHxcrratyvYfsg9EJMFNzrQsbK-5wp3SvLfdJAa1RGNGPtvLd6BodeoMrvGfRNu9kSfdy9KbDgQFYTg-1CvUMo_yqJtKjyi_GDBMxmsKRiUbK2gMhih3JamhKAQV0YosS08a3NhTzbnAyGlkE3nueXSTmJo_eDe8D4X9j/s4032/IMG_1631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TPZRiRs0XsuiRA5x7ZgYobvMHxcrratyvYfsg9EJMFNzrQsbK-5wp3SvLfdJAa1RGNGPtvLd6BodeoMrvGfRNu9kSfdy9KbDgQFYTg-1CvUMo_yqJtKjyi_GDBMxmsKRiUbK2gMhih3JamhKAQV0YosS08a3NhTzbnAyGlkE3nueXSTmJo_eDe8D4X9j/w400-h300/IMG_1631.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> From the top of the slab, at 2550 ft., the view takes in the southwest ridge of Mount </div><div style="text-align: left;">Kanacamagus and Mount Tripyramid, which was smothered in cloud.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwalgxpr7nmNhpFmVPqR5Sxhl2VT1ioHZle2EZ9HMs1Bm5nJNlIFJE3eQLPoMr81-3UAUB_V8ybF8RP-MS1ZlUCGhSgx1XWyv0-o5Lh3cmWtW9nsH8P91HWY2WMXJ_92YYq_3ql9HulIMLkTB2BF5UrKTHxlzWqD92Ac-BSxiTFz4Q_FBxlgZD60KT91Dz/s4032/IMG_1639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwalgxpr7nmNhpFmVPqR5Sxhl2VT1ioHZle2EZ9HMs1Bm5nJNlIFJE3eQLPoMr81-3UAUB_V8ybF8RP-MS1ZlUCGhSgx1XWyv0-o5Lh3cmWtW9nsH8P91HWY2WMXJ_92YYq_3ql9HulIMLkTB2BF5UrKTHxlzWqD92Ac-BSxiTFz4Q_FBxlgZD60KT91Dz/w400-h300/IMG_1639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The K1 Cliff is a notable feature of the ridge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHuUvvkA2-IkOJg4DXUxbYVQywT2X-EnYYA5aifMd9QGNfjEos5kkzRIktrWRVOlgOjWzcvP66pqEmoL47-xEiPvkpmWLRmzlr9qtExklDiR1WOGPAUHGsGRxoT6eJKkI_1Ev583VbAiu1X6CaJN9DeN-TDMVkJg0i1uo24ExgJ5_qJp1p_uOJtiIvZuf/s4032/IMG_1663.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHuUvvkA2-IkOJg4DXUxbYVQywT2X-EnYYA5aifMd9QGNfjEos5kkzRIktrWRVOlgOjWzcvP66pqEmoL47-xEiPvkpmWLRmzlr9qtExklDiR1WOGPAUHGsGRxoT6eJKkI_1Ev583VbAiu1X6CaJN9DeN-TDMVkJg0i1uo24ExgJ5_qJp1p_uOJtiIvZuf/w400-h300/IMG_1663.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From here, I continued up the slide, enjoying great snowshoeing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78jiUkiYbA59oYxFKT3eburT54sJ7nnaCSILkEHx12zghwfS3w0X6fikOhVUFepCZCrG4MH5zPsXUA3TWOy__T_HtyUY1yWaoi4rPJqfo6HHgSIE2PWzWZG5akwnE7n3A5slLYvuB8HDVltoelCgp33tEqId8orToCJl9OZddk2NWQ831Me4jEvPW_6YJ/s4032/IMG_1660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78jiUkiYbA59oYxFKT3eburT54sJ7nnaCSILkEHx12zghwfS3w0X6fikOhVUFepCZCrG4MH5zPsXUA3TWOy__T_HtyUY1yWaoi4rPJqfo6HHgSIE2PWzWZG5akwnE7n3A5slLYvuB8HDVltoelCgp33tEqId8orToCJl9OZddk2NWQ831Me4jEvPW_6YJ/w400-h300/IMG_1660.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A smooth snowy swath, with the ridgecrest of East Osceola beyond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvQbLTHhobxK2a-FCdp0HiKTO6Sh7tTCep92MPZsJxECJXmsdc_O6QrFdRNkl5oK39DJL4GlIT2LGhcb5yaTZL245go92ZMcFf4tgZ2gvcwNCa12P2IXmGI7x2ckoPzkVSWbz5O4p_98SwYGoS5-m4hWMAUm15znMNckUVFv_W0rLz5CuYH0HYFndqG7w/s4032/IMG_1668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvQbLTHhobxK2a-FCdp0HiKTO6Sh7tTCep92MPZsJxECJXmsdc_O6QrFdRNkl5oK39DJL4GlIT2LGhcb5yaTZL245go92ZMcFf4tgZ2gvcwNCa12P2IXmGI7x2ckoPzkVSWbz5O4p_98SwYGoS5-m4hWMAUm15znMNckUVFv_W0rLz5CuYH0HYFndqG7w/w400-h300/IMG_1668.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sweet 'shoeing continued.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljJxJR14wM4l31ENbMv2bEMC1OakMdMNV1gAYVGbPe6iH7PX3jNfXW5UIRSdH_kCeSI7DntFt2sBbdND5XpSnxZSwrvaY_q5eEwBr-EVxzftr0KdR7ECXquxeDuMDpuSJJ4PUznEIInBNM0JpLXt26yPhHpsf8KZpVObpvO7bFp5NGEFsvHkAKF2ZCqZv/s4032/IMG_1674.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljJxJR14wM4l31ENbMv2bEMC1OakMdMNV1gAYVGbPe6iH7PX3jNfXW5UIRSdH_kCeSI7DntFt2sBbdND5XpSnxZSwrvaY_q5eEwBr-EVxzftr0KdR7ECXquxeDuMDpuSJJ4PUznEIInBNM0JpLXt26yPhHpsf8KZpVObpvO7bFp5NGEFsvHkAKF2ZCqZv/w300-h400/IMG_1674.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This open part of the old slide ends at a mid-level headwall, elevation 2750 ft. Above here the slide is revegetated until it breaks open again at its upper end, from 3500-3770 ft. I've not tried to get up there, but in 2019 the accomplished bushwhacker known as timbercamp made a winter ascent to the top of the slide, finding a great view from the upper open section. From there he continued up to East Osceola.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PSIIAkXDrziSoyFZm6E8_x1h9WkUMAg1eCVswz9QttZipnTP2u9uNMPag5U4RCqcsFP2ApsgYN4Y3kONlKJ2BtHeOkBc-bZLF9yaPn_E_FWXLUFjyu9PZOKTKDzWuSfAiIacinGHarK7dyIEjJ2rmm2JJvYIYXe1GytBRD0QngruDYG2iT37aQG6WX89/s4032/IMG_1688.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PSIIAkXDrziSoyFZm6E8_x1h9WkUMAg1eCVswz9QttZipnTP2u9uNMPag5U4RCqcsFP2ApsgYN4Y3kONlKJ2BtHeOkBc-bZLF9yaPn_E_FWXLUFjyu9PZOKTKDzWuSfAiIacinGHarK7dyIEjJ2rmm2JJvYIYXe1GytBRD0QngruDYG2iT37aQG6WX89/w400-h300/IMG_1688.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Making tracks along the edge of the headwall.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Rm_jLOCkNPb3CrHWt4qeQWY7SpwzJd1J1oHxvZVifTiFoIyeu-8zAJZTRF-aic6ifJmmOj8dyeLjWji7HYGBvtvG9tRjAt9nEnLiBy72IwnPM6i1nahU5YIvw0IRhAolpzOj00f11mSrZnJ6CG23VFLPGcnUyysDUEobPj2wJZ53d7ymfTTFImfgir_E/s4032/IMG_1702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Rm_jLOCkNPb3CrHWt4qeQWY7SpwzJd1J1oHxvZVifTiFoIyeu-8zAJZTRF-aic6ifJmmOj8dyeLjWji7HYGBvtvG9tRjAt9nEnLiBy72IwnPM6i1nahU5YIvw0IRhAolpzOj00f11mSrZnJ6CG23VFLPGcnUyysDUEobPj2wJZ53d7ymfTTFImfgir_E/w400-h300/IMG_1702.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Side view of the headwall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluFZ4XINzUw7q1MnvcYuqSIAHnazSGr6RFz51Iq4HvVr3dbUihyphenhyphenl8OsVyYFCFHocnvEOeGHWZFsZAve2CIbaYSIRYCwR182skz1hC8X1uNTbOA6j4rBFkybQKhEx0QwV9hmDKajYSvNrcQ1J1pwfXul2yFPxupt90cExSU9u7RVvD8o-u6xWw42uYHfji/s4032/IMG_1700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluFZ4XINzUw7q1MnvcYuqSIAHnazSGr6RFz51Iq4HvVr3dbUihyphenhyphenl8OsVyYFCFHocnvEOeGHWZFsZAve2CIbaYSIRYCwR182skz1hC8X1uNTbOA6j4rBFkybQKhEx0QwV9hmDKajYSvNrcQ1J1pwfXul2yFPxupt90cExSU9u7RVvD8o-u6xWw42uYHfji/w400-h300/IMG_1700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">View from partway up the headwall. This was my turnaround point.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQiTaPmu8NJG4nNH0kutiQGD6g1R_ZiytVYPz7ZeKEtQpgWl1__glw34okB13M9p11__sZCxciEi-zhQXEDxEUuBTupBzpvUSpGaSDq3tT0KPo6czkybDOKtTnGTggMJRkRZopKplU-DvcZcrwzZv9Gt3UdNzdLhWJkbtpPEx15AQ5ok8wmrQm1bJSarh/s4032/IMG_1698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQiTaPmu8NJG4nNH0kutiQGD6g1R_ZiytVYPz7ZeKEtQpgWl1__glw34okB13M9p11__sZCxciEi-zhQXEDxEUuBTupBzpvUSpGaSDq3tT0KPo6czkybDOKtTnGTggMJRkRZopKplU-DvcZcrwzZv9Gt3UdNzdLhWJkbtpPEx15AQ5ok8wmrQm1bJSarh/w400-h300/IMG_1698.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Back down on the big slab, Tripyramid was starting to emerge from the clouds.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsQWR7hrSFCFaW7NSqbYqIkpkNrHrXuF5_yyMcKfiF9v9Bh4Y7sycODmS6VSe_mLaKAiNKRQddWFXJm77ok5X1xGyqY0YWaAhc8OsPUdZiTabNVxvbO4eDaqO4z7BFTIwffDxg7zuGtbYQKR9QjYcFs28mJxJaDr2f6O3ZQd4I_sO4NoFVb9qomc9UMoZ/s4032/IMG_1729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsQWR7hrSFCFaW7NSqbYqIkpkNrHrXuF5_yyMcKfiF9v9Bh4Y7sycODmS6VSe_mLaKAiNKRQddWFXJm77ok5X1xGyqY0YWaAhc8OsPUdZiTabNVxvbO4eDaqO4z7BFTIwffDxg7zuGtbYQKR9QjYcFs28mJxJaDr2f6O3ZQd4I_sO4NoFVb9qomc9UMoZ/w400-h300/IMG_1729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The white streaks of the North Slide could be seen.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6kh-w0aEtOz3BVsI4kNC0GlQeMq7jJZWAL3TJTaIxaeV3HUUtyogKpALaRJUSiWYm26hPZDCkrO0cXtxhQnc7sdYlS2c8sZEsbiw5dRnJnZe3T0zUrIWhabAvatYgcpC1paLvRzF2hjvrW2nSC4l0WOfomGSRICFG276b4nvCtlJiWlZg9DJs37KX7mG/s4032/IMG_1728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6kh-w0aEtOz3BVsI4kNC0GlQeMq7jJZWAL3TJTaIxaeV3HUUtyogKpALaRJUSiWYm26hPZDCkrO0cXtxhQnc7sdYlS2c8sZEsbiw5dRnJnZe3T0zUrIWhabAvatYgcpC1paLvRzF2hjvrW2nSC4l0WOfomGSRICFG276b4nvCtlJiWlZg9DJs37KX7mG/w400-h300/IMG_1728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Blue sky? What's that?<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEtMu4rvOl37Yn98AKJtcVn591A3DNsW1G9d6Nk8uAvoWGnlk2RxKkBkP3e0NwWgpsquWn-Iq0qGtNtgORchxhu3IfEl_MNo_uQ-ppDrxlXrAI4UWLvI8hHZXwETcxuz5mws59c2V-oC5SXa_YbLQLRsgxQnUYEScnuZeqg7U_hMThvnr-5yFC7_hj9Cc/s4032/IMG_1734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEtMu4rvOl37Yn98AKJtcVn591A3DNsW1G9d6Nk8uAvoWGnlk2RxKkBkP3e0NwWgpsquWn-Iq0qGtNtgORchxhu3IfEl_MNo_uQ-ppDrxlXrAI4UWLvI8hHZXwETcxuz5mws59c2V-oC5SXa_YbLQLRsgxQnUYEScnuZeqg7U_hMThvnr-5yFC7_hj9Cc/w400-h300/IMG_1734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back down through the steep forest.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDgljGKSbVIbl4KLVdHVpPfhkkQQqFDxNKO3GFGmTrMifwpFkpYgnSrL0G-hj0-LOx-sDEb4zfyqW38MkgQruy5nFgWucpdlkBpXG5UYNK_Oz5ZP1eNVKsqCMl0_8bMvZz-yC1RfpMsmv51O5geAEZCeOJnpBMrf_LVUhGYrWO4yC0C8yai3IgRoWP9YK/s4032/IMG_1739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDgljGKSbVIbl4KLVdHVpPfhkkQQqFDxNKO3GFGmTrMifwpFkpYgnSrL0G-hj0-LOx-sDEb4zfyqW38MkgQruy5nFgWucpdlkBpXG5UYNK_Oz5ZP1eNVKsqCMl0_8bMvZz-yC1RfpMsmv51O5geAEZCeOJnpBMrf_LVUhGYrWO4yC0C8yai3IgRoWP9YK/w400-h300/IMG_1739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Descending the lower track of the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiicwntLpFEFmSXVROxiflNCTWTiDw9PG7dnwb3XHDoOFPbHMyVXM4EQxUTnTtDHAkFFKZK31Dssvo1-_dhR6MsKcwL1T5l5zjXV9uc0BhH1ck8nX1O5Tic8nEdSEfBZB3_zwxigZXoyMiw78-WWiTBKv0uruE0tokplR6rs-JqP-_smZtLK94kVgaT99/s4032/IMG_1743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiicwntLpFEFmSXVROxiflNCTWTiDw9PG7dnwb3XHDoOFPbHMyVXM4EQxUTnTtDHAkFFKZK31Dssvo1-_dhR6MsKcwL1T5l5zjXV9uc0BhH1ck8nX1O5Tic8nEdSEfBZB3_zwxigZXoyMiw78-WWiTBKv0uruE0tokplR6rs-JqP-_smZtLK94kVgaT99/w400-h300/IMG_1743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The west knob of Mount Kancamagus from Lower Greeley Pond.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzmAn4RuZ5_IEWpV7hjNxGDjNP6CmoG8_OZo-sHZR0kgcFqLM79ZLP9ahAAfi5XT3_yi4KPfhj7wcQX-vVpjE6TlaC-jrd3UCZpvQk5koUmQSQJ6AndJpT2a6gPUZLoP2HPYTKMvwV8gxMB1n9sNIyZsMw8TBhIuGg71PqMFz12CV_Zj2IMqqA_x1LfXj/s4032/IMG_1754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzmAn4RuZ5_IEWpV7hjNxGDjNP6CmoG8_OZo-sHZR0kgcFqLM79ZLP9ahAAfi5XT3_yi4KPfhj7wcQX-vVpjE6TlaC-jrd3UCZpvQk5koUmQSQJ6AndJpT2a6gPUZLoP2HPYTKMvwV8gxMB1n9sNIyZsMw8TBhIuGg71PqMFz12CV_Zj2IMqqA_x1LfXj/w400-h300/IMG_1754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dusk at Upper Greeley Pond. The only other traveler I saw this day was a skier hustling into the ponds by headlamp.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIKxZwWK3kJFa1MFwW7-fbeJq93JpwvMBCBkAPQKjO39icCej3UBt09JXKpOgeC9HpHakrMxBDWPpirEKrofR7J14COcB2DhwwqVrgusrV73CVMphVZb86FqDBC7ZRKr3sRLvVru1_hyphenhyphen7LpjiyxZmL6IIM6_WQHvZ4gkKw6R6YfpdvSaVV0_tGEgUzV91/s4032/IMG_1768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIKxZwWK3kJFa1MFwW7-fbeJq93JpwvMBCBkAPQKjO39icCej3UBt09JXKpOgeC9HpHakrMxBDWPpirEKrofR7J14COcB2DhwwqVrgusrV73CVMphVZb86FqDBC7ZRKr3sRLvVru1_hyphenhyphen7LpjiyxZmL6IIM6_WQHvZ4gkKw6R6YfpdvSaVV0_tGEgUzV91/w400-h300/IMG_1768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Southeast Slide is seen in this view from a talus slope under the K1 Cliff of Mount Kancmagus. The arrow points to the mid-level headwall that was my turnaround point. The upper open section can be seen below the summit.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigIUgKwsLxj8xnPUslLswASDnTRPFvLlPIgZ81_qC1a-YMLAg7KPV7KofZyPECKlJ03Y5PppcejPDD802utDpch0Tqtcfov2Se44kwrYE5kGUMnua9y_UEui6qhGM3roDB3vxjRKmEINFHkTzXReCntIHSesFGBIEqqdWAzeIJYp4MHIdmJ-5OntSNfmd/s1024/east%20osceola%201897%20slide%20from%20kanc%20talus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigIUgKwsLxj8xnPUslLswASDnTRPFvLlPIgZ81_qC1a-YMLAg7KPV7KofZyPECKlJ03Y5PppcejPDD802utDpch0Tqtcfov2Se44kwrYE5kGUMnua9y_UEui6qhGM3roDB3vxjRKmEINFHkTzXReCntIHSesFGBIEqqdWAzeIJYp4MHIdmJ-5OntSNfmd/w400-h300/east%20osceola%201897%20slide%20from%20kanc%20talus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-11200581006647185882024-02-01T17:28:00.000-05:002024-02-01T17:28:19.619-05:00Tripyramid South Slides Snowshoe: 1/31/24<div><p style="text-align: left;">It was another in a string of gray, murky days with low-hanging clouds (unless you were up on one of the high Presidentials), so with little hope of any clearing for a view, I scrapped a plan to climb Mount Waumbek and headed down to Waterville Valley for yet another journey out towards Mount Tripyramid. I figured I would head out Livermore Trail and, depending on what the various Tripyramid trails looked like, go to Scaur Peak, Avalanche Ravine or the South Slides. This would get me some snowshoeing miles through nice woods and perhaps a visit to a snowy slide or two.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Livermore Trail was beautifully groomed for its first 2.2 miles, making for smooth sailing. In that distance I saw only three skiers. (Hikers should wear snowshoes through here to preserve the groomed surface.)<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQJZsOZEXGfLnl2ok8vOr-In_Q1uFaQpDLw1rDy2XfxDJykZB4KqwpWhxeSUILwQviuAjA0cB_aYqdx7JybjkGH1d-R1bdcElcybZYlcxI7nXwAWeGl9OITF9QPj9DbzTTQ1AWbE4J3M8W8ivuSuJVDEMT0bFmuGztTwn3GKj8tcL4Qld7T9aJrwWAp4i/s4032/IMG_1318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQJZsOZEXGfLnl2ok8vOr-In_Q1uFaQpDLw1rDy2XfxDJykZB4KqwpWhxeSUILwQviuAjA0cB_aYqdx7JybjkGH1d-R1bdcElcybZYlcxI7nXwAWeGl9OITF9QPj9DbzTTQ1AWbE4J3M8W8ivuSuJVDEMT0bFmuGztTwn3GKj8tcL4Qld7T9aJrwWAp4i/w400-h300/IMG_1318.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Beyond the groomed section, Livermore Trail was frozen posthole carnage.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf68s2I3CWea933w1Dq27JEOs6fNlFVF3awJcavWTiXjRSuJtdNkBKNY3PHLNxRa486aRvWfpLOCoq1wx34BhOrWJ8Q2aFiPQdE6jG_8vACQDbFbyWCwkNAX-HbXIbWpt5AmC8tt3xtvBcATtc6bKmoqbQI4-3tdHMDFwxtpVsqUKTQ4ZqWoEnjapF7g7p/s4032/IMG_1323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf68s2I3CWea933w1Dq27JEOs6fNlFVF3awJcavWTiXjRSuJtdNkBKNY3PHLNxRa486aRvWfpLOCoq1wx34BhOrWJ8Q2aFiPQdE6jG_8vACQDbFbyWCwkNAX-HbXIbWpt5AmC8tt3xtvBcATtc6bKmoqbQI4-3tdHMDFwxtpVsqUKTQ4ZqWoEnjapF7g7p/w400-h300/IMG_1323.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Luckily the trail is wide enough to allow snowshoeing along the side.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITVgZrQitGhnpE1IlNYH-X2VUPeBlYMZTYFTiGKUiMgKoBsy_LVWkHiqr-sN0F0_9f8JYnjSFlher62jcEWJR6ZuN2FDLLLrRf4xDbnNGHrhf4lPK49bpKGw3R2wB8e0dWHieY3MfFOp-hB8AdD4LVcKsQwUA2Qaw7OSJQ_tLRu5yBd8Lce2Px6jQoujl/s4032/IMG_1321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITVgZrQitGhnpE1IlNYH-X2VUPeBlYMZTYFTiGKUiMgKoBsy_LVWkHiqr-sN0F0_9f8JYnjSFlher62jcEWJR6ZuN2FDLLLrRf4xDbnNGHrhf4lPK49bpKGw3R2wB8e0dWHieY3MfFOp-hB8AdD4LVcKsQwUA2Qaw7OSJQ_tLRu5yBd8Lce2Px6jQoujl/w400-h300/IMG_1321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">White Cascade on Slide Brook was getting locked in.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot8_WNlFALKcHb0enGJj03MBx3xGTMz5O7RX2OzZ0pv2hBZO94Y3kAnb_rkEs4zHIBfyNOpi0dH8L55V0kt7m420J_k6gK5snV0Q9BeSaeF0VZKfIp4Nb3m-0EB1L_7ugvtUDqrvW6iLAUxPSSya2SHqZ1jDY17RVJcKcLCOmbeGpBC5W2tQS7ZkSG8oY/s4032/IMG_1326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiot8_WNlFALKcHb0enGJj03MBx3xGTMz5O7RX2OzZ0pv2hBZO94Y3kAnb_rkEs4zHIBfyNOpi0dH8L55V0kt7m420J_k6gK5snV0Q9BeSaeF0VZKfIp4Nb3m-0EB1L_7ugvtUDqrvW6iLAUxPSSya2SHqZ1jDY17RVJcKcLCOmbeGpBC5W2tQS7ZkSG8oY/w400-h300/IMG_1326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I got to the south end of the Mount Tripyramid Trail, I saw that there had been no recent traffic, with only a faint partial snowshoe track visible under a layer of new snow. I did not relish the idea of going alongside the posthole mess for another mile on Livermore Trail, so the South Slides became the day's destination.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXJqFrKJ437Iqh6E5xCCBKxTa6FoaJo1S5wFN6hfJNwnRoMrZNg9kR5dR2VKSecxrGRv_J7z_ll3lPS0xX8ktBr4VfaPrOI8DNnzxMcy__dCYGij8RsW_FbwywcRBmLbt3kEkGT0_TEZ2w_vfe0y7IFqwXOx7reqXn0voxywCemw0xP4ytvbtdq78jxNn/s4032/IMG_1331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXJqFrKJ437Iqh6E5xCCBKxTa6FoaJo1S5wFN6hfJNwnRoMrZNg9kR5dR2VKSecxrGRv_J7z_ll3lPS0xX8ktBr4VfaPrOI8DNnzxMcy__dCYGij8RsW_FbwywcRBmLbt3kEkGT0_TEZ2w_vfe0y7IFqwXOx7reqXn0voxywCemw0xP4ytvbtdq78jxNn/w400-h300/IMG_1331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This hardwood glade is the gateway to the Sandwich Range Wilderness.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF8ETWV4kMnqBfQpZHeagLBfO9Gqa1o9NKwQW2JTb8XoVWFYN_a-O1iLPNx__6v5zd430jxIsaPjhzVLg0VKld8G1oqwRIvCdNbRwe5xLtq3aKXIpODFzJFeL0wrJ8pAIj00f13SmeWNkWpzy17IFGz9JTiGGSOcp3imhk32ip1RafIzlHYa_5NoVp2fo/s4032/IMG_1332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF8ETWV4kMnqBfQpZHeagLBfO9Gqa1o9NKwQW2JTb8XoVWFYN_a-O1iLPNx__6v5zd430jxIsaPjhzVLg0VKld8G1oqwRIvCdNbRwe5xLtq3aKXIpODFzJFeL0wrJ8pAIj00f13SmeWNkWpzy17IFGz9JTiGGSOcp3imhk32ip1RafIzlHYa_5NoVp2fo/w400-h300/IMG_1332.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A frozen cascade on Slide Brook.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5f7gQlYuW8xPkOhJhjRN0Ar8gmx9q4EmnybjAlALbUSXgJ1YHs3JGJCFMi461UytFOv82WSF6QiHBaP1Fzqs8Y25GkKZqG902q6rx4MBBtG3eqVTKexyWOKoTGEzcuTsAspoaNU67NWR10I3gsqky4JAXx-wUsH-3nTGnN3v2KQI3TVcm1hCpMt-42eR/s4032/IMG_1336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5f7gQlYuW8xPkOhJhjRN0Ar8gmx9q4EmnybjAlALbUSXgJ1YHs3JGJCFMi461UytFOv82WSF6QiHBaP1Fzqs8Y25GkKZqG902q6rx4MBBtG3eqVTKexyWOKoTGEzcuTsAspoaNU67NWR10I3gsqky4JAXx-wUsH-3nTGnN3v2KQI3TVcm1hCpMt-42eR/w400-h300/IMG_1336.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a three or four inch layer of dense, mealy snow atop the old partial snowshoe track. I frequently sank in farther in softer snow, and the breaking was a little harder than I initially expected. But it was still good snowshoeing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7d1XejRFbf_PrmQakymZ1dnHl9D0kddXONxmHobrorqrOF8Hj0dUaM8iUEJ6DrOcwYkR8SWV8EWLznN1N2qpUYkGKy2qmzhG_k-1RgiMwBoPwdprAXtUs9mw536HmHt3VyAjLbRoF9Zj8e1THMZME3MaXdO-FGni9H5uqj1JM61GelfK4sIzbxskZfcP/s4032/IMG_1342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7d1XejRFbf_PrmQakymZ1dnHl9D0kddXONxmHobrorqrOF8Hj0dUaM8iUEJ6DrOcwYkR8SWV8EWLznN1N2qpUYkGKy2qmzhG_k-1RgiMwBoPwdprAXtUs9mw536HmHt3VyAjLbRoF9Zj8e1THMZME3MaXdO-FGni9H5uqj1JM61GelfK4sIzbxskZfcP/w400-h300/IMG_1342.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A pleasure to be making first tracks.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqh85JDilXy8bm4utjNu7GbaTsEX8o4syyY1GOpc5zypVkH0qTafvw17J48HO0oqDtOFSqoVNgMEtTZB-6emW2ePtGg2OCcf6HTe0QZDiLbYIbfXIrocAJf0-no_0yL522ff_LXm0ZfCW8PbOhATrvtFKjN9U3AoFw6XImVzwq5CqfcysETnqGTeNY-Us/s4032/IMG_1345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqh85JDilXy8bm4utjNu7GbaTsEX8o4syyY1GOpc5zypVkH0qTafvw17J48HO0oqDtOFSqoVNgMEtTZB-6emW2ePtGg2OCcf6HTe0QZDiLbYIbfXIrocAJf0-no_0yL522ff_LXm0ZfCW8PbOhATrvtFKjN9U3AoFw6XImVzwq5CqfcysETnqGTeNY-Us/w400-h300/IMG_1345.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A steep drop made the crossing of Cold Brook a bit challenging. A few smaller crevasse-like brooks also required some maneuvering.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjLfdzZUGvM8m8qgC_-v9nfPgyyIZ5p2b-JJ4J6DCQCAUgOde5Jp_hBpLxzcAAi-RjjqNk-NwGCNeW_Cw_XInb1Pk39QD8ywk5-JGKZiqH1CvhOq1gH9Ab9-Snhcm-jKzgpBa-xp55NxgWAl782UxYast6a8oFC4FhPCGr4B-eFhQWov-lDVdn2wQpaxa/s4032/IMG_1347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjLfdzZUGvM8m8qgC_-v9nfPgyyIZ5p2b-JJ4J6DCQCAUgOde5Jp_hBpLxzcAAi-RjjqNk-NwGCNeW_Cw_XInb1Pk39QD8ywk5-JGKZiqH1CvhOq1gH9Ab9-Snhcm-jKzgpBa-xp55NxgWAl782UxYast6a8oFC4FhPCGr4B-eFhQWov-lDVdn2wQpaxa/w400-h300/IMG_1347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A favorite stretch of the trail, halfway to the South Slides.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxndRutnY9ZYxlySlcTuGS4sFqqua_40ywNR243Sc14AGBBFQY1H41DwJfVSioLaDig70xEMznHTniBz_bWv3OS8-lOD3yuo_XwGZpOMOyVBCzQfERxzabOwKOa81fsDKUDPf6Qf73P0fRo38v6EyexyWTUuihZ5HtGsJt2HgxuJzY0god6KvtfjPczBgK/s4032/IMG_1350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxndRutnY9ZYxlySlcTuGS4sFqqua_40ywNR243Sc14AGBBFQY1H41DwJfVSioLaDig70xEMznHTniBz_bWv3OS8-lOD3yuo_XwGZpOMOyVBCzQfERxzabOwKOa81fsDKUDPf6Qf73P0fRo38v6EyexyWTUuihZ5HtGsJt2HgxuJzY0god6KvtfjPczBgK/w400-h300/IMG_1350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a long section with snow-laden softwoods hanging over the trail.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ajwv1wD18k5bpScWtMUK-XoegZ7nHA3jQ7IYM0T9GIZkY1_6XXwGPYb6hzCudkgmaZjOBRBM2cnAhc3Pp_2Y3IZrfA9s3sNBkJ4hMUTRo_tP10RmSgFCiud68lE_0FbOfHvTlYYoI-Cl5-d9kWoXYMIDtnK5D6v3tGTKh4REuS7iePeocqyOGUbsEJtg/s4032/IMG_1354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ajwv1wD18k5bpScWtMUK-XoegZ7nHA3jQ7IYM0T9GIZkY1_6XXwGPYb6hzCudkgmaZjOBRBM2cnAhc3Pp_2Y3IZrfA9s3sNBkJ4hMUTRo_tP10RmSgFCiud68lE_0FbOfHvTlYYoI-Cl5-d9kWoXYMIDtnK5D6v3tGTKh4REuS7iePeocqyOGUbsEJtg/w400-h300/IMG_1354.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Snowshoe hare tracks abounded.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeB-CYtp8-pVBRAY2kIRJX6TS8grtAWkIWHWTx0hYpeq_F2h0ZBd_BAIf0yeaIpZnj9uj7z3AqO-ccQJtnX0k_7rwgAuvX8l14hrJ6HOyRjqwco1DGxgE1hxOtWtz6foQgbIhYVQhYBRt-Sdj-wrpmYOK73gUSpIa_Re-Q-pn_tP-X0dDdMTWg3VzPmZN/s4032/IMG_1356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeB-CYtp8-pVBRAY2kIRJX6TS8grtAWkIWHWTx0hYpeq_F2h0ZBd_BAIf0yeaIpZnj9uj7z3AqO-ccQJtnX0k_7rwgAuvX8l14hrJ6HOyRjqwco1DGxgE1hxOtWtz6foQgbIhYVQhYBRt-Sdj-wrpmYOK73gUSpIa_Re-Q-pn_tP-X0dDdMTWg3VzPmZN/w300-h400/IMG_1356.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every branch had a delicate coating of snow.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk5E9hyphenhyphentwritHHRT_FiUBhil9CIuHf09FNa1lzpM4r_DUZvIc0L_GQgl0nGAWnwClMKd-JF3VL5dTWSY8S5XI5nFU6W011JzlM_QMaFGXt2zFgmC4e9qYiZtpuhu_gbiRlHJFuMkI9-fP6niDKlwg-HB7TIGywKA14qYI-B71yBqa4d0U8sNxljmuLKkQ/s4032/IMG_1359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk5E9hyphenhyphentwritHHRT_FiUBhil9CIuHf09FNa1lzpM4r_DUZvIc0L_GQgl0nGAWnwClMKd-JF3VL5dTWSY8S5XI5nFU6W011JzlM_QMaFGXt2zFgmC4e9qYiZtpuhu_gbiRlHJFuMkI9-fP6niDKlwg-HB7TIGywKA14qYI-B71yBqa4d0U8sNxljmuLKkQ/w400-h300/IMG_1359.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I went off-trail through gorgeous hardwood glades for the last couple hundred feet of elevation to the slides.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD9IgK7l2Idpt-tvZwXULkaInZyLl0bZV9uKf3_0KVi8rnc2dPq1Ri5T3_iKPMvVg5399RSDhjE_pytJimbdWF6R6F-oqcZRmw6E5L4L-41m4ZygaLzps4dP6VPS3zdyz0L8pxQ1Nbj5anxtLbFDBFyTfxkHXEvCdY0NkGtFt_wvLb5s8DbxlhoXNYnNL/s4032/IMG_1375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD9IgK7l2Idpt-tvZwXULkaInZyLl0bZV9uKf3_0KVi8rnc2dPq1Ri5T3_iKPMvVg5399RSDhjE_pytJimbdWF6R6F-oqcZRmw6E5L4L-41m4ZygaLzps4dP6VPS3zdyz0L8pxQ1Nbj5anxtLbFDBFyTfxkHXEvCdY0NkGtFt_wvLb5s8DbxlhoXNYnNL/w400-h300/IMG_1375.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The snowpack was pretty well consolidated, providing fine snowshoe whacking.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsyIrvqLiHMQ-lzSeoGMNP0tGMu6czs2Yax8Jz-8wEqyjhQvms1FPMBrXhzSzL_ctgQPvMF0ovitkU8q3G_TmjfubBB_66j-nh9ZmGW48TJfBO6FIs_opN1c27rj-WvqogGQ7phwgpdGHjwLAUFmq604HxJ0DzBVVSa1MwJ4LqALZgD4dVniFE73mk-0m/s4032/IMG_1382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsyIrvqLiHMQ-lzSeoGMNP0tGMu6czs2Yax8Jz-8wEqyjhQvms1FPMBrXhzSzL_ctgQPvMF0ovitkU8q3G_TmjfubBB_66j-nh9ZmGW48TJfBO6FIs_opN1c27rj-WvqogGQ7phwgpdGHjwLAUFmq604HxJ0DzBVVSa1MwJ4LqALZgD4dVniFE73mk-0m/w400-h300/IMG_1382.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Why I love the west slopes of Tripyramid.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHLRIRggCgJidrfFaZESL_Bam80zalMeh8J_aCb2vQHSH_D6ldikUGp4UHKe81DL272XyjSt9DUMh5LAyEwhCAiEoENu4OGv6Pg2uetIkzDZ-WXjLS92xrBm_sk15Yhl22qmHiRIj88C6T6v200-HYZSdjmmJBGBFnFkMu8khyphenhyphen4efgdjU_qXbfwwjOmmo/s4032/IMG_1381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHLRIRggCgJidrfFaZESL_Bam80zalMeh8J_aCb2vQHSH_D6ldikUGp4UHKe81DL272XyjSt9DUMh5LAyEwhCAiEoENu4OGv6Pg2uetIkzDZ-WXjLS92xrBm_sk15Yhl22qmHiRIj88C6T6v200-HYZSdjmmJBGBFnFkMu8khyphenhyphen4efgdjU_qXbfwwjOmmo/w400-h300/IMG_1381.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made a steep down-and-up crossing of the gully below the point where the Mount Tripyramid Trail turns uphill to climb the 1869 South Slide. Today I would be visiting the 1885 and 2011 South Slides.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidifQrwMlzRLkGEHHGSUd8ZGUAeUL4Eluo2s4I1Xh3DSJZjKCHxc2uimjJZnUyS9watjFyWoAsDR43s0RYRJiU_9BBblK-FIgr_-i8aPkNw5_lgvixlJsM1q3atXO5xn730JYPuIgCFbagESU9eSq7dpL_lN0YHhxtqDMrLt__7lAOtdsqTaQ_mgUOPOTg/s4032/IMG_1387.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidifQrwMlzRLkGEHHGSUd8ZGUAeUL4Eluo2s4I1Xh3DSJZjKCHxc2uimjJZnUyS9watjFyWoAsDR43s0RYRJiU_9BBblK-FIgr_-i8aPkNw5_lgvixlJsM1q3atXO5xn730JYPuIgCFbagESU9eSq7dpL_lN0YHhxtqDMrLt__7lAOtdsqTaQ_mgUOPOTg/w400-h300/IMG_1387.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A rabbit run went across the gully below the 2011 South Slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSke_Bh7gB1ptiCV1VHCelEcy_HX031MqFx-z5hVJDzsCifLcvrSmiLK_zXlIWKXl8veX_IZb1A07yPDfmRKcAoyzPNXTvVsekhlm3g14lb9eQx4tTv53iBl_HSmdzqyusV241eRqrJTrtRHEVVEmIM4g5-WfFJULrR9mTMDtMvQhb71yekK0xQ5qEnucY/s4032/IMG_1390.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSke_Bh7gB1ptiCV1VHCelEcy_HX031MqFx-z5hVJDzsCifLcvrSmiLK_zXlIWKXl8veX_IZb1A07yPDfmRKcAoyzPNXTvVsekhlm3g14lb9eQx4tTv53iBl_HSmdzqyusV241eRqrJTrtRHEVVEmIM4g5-WfFJULrR9mTMDtMvQhb71yekK0xQ5qEnucY/w400-h300/IMG_1390.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Weaving through the lowest of several remaining open patches on the 1885 South Slide. Most of this slide has been overtaken by a dense growth of spruce. The uppermost open patch is traversed by the Kate Sleeper Trail.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFtUvjcqdc7Wd2348tG2qCVEnNLY2oVhQvIZjttSynsrk7k5QPOi19-K4oK4AHzWKpuqn7HHuc91NlveHU6V9SNeqB6u9kYDXTwBez401fckyFJQfH4fF8ui54btQ9Bh_Cro_VSde94qhBuqZ3jBbbS_2RJdFfi8bhr-moKaVa7gey068-SnZokNHmRl9/s4032/IMG_1396.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFtUvjcqdc7Wd2348tG2qCVEnNLY2oVhQvIZjttSynsrk7k5QPOi19-K4oK4AHzWKpuqn7HHuc91NlveHU6V9SNeqB6u9kYDXTwBez401fckyFJQfH4fF8ui54btQ9Bh_Cro_VSde94qhBuqZ3jBbbS_2RJdFfi8bhr-moKaVa7gey068-SnZokNHmRl9/w400-h300/IMG_1396.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From there I cut back across to the lower end of the 2011 South Slide, which is located between the 1869 and 1885 slides.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbBPRIAnNAuJcGrkL7NwcG1GSFYZLvXmS927oUGL1poLBYvIbkH_lr6iYWgx2EEHVreyMOAo0IbrbrHCIP3KKoP-d39Emit5nJoBm8TBAO0mI1bNi82zqRd7xP6ove0YJnsuOKb3ShIbmbNhfYG93av5N_OaUguBjGA5qvJzNKmhR7sgBwxKqiiLtMIbj/s4032/IMG_1401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbBPRIAnNAuJcGrkL7NwcG1GSFYZLvXmS927oUGL1poLBYvIbkH_lr6iYWgx2EEHVreyMOAo0IbrbrHCIP3KKoP-d39Emit5nJoBm8TBAO0mI1bNi82zqRd7xP6ove0YJnsuOKb3ShIbmbNhfYG93av5N_OaUguBjGA5qvJzNKmhR7sgBwxKqiiLtMIbj/w400-h300/IMG_1401.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I snowshoed partway up through a few inches of newer snow atop a solid and stable crust.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OsriTX0AfkwgNOVdJZ_vmuLAdCDHHx1hNbBD7K-uNMxicTr5hxq9TlctUNt1sWx3mH_kako9ptaGo_-EY6dI1RPAkkCAfjFKS3r1KgdXUlGlphGYm5dG9oJVWabMpK2YmE7E8OxgcIVjKnoy0hNkq_LRrbVYduWQHYohBDeUJ6Kl_YyMRVs1P2KgUrMZ/s4032/IMG_1402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OsriTX0AfkwgNOVdJZ_vmuLAdCDHHx1hNbBD7K-uNMxicTr5hxq9TlctUNt1sWx3mH_kako9ptaGo_-EY6dI1RPAkkCAfjFKS3r1KgdXUlGlphGYm5dG9oJVWabMpK2YmE7E8OxgcIVjKnoy0hNkq_LRrbVYduWQHYohBDeUJ6Kl_YyMRVs1P2KgUrMZ/w400-h300/IMG_1402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqnmDAai4vHjO2aee6pEPkbyhXr-8FQ7LsRGEF1ceP_6MhSJ1HJUyRWuy3XPaWzAQD7Hpqwc5NU7DZlbW3kQSe97UFr2V8wQbz0ZkwJZmBMmsAkwxQomN1-S6neMJuFfohIVq604EUokjZm79v3_j_zplXUVhrAuGcyfkw2VSZvDjYjojd_PF_gk5ypIB/s4032/IMG_1408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqnmDAai4vHjO2aee6pEPkbyhXr-8FQ7LsRGEF1ceP_6MhSJ1HJUyRWuy3XPaWzAQD7Hpqwc5NU7DZlbW3kQSe97UFr2V8wQbz0ZkwJZmBMmsAkwxQomN1-S6neMJuFfohIVq604EUokjZm79v3_j_zplXUVhrAuGcyfkw2VSZvDjYjojd_PF_gk5ypIB/w300-h400/IMG_1408.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Slides have a ghostly beauty on a monochrome winter day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMaEx4VW0DlFn1zQgvbF2fjzjfKwqmP24IxrGzSNDjky21Hn4hVtTyTGo4cGrfTCZB2Y81-ueHO_2OxizcG05_Wz3MH9fX3Aios1GsKLH9tHa5dsw9bVxEu54N_24Xi4mmV9bLcYXLxkdXVlDQvNIEdeLAfjZMv1j6YnngoDis6hCSikM84tvViD0k96h/s4032/IMG_1413.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMaEx4VW0DlFn1zQgvbF2fjzjfKwqmP24IxrGzSNDjky21Hn4hVtTyTGo4cGrfTCZB2Y81-ueHO_2OxizcG05_Wz3MH9fX3Aios1GsKLH9tHa5dsw9bVxEu54N_24Xi4mmV9bLcYXLxkdXVlDQvNIEdeLAfjZMv1j6YnngoDis6hCSikM84tvViD0k96h/w400-h300/IMG_1413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I climbed a bank off the 2011 slide and headed back across to visit two more open patches on the 1885 slide, passing these snow sculptures along the way.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QZJFewO1FRUTGC6P3IoX4sXNqpQBXbYpXqI71FLe-Epi1k9cXhUauh2zSyifwojCWA_gcD55JKZ3HhR7pYm4iQ31Js0pMJR2qKgw231_Jne_4IX_5bhDQ_fgs8P4mlmkyg5J40EG74cxW0rr9grjcavfschnSb5F4-yNRRRa-Wt6x7U9GUZSjtFd8EIm/s4032/IMG_1436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QZJFewO1FRUTGC6P3IoX4sXNqpQBXbYpXqI71FLe-Epi1k9cXhUauh2zSyifwojCWA_gcD55JKZ3HhR7pYm4iQ31Js0pMJR2qKgw231_Jne_4IX_5bhDQ_fgs8P4mlmkyg5J40EG74cxW0rr9grjcavfschnSb5F4-yNRRRa-Wt6x7U9GUZSjtFd8EIm/w300-h400/IMG_1436.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Ascending the next open corridor on the 1885 slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccMWa9Hx_idBfFh3WUGizmVQiDjIGpzBjmWqYjAlZQzzKPkXy710FKT-Zy7kuc0DxOfSlktXoZzZ27qq6_vJGBHG7zcoYE7kSXQdVfvO1mrYiA5PadGTZq48VePqRNhxg8sn-Kn9n1Kt5LKf5k3BcBj1UXECsZNaSqcpMiA6hraLXrBZm-2EXZU3jofce/s4032/IMG_1438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccMWa9Hx_idBfFh3WUGizmVQiDjIGpzBjmWqYjAlZQzzKPkXy710FKT-Zy7kuc0DxOfSlktXoZzZ27qq6_vJGBHG7zcoYE7kSXQdVfvO1mrYiA5PadGTZq48VePqRNhxg8sn-Kn9n1Kt5LKf5k3BcBj1UXECsZNaSqcpMiA6hraLXrBZm-2EXZU3jofce/s320/IMG_1438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking down at two good-sized white pines that are thriving at the base of this open swath. One reason for returning here was to see if there were any cones on these pines. I did not see any. Will have to come back in summer and see if there are any on the ground.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP6RZ1voB_dnuY0yHL-yAtkR3_Kng9mfK_kYpRGS3ymzTMpTnrB3U8jCxo94I0n3p752LMk7BSsAHX7K_v-47EcRrwHx-f3o-s-r9QdsiEHlpHbvPP7MhvXHqXofslLwLf0YTTeGYnpfHJ4d2AtUCVeosmVvts-Oa2j8NXJKGEVjITyVT6Mj7CbPES0tN/s4032/IMG_1446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP6RZ1voB_dnuY0yHL-yAtkR3_Kng9mfK_kYpRGS3ymzTMpTnrB3U8jCxo94I0n3p752LMk7BSsAHX7K_v-47EcRrwHx-f3o-s-r9QdsiEHlpHbvPP7MhvXHqXofslLwLf0YTTeGYnpfHJ4d2AtUCVeosmVvts-Oa2j8NXJKGEVjITyVT6Mj7CbPES0tN/w300-h400/IMG_1446.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Respectable snow depth here in the open.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAat0nTwn7fJnE4moYYB_Ej9R1ecHqb0tzbcQk3ZCBI0GCXAgT-RyHSdLmnJIB76WCBXurY67VsORdE4Q2tLkxaLFewrbr2wHC24aJYIVGtXsNg_w_mXFt4ksORsUaQdSo37j_tX2dg-rHbGHGdkSuM4vWVQTBn2wp-h6e0MjJoP0AavikJ5YkvZSiYLxx/s4032/IMG_1448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAat0nTwn7fJnE4moYYB_Ej9R1ecHqb0tzbcQk3ZCBI0GCXAgT-RyHSdLmnJIB76WCBXurY67VsORdE4Q2tLkxaLFewrbr2wHC24aJYIVGtXsNg_w_mXFt4ksORsUaQdSo37j_tX2dg-rHbGHGdkSuM4vWVQTBn2wp-h6e0MjJoP0AavikJ5YkvZSiYLxx/w400-h300/IMG_1448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was great fun 'shoeing up these spruce-lined avenues. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJOQeVntE9_1X2Bs-vIaj7zcZlCefwk_nBz6AZBEsZ8vYm0mxj0dOZmYtpqNdMPXlUpVCMMgWfDJq9mweyjb41Tq7GSDkmngSPWKmBgHetY9LMjIUSr8K7mQuX0JkHUJlzRJyloou8KSXIeeKLfVooxxQw4BvAmMxKltdCkOHzup2dUd3DbFjQztuwZPR/s4032/IMG_1450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJOQeVntE9_1X2Bs-vIaj7zcZlCefwk_nBz6AZBEsZ8vYm0mxj0dOZmYtpqNdMPXlUpVCMMgWfDJq9mweyjb41Tq7GSDkmngSPWKmBgHetY9LMjIUSr8K7mQuX0JkHUJlzRJyloou8KSXIeeKLfVooxxQw4BvAmMxKltdCkOHzup2dUd3DbFjQztuwZPR/w400-h300/IMG_1450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The snow in the woods between the open slide patches had a different consistency. There was a thin layer of sugary snow atop a hard crust that was quite slippery on the descent.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi390ctEguyl6zCHM_d9zOihoDX5cP5Gj5kksD17YFH2hYJKAEbPXui6ndyfGaQavNIPfBnhE_k9ZZNt_kh7frPtzmqNcDrB2lozaNu53VaWdNzZFpBWsDr4kC3hrh_W8xFsKT_6VfxUXt2H370Z-GdaGtVqGH2h3GIthpUee0EeOvvBKGzI5BHIhf81yXh/s4032/IMG_1453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi390ctEguyl6zCHM_d9zOihoDX5cP5Gj5kksD17YFH2hYJKAEbPXui6ndyfGaQavNIPfBnhE_k9ZZNt_kh7frPtzmqNcDrB2lozaNu53VaWdNzZFpBWsDr4kC3hrh_W8xFsKT_6VfxUXt2H370Z-GdaGtVqGH2h3GIthpUee0EeOvvBKGzI5BHIhf81yXh/w400-h300/IMG_1453.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emerging on the next open patch, at 3300 ft.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZWnhDzhgQEKiO3Hes45nyUv_aqle1LkoFs2Jqr3fAf3IAIFQM-vnlQJ47t4pqN2QQGEXISk91zfRewptyBERgGBFhhySzKu1dZs-nuMzChCyP0by7UA448o0Eahek5Xu8MXsid84ncRDPPTtrsqO3Xtab6ZcQg-WPXt5KxxnJgmkUhu8J2iF0Yan3wHa/s4032/IMG_1455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZWnhDzhgQEKiO3Hes45nyUv_aqle1LkoFs2Jqr3fAf3IAIFQM-vnlQJ47t4pqN2QQGEXISk91zfRewptyBERgGBFhhySzKu1dZs-nuMzChCyP0by7UA448o0Eahek5Xu8MXsid84ncRDPPTtrsqO3Xtab6ZcQg-WPXt5KxxnJgmkUhu8J2iF0Yan3wHa/w400-h300/IMG_1455.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On a clear day there would be a fine view of Lost Pass and Sandwich Dome from here. It was getting on to late afternoon, and this was my turnaround point. On the way out in the dark on the groomed section of Livermore Trail, I encountered a total of four headlamped skiers, including my good friend Cath Goodwin, her friend Sara, and their three pooches - a nice way to conclude a rewarding snowshoe trek. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFB6tHx-w7OrXgtKUZYcxRWXFRiEBlovKcj2BUEqLqSDpENXT6Fl695-TcLh4-4oyAXs_DKnCPbT92HCcIscDAX4ZYs3Sb3cGLCIdZp3pNfrLwIXGjF8i5ykYoRHyAKvN0goh-cjgC2JOo4GNheD3C-Jt4ryEhuuQWpuKvlq-euHqQmgIL0TQEyI5pnEF/s4032/IMG_1469.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFB6tHx-w7OrXgtKUZYcxRWXFRiEBlovKcj2BUEqLqSDpENXT6Fl695-TcLh4-4oyAXs_DKnCPbT92HCcIscDAX4ZYs3Sb3cGLCIdZp3pNfrLwIXGjF8i5ykYoRHyAKvN0goh-cjgC2JOo4GNheD3C-Jt4ryEhuuQWpuKvlq-euHqQmgIL0TQEyI5pnEF/w400-h300/IMG_1469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-67815944685789972752024-01-25T19:38:00.000-05:002024-01-25T19:38:04.358-05:00Wandering at Lincoln Woods: 1/24/24<div><p style="text-align: left;">After snow removal duties in the morning, Carol and I spent the afternoon wandering along the east side of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River at Lincoln Woods. We traced the route of the northern section of the abandoned Pine Island Trail and observed many signs of storm destruction along the river.</p><p style="text-align: left;">A happy snowshoer in snow-covered confers along the Pemi East Side Trail.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu78cJ_Rul8dy3C3yKOnS6c6jjcBOciCb_6Jwag692QlmYYVrlcP3xBztA9_3sM6vGqASRz6xQkCfEDZNobmppKqXSooFwZN3yGKiuP7RuNZ_Y2YoPg2mqWQdW-6H7xxlsc2fILTAU58VR52cK3fNZbf47WlLHCTmPlsypoaT9D7ZGYKfiOZUs4BBrDsS/s4032/IMG_1220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu78cJ_Rul8dy3C3yKOnS6c6jjcBOciCb_6Jwag692QlmYYVrlcP3xBztA9_3sM6vGqASRz6xQkCfEDZNobmppKqXSooFwZN3yGKiuP7RuNZ_Y2YoPg2mqWQdW-6H7xxlsc2fILTAU58VR52cK3fNZbf47WlLHCTmPlsypoaT9D7ZGYKfiOZUs4BBrDsS/w400-h300/IMG_1220.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">What used to be Pine Island Brook, a medium-sized stream, is now a river unto itself. The 2017 Halloween storm diverted a major portion of the East Branch's flow into this stream, rendering the two crossings along the Pine Island Trail essentially impassable.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkGfmysfZ_qXRQNghKmShJxJe20ls7twOqz2AVc1XmyQqLyWuTpZyZPccXiq7T9u5Bf7I-cHh0pkA8KF6DPQsOUgFGlqWKGZYqQ5vywZ-6YTO2RHrW02OI-tc4yMgVFkyHk4NgRnNuwSRqN9ifrul3WcpLt1MoT2OZoQZudRUWRR9Ae2Yy58X-07Ml-Wx/s4032/IMG_1227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkGfmysfZ_qXRQNghKmShJxJe20ls7twOqz2AVc1XmyQqLyWuTpZyZPccXiq7T9u5Bf7I-cHh0pkA8KF6DPQsOUgFGlqWKGZYqQ5vywZ-6YTO2RHrW02OI-tc4yMgVFkyHk4NgRnNuwSRqN9ifrul3WcpLt1MoT2OZoQZudRUWRR9Ae2Yy58X-07Ml-Wx/w400-h300/IMG_1227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We saw some interesting ice formations as we bushwhacked alongside this stream.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOYgPx_K3mFZrtCbkZJi7HMCSTrU3iI7bnroFmhwnm8mJbcXzqjldHA8ESLNV0mZ-5NDtQspzxP_Z5YaduJRdi6imUmJ5oZm7z7ZEFeP2HpVsJnD6iGwv_A2JLLSq0ivGRKFxeuF75iQ0iuHdn7vkfWRlR8olk4JjTAaRa-Ez6m3ADvBUBI-qn8qux3WJ/s4032/IMG_1233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOYgPx_K3mFZrtCbkZJi7HMCSTrU3iI7bnroFmhwnm8mJbcXzqjldHA8ESLNV0mZ-5NDtQspzxP_Z5YaduJRdi6imUmJ5oZm7z7ZEFeP2HpVsJnD6iGwv_A2JLLSq0ivGRKFxeuF75iQ0iuHdn7vkfWRlR8olk4JjTAaRa-Ez6m3ADvBUBI-qn8qux3WJ/w400-h300/IMG_1233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mother Nature's artistry. Note how the water is flowing at a higher level, above the ice, at the top of the picture.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEdHDNY2pftxOcQve4qXA0oKtk3yOLa9l-knaW7kHBtFqOMV-VGq3v83thVamG_S_d72EfmE0bVDN_zzYNtlaLbf1SsQdx8Ln8tKP2JuF_54jC_jQskB_Rhl48-fauUTlsstxpaCX6mdGxg-i7ZRTHj9sgXmZFzZRb4LZ3SHqzKuT9sax5kcQVPnCxcmS/s4032/IMG_1239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEdHDNY2pftxOcQve4qXA0oKtk3yOLa9l-knaW7kHBtFqOMV-VGq3v83thVamG_S_d72EfmE0bVDN_zzYNtlaLbf1SsQdx8Ln8tKP2JuF_54jC_jQskB_Rhl48-fauUTlsstxpaCX6mdGxg-i7ZRTHj9sgXmZFzZRb4LZ3SHqzKuT9sax5kcQVPnCxcmS/w400-h300/IMG_1239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This crossing would be a nightmare.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvNvKrGzHvxj80PxhXtdE-KRvYH_U-PEPOWd6YSyUByH-gscV8QkMfwLiAal1skz6LEKXiICRWJzqU11ienaSLyZBjieeoUpXrdWaHnaEeL9Y8IMj7_IeS_3HLy4Syl163sAe8FOYcPnJxoPyJrK86wvt03vWy-ZJglbZeIKvBig5nzJyAOodxk8ElRu5/s4032/IMG_1241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvNvKrGzHvxj80PxhXtdE-KRvYH_U-PEPOWd6YSyUByH-gscV8QkMfwLiAal1skz6LEKXiICRWJzqU11ienaSLyZBjieeoUpXrdWaHnaEeL9Y8IMj7_IeS_3HLy4Syl163sAe8FOYcPnJxoPyJrK86wvt03vWy-ZJglbZeIKvBig5nzJyAOodxk8ElRu5/w400-h300/IMG_1241.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We bushwhacked along the stream to the northern section of the Pine Island Trail. We were the adopters of this trail for several years starting in 2011. The trail was closed after Tropical Storm Irene washed parts of it away that August. Those sections were relocated and the trail was reopened. Then the 2017 Halloween storm caused more washouts and created the hazardous stream crossings, resulting in the trail's permanent closure.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgSM16qsPkx0F5v6RsBwocEcbbhBUjKa7lJOSapromy-wODf4NzTIuNa-onnvt2wi5_HsgBrZrf6EY-hMmsSPdrNS1CFXJBGo5RAxf4rgRKPgK-KVuPucjJS9B0Q3I_F1qntHAvbcZxH3Et4jtmT9rG5CeUaZTzXVmD5-0Puqndu3AXSuvUlxZa_32oaI/s4032/IMG_1248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgSM16qsPkx0F5v6RsBwocEcbbhBUjKa7lJOSapromy-wODf4NzTIuNa-onnvt2wi5_HsgBrZrf6EY-hMmsSPdrNS1CFXJBGo5RAxf4rgRKPgK-KVuPucjJS9B0Q3I_F1qntHAvbcZxH3Et4jtmT9rG5CeUaZTzXVmD5-0Puqndu3AXSuvUlxZa_32oaI/w400-h300/IMG_1248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had to weave around several blowdowns that have blocked the trail corridor.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bhD7LcKyevk49R5AKz8sMRHj9FJIe0CTDbvcGGqICXWyLV4lcNrZesXYk1DwTWkB3uFdYjBbRT4GyLTX8EYUkqL24_gmDZH786482c26-2NyJSJvyVKi04iEkwVAjsu5bMlMx3pwSpTNZu8Awm3ykYo1y5yY3QHjmJuyPUjleuUFVMY9Ai1LGrN8iLIG/s4032/IMG_1249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bhD7LcKyevk49R5AKz8sMRHj9FJIe0CTDbvcGGqICXWyLV4lcNrZesXYk1DwTWkB3uFdYjBbRT4GyLTX8EYUkqL24_gmDZH786482c26-2NyJSJvyVKi04iEkwVAjsu5bMlMx3pwSpTNZu8Awm3ykYo1y5yY3QHjmJuyPUjleuUFVMY9Ai1LGrN8iLIG/w400-h300/IMG_1249.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Carol breaking trail on a short open section of the trail corridor.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6st-TjxDaWq7Ozqm2CkSSONZA4sv1sOJsPT8Bc6MPQmZG9NNm3WlSmnnXie7skwzBuxfT1QmDm7aZJXXHpfrlDqp6zzS2M3DhUq4iiI8Vt18Kx8x-OLAgqMfhW4ribdy1oUoLPFbeR6dhOVZZApYnLWsczv6H1CPhiiLQGSY0Fx6WqultPpWFOTbLi_l/s4032/IMG_1254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6st-TjxDaWq7Ozqm2CkSSONZA4sv1sOJsPT8Bc6MPQmZG9NNm3WlSmnnXie7skwzBuxfT1QmDm7aZJXXHpfrlDqp6zzS2M3DhUq4iiI8Vt18Kx8x-OLAgqMfhW4ribdy1oUoLPFbeR6dhOVZZApYnLWsczv6H1CPhiiLQGSY0Fx6WqultPpWFOTbLi_l/w400-h300/IMG_1254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">View across a wide stretch of the East Branch, with "Peak 2675," shrouded in mist, in the background.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGyc-ouFwmH5YUs6akxl-t8e7VhOdcDfIr4Q2FNVsWQMW7oN27qtWMCTgvXn8lUBERrk-FCjOewISjIsNVo3jF_6akF2I-3Kl1BOkZyOhS1fxKzOC5gomjIh828yXePP9AEVY3HYvz1uhN95zIzQrtQxMGe1VxL4U3IO90s2UhVIiJm5zT4IG2oWCvWM_/s4032/IMG_1257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGyc-ouFwmH5YUs6akxl-t8e7VhOdcDfIr4Q2FNVsWQMW7oN27qtWMCTgvXn8lUBERrk-FCjOewISjIsNVo3jF_6akF2I-3Kl1BOkZyOhS1fxKzOC5gomjIh828yXePP9AEVY3HYvz1uhN95zIzQrtQxMGe1VxL4U3IO90s2UhVIiJm5zT4IG2oWCvWM_/w400-h300/IMG_1257.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This tangle looked recent, and likely was created by the big rainstorm of 12/18/23.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbLlhGqVx3pia1xAyERH4tcmPdIxog3_kj8AAVcD2UreIHeRrv5DUmZGIPrO70ZYNAuYbkQxex2W2C95253dAqaw2Si20zmatdS2mmloLWBJ0ryVJLyR2wNTY01WO6v9jEvr4Mfs97slmvDz1r90RKEXOcduPPzvUTCYQPS4UgqzevAXCtIyuUIMaBTxf/s4032/IMG_1262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbLlhGqVx3pia1xAyERH4tcmPdIxog3_kj8AAVcD2UreIHeRrv5DUmZGIPrO70ZYNAuYbkQxex2W2C95253dAqaw2Si20zmatdS2mmloLWBJ0ryVJLyR2wNTY01WO6v9jEvr4Mfs97slmvDz1r90RKEXOcduPPzvUTCYQPS4UgqzevAXCtIyuUIMaBTxf/w400-h300/IMG_1262.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This spot was originally breached by the 2017 Halloween storm, and appeared to have been expanded by the storm last month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QNft5MlU5HpFRvUTmkr2xWpkUqIj3bM21r2fCE7Xyuc0szyssP4Nkp39j2BHGyt11R_6pWJDy9aRnd2k_j4lltos2R5Io9qk1kV0o0fIEGQo1QGu0HNi5mXkzQOOqlQtX76RhcZqAIgnvdKeOD2w4hslxTF722dei7XhFHUSEoHbzUmm7Jff5bEII12d/s4032/IMG_1268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QNft5MlU5HpFRvUTmkr2xWpkUqIj3bM21r2fCE7Xyuc0szyssP4Nkp39j2BHGyt11R_6pWJDy9aRnd2k_j4lltos2R5Io9qk1kV0o0fIEGQo1QGu0HNi5mXkzQOOqlQtX76RhcZqAIgnvdKeOD2w4hslxTF722dei7XhFHUSEoHbzUmm7Jff5bEII12d/w400-h300/IMG_1268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Preparing to dip into the trench.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPzzKiANepSAqvkQQ3DQC7Maui3Fs3l4iSlJqXVwpVaL0ot_8QSvX3b19m2Tt30A_cIA97nMpMZixijAdwrspN_r1mhD5HrEzn_99NJy7UbGRsU6m9Koy8LdVQdsamaTYKT280meioLf6NDXk5j5pSq8C_NMq5I7kWbOHxBtOsduCMfSXariwtTgwezAb/s4032/IMG_1273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPzzKiANepSAqvkQQ3DQC7Maui3Fs3l4iSlJqXVwpVaL0ot_8QSvX3b19m2Tt30A_cIA97nMpMZixijAdwrspN_r1mhD5HrEzn_99NJy7UbGRsU6m9Koy8LdVQdsamaTYKT280meioLf6NDXk5j5pSq8C_NMq5I7kWbOHxBtOsduCMfSXariwtTgwezAb/w400-h300/IMG_1273.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Weaving a path through the destruction.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5Y_Nq8JYWmg-wpZ-xP5GYYnn_0VScwPrc_fNo7qNotb2B0jL0i6UQzfE-6hVPCzhT-3zKu8UzWX-Y26lwius6gZ5q2QCI8e75E9ZQvAHgJhmRGBV9j2a5-YSSqtWJSsDvYWlXrmF5DzaHT5nQrMWbEmQHjlcI11Evxu8CP1PKD2TJPm_0KlLq2KNSH09/s4032/IMG_1278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5Y_Nq8JYWmg-wpZ-xP5GYYnn_0VScwPrc_fNo7qNotb2B0jL0i6UQzfE-6hVPCzhT-3zKu8UzWX-Y26lwius6gZ5q2QCI8e75E9ZQvAHgJhmRGBV9j2a5-YSSqtWJSsDvYWlXrmF5DzaHT5nQrMWbEmQHjlcI11Evxu8CP1PKD2TJPm_0KlLq2KNSH09/w400-h300/IMG_1278.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yikes!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs7znPIJpXKlnSAgtCas74eSX4SPQEFKC050DoszhvhiTw0kF36U7IoDTPgSDnyJkMr3XijaJfFeUnCpduwfekPuI9Vyl-TnpU41Vm4b1-taiHA5vDq3cWSRrEOdfDRNOYlEuwcx3kjKDf_pEKFaDXr1zTw8RzpcXj95E-NyhvAkesPoUiF9zdLb4WXLN/s4032/IMG_1279.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs7znPIJpXKlnSAgtCas74eSX4SPQEFKC050DoszhvhiTw0kF36U7IoDTPgSDnyJkMr3XijaJfFeUnCpduwfekPuI9Vyl-TnpU41Vm4b1-taiHA5vDq3cWSRrEOdfDRNOYlEuwcx3kjKDf_pEKFaDXr1zTw8RzpcXj95E-NyhvAkesPoUiF9zdLb4WXLN/w400-h300/IMG_1279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Long view upstream. The low clouds obscured the fine mountain views found along the edge of the river.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeqYQrwiUC0I1gGAj3emycAFN-4Mo65c8XMh2xXJGrFkZBTLOq-7pRfIMYY8dngGViz42_adv1_6gX8MdHcgG1bYDIXAQKkjzESc0D9nXWy49tli-bx7BBBHpoInR_IBHKXjREQSDb7mNn8Hzk7ck6Wntk5pBT5B0vZ2QVWMC9teqWsJL26n94f4NBgag/s4032/IMG_1289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeqYQrwiUC0I1gGAj3emycAFN-4Mo65c8XMh2xXJGrFkZBTLOq-7pRfIMYY8dngGViz42_adv1_6gX8MdHcgG1bYDIXAQKkjzESc0D9nXWy49tli-bx7BBBHpoInR_IBHKXjREQSDb7mNn8Hzk7ck6Wntk5pBT5B0vZ2QVWMC9teqWsJL26n94f4NBgag/w400-h300/IMG_1289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The north end of Pine Island Trail is away from the river and still in good shape.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNVKYPzQPjSk7QRS1nQryhXzJIhLNnmxfkXKLbYhpZEH9-VTVxJRlGthpuiTc1_45Su3k6y4iBPv4FEi5K1tQIiKzz-NpA5J2-DFGfIAPga0CNlxxALRWht5pw58GRARYcXt6ZhJ0RDlwWJjfzwOLMravFnLikTduyG_djC9m__XIWrZBiJvo6gsGBVVO/s4032/IMG_1290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNVKYPzQPjSk7QRS1nQryhXzJIhLNnmxfkXKLbYhpZEH9-VTVxJRlGthpuiTc1_45Su3k6y4iBPv4FEi5K1tQIiKzz-NpA5J2-DFGfIAPga0CNlxxALRWht5pw58GRARYcXt6ZhJ0RDlwWJjfzwOLMravFnLikTduyG_djC9m__XIWrZBiJvo6gsGBVVO/w400-h300/IMG_1290.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We followed a spur path down to one of our favorite spots, a vast sandbar created by Tropical Storm Irene. We call it "The Beach" and there is a geocache here if you are so inclined.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFUu2dIFfusAYoTalm1ruRdbmZEDXK5sMErTpJNGcN-F5l9G4wjSMoUXfT3Ho2aULDD5MJuSQ9NkNIrj4ckc86mf0KiigT6FBz1ZQUn_t0bxtZKgPGMZWjZaV2SSNPypTNHtvs1WA5rrYjEnSDOTfiNmCCeCnfWoMOnJAa90ksKaRxkgaaODBHhX7KUu8/s4032/IMG_1299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFUu2dIFfusAYoTalm1ruRdbmZEDXK5sMErTpJNGcN-F5l9G4wjSMoUXfT3Ho2aULDD5MJuSQ9NkNIrj4ckc86mf0KiigT6FBz1ZQUn_t0bxtZKgPGMZWjZaV2SSNPypTNHtvs1WA5rrYjEnSDOTfiNmCCeCnfWoMOnJAa90ksKaRxkgaaODBHhX7KUu8/w400-h300/IMG_1299.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking south down The Beach. On a clear day there would be a fine view of Scar Ridge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27HUvv-Mj6OkmAkcgQ53hHvV3WIBacLyuRb2eduho5rLn_lsfGqTtUy9KGj-9DCix4cmAWBrnSH9pr6kLruPEz6PjkjyUT3VyEziP_rnci-scvnCV4REyKhCLrAv4xbbY4Ej0SHGhRZ8vLR_Clru2-aBeJ6tJqOypAzaaKobpIKiUNb8rfjt3ofa_uTEE/s4032/IMG_1294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27HUvv-Mj6OkmAkcgQ53hHvV3WIBacLyuRb2eduho5rLn_lsfGqTtUy9KGj-9DCix4cmAWBrnSH9pr6kLruPEz6PjkjyUT3VyEziP_rnci-scvnCV4REyKhCLrAv4xbbY4Ej0SHGhRZ8vLR_Clru2-aBeJ6tJqOypAzaaKobpIKiUNb8rfjt3ofa_uTEE/w400-h300/IMG_1294.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To the north of the beach is an area of rock cobbles and scrubby trees. The snow was deep here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SzZ51dMvO1V8XBMgrz7UBuxFyb-AXzLdds0bMX89qdYW2S6cCFLaZ4En3hxbTdcCcpKLz7mu9keMBgRUXh6taTyhtq4-oi9wyjXESzvZsYxP8VG9QF17b_H8uP9umGPATtJOoTt3uu2Igpp98a_I_fteHILNgf4vZ-kuq0NmKaGrui-XiIPttVFg3C73/s4032/IMG_1305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SzZ51dMvO1V8XBMgrz7UBuxFyb-AXzLdds0bMX89qdYW2S6cCFLaZ4En3hxbTdcCcpKLz7mu9keMBgRUXh6taTyhtq4-oi9wyjXESzvZsYxP8VG9QF17b_H8uP9umGPATtJOoTt3uu2Igpp98a_I_fteHILNgf4vZ-kuq0NmKaGrui-XiIPttVFg3C73/w400-h300/IMG_1305.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">White cedar and white pine, side by side.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVDc2zQRUMu6ccVuf2kM_iOSku7zMhQbA-Hxmpau6PZAvURYMNaakxfO4EgABa_D-XF86MEUfcg912XZ7w7keKW4PKeNUdIx3qOR4FKz2qC2kO5YgbLBTrZEgLey-3Mu_iFH1WgT-ggDe-IqAurK2q3mnhh6NT7-PGnW8uxjkmV9Jt5XkyDO4a1i_vzCB/s4032/IMG_1307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVDc2zQRUMu6ccVuf2kM_iOSku7zMhQbA-Hxmpau6PZAvURYMNaakxfO4EgABa_D-XF86MEUfcg912XZ7w7keKW4PKeNUdIx3qOR4FKz2qC2kO5YgbLBTrZEgLey-3Mu_iFH1WgT-ggDe-IqAurK2q3mnhh6NT7-PGnW8uxjkmV9Jt5XkyDO4a1i_vzCB/w400-h300/IMG_1307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking across the East Branch to a bank that was cut away by Tropical Storm Irene. There is always much to see on an excursion along this magnificent wilderness river.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKxMqqDvoWdThjwOETU6CR1rkKOkCh9Grb9ekiQm_9fSGt9N-xw64KOLWqxYbMgBFaef_oKcQRIOyFGVpt3tc4q7nOjMMshsAoFBHyZUHXRlyNDMKjsCfwB1FWI7LEH51c0Wa_aGhXsK8fxUzq01a7Gv3i-Y9w23_xTq0211eJoCAhSJke9BiXb2NKtD7/s4032/IMG_1315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKxMqqDvoWdThjwOETU6CR1rkKOkCh9Grb9ekiQm_9fSGt9N-xw64KOLWqxYbMgBFaef_oKcQRIOyFGVpt3tc4q7nOjMMshsAoFBHyZUHXRlyNDMKjsCfwB1FWI7LEH51c0Wa_aGhXsK8fxUzq01a7Gv3i-Y9w23_xTq0211eJoCAhSJke9BiXb2NKtD7/w400-h300/IMG_1315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-1701765064382298662024-01-23T20:04:00.000-05:002024-01-23T20:04:05.310-05:00Northwest Slides, Scar Ridge: 1/22/24<div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">Chose a fine relatively warm (but not too warm) winter day for a return visit to the lower reaches of the two Northwest Slides on Scar Ridge. This would be my fourth snowshoe bushwhack in the last six years out to this interesting nook of the mountains. These two lofty, ledgy slides plunge off the steep northwest face of the main Scar Ridge summit into a deep ravine between Scar Ridge and Black Mtn., a northern spur of the Scar Ridge-Loon ridgecrest. These slides, with an upper elevation of 3,300-3,400 ft., are prominent from many viewpoints to the north, and can be viewed from the deck of the ranger cabin at the Lincoln Woods trailhead and from various points along the edge of the wide East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The narrow lower tracks of the two slides join at 2100 ft. on a terrace forested with northern hardwoods.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I approached the bushwhack via a one-mile snowshoe on the groomed East Ridge X-C/Snowshoe trails maintained by Loon Mountain (no fee, limited parking).</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaC2ifayM9wwMn5itfmeIstBe6ZupuvGwuVoD6_yj9HCzHk7cmS-y98I8ibWAH46lDBfE6MX8OuEIMNvPasiVIrEx_Mi3Q1-HefKKxPxz6fQ9AEFTzeIVkOVAOiZtPB5u421G5598szsu2ryM4FTiHo7iZjSvG8gQH_sOQ7oYCOk3WTVdd2F5rx9A-6XP/s4032/IMG_1013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaC2ifayM9wwMn5itfmeIstBe6ZupuvGwuVoD6_yj9HCzHk7cmS-y98I8ibWAH46lDBfE6MX8OuEIMNvPasiVIrEx_Mi3Q1-HefKKxPxz6fQ9AEFTzeIVkOVAOiZtPB5u421G5598szsu2ryM4FTiHo7iZjSvG8gQH_sOQ7oYCOk3WTVdd2F5rx9A-6XP/w400-h300/IMG_1013.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading into the woods for the two-mile bushwhack.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy4tRq94z2-3yyvtvfz1uRszLPgK7Ar9rFOErrfwxx_qQw85ds_TSwd8Svw9INh44WFeNni4PQUsUhoAPC6ZyBYM2lNSzhjJf-Wcwu5wfEScksi5Rtq9ne3F4I5BVACZjj44jRD2tnsYSX71my4Hjx5mCLaOP2CwKM5msL529JWCcH4zUKfSg0udzom4L/s4032/IMG_1014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy4tRq94z2-3yyvtvfz1uRszLPgK7Ar9rFOErrfwxx_qQw85ds_TSwd8Svw9INh44WFeNni4PQUsUhoAPC6ZyBYM2lNSzhjJf-Wcwu5wfEScksi5Rtq9ne3F4I5BVACZjj44jRD2tnsYSX71my4Hjx5mCLaOP2CwKM5msL529JWCcH4zUKfSg0udzom4L/w400-h300/IMG_1014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Much of the route to the slides leads through hardwood forest, with fewer dense conifer stretches than many such bushwhacks.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlLADici28k2DfDtNliKWou2vey5-A82uQynHVm7arw6ES5swjdts8KtoJYAn_iEvsWihFkL6sJ16QMiDEfWm9Vyp1gmNF1S-oz3jQXtx78Dnxt1p2sXYoQ4uiUn2Qz9z8_NviV83khXLAxZi9lX0MJEZggD-L6ETKGaasBeJ7DyMOO_dKTARvDdGFo7C/s4032/IMG_1017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlLADici28k2DfDtNliKWou2vey5-A82uQynHVm7arw6ES5swjdts8KtoJYAn_iEvsWihFkL6sJ16QMiDEfWm9Vyp1gmNF1S-oz3jQXtx78Dnxt1p2sXYoQ4uiUn2Qz9z8_NviV83khXLAxZi9lX0MJEZggD-L6ETKGaasBeJ7DyMOO_dKTARvDdGFo7C/w400-h300/IMG_1017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow depth in the hardwoods seemed to average 12-14," largely unconsolidated, though some areas had a crusty base beneath. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGM9XhgZxR9U3rcT-zu7m7dlyq9LDStTeEdrbBSs8F9RDuExcNDqicb2hn_ed5kNSG6yHWRX6yOKfO072BPVAP7kt-qsrk76Xm4Hwf9w900qjbDuS59ZLeWxXwC8EuJ4k7gMLnxBwNzqEAROsWqFCfgKlTpHrdoZfb07cXe9eIGrblUF9XK7wrlYrkXSp/s4032/IMG_1019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGM9XhgZxR9U3rcT-zu7m7dlyq9LDStTeEdrbBSs8F9RDuExcNDqicb2hn_ed5kNSG6yHWRX6yOKfO072BPVAP7kt-qsrk76Xm4Hwf9w900qjbDuS59ZLeWxXwC8EuJ4k7gMLnxBwNzqEAROsWqFCfgKlTpHrdoZfb07cXe9eIGrblUF9XK7wrlYrkXSp/w400-h300/IMG_1019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Vivid skies overhead.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4hMFlLBPZmlLYdwQgWn2NrdNK29Q01V645FPFRZ7V6Q3opPe5rqA2k4rFLn1D47K9SCIeZaIlttYLcYZcwVBwYMa7m8R3Dd8VHyt1LR7ZFtxctzTcDA35VMYKMVRJNV0s7ElSocNrHO3tY9uc3VYaK-d6a9Wssa9ew9VjBy30yexVgA1HZjfNuwZEIgG/s4032/IMG_1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4hMFlLBPZmlLYdwQgWn2NrdNK29Q01V645FPFRZ7V6Q3opPe5rqA2k4rFLn1D47K9SCIeZaIlttYLcYZcwVBwYMa7m8R3Dd8VHyt1LR7ZFtxctzTcDA35VMYKMVRJNV0s7ElSocNrHO3tY9uc3VYaK-d6a9Wssa9ew9VjBy30yexVgA1HZjfNuwZEIgG/w400-h300/IMG_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Deep in the big valley between Scar Ridge and Black Mountain is one of my favorite hardwood glades.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdPOXARrx0qkrOZO9bflUYHMnHu_NQGctHjD80Ow0sKHVOC4eCu14B8tc_S9dSLNdFjfd3xNRDNiQDHMn0bh8U8XrC58FTfHzdb4pmrRkVEtzMjTiMqSTzd_Ho3spN68j03tdUJFT0Q6ndH_E5mQKH_rpeAwwILSG9Rr35MFevgWVcI5eIhwD6QNEidTM/s4032/IMG_1032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdPOXARrx0qkrOZO9bflUYHMnHu_NQGctHjD80Ow0sKHVOC4eCu14B8tc_S9dSLNdFjfd3xNRDNiQDHMn0bh8U8XrC58FTfHzdb4pmrRkVEtzMjTiMqSTzd_Ho3spN68j03tdUJFT0Q6ndH_E5mQKH_rpeAwwILSG9Rr35MFevgWVcI5eIhwD6QNEidTM/w400-h300/IMG_1032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the west side the trees march steeply up towards the crest of Black Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KSiGHJzki_dgHTed342Ty_gKgjzDswT2gOnw9yghG8VN-xG7DScs8xuY3Axr9SEmlNXQ3aOmCy9pIeJg6HlaByRJZUyl7v7zSZ3EAvSmaBOllLMq-N22teTwivGanwBnJ6Cp3IV_N7o_ZrRuDkALmALzF0o1aYc7ozK5Kd-aHxJJJzRecygweAjZvViq/s4032/IMG_1034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KSiGHJzki_dgHTed342Ty_gKgjzDswT2gOnw9yghG8VN-xG7DScs8xuY3Axr9SEmlNXQ3aOmCy9pIeJg6HlaByRJZUyl7v7zSZ3EAvSmaBOllLMq-N22teTwivGanwBnJ6Cp3IV_N7o_ZrRuDkALmALzF0o1aYc7ozK5Kd-aHxJJJzRecygweAjZvViq/w400-h300/IMG_1034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3OOVYSxk5ML3hSqJd8GaVzvUBzowGT9w0eackCAyJqFgytPweKPJOTokbm6k4V1f7YtJ0y0IaMRRl9B_ZlfAp6HXCZ9paOvuSqZTGOfst5ad8zUxzimI6GIgZgHQ9H08ggkQ3xIb8tUal-mM_97qoUUgyaRa8HeUTeQZRq2EpJkgl9QownNCqK7kiCS4/s4032/IMG_1040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3OOVYSxk5ML3hSqJd8GaVzvUBzowGT9w0eackCAyJqFgytPweKPJOTokbm6k4V1f7YtJ0y0IaMRRl9B_ZlfAp6HXCZ9paOvuSqZTGOfst5ad8zUxzimI6GIgZgHQ9H08ggkQ3xIb8tUal-mM_97qoUUgyaRa8HeUTeQZRq2EpJkgl9QownNCqK7kiCS4/w300-h400/IMG_1040.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Farther along I followed the trace of an old logging road, likely from the J.E. Henry era, paralleling the brook that drains the valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqRJYZr2AmIcRMcCyvBJr_i7GpzWjWS80P-zydb3ehpdNdQM1PnzVkhhB2ZUm0cEpJLb4Xh1FJ90aRPyUi5VidlYhftvALq2b7lWiBxkiM22V7dmBRZxdNuCpp-BFNy3_dJtMNpVF5He4ORLqdM-60-GQA6QDlRvORto4s3pp5OzKOQp3NWXK-hhVuxCO/s4032/IMG_1044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqRJYZr2AmIcRMcCyvBJr_i7GpzWjWS80P-zydb3ehpdNdQM1PnzVkhhB2ZUm0cEpJLb4Xh1FJ90aRPyUi5VidlYhftvALq2b7lWiBxkiM22V7dmBRZxdNuCpp-BFNy3_dJtMNpVF5He4ORLqdM-60-GQA6QDlRvORto4s3pp5OzKOQp3NWXK-hhVuxCO/w400-h300/IMG_1044.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Crossing the branch of the brook that comes down from the Scar Ridge-Black Mountain col. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU2ns-L1ue9OVBvNPe-blGNh7zYWhwOSCEhAWMqTwNgdm97fqEh02uc9KSpGk5YG_dyuRrLidIwM5CSwX6JX1MEdbFLoD1wIWlYnXWAVPpGbwUI5MKtmX87jlVZTMsDgKHZWEAiQeioBuRj40JtzuKvl_5OF_0VtNCYbSyVDSxDs4UPoJRQ67HZny0EEq/s4032/IMG_1046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU2ns-L1ue9OVBvNPe-blGNh7zYWhwOSCEhAWMqTwNgdm97fqEh02uc9KSpGk5YG_dyuRrLidIwM5CSwX6JX1MEdbFLoD1wIWlYnXWAVPpGbwUI5MKtmX87jlVZTMsDgKHZWEAiQeioBuRj40JtzuKvl_5OF_0VtNCYbSyVDSxDs4UPoJRQ67HZny0EEq/w400-h300/IMG_1046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading up the fork of the valley that leads to the slides.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPvyJmN4GJG22EpQ1xv-Q4erOikMalbn3WnEIL_8lKNwYaCx4W0TGFO_fmBccmBlBHtlqmOBUzlPQbFoMiWn9nbBGTI0CA_DMxP9SaDQImG-xeBpZ-JNHgAk0djZ6qgpNfQghgeoJtwL2WJ43DFU_WkAuUckG-jZgHLLVOeMoPAdodqAaOt1HcxC5fNpa/s4032/IMG_1050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPvyJmN4GJG22EpQ1xv-Q4erOikMalbn3WnEIL_8lKNwYaCx4W0TGFO_fmBccmBlBHtlqmOBUzlPQbFoMiWn9nbBGTI0CA_DMxP9SaDQImG-xeBpZ-JNHgAk0djZ6qgpNfQghgeoJtwL2WJ43DFU_WkAuUckG-jZgHLLVOeMoPAdodqAaOt1HcxC5fNpa/w400-h300/IMG_1050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The mostly-buried brook that comes down from the slides.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblB8uxQJsVy7p8pCwKzaFFHDEokmZM9R3IgL1PWy0J6NrjnhaB6hskXCgP1IMkoRiTukQft25seKVItphyZBUM979tUeOLIIRvoB-72fHi7T_F0alpuve0_wHCfL9WV9elBiVHKCDulsHI8tlDeFylEGBpBpbfAQlxH0clQVCt1skftO6_QmikyJ4G7C2/s4032/IMG_1056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblB8uxQJsVy7p8pCwKzaFFHDEokmZM9R3IgL1PWy0J6NrjnhaB6hskXCgP1IMkoRiTukQft25seKVItphyZBUM979tUeOLIIRvoB-72fHi7T_F0alpuve0_wHCfL9WV9elBiVHKCDulsHI8tlDeFylEGBpBpbfAQlxH0clQVCt1skftO6_QmikyJ4G7C2/w400-h300/IMG_1056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The tops of the two slides are in sight at the head of a great amphitheater. <span id="docs-internal-guid-ec03f734-7fff-dda3-93b0-61fb779f7127" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span>The slides are apparently at least a century and a half old, as they were noted by geologist Warren Upham in an article in the February 1878 issue of the AMC journal<i> Appalachia</i>. Upham recalled that in 1871, while obtaining a rock specimen from the top of one of the slides (in so doing probably making the first recorded ascent of Scar Ridge), his hammer flew off its handle and “went off, bounding merrily down, tick, knock, whack, clink, to the bottom, hundreds of feet below. It was not searched for, but a liberal reward will be cheerfully paid to the finder.” (How cool would it be to find that hammer!)<br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwVU3NFxaNxz9cVGPCYvdHyMlWfCQ4xDF6hv-hMxFVlWRVoXtlsCCsKRoOUpPpTwC51BTEBavyOq-4WFCxt8DN24kwHD9KRilWlGIXPGAjEQ_H_oQuISR4zPR1sSHtQhNOVLtqxb9bpOTgp4lD5ysHFridD9G3xFd6xY0v0wm62cAK5sX1Tg3ZIilHAar/s4032/IMG_1062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwVU3NFxaNxz9cVGPCYvdHyMlWfCQ4xDF6hv-hMxFVlWRVoXtlsCCsKRoOUpPpTwC51BTEBavyOq-4WFCxt8DN24kwHD9KRilWlGIXPGAjEQ_H_oQuISR4zPR1sSHtQhNOVLtqxb9bpOTgp4lD5ysHFridD9G3xFd6xY0v0wm62cAK5sX1Tg3ZIilHAar/w400-h300/IMG_1062.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mature hardwoods cloak the inner sanctum at the base of the slides.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSHgyUPNM_uaF4oUz9fR5jJV-sg5x1lDxnd-l79QxyjLrs6vtYP_HoYx1y_v0nlVGsdE1_S7g5Z4xnkaZBPmn48YVE9-_4d_66RjPXQYZU3eqvsSy0-sutTy4IShmCUNiUFD65vx1jZGoX3IGK26FqAX1wqCapw0mdQLC_aFAzrXK2Xhtet9Ce8g-l6dS/s4032/IMG_1065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSHgyUPNM_uaF4oUz9fR5jJV-sg5x1lDxnd-l79QxyjLrs6vtYP_HoYx1y_v0nlVGsdE1_S7g5Z4xnkaZBPmn48YVE9-_4d_66RjPXQYZU3eqvsSy0-sutTy4IShmCUNiUFD65vx1jZGoX3IGK26FqAX1wqCapw0mdQLC_aFAzrXK2Xhtet9Ce8g-l6dS/w400-h300/IMG_1065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Approaching the base of the western slide, a wild cliff looms ahead on a spur of Scar Ridge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBrSYZj6-NK8Fj68KjtbuArnMfARLFT-maFdCXahBGVMATvIuphqNbGpeulSEKnWb6sr911O429us5waO5cSnDhykhA6D_8PO85x6v2ogQb6SZoDdANV04MPkojFtKowDUrsCGdojJh50_6hLunxU6fKCLQXmDtyX8JNospVgQsM8is2Lq_5TuSj8yw6L/s4032/IMG_1074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBrSYZj6-NK8Fj68KjtbuArnMfARLFT-maFdCXahBGVMATvIuphqNbGpeulSEKnWb6sr911O429us5waO5cSnDhykhA6D_8PO85x6v2ogQb6SZoDdANV04MPkojFtKowDUrsCGdojJh50_6hLunxU6fKCLQXmDtyX8JNospVgQsM8is2Lq_5TuSj8yw6L/w400-h300/IMG_1074.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Snowshoeing up the track of the western slide.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrZnG7uhvwSULbcHMR6D_jWRNHKMlgS8ZIEBvB4vXemac8mIXRToxOR9hZTmHTnQKEuQPAyMCuNvj1GMX3vuHIGu7eKbLZEDFG82uwozYG5gLqQMdMj6u5qbEZI0CK_ZaAqunXxNl9bSpaMAQUKyhwyJlZM8vqRDhmUssFd6yE39l1crv4XWZBzFkPiPy/s4032/IMG_1081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrZnG7uhvwSULbcHMR6D_jWRNHKMlgS8ZIEBvB4vXemac8mIXRToxOR9hZTmHTnQKEuQPAyMCuNvj1GMX3vuHIGu7eKbLZEDFG82uwozYG5gLqQMdMj6u5qbEZI0CK_ZaAqunXxNl9bSpaMAQUKyhwyJlZM8vqRDhmUssFd6yE39l1crv4XWZBzFkPiPy/w400-h300/IMG_1081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking up to the icy slabs at the head of the western slide. This is a seldom-visited ice climbing route known as "Long Way Home."<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dqsUEv8z8MxvfwKqFBkTT31v7h8peLhN5UqtMxeDwRKEjd-Nsgxqx4UZXjY5yMjDNvjme_dJpdw4MW_c8uz0GD3rNK3q6EKnvOBqC8SFn8ZC-xcOYGcOIzFifg6BczRNaRw4qNIBO5hXrXYVemDpzi2dqsKuDAOCWmnzhGjpodc71B3cIEunjl8nqwRa/s4032/IMG_1084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dqsUEv8z8MxvfwKqFBkTT31v7h8peLhN5UqtMxeDwRKEjd-Nsgxqx4UZXjY5yMjDNvjme_dJpdw4MW_c8uz0GD3rNK3q6EKnvOBqC8SFn8ZC-xcOYGcOIzFifg6BczRNaRw4qNIBO5hXrXYVemDpzi2dqsKuDAOCWmnzhGjpodc71B3cIEunjl8nqwRa/w400-h300/IMG_1084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </div><div>A solitary white pine at the edge of the slide.</div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sUwME3HBNfqMF96ce1AxnlbNbJPWgjy2bDckreKDAM-MNlTkehfJ0BUxBCS2iXpH2SVl4_Oq0i4xMFyhyphenhyphenLoJCFiZz9izUpUwnwzHMtnaFQ_Eq30GVi2nsRZc0yjDYd7co3u50_pjK0Rgne0lJexy4W3U279ihG-MmKl_b_oqU27lN4yIEAljySvlSleW/s4032/IMG_1095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sUwME3HBNfqMF96ce1AxnlbNbJPWgjy2bDckreKDAM-MNlTkehfJ0BUxBCS2iXpH2SVl4_Oq0i4xMFyhyphenhyphenLoJCFiZz9izUpUwnwzHMtnaFQ_Eq30GVi2nsRZc0yjDYd7co3u50_pjK0Rgne0lJexy4W3U279ihG-MmKl_b_oqU27lN4yIEAljySvlSleW/w400-h300/IMG_1095.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a detour through the brush, I emerged on a bank overlooking the start of the ledgy section of the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzksAfoFR_gALAu_3wVSc8QH4dSZTqTezDOjsY_EpyzE15GfwnqN1S74f9TK0OyTjfZlC7RjOi18yO7fQ-AVlgwCr08lFTQxh2N3qbE0KUDRU-velYStf-ytpTrhUmpfClwyGzCt1soSmceM5JrnXBmRDu0vQUzWWpd3uP0r79K_DhIgznYNMiBB3hTSiu/s4032/IMG_1100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzksAfoFR_gALAu_3wVSc8QH4dSZTqTezDOjsY_EpyzE15GfwnqN1S74f9TK0OyTjfZlC7RjOi18yO7fQ-AVlgwCr08lFTQxh2N3qbE0KUDRU-velYStf-ytpTrhUmpfClwyGzCt1soSmceM5JrnXBmRDu0vQUzWWpd3uP0r79K_DhIgznYNMiBB3hTSiu/w400-h300/IMG_1100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here I dropped back onto the slide beside rugged ledges.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyx0GigyNyyHukZ_Uj4n9HPo5aHSbMjpy5M3RyMH4UIL8P9paXF06MUu7Wj8tO1kdJikztJj93fNlQ2Zy8JCBS7H5vNqOgjqejrOJts6619n5RFa7ShMGM9j0eR1SO6FObQjg-dyZ5t-Ipg4aAuHxC9ChLHPW1iFYLF0yKG825fzxRNTdLmUrkWnIEPNA/s4032/IMG_1107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyx0GigyNyyHukZ_Uj4n9HPo5aHSbMjpy5M3RyMH4UIL8P9paXF06MUu7Wj8tO1kdJikztJj93fNlQ2Zy8JCBS7H5vNqOgjqejrOJts6619n5RFa7ShMGM9j0eR1SO6FObQjg-dyZ5t-Ipg4aAuHxC9ChLHPW1iFYLF0yKG825fzxRNTdLmUrkWnIEPNA/w400-h300/IMG_1107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heading up a little way. In summer the ledge slabs under here are dangerously slick.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDocpGl07qPLNpmLWRmkTUDE8pdbRN7jDUA3XzUkaTyv7tnsTYlZ7S7oDgkXPpguwFJvV9CZzW_UITeDR33ipGrSJxwy4Juie5fczR4lJzEwrZs17ZRskiV7wLxOR0OoYena2Jt-6jpBwUdj9IuQrJvaiNb1jt3WergHaCl_CGR7On0ZWPdQBLHChG8HN/s4032/IMG_1109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDocpGl07qPLNpmLWRmkTUDE8pdbRN7jDUA3XzUkaTyv7tnsTYlZ7S7oDgkXPpguwFJvV9CZzW_UITeDR33ipGrSJxwy4Juie5fczR4lJzEwrZs17ZRskiV7wLxOR0OoYena2Jt-6jpBwUdj9IuQrJvaiNb1jt3WergHaCl_CGR7On0ZWPdQBLHChG8HN/w400-h300/IMG_1109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7HwkCSDaAtC-87wiv-t-L4jjhnIA7vpfr9lLXQ0ds6mmV6ROTBHqrPektermZsa82Ua4w8nUFzOg-voHfFJKhq3ZaOncDapxjsAlSFXWlzBzKcvZskvx13XmUvyrkm0vfHYqGfsoYs9cCTrsKjqKU1Pva3JSLEKAdLAHoRrUpuUqoRRSKcK0HOlIAH2r/s4032/IMG_1111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7HwkCSDaAtC-87wiv-t-L4jjhnIA7vpfr9lLXQ0ds6mmV6ROTBHqrPektermZsa82Ua4w8nUFzOg-voHfFJKhq3ZaOncDapxjsAlSFXWlzBzKcvZskvx13XmUvyrkm0vfHYqGfsoYs9cCTrsKjqKU1Pva3JSLEKAdLAHoRrUpuUqoRRSKcK0HOlIAH2r/w400-h300/IMG_1111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ahead rises a very steep ledge step.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqCGBUlC0rOWpx2JRn70LAR5EMcjQmUb7YsmEGGIcejLnnukdy54WJoNuk_QDj81rI8moWJAwCSpY_Lx75E1Q6nbjgoFAssirgB_PQWEN1te3F8O7A1UjdL_jUIgV9fpldXtm6AT5_C3LuW0kYp0d2Hg0W49zgh0BYnczXvj2Dqittwhghmwqnf_kCWQz/s4032/IMG_1119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqCGBUlC0rOWpx2JRn70LAR5EMcjQmUb7YsmEGGIcejLnnukdy54WJoNuk_QDj81rI8moWJAwCSpY_Lx75E1Q6nbjgoFAssirgB_PQWEN1te3F8O7A1UjdL_jUIgV9fpldXtm6AT5_C3LuW0kYp0d2Hg0W49zgh0BYnczXvj2Dqittwhghmwqnf_kCWQz/w400-h300/IMG_1119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In summer the ledges here have a remarkable scalloped look.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11swPuZ_8GuyVyjfl-ShgdHP9Z2fNjC2m0mmBqkijBa3LuQ2NrOOVgrQT1Jeg-x3_Pqow_3DaPKC7cUaqXExT669CP2Tvk5Nv3HP-203xISmNkv-XKMdiZQHB6Ss9O5gkLSRZ1XyByTbFL7cNG19Fb0EMUy95LN7Rf5aDBq8MYkGebtm1tu-DqSzCzjri/s5184/IMG_4666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11swPuZ_8GuyVyjfl-ShgdHP9Z2fNjC2m0mmBqkijBa3LuQ2NrOOVgrQT1Jeg-x3_Pqow_3DaPKC7cUaqXExT669CP2Tvk5Nv3HP-203xISmNkv-XKMdiZQHB6Ss9O5gkLSRZ1XyByTbFL7cNG19Fb0EMUy95LN7Rf5aDBq8MYkGebtm1tu-DqSzCzjri/w400-h300/IMG_4666.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An excellent view of the Pemigewasset Wilderness can be accessed a short distance above the top of this ledge step. I'd made it up there twice before on snowshoes along the left side, so I started up that way again, stomping my snowshoes through a powder layer into the hard crust beneath.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlF8qgaUfuwtsga-K45Ke1GCWI89RtTQR_569Ad2yxvnZS1mGFKuRiclF0lUAghQOZnmaJMYC6NQo_9Bxat4YIQFL0eY6RemEfMJSZebuG4QC9OGU5vu-748gcWTTP5neA7r745hUDpmCxufGdXcGHjpA2sD-UJ2s5G1OohouKobzlNNA3EOmj9U9tZWx/s4032/IMG_1129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlF8qgaUfuwtsga-K45Ke1GCWI89RtTQR_569Ad2yxvnZS1mGFKuRiclF0lUAghQOZnmaJMYC6NQo_9Bxat4YIQFL0eY6RemEfMJSZebuG4QC9OGU5vu-748gcWTTP5neA7r745hUDpmCxufGdXcGHjpA2sD-UJ2s5G1OohouKobzlNNA3EOmj9U9tZWx/w400-h300/IMG_1129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Drawing even with the ice formation near the top of the ledge. Above this point the traverse up and across the lip of the ledge proved to be too icy beneath to safely navigate.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhy5Fs4_pCngti0YtGbWzYSkdDtI2xn98nvjVrcktPyjPSjTsITKw4aQzuf4l7qwEfXrxFqjaCHo_r2eN4fsDzGyAQPD6IuveKD5RZxnpqElAcMBI5AVov5IDNKpzPUvRvjZLhXyYPXwI5imNyyQOKmaGEqpaVW-kB_-uGDSBXnfHqiU8IRRV383wt83U/s4032/IMG_1135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhy5Fs4_pCngti0YtGbWzYSkdDtI2xn98nvjVrcktPyjPSjTsITKw4aQzuf4l7qwEfXrxFqjaCHo_r2eN4fsDzGyAQPD6IuveKD5RZxnpqElAcMBI5AVov5IDNKpzPUvRvjZLhXyYPXwI5imNyyQOKmaGEqpaVW-kB_-uGDSBXnfHqiU8IRRV383wt83U/w400-h300/IMG_1135.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A careful retreat was made back down along my tracks, with a butt slide at the bottom.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU8bNn9ZhUF4XeGl9dmhkAVD-RVibyCXrK1ry35FD7RoXz9NOU9JbgdGBfeCMB9R9tD4j2r-RxycpWImmB_fj5idW9BmG5Z57-CKSwaVGee1DOz4Zxmxod4UyQ-duHgtlJ9af4LFAwzI0apBjqKDJswaAz_8b5xcMaXDxnMns2EG2Csl2ZEZbJrV03qRF/s4032/IMG_1138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU8bNn9ZhUF4XeGl9dmhkAVD-RVibyCXrK1ry35FD7RoXz9NOU9JbgdGBfeCMB9R9tD4j2r-RxycpWImmB_fj5idW9BmG5Z57-CKSwaVGee1DOz4Zxmxod4UyQ-duHgtlJ9af4LFAwzI0apBjqKDJswaAz_8b5xcMaXDxnMns2EG2Csl2ZEZbJrV03qRF/w400-h300/IMG_1138.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I settled in on a flat spot at the foot of the ledge step for a late lunch and a screened view out to the peaks of the Pemi.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEbYvLJ-jzkKsN7lWPmHGrwi8moq614H4uCkR5QNE7NNk6UdKlqJilHFXnhQHDAJJUH53jQCn764HXDjYtFvubgQNV3Cnhe0g0jEMILPHTvq3Hh6I69HrxK45bZeGpGltWFZfL_ojbJ2WjOicyxZWhBP1zPeF2uxhlbdeblzr1oYxrhZyeZ1WLHUhYA8P/s4032/IMG_1121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEbYvLJ-jzkKsN7lWPmHGrwi8moq614H4uCkR5QNE7NNk6UdKlqJilHFXnhQHDAJJUH53jQCn764HXDjYtFvubgQNV3Cnhe0g0jEMILPHTvq3Hh6I69HrxK45bZeGpGltWFZfL_ojbJ2WjOicyxZWhBP1zPeF2uxhlbdeblzr1oYxrhZyeZ1WLHUhYA8P/w400-h300/IMG_1121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The slides on the Twin-Bond Range show up well in winter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjfG5Pnp1If8gi9s-bS-TT5gMnrUb7GH2SoTxYxZJXyBOpYZcwEOODtroAhl89ROPd0URmJseCjo3ANCppFpptORlz_z8MVG8YLk1aZk47tsr1yhKU7hyktLc58CvilZ2trOX-1TCXJLB6U8U4eomCP0ZdxUerS-MlqxGCK0vibYrxNkR_yhyphenhyphen1GtbU0E0/s4032/IMG_1146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjfG5Pnp1If8gi9s-bS-TT5gMnrUb7GH2SoTxYxZJXyBOpYZcwEOODtroAhl89ROPd0URmJseCjo3ANCppFpptORlz_z8MVG8YLk1aZk47tsr1yhKU7hyktLc58CvilZ2trOX-1TCXJLB6U8U4eomCP0ZdxUerS-MlqxGCK0vibYrxNkR_yhyphenhyphen1GtbU0E0/w400-h300/IMG_1146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back as I depart the western slide.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQtGS0yXhLSc5lw76XSgGkznHiEki5bnFRBGEkbYuILL7iy9CUXt-v0gx9FuufZqtNwmqRCs1fkwsd8fNouAzU2VQtcVFG7m1HImA7atr9NrZG9HUgOv4P35rQmQiqa36BqRw8aItvWSQ0z6jSvQC2AgyWZk3_JIlMFAvlIkWZRupqNzXyjWBTkgZJLsK/s4032/IMG_1163.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQtGS0yXhLSc5lw76XSgGkznHiEki5bnFRBGEkbYuILL7iy9CUXt-v0gx9FuufZqtNwmqRCs1fkwsd8fNouAzU2VQtcVFG7m1HImA7atr9NrZG9HUgOv4P35rQmQiqa36BqRw8aItvWSQ0z6jSvQC2AgyWZk3_JIlMFAvlIkWZRupqNzXyjWBTkgZJLsK/w400-h300/IMG_1163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I bushwhacked across through the woods at the base of the ridge that divides the slides, then climbed to an open area on the lower part of the eastern slide.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZXscKghjeyDuM5MtCK9cZiqz0sSwoF46oncbfY9_n451-P7SWm0p8EI4bfLD0Cer6laTSOdS0o45NqkBErZ7bH8KkjpYH6BXQGlKd75DH1FpstcQ9lZjJWie5BWVr5jl7-90TWrngLq1Zw-lYy5Kre9-B98KgMsXAh0tKsZPimkKRkgXgu2o6aqTUDgy/s4032/IMG_1176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZXscKghjeyDuM5MtCK9cZiqz0sSwoF46oncbfY9_n451-P7SWm0p8EI4bfLD0Cer6laTSOdS0o45NqkBErZ7bH8KkjpYH6BXQGlKd75DH1FpstcQ9lZjJWie5BWVr5jl7-90TWrngLq1Zw-lYy5Kre9-B98KgMsXAh0tKsZPimkKRkgXgu2o6aqTUDgy/w400-h300/IMG_1176.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are icy slabs at the top of this slide as well.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiZnCf40xyfFMHLvZB_4WEbr9-lW1_HnCWxR1UxQIETis0GO8IFaNKcKab5hIn2uk8VirX4guZpI4Y5-HHlZ0ZKU0raHmzxJvzX0rYiuw122eiRe0K2Tz2K4shVSGJG1MOeJxsUYrVKP51AlWlpESRU-8b93Hpm2vWl016b1NXdg25VSov5WNq9ltbCTN/s4032/IMG_1181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiZnCf40xyfFMHLvZB_4WEbr9-lW1_HnCWxR1UxQIETis0GO8IFaNKcKab5hIn2uk8VirX4guZpI4Y5-HHlZ0ZKU0raHmzxJvzX0rYiuw122eiRe0K2Tz2K4shVSGJG1MOeJxsUYrVKP51AlWlpESRU-8b93Hpm2vWl016b1NXdg25VSov5WNq9ltbCTN/w400-h300/IMG_1181.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking up the long snowy swath. A few years ago I snowshoed about two-thirds of the way up before the terrain got uncomfortably steep and I ran out of gas.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif1UP4rLOzxs1TdwqiYDo45lAv9YQceylNoBt95OYxqNidpNanDdXPe93saV1ICsyx6Rsk1C7etLQOW6mNiHuf_sb56CtdG15JzOs9u43q8pFSHmCnYE-HIRstX1Hy9BbYg1LUY_uKnVSYOjmykJMtGMzmkzNgBBuDxxdUfLK5IOzpl1-sYx4s3CyPr81/s4032/IMG_1184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif1UP4rLOzxs1TdwqiYDo45lAv9YQceylNoBt95OYxqNidpNanDdXPe93saV1ICsyx6Rsk1C7etLQOW6mNiHuf_sb56CtdG15JzOs9u43q8pFSHmCnYE-HIRstX1Hy9BbYg1LUY_uKnVSYOjmykJMtGMzmkzNgBBuDxxdUfLK5IOzpl1-sYx4s3CyPr81/w400-h300/IMG_1184.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back at Black Mountain and its craggy south ridge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxaQy_7GynyZ8F7nKjb7KNao3tMMFYbAqd4Jmi6ToEMYG6CtJ7bR9Z5EcQW5NiSsCaEQQoR2eZYr27-NiCKaTCq7mjCGFcsi-dXHvpIoZNhmX9e0mBYqpn2rTgXYr4afxiqskUo8a8c8wv43QSL94ySAwbkgM8CSxvV_s9RseX-7To_OIzLWpDqRaCLbH/s4032/IMG_1186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxaQy_7GynyZ8F7nKjb7KNao3tMMFYbAqd4Jmi6ToEMYG6CtJ7bR9Z5EcQW5NiSsCaEQQoR2eZYr27-NiCKaTCq7mjCGFcsi-dXHvpIoZNhmX9e0mBYqpn2rTgXYr4afxiqskUo8a8c8wv43QSL94ySAwbkgM8CSxvV_s9RseX-7To_OIzLWpDqRaCLbH/w400-h300/IMG_1186.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Descending along the lower track of the eastern slide, lined with slender yellow birches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBwIXbSeXiilf8sPfWRc1nzFd8G6dhknOeyaP4n6o1C4qkdkF4Z-0sgU8FJaoqToZ_ImODU_UbEgPZXnZlbQR4QyHAGLvj09RpURy7lAd7Y5OiXf9drIYomvSFgBbFg_fRq_GpOdMptFMlBFI1eCwJF0Uuejeq9iYk4s6K-FGgQw0x4MavQy9glCzL1Yy/s4032/IMG_1196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBwIXbSeXiilf8sPfWRc1nzFd8G6dhknOeyaP4n6o1C4qkdkF4Z-0sgU8FJaoqToZ_ImODU_UbEgPZXnZlbQR4QyHAGLvj09RpURy7lAd7Y5OiXf9drIYomvSFgBbFg_fRq_GpOdMptFMlBFI1eCwJF0Uuejeq9iYk4s6K-FGgQw0x4MavQy9glCzL1Yy/w400-h300/IMG_1196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Farewell to the amphitheater.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA3CiCDOxDI_TncaODR95EM8s8UR6yLkuPk3a7WYSC32zJ5UOYzITh-mH3GVJZU2C4-3aBeTufpia2-_QUM7X26XiS63hvp2dvOL-YZV7lVH2dWTRKtx17VDCupYo59Ajg0FlW3P1yxyoTG5zXv-jaehHOJUvwp-yHprcdHivBb9-PzTnUBAzeFcYOoGm/s4032/IMG_1201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA3CiCDOxDI_TncaODR95EM8s8UR6yLkuPk3a7WYSC32zJ5UOYzITh-mH3GVJZU2C4-3aBeTufpia2-_QUM7X26XiS63hvp2dvOL-YZV7lVH2dWTRKtx17VDCupYo59Ajg0FlW3P1yxyoTG5zXv-jaehHOJUvwp-yHprcdHivBb9-PzTnUBAzeFcYOoGm/w400-h300/IMG_1201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Homeward bound.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O-rN4nW_7p3si7ABpYJiWoA11LTC8oqvTB1pccLoY8vtKAuGGb9IWhk4YOsHK93QC_SZzPqdKPhhsq5qBIBBr7IEu_E-paS7h5oPMNSut6VyLOnp8SEAotnUeOk6o_RnaJWsXTr8gpz4IRYboFEJz0wpwQhtpY-4KJ-zNLMr40QKpLWZCjHR5Y8Oe-l6/s4032/IMG_1202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O-rN4nW_7p3si7ABpYJiWoA11LTC8oqvTB1pccLoY8vtKAuGGb9IWhk4YOsHK93QC_SZzPqdKPhhsq5qBIBBr7IEu_E-paS7h5oPMNSut6VyLOnp8SEAotnUeOk6o_RnaJWsXTr8gpz4IRYboFEJz0wpwQhtpY-4KJ-zNLMr40QKpLWZCjHR5Y8Oe-l6/w400-h300/IMG_1202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-36746613974947253882024-01-20T19:40:00.002-05:002024-01-20T21:01:09.344-05:00Gale River Valley Snowshoe: 1/19/24<p style="text-align: left;">On a cold day with highs in the teens in the valley I undertook a long snowshoe excursion into the Gale River valley, ending with a bushwhack up to the largest remaining open patch on a narrow landslide that fell during the 1938 hurricane.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I approached the Gale River Trail via the longer route starting at "Five Corners" on Route 3, rather than the shorter route using the Beaver Brook ski trails, which had ski tracks and no snowshoe tracks. The gated Gale River Loop Road was plowed for the first 0.6 mile (for access to the Bethlehem water supply) and then was groomed for snowmobiling for the remaining mile to the trailhead.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv-ToJF4gmvm2csDDuEjPIA69_B9OsULykw8rHVE5WH1h1zQWVE8cv4nzj24kLBDNES1oqbxsZC_NighcpoveYukm-JPa4rzt_f8cIsWlf8xwt3Yx8wjrad5gY14QrWqc-A8odikRCXEDcaJ7o45rIB-sGg0tDYNKJ7RnWXn7A-Jr0YKNfxFMhSXq7QrE/s4032/IMG_0871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv-ToJF4gmvm2csDDuEjPIA69_B9OsULykw8rHVE5WH1h1zQWVE8cv4nzj24kLBDNES1oqbxsZC_NighcpoveYukm-JPa4rzt_f8cIsWlf8xwt3Yx8wjrad5gY14QrWqc-A8odikRCXEDcaJ7o45rIB-sGg0tDYNKJ7RnWXn7A-Jr0YKNfxFMhSXq7QrE/w400-h300/IMG_0871.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The lack of snowshoe tracks at Beaver Brook suggested that the Gale River Trail would be unbroken since the snowstorm earlier in the week, and that proved to be the case. I would be breaking trail right from the start.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4VZhyphenhypheny2r32k-bIdicwG6RuXm7l8l5iy-5tWRSISf2WMSJaFOrMUcyIr1rKKhPFrSmx23ObClTKojhFErtqeYpYQ-mOTRDRJEcgzv1WMBvZvmxskX6Mhn-B3QYwkUFqtABHQKgFoWg7WXQkw9-9KyXnavJKcGcdAg3XH29zidx2bfJti9qTwm8W_q8g25/s4032/IMG_0874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4VZhyphenhypheny2r32k-bIdicwG6RuXm7l8l5iy-5tWRSISf2WMSJaFOrMUcyIr1rKKhPFrSmx23ObClTKojhFErtqeYpYQ-mOTRDRJEcgzv1WMBvZvmxskX6Mhn-B3QYwkUFqtABHQKgFoWg7WXQkw9-9KyXnavJKcGcdAg3XH29zidx2bfJti9qTwm8W_q8g25/w400-h300/IMG_0874.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There was about 6" of nice powder at the start and that soon increased to 8", and even 10" farther up the valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1NOytHrv7s5tEx24BXVg8i0yhyphenhyphenkiNXxicbrSIl-Z7SJoWMGBuHxL7woSpUpLDB2CrTN43px3d591PBMqJVmN-618oNwTbirXrm2Vlvw4qT-hT3QI8LcEarFOzsyc3sqmDC6tzlSNQDmyBE6Kgjv3nT1ujebWIhtYXJwGevOGDFZmx1nTQVngT_fHdm82/s4032/IMG_0875.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1NOytHrv7s5tEx24BXVg8i0yhyphenhyphenkiNXxicbrSIl-Z7SJoWMGBuHxL7woSpUpLDB2CrTN43px3d591PBMqJVmN-618oNwTbirXrm2Vlvw4qT-hT3QI8LcEarFOzsyc3sqmDC6tzlSNQDmyBE6Kgjv3nT1ujebWIhtYXJwGevOGDFZmx1nTQVngT_fHdm82/w400-h300/IMG_0875.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Long gentle straightaways through hardwood forest are the rule in the lower 1.4 miles of the Gale River Trail. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4tAdc7rPSGS5ljU960nLe2WfDyhbLcpUsDATxMNRfTedkrDRDjjYSRLjdY1b4NmxOACdmBJh4_kS4tf_Ay3n__Y8xecd-TCflxFH03GcYefWBtPm_dlmxs0eorXpdrzwpNp1y7ibpAG9xLUSR-MBKq4mEu1ZFSCVcWwSMZq6wEhdVO-5GPg3TzFBxsBR/s4032/IMG_0880.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4tAdc7rPSGS5ljU960nLe2WfDyhbLcpUsDATxMNRfTedkrDRDjjYSRLjdY1b4NmxOACdmBJh4_kS4tf_Ay3n__Y8xecd-TCflxFH03GcYefWBtPm_dlmxs0eorXpdrzwpNp1y7ibpAG9xLUSR-MBKq4mEu1ZFSCVcWwSMZq6wEhdVO-5GPg3TzFBxsBR/w400-h300/IMG_0880.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back. There would be no reinforcements this day.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kq-EToEvM_KQV51qe0rW8xY_K0I1XvRwtf0tDzX93qjzhOM10m3F1lfSQo1myMC5om7x7jkO8pbKCuK3MmQ5WomBf79HHFmQ3Dxcap5PoDGY4asknuALbxT_70g5rVFrxCtO2JNYFNKsBMhPQJUUOeDp1v1jOwyOM-j3cYQJddNAA7U5ze04xy_ukXmJ/s4032/IMG_0881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kq-EToEvM_KQV51qe0rW8xY_K0I1XvRwtf0tDzX93qjzhOM10m3F1lfSQo1myMC5om7x7jkO8pbKCuK3MmQ5WomBf79HHFmQ3Dxcap5PoDGY4asknuALbxT_70g5rVFrxCtO2JNYFNKsBMhPQJUUOeDp1v1jOwyOM-j3cYQJddNAA7U5ze04xy_ukXmJ/w400-h300/IMG_0881.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The North Branch of the Gale River, getting locked in.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5WNAbCUimtbVagJUA5_cc6lV1RrspzwHyu7lqGZoVoPADLl5bflWAF1TjxWiajFfDLpjNaN-JJOxPUXvxKBQEwhBomv9xZNEbR1O15Ov88-Plcfi5kQRGYJuqIADTx_ZOZrxdJQF9M1p0ZxTmEpEYqkosyIociqyQvp90REsmoV5AIROv6E_vIsFFhev/s4032/IMG_0887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5WNAbCUimtbVagJUA5_cc6lV1RrspzwHyu7lqGZoVoPADLl5bflWAF1TjxWiajFfDLpjNaN-JJOxPUXvxKBQEwhBomv9xZNEbR1O15Ov88-Plcfi5kQRGYJuqIADTx_ZOZrxdJQF9M1p0ZxTmEpEYqkosyIociqyQvp90REsmoV5AIROv6E_vIsFFhev/w400-h300/IMG_0887.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow got deeper and the woods more wintry on the mile-long 2011 relocation that starts at 1.7 miles.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_IREv1jz7wwgBkv2FfJt7AQ6x7FbqAOMlxYkyQJ0TZA50jRXaGwRiSSfD5YhcKO2mrdW1sZa4MWPUQOr3y2zG5ZqzaKcNQ_OnJzK3kq3yac9JQAW6ub4kZvacdI7n6aUW4GpQ6SooeTOiGqqoiE9Eh-ZaPmQ3xng4OAQLZ-Px7ZXpCSpcx7RLUf917fU/s4032/IMG_0888.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_IREv1jz7wwgBkv2FfJt7AQ6x7FbqAOMlxYkyQJ0TZA50jRXaGwRiSSfD5YhcKO2mrdW1sZa4MWPUQOr3y2zG5ZqzaKcNQ_OnJzK3kq3yac9JQAW6ub4kZvacdI7n6aUW4GpQ6SooeTOiGqqoiE9Eh-ZaPmQ3xng4OAQLZ-Px7ZXpCSpcx7RLUf917fU/w400-h300/IMG_0888.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Silence and solitude out in the valley today.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj557z-l4lp7Efy8A-pwhwDIO-JQ0wOztodKbz5j5fgyWKUndL-NCZ-4-HatH8fFoIwX2NlbKnF7Fgu2fYjrWMm45A19hzsDKu1ta48NGK_ZlBe3u8z3CSSC6Km5btz9Lo0A2DNpymfwtayFLVY7OjEdPf4quCJtxte_B9CkqWWH1okDVwOZK8Zmbd9VC/s4032/IMG_0890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj557z-l4lp7Efy8A-pwhwDIO-JQ0wOztodKbz5j5fgyWKUndL-NCZ-4-HatH8fFoIwX2NlbKnF7Fgu2fYjrWMm45A19hzsDKu1ta48NGK_ZlBe3u8z3CSSC6Km5btz9Lo0A2DNpymfwtayFLVY7OjEdPf4quCJtxte_B9CkqWWH1okDVwOZK8Zmbd9VC/w400-h300/IMG_0890.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>A fresh snowshoe track is a thing of beauty.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF9XWvWgS8Rdi52peWh_T_lqJnyhabWEqeTt0DkY82fXQT65R-_oZn9hMQx30MxdJG1TAMTbKYoXCb30oVflX2hTODgpvfI-00Mja7eltAbp-gJWYUudrye9YnkXR2EgTDnws2kqyv-IACi83OQR2oz8bwO8t5U6Du6i83BCfJJSOKMoJHTaMO8zHtIRQ/s4032/IMG_0891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF9XWvWgS8Rdi52peWh_T_lqJnyhabWEqeTt0DkY82fXQT65R-_oZn9hMQx30MxdJG1TAMTbKYoXCb30oVflX2hTODgpvfI-00Mja7eltAbp-gJWYUudrye9YnkXR2EgTDnws2kqyv-IACi83OQR2oz8bwO8t5U6Du6i83BCfJJSOKMoJHTaMO8zHtIRQ/w400-h300/IMG_0891.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">An occasional peek of sun along the way.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-lJV5bpLscJmehrPVOFUnHm8C5Y9s3XuSAVCZhKtw8C9SuFUeWSlRqmkGYawi01MhYKQ0o6-1I69Dk62pxCDP7sWFNE4qBkl7Q9B2ck0OojTVijPH-0Cv37XClSF_hxdwpZ8xiilUb5X6LC_zQVDr4DdEAlBMaV1EzQy4x9IumAZzF0BNM2slHJZFb9_/s4032/IMG_0895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-lJV5bpLscJmehrPVOFUnHm8C5Y9s3XuSAVCZhKtw8C9SuFUeWSlRqmkGYawi01MhYKQ0o6-1I69Dk62pxCDP7sWFNE4qBkl7Q9B2ck0OojTVijPH-0Cv37XClSF_hxdwpZ8xiilUb5X6LC_zQVDr4DdEAlBMaV1EzQy4x9IumAZzF0BNM2slHJZFb9_/w400-h300/IMG_0895.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Garfield Stream was pretty well-frozen and I carefully navigated a snow bridge route across.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPQoYWjh0ljC6ESaJ5hpnaMBFxBZG3gCr0dMNo6KzKVwC9bgfGGBHSzuv-bgIcr4iCaxxkZJPARkmECA7eeMnwrK2kb8SuiEjXfzaB0A7ZDoLLZP9EVLkRzpyxxdkBeTBNocLiRBlhyphenhyphenyK_DY6pbQxuvmzbFZOB9EmXEX07ilV2_43MPrrWfMlEyrFjYZ1/s4032/IMG_0902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPQoYWjh0ljC6ESaJ5hpnaMBFxBZG3gCr0dMNo6KzKVwC9bgfGGBHSzuv-bgIcr4iCaxxkZJPARkmECA7eeMnwrK2kb8SuiEjXfzaB0A7ZDoLLZP9EVLkRzpyxxdkBeTBNocLiRBlhyphenhyphenyK_DY6pbQxuvmzbFZOB9EmXEX07ilV2_43MPrrWfMlEyrFjYZ1/w400-h300/IMG_0902.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The next section of trail ascends easily through a beautiful open forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwdLP4dpjBCCBGf7RwoIKmNM9HHPoScGNAilYwGD9F8ZtcPKHVPJqQQnZWE0V29TnU_OY2zQHEoBEY0hTG06Hw7HRzITRGNP8T2ovyq23FtCFQJSnMhhi52A3pqOwRFBXO-EzyiHEJyZZikXvLzniJvs1mad7TW_G5F6WhcchyS62DT98oVRcmzGICyuK/s4032/IMG_0906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwdLP4dpjBCCBGf7RwoIKmNM9HHPoScGNAilYwGD9F8ZtcPKHVPJqQQnZWE0V29TnU_OY2zQHEoBEY0hTG06Hw7HRzITRGNP8T2ovyq23FtCFQJSnMhhi52A3pqOwRFBXO-EzyiHEJyZZikXvLzniJvs1mad7TW_G5F6WhcchyS62DT98oVRcmzGICyuK/w400-h300/IMG_0906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Blue blazes indicate that this trail connects with the Appalachian Trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QqPvbJJFHmckIn8yOOfCWXje7qwsId_jgCnAxdwX91apSvRZwOzkqq4lyDWFnWBt_rN7vYQNoAa_6gxR7-dZ98zKMQcDYRLNQXXPpCiLGpSo3XbQLhqyZHhUIf-Glra6DgZs15UDgqHrElT9qqDqOzv3yMkhcLa5Y5BfFTmuN_jUmnAlfm3KH5quzVpR/s4032/IMG_0910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QqPvbJJFHmckIn8yOOfCWXje7qwsId_jgCnAxdwX91apSvRZwOzkqq4lyDWFnWBt_rN7vYQNoAa_6gxR7-dZ98zKMQcDYRLNQXXPpCiLGpSo3XbQLhqyZHhUIf-Glra6DgZs15UDgqHrElT9qqDqOzv3yMkhcLa5Y5BfFTmuN_jUmnAlfm3KH5quzVpR/w400-h300/IMG_0910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are three double log bridges that are awkward to cross in snowshoes.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijosJRF_xByvKymxsczqYHKuMGth9c4kFURq9oGt2NiYUv1Lh98dhMo7etLKx3LoKj1RyvsYVRhyphenhyphen15SsjR6GRlpN0HqTFegZikLFDJI9EF6sWhWWlYIhkg8LbOVnENYNsdfTPfKnTAKpeYYwIWnzhMTF9JyDCf9kj8RZbJSM-f-XYMBz48PuunlT5_42kt/s4032/IMG_0911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijosJRF_xByvKymxsczqYHKuMGth9c4kFURq9oGt2NiYUv1Lh98dhMo7etLKx3LoKj1RyvsYVRhyphenhyphen15SsjR6GRlpN0HqTFegZikLFDJI9EF6sWhWWlYIhkg8LbOVnENYNsdfTPfKnTAKpeYYwIWnzhMTF9JyDCf9kj8RZbJSM-f-XYMBz48PuunlT5_42kt/w400-h300/IMG_0911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An inviting corridor along the final approach to the bushwhack, three miles in from the Gale River Loop Road.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXu3MxnOJ_iOtLEcrsB0U6m3oquanwwEl_zowtZ7uuCg2bj36_MvKxvwTBbUSQes_Pig5XzlJrKN9g8wiDMU8E94wWL_EVO-COsLcYCIGJxZfQcYjW9gg0CrwUjgD8Zp5GZXdTZJEaCSykv7FKIMiuTNPXYsK9Mpv7CNhztdVCEFT8IHVSb63EA40kz8I/s4032/IMG_0916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXu3MxnOJ_iOtLEcrsB0U6m3oquanwwEl_zowtZ7uuCg2bj36_MvKxvwTBbUSQes_Pig5XzlJrKN9g8wiDMU8E94wWL_EVO-COsLcYCIGJxZfQcYjW9gg0CrwUjgD8Zp5GZXdTZJEaCSykv7FKIMiuTNPXYsK9Mpv7CNhztdVCEFT8IHVSb63EA40kz8I/w400-h300/IMG_0916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Angling up towards the old slide through mostly open woods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvSJFUfB2iHv2ZYsiGpqvb_l5vCak2pjEvH7bJDTOwopMa3ItInwKNka0J1ITIruW0LHfnxDKqhFztb-tXNyoK4xPs8zv0fOH875vaJzlxPWJCQJ_xrcLZCffv3Y0StrrasC5C71o4U9BpRPKwCzYCv70ApK6qiPy44S2IvuNhDy3vUPDucYCuufbYH-0/s4032/IMG_0925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvSJFUfB2iHv2ZYsiGpqvb_l5vCak2pjEvH7bJDTOwopMa3ItInwKNka0J1ITIruW0LHfnxDKqhFztb-tXNyoK4xPs8zv0fOH875vaJzlxPWJCQJ_xrcLZCffv3Y0StrrasC5C71o4U9BpRPKwCzYCv70ApK6qiPy44S2IvuNhDy3vUPDucYCuufbYH-0/w400-h300/IMG_0925.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">There was probably a foot of powder out here, with a nice firm crusty base beneath.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0ZJYAsKD8Mne6HtWBmgYH-ZhbrqRYeXdeF1j64d9xR8s4Tb8DujO9ytGsVwheq5u_cyFJm6KDm44d8Gt5NnuMfPrfYfbYnLCH5bzAnAjTbPakj0VWtwt-4XV_gbYWbH-M4tf8yTwL0PHer9sucShK9o8Oh7iL7HqTyO2YN2lhoFPeLKje0HN9U9M1Vj/s4032/IMG_0929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0ZJYAsKD8Mne6HtWBmgYH-ZhbrqRYeXdeF1j64d9xR8s4Tb8DujO9ytGsVwheq5u_cyFJm6KDm44d8Gt5NnuMfPrfYfbYnLCH5bzAnAjTbPakj0VWtwt-4XV_gbYWbH-M4tf8yTwL0PHer9sucShK9o8Oh7iL7HqTyO2YN2lhoFPeLKje0HN9U9M1Vj/w400-h300/IMG_0929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Beautiful backcountry.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdru9pWwaFg1lI7iiHsA5ZFsftHCkmQyawqtbHfUQ-NJrAOkW3Q6Gbhog3yJu-aA_NBroEgHW8obrJZ1TuU_HpY8wWWkWykZY25ZFtvSv7WmoLgJJ72hJOnyixZLY2UR0ndsePx-dPVbilPD-5vWMw-f9ASE_retqXAPLXZIv10AWzlL3BQ1WUpQnPYvH/s4032/IMG_0931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdru9pWwaFg1lI7iiHsA5ZFsftHCkmQyawqtbHfUQ-NJrAOkW3Q6Gbhog3yJu-aA_NBroEgHW8obrJZ1TuU_HpY8wWWkWykZY25ZFtvSv7WmoLgJJ72hJOnyixZLY2UR0ndsePx-dPVbilPD-5vWMw-f9ASE_retqXAPLXZIv10AWzlL3BQ1WUpQnPYvH/w400-h300/IMG_0931.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Hello hobblebush, my old friend.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2RdLLr9EFGzkpo0A7Ydrri5VZxlCK0JtQ0HGNih5kO7sDEfl1Btonmy0IGKg6IvZCLNQMG-dvPYpT_9sHmVnYr-kWM_6Ak7QAw6AnmLk1XOv6yb7YBHNBTfeh3hJbNv5bUZb9gefBfXTH04T34RS25FVDYlVM4yOJkTXIqS4vbkD2joGbBeuZJBqdHnf/s4032/IMG_0932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2RdLLr9EFGzkpo0A7Ydrri5VZxlCK0JtQ0HGNih5kO7sDEfl1Btonmy0IGKg6IvZCLNQMG-dvPYpT_9sHmVnYr-kWM_6Ak7QAw6AnmLk1XOv6yb7YBHNBTfeh3hJbNv5bUZb9gefBfXTH04T34RS25FVDYlVM4yOJkTXIqS4vbkD2joGbBeuZJBqdHnf/w400-h300/IMG_0932.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Snow-draped softwoods just waiting to dump a load of powder onto a meandering bushwhacker.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgM4PqLy8YnI9gd9VO8S_Az2KvuQak4dyTnXmE6R_NF9i9Yz3Tlknvs1FRdwTLPv6g3eEL221T_KAnSE4Mcl60YsRhej9CAplev1kjywSJSA6Ikw7auJHY5X6xLKAlvOlp4h-vCzBUN3yK5tlLI6Lga7DiH-dXxdEswXIS7jH7KK7oBIoYs5lip10l0eb/s4032/IMG_0933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgM4PqLy8YnI9gd9VO8S_Az2KvuQak4dyTnXmE6R_NF9i9Yz3Tlknvs1FRdwTLPv6g3eEL221T_KAnSE4Mcl60YsRhej9CAplev1kjywSJSA6Ikw7auJHY5X6xLKAlvOlp4h-vCzBUN3yK5tlLI6Lga7DiH-dXxdEswXIS7jH7KK7oBIoYs5lip10l0eb/w400-h300/IMG_0933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A natural line through the forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVRucTAme-dSHcsk25hXbpNPJcc6jM4ZmdfSMzCU9Qt2lGYx8Lea9YVy0fcIUekdi_3WifXtTR8EGL5b5buOVn0kZML1Sk2sPXVVZcxMq520rITqDPd0IQOYzWHOIc3pnhBSfOICDDWcIIXg0j_xASnwCgs2JOwPKPAUcqRWaFWKCRYUhYPmVIunxydp0/s4032/IMG_0935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVRucTAme-dSHcsk25hXbpNPJcc6jM4ZmdfSMzCU9Qt2lGYx8Lea9YVy0fcIUekdi_3WifXtTR8EGL5b5buOVn0kZML1Sk2sPXVVZcxMq520rITqDPd0IQOYzWHOIc3pnhBSfOICDDWcIIXg0j_xASnwCgs2JOwPKPAUcqRWaFWKCRYUhYPmVIunxydp0/w400-h300/IMG_0935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I emerged on the slide at the top of a steep gnarly pitch that might have proved troublesome to ascend.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFsWVHDlEnzZtGaCIltgPO9XQqU1kc3pJ2lbQ08iiD3xcd-9qSSgCy98SiyuaiVhJUtU36kqPE8B1RScW7jpSF1SQf2l4zzuyDVgGUGfCEwvpIGhoOzdo-y2lJF47VW1hvNbuamMGyHUqIWtrJVaKiN0dhDjdEPZChvFlQUzCt1qmjkq5Z2aLGdTCDnQP/s4032/IMG_0939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFsWVHDlEnzZtGaCIltgPO9XQqU1kc3pJ2lbQ08iiD3xcd-9qSSgCy98SiyuaiVhJUtU36kqPE8B1RScW7jpSF1SQf2l4zzuyDVgGUGfCEwvpIGhoOzdo-y2lJF47VW1hvNbuamMGyHUqIWtrJVaKiN0dhDjdEPZChvFlQUzCt1qmjkq5Z2aLGdTCDnQP/w400-h300/IMG_0939.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As luck would have it, from here up to the big open patch the slide was a wonderful low-angle snowy highway.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93HIyDrRO7gentui8p2GOF_5RbnRDvvdSElsKcl5-LJb1j4FUpXgA7kvQPUgRTxz-7m9cz3rmWaYIWdJpndFi1lBpcITvhNzK9mN7sW86Q6JCumJAd46QYflicZ8DjO7k6MUxYRmnn3b3Rovc7ChaqNuBEDIZI1FY_kKFpHvebTvU02vvO5OiZKotSCV4/s4032/IMG_0943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93HIyDrRO7gentui8p2GOF_5RbnRDvvdSElsKcl5-LJb1j4FUpXgA7kvQPUgRTxz-7m9cz3rmWaYIWdJpndFi1lBpcITvhNzK9mN7sW86Q6JCumJAd46QYflicZ8DjO7k6MUxYRmnn3b3Rovc7ChaqNuBEDIZI1FY_kKFpHvebTvU02vvO5OiZKotSCV4/w400-h300/IMG_0943.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Pure backcountry delight snowshoeing up through here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD754ipzxbkH3fMFken-EWaPelYdOWjv9eZbhBXaWImj6jbAffkXa7nseb1BxFewAWTpt4c-3vR_BQXPLGo34CUmlKVuFX-Nb391E2TZsqKk9VpjoZEFc_TNsV55tcccC0DF3HdHJmcOnKT172X4zDst4UCriRszxaw2P-gSEF4nWId8Li_MW88Q_ui-wT/s4032/IMG_0948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD754ipzxbkH3fMFken-EWaPelYdOWjv9eZbhBXaWImj6jbAffkXa7nseb1BxFewAWTpt4c-3vR_BQXPLGo34CUmlKVuFX-Nb391E2TZsqKk9VpjoZEFc_TNsV55tcccC0DF3HdHJmcOnKT172X4zDst4UCriRszxaw2P-gSEF4nWId8Li_MW88Q_ui-wT/w400-h300/IMG_0948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Reaching the bottom of the open patch at 2700+ ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T55HSzQih_BqHzZBemLofV7BotFqAKVbPgU0PfHFAu7eijNIvYFHHepncnJ9Ew0pMF5tO7KJAeY2l828vtkJ1TvQmCqjdvZ26MottfSWQAA0RU6sSMl1j2pEqvbg_70laA8sNCX0Kg9vVyoyFYZ-t3KrfQd0kDCrf5ZxMLZHhI03YuKgS4Rb2TGXWbfM/s4032/IMG_0950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T55HSzQih_BqHzZBemLofV7BotFqAKVbPgU0PfHFAu7eijNIvYFHHepncnJ9Ew0pMF5tO7KJAeY2l828vtkJ1TvQmCqjdvZ26MottfSWQAA0RU6sSMl1j2pEqvbg_70laA8sNCX0Kg9vVyoyFYZ-t3KrfQd0kDCrf5ZxMLZHhI03YuKgS4Rb2TGXWbfM/w400-h300/IMG_0950.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">A winding route.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VrMilWvG5Asqpg05qKMIB9k074VKGPbJLhhM1abe3UZWhI4Ro7qnI3oYY2vCTaTV5ojB46ntRnDX5syM034JrytiWULu6RzPORB4lV7cOu2GMWOnRMUPyAkctniaEdzPCMhYxPLg8fcTH9mu-HVKAZ9KiSePnmqLkOCiIsmg5Kms8GBt_61Z8ChhbHjV/s4032/IMG_0959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VrMilWvG5Asqpg05qKMIB9k074VKGPbJLhhM1abe3UZWhI4Ro7qnI3oYY2vCTaTV5ojB46ntRnDX5syM034JrytiWULu6RzPORB4lV7cOu2GMWOnRMUPyAkctniaEdzPCMhYxPLg8fcTH9mu-HVKAZ9KiSePnmqLkOCiIsmg5Kms8GBt_61Z8ChhbHjV/w400-h300/IMG_0959.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Deep powder atop a crusty base. This slide is low-angle (average 21 degrees) and broken-up, and the Mt. Washington avalanche report was for low danger, so an avalanche was not a concern.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOT2wgPbFVagnj4xulJQEruCy-DXJlGNWX9W0SUkTiF2vat50hV7qcsKZS8Wuk75kFY3str2WKUggsKLIlYkeSwUmBzAMK6pzb8seDQAsGmEJmKlfCeEnXF3SDEin3M_TUKZ2-8nMEhkCNDa5qSmNJJ9BoKbHTCqLfoqeuElT9ligBODrDxSU5Fp0qR1j/s4032/IMG_0962.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOT2wgPbFVagnj4xulJQEruCy-DXJlGNWX9W0SUkTiF2vat50hV7qcsKZS8Wuk75kFY3str2WKUggsKLIlYkeSwUmBzAMK6pzb8seDQAsGmEJmKlfCeEnXF3SDEin3M_TUKZ2-8nMEhkCNDa5qSmNJJ9BoKbHTCqLfoqeuElT9ligBODrDxSU5Fp0qR1j/w400-h300/IMG_0962.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I ascended to the upper end of the open patch, where I took a half-hour break and admired the wintry vista across the valley to a wild spur ridge of North Twin.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusF1xUypNKiZYANKogY67-ndJyiTXPys4VooYNwiTvn3_9uWNPZYg0XJhe4_jb-kvnRQH7zxifkV5sw8m18YPVsNa1ieX7COZu_j33fgZJn5DAqplYCUy84J7eIwhcrKjlU6GpO6G2KAOtJicuf5SJZCs6w1otFn6KxvtfnFDFcgEKGuqhNGcDjloJUUZ/s4032/IMG_0977.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusF1xUypNKiZYANKogY67-ndJyiTXPys4VooYNwiTvn3_9uWNPZYg0XJhe4_jb-kvnRQH7zxifkV5sw8m18YPVsNa1ieX7COZu_j33fgZJn5DAqplYCUy84J7eIwhcrKjlU6GpO6G2KAOtJicuf5SJZCs6w1otFn6KxvtfnFDFcgEKGuqhNGcDjloJUUZ/w400-h300/IMG_0977.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Snow-capped clusters of mountain ash berries.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2mH1ZJL34NXGHd94ufGdsIxDxohqCoxuAyEZYlFjx6p7HjUnWrao9AE1plSZG4xJnm9SD7kmYhmw2srtvMethZhLr_ToS4TYWBBnJMirkAXdRIZqkQE6Yh14IP3mKHdF0hkmK02HczWzQoDoVJTSEst0XNIIQuu3taqroXxg9acoVeVfe7YkH1LiUDhyphenhyphen/s4032/IMG_0987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2mH1ZJL34NXGHd94ufGdsIxDxohqCoxuAyEZYlFjx6p7HjUnWrao9AE1plSZG4xJnm9SD7kmYhmw2srtvMethZhLr_ToS4TYWBBnJMirkAXdRIZqkQE6Yh14IP3mKHdF0hkmK02HczWzQoDoVJTSEst0XNIIQuu3taqroXxg9acoVeVfe7YkH1LiUDhyphenhyphen/w400-h300/IMG_0987.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back up as I descended the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsF9kIzaGFI8fQRGfBW-kP44k-JGA2cRc5XMCi4g7ew2ByGbSMXRYLubH-NfHkTN4tSq_PxUtzcr-KnWRBcESRMYrCqxki1FXqUrIM83mKkWAUsDtwe0LHe3LLFRUu_Tz1JXpN2T1wOcDV7u9iVANV_xSYJpZr6CNPdMxiF3tLMVWVt86V_HsfF1e5zyX/s4032/IMG_0993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsF9kIzaGFI8fQRGfBW-kP44k-JGA2cRc5XMCi4g7ew2ByGbSMXRYLubH-NfHkTN4tSq_PxUtzcr-KnWRBcESRMYrCqxki1FXqUrIM83mKkWAUsDtwe0LHe3LLFRUu_Tz1JXpN2T1wOcDV7u9iVANV_xSYJpZr6CNPdMxiF3tLMVWVt86V_HsfF1e5zyX/w400-h300/IMG_0993.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Back down through the hobblebush.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY0VSaU4yGi4wfdmVnwvnqeU1RrBeqC9W7FOu9cTZSSlabcif_luNM9AbEsWVnf7bxTa6Di1rKa43Y-ys9gYOS-SU3g4bzvCq4nc2rSRYf0-OChCQdBs-PJ8TW4tTn5tGkk33n1iPUVTDIVa8ocOG7pDivP8g2JLbVFvxaRfPcpkG_SrBqpBInKOAIGKm/s4032/IMG_0995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY0VSaU4yGi4wfdmVnwvnqeU1RrBeqC9W7FOu9cTZSSlabcif_luNM9AbEsWVnf7bxTa6Di1rKa43Y-ys9gYOS-SU3g4bzvCq4nc2rSRYf0-OChCQdBs-PJ8TW4tTn5tGkk33n1iPUVTDIVa8ocOG7pDivP8g2JLbVFvxaRfPcpkG_SrBqpBInKOAIGKm/w400-h300/IMG_0995.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Back on the Gale River Trail, descending on my partly broken, powdery track was the best snowshoeing of the season so far.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmrLcek_717s2INsSIADYjp0DBFcz0bWb6r0DsEGttMrBryqtS4Pi4oSQKc1ARfhfkZvBtq5U6VNx_nL7cmFuPPupReqc2SuDCmQEZxCm1x_kQ73tRh2ppxY5_ASQJr_WPGLt6bB6_b76qlLbzGRoSux5dcGxyMz4vHIgnsaIm6J26fsIV64KA7aw4P1Z/s4032/IMG_1002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmrLcek_717s2INsSIADYjp0DBFcz0bWb6r0DsEGttMrBryqtS4Pi4oSQKc1ARfhfkZvBtq5U6VNx_nL7cmFuPPupReqc2SuDCmQEZxCm1x_kQ73tRh2ppxY5_ASQJr_WPGLt6bB6_b76qlLbzGRoSux5dcGxyMz4vHIgnsaIm6J26fsIV64KA7aw4P1Z/w400-h300/IMG_1002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Recrossing the snow bridge over Garfield Stream.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqv78wq-h6qSaJ11QpgtYTPb5inITcKtprrvaQRWAXC77eh_VIHDWPk_EUq8WGKIGZf9YFdqo6smc5poOmfuKfLC2eJs1UxrBmw8lX-paxKPYX2CzzS8x6yRmT0hWkjzaVWOdroTHZngwQG10FtjNvKoyBZnp1Rs8QzK75cbEt0XXBvU8VNI4eM6Br7rr/s4032/IMG_1004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqv78wq-h6qSaJ11QpgtYTPb5inITcKtprrvaQRWAXC77eh_VIHDWPk_EUq8WGKIGZf9YFdqo6smc5poOmfuKfLC2eJs1UxrBmw8lX-paxKPYX2CzzS8x6yRmT0hWkjzaVWOdroTHZngwQG10FtjNvKoyBZnp1Rs8QzK75cbEt0XXBvU8VNI4eM6Br7rr/w400-h300/IMG_1004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A stair-like formation on the North Twin spur ridge. It was amazing that on this nice winter day I was the only wanderer in the Gale River valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisthLNuTwrej2pIETiHMY3nyB1YmbYD4SxGPP6-CRFXZGY2Nw3FHCEKYNexDYJhYTJfHOPguARm7Nz68omlpaEClbkhsZ2G9wdeXpasAamRR7zc7KVdAN1XnDt05juCvMSapj3a6wSogg-5MFX6f2tAyEo2YYJPZLBIlDxGGWbJB8mXFhEAezBZ3NLkDgL/s4032/IMG_1005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisthLNuTwrej2pIETiHMY3nyB1YmbYD4SxGPP6-CRFXZGY2Nw3FHCEKYNexDYJhYTJfHOPguARm7Nz68omlpaEClbkhsZ2G9wdeXpasAamRR7zc7KVdAN1XnDt05juCvMSapj3a6wSogg-5MFX6f2tAyEo2YYJPZLBIlDxGGWbJB8mXFhEAezBZ3NLkDgL/w400-h300/IMG_1005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-52056944900602379392024-01-18T19:18:00.000-05:002024-01-18T19:18:51.437-05:00Hardwood Ridge Snowshoe: 1/17/24<p style="text-align: left;">After snow removal duties at home (a surprising 7+ inches from Tuesday's snowfall), I undertook an afternoon snowshoe bushwhack up onto the lower end of Hardwood Ridge, a western spur on the southern end of the Franconia Range. There was snow a'plenty to break, and though views were limited to one fuzzy peek, the ridge was a delight with open hardwoods and a series of semi-open "mountain meadows." <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The iconic Flume Covered Bridge, with a partly veiled Mt. Liberty rising above.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaVqCQUonGevJUMbZbAYWHGWKD6CknzV7A-I9pE3G1vPxk9Z_7le8GNMxhXzvaFqXkDa8-dP8CRPN495nTX0ae5au9oq7WFLnoWn0LMjSnKWDoE94HGIDxyq4HQuoTtyLfVjuSkYxvox6mUL8H1mUcDd7bM0PNMPnyW8pUO45nyI2Q283OPXgojJUGydJ/s4032/IMG_0714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaVqCQUonGevJUMbZbAYWHGWKD6CknzV7A-I9pE3G1vPxk9Z_7le8GNMxhXzvaFqXkDa8-dP8CRPN495nTX0ae5au9oq7WFLnoWn0LMjSnKWDoE94HGIDxyq4HQuoTtyLfVjuSkYxvox6mUL8H1mUcDd7bM0PNMPnyW8pUO45nyI2Q283OPXgojJUGydJ/w400-h300/IMG_0714.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow depth in the open hardwoods was about a foot at the start.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSBNNsBXtCpqfGQ9CDKiuRXAWIhevO8IzmwDufskV4Ruqzswq-EVexpvGSbQjC72pKJKO_uPvnm_jQvWLoWhpSwzo2Gjs0vwQ3hZIfwXuFSVF5EBzTXZ5Af8j_z4YsEj6DR8iNDYHrL6ydTqDF5wybY3SU5Kz7CX3ASgQxlGpSZclUQrlpj0CPtHharkV/s4032/IMG_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSBNNsBXtCpqfGQ9CDKiuRXAWIhevO8IzmwDufskV4Ruqzswq-EVexpvGSbQjC72pKJKO_uPvnm_jQvWLoWhpSwzo2Gjs0vwQ3hZIfwXuFSVF5EBzTXZ5Af8j_z4YsEj6DR8iNDYHrL6ydTqDF5wybY3SU5Kz7CX3ASgQxlGpSZclUQrlpj0CPtHharkV/w400-h300/IMG_0719.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Apparently there are still bears out and about.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9Sf3nlICYJfbGdnRM8-erahq8OVAeKsXLTgIq4-0OlTxMW299YwJhFpKQc65PA78_8Tm4lFdc4d2yJpRqoaeGZfQF3sBm6UQUaTzNrDl9DjftX1JpBphrDSkhDheYyyU8zkcLzGa64_KnartBusbMvWgM0GWdan19yU9XxJD1F4wCslhzrmp134GdRTl/s4032/IMG_0725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9Sf3nlICYJfbGdnRM8-erahq8OVAeKsXLTgIq4-0OlTxMW299YwJhFpKQc65PA78_8Tm4lFdc4d2yJpRqoaeGZfQF3sBm6UQUaTzNrDl9DjftX1JpBphrDSkhDheYyyU8zkcLzGa64_KnartBusbMvWgM0GWdan19yU9XxJD1F4wCslhzrmp134GdRTl/w400-h300/IMG_0725.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Hardwoods as far as the eye can see.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVeLCDTsB0LxX9N_9sToDUVIrTpWNf_MLtRK9IODQFrewmYtKemkHrSqOgqQMoiGQmQE-5kiuGtpPKwmHAUgWlD2PbrHc9cnYm7glPtWrd_1TmaJHPEQZh3fCtE7Adc9fAmROsUEx-vOr_ZYMPccQLo_pi2yUxmbAK9xp3iTHsL0T-Y06ekK9StqEz3ix/s4032/IMG_0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVeLCDTsB0LxX9N_9sToDUVIrTpWNf_MLtRK9IODQFrewmYtKemkHrSqOgqQMoiGQmQE-5kiuGtpPKwmHAUgWlD2PbrHc9cnYm7glPtWrd_1TmaJHPEQZh3fCtE7Adc9fAmROsUEx-vOr_ZYMPccQLo_pi2yUxmbAK9xp3iTHsL0T-Y06ekK9StqEz3ix/w400-h300/IMG_0731.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When breaking trail, slow and steady wins the day.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkE0hMdxLEUFOpxmRcMBoTNAafvxN3G2zvaHtvSawwcPUDGCTuGKJZ2Mv_bjltv1fXxm_7ac0JaeB66ol5IBkcOT2jYFCTSFL9fiyvzqXwtvPYoReUGmRm6MOfG3Cy0bULWlQd0pAfSfPbqxIiSPVy7YYjN85388bu3Q5NNJl2e7NqpckW9FLJb_DrlIj/s4032/IMG_0728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkE0hMdxLEUFOpxmRcMBoTNAafvxN3G2zvaHtvSawwcPUDGCTuGKJZ2Mv_bjltv1fXxm_7ac0JaeB66ol5IBkcOT2jYFCTSFL9fiyvzqXwtvPYoReUGmRm6MOfG3Cy0bULWlQd0pAfSfPbqxIiSPVy7YYjN85388bu3Q5NNJl2e7NqpckW9FLJb_DrlIj/w400-h300/IMG_0728.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Halfway up to the ridge I crossed a prominent old logging road that contours the slope. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_61N0Fdf9Pzaht6VmLUHRVzwrsouz3AhrUSGNGrCzaFYsZzyyXyBTYZAowVAV8x1aMXDcp4R1Fx2HGLq6Htc_tEgztBGF_gZ4U609ipXmJU3IcRo6iGOnNAI0c9DdtIziwdeAXdFL4jp8jc5Cl3StKHdTUGO5AklmW07-CE4NWu3UcSq4ofVQM7ELr0wf/s4032/IMG_0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_61N0Fdf9Pzaht6VmLUHRVzwrsouz3AhrUSGNGrCzaFYsZzyyXyBTYZAowVAV8x1aMXDcp4R1Fx2HGLq6Htc_tEgztBGF_gZ4U609ipXmJU3IcRo6iGOnNAI0c9DdtIziwdeAXdFL4jp8jc5Cl3StKHdTUGO5AklmW07-CE4NWu3UcSq4ofVQM7ELr0wf/w400-h300/IMG_0738.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Snow depth had increased to 16-20" up here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEhyphenhyphenDy94AvFhEzXKFWBYhhI9NBHCtDaE6su7ROsiIDxssAQP0OSKNtgOOnOhXxP_piMx4rB5O05ip2YMVV9Jpj1JPbh4lR6ns3yL5_vKIHVqR_wdmpeOXhAKNWX2NW5uKRj1bKh5px19cMarWmArAsX9A6uaweYp1LYg1FflK9hXTKjjZDbdeeity2lcr/s4032/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEhyphenhyphenDy94AvFhEzXKFWBYhhI9NBHCtDaE6su7ROsiIDxssAQP0OSKNtgOOnOhXxP_piMx4rB5O05ip2YMVV9Jpj1JPbh4lR6ns3yL5_vKIHVqR_wdmpeOXhAKNWX2NW5uKRj1bKh5px19cMarWmArAsX9A6uaweYp1LYg1FflK9hXTKjjZDbdeeity2lcr/w400-h300/IMG_0742.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Stark winter beauty.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-od7h-ll15suU1E2_8Smp2WgM559LMnwOeiO6HaNospwCHhKsEntw_HrGrNohi3PIRDyZz-9xEdhEP9exvO8BGuvKlpmBwD0ZJFEgS5PK2rn35HR37_2kf3EvT8V7WTlSFZrwkvWqaxoYITQDO4KHbEF43XNzrm1ecpImRfbuFPP-6keat99NFC6YmCOU/s4032/IMG_0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-od7h-ll15suU1E2_8Smp2WgM559LMnwOeiO6HaNospwCHhKsEntw_HrGrNohi3PIRDyZz-9xEdhEP9exvO8BGuvKlpmBwD0ZJFEgS5PK2rn35HR37_2kf3EvT8V7WTlSFZrwkvWqaxoYITQDO4KHbEF43XNzrm1ecpImRfbuFPP-6keat99NFC6YmCOU/w400-h300/IMG_0743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The first of the "mountain meadows" on the crest of the ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBpur_gsptDxvb8dlV5i2uvgvdw8nrqaA9yQJCedRzWhHl9bC_W1IBi1iYE5X6lBwFjXgwr8sXryI8JPKKBdoke5j75xZ9SHU-UaiRE84pJDySZDhOMc6rspWuWkQSs2_yKG6GH-CJVz1NH_DcWY_vAi-VDLrHJTweL9H5Fl0tFJv0OZljIfGvl0G6I-R/s4032/IMG_0750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBpur_gsptDxvb8dlV5i2uvgvdw8nrqaA9yQJCedRzWhHl9bC_W1IBi1iYE5X6lBwFjXgwr8sXryI8JPKKBdoke5j75xZ9SHU-UaiRE84pJDySZDhOMc6rspWuWkQSs2_yKG6GH-CJVz1NH_DcWY_vAi-VDLrHJTweL9H5Fl0tFJv0OZljIfGvl0G6I-R/w400-h300/IMG_0750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another meadow in the one patch of spruce that thrives amidst a vast hardwood forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5-XEDWZ3z2BHwUKsfmyO5V7Uy2L6Cp5FHWpDAGdMouv5jC0ilqMlxaEiY_zq5e5LujVmIJo0d9fdQhlsNMulk3PQ6kjP4LlBaMFWRXrd4eIgqokPlTXO7jaiK7lv7n89gG2NeiVdgcHMDnn4K7EX2uH8z1LrchEcMB7QIIu5i-ZPWMwrUr6i8K6pKo_R/s4032/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5-XEDWZ3z2BHwUKsfmyO5V7Uy2L6Cp5FHWpDAGdMouv5jC0ilqMlxaEiY_zq5e5LujVmIJo0d9fdQhlsNMulk3PQ6kjP4LlBaMFWRXrd4eIgqokPlTXO7jaiK7lv7n89gG2NeiVdgcHMDnn4K7EX2uH8z1LrchEcMB7QIIu5i-ZPWMwrUr6i8K6pKo_R/w400-h300/IMG_0762.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Meandering through the spruce meadow corridors.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDQKlTbVzOEXdqBMk-hazvmyiMcr3CxgAKVPH-RO1b3Jb1HlSazl-5XcNgjVpXsD1UDEOEtpWo_r9azxfvG07t9SeZBPHS7_7EgajCJZ_XEywN1oAvcO6Kzz16nkuFQLhs3AlCa2OURTxzEFw5ysdlvCRC-eN6pdf8IFb7mHUW6iSNPeWO3iIwOrryq0s/s4032/IMG_0763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDQKlTbVzOEXdqBMk-hazvmyiMcr3CxgAKVPH-RO1b3Jb1HlSazl-5XcNgjVpXsD1UDEOEtpWo_r9azxfvG07t9SeZBPHS7_7EgajCJZ_XEywN1oAvcO6Kzz16nkuFQLhs3AlCa2OURTxzEFw5ysdlvCRC-eN6pdf8IFb7mHUW6iSNPeWO3iIwOrryq0s/w400-h300/IMG_0763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Rootball.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm1giGFlFoZegIUCmqLJrBahhPxga8OvNuOwOVBsQAYvRgMgS1Nso7Wb_A1ZNHTrPSwn3tI8K22hJb2QaRy_0tN6x3rGRxGAsAhkcKChwHjYKRsH96ChNnxv1vIT3oQDxnKQ6eF_oDKG7q9KZtmIvnC9XX6lfRAJi5h6F4U-Wd0xZsyUasrWOH3fjr97p/s4032/IMG_0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm1giGFlFoZegIUCmqLJrBahhPxga8OvNuOwOVBsQAYvRgMgS1Nso7Wb_A1ZNHTrPSwn3tI8K22hJb2QaRy_0tN6x3rGRxGAsAhkcKChwHjYKRsH96ChNnxv1vIT3oQDxnKQ6eF_oDKG7q9KZtmIvnC9XX6lfRAJi5h6F4U-Wd0xZsyUasrWOH3fjr97p/w400-h300/IMG_0764.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sun and shadow on another meadow.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuzloO6ZCSyMIzIhPaaPTloPInK_PEZG8eM9iC7hMh46mTLGiCeo6uXRMAT_MZdHx6W2MzYRwa-6dWg_IxG_yIcUcLouh5KsPuqemlPNlCh7Le-WMp4AC7v37bGy9r4cxPFEEhJUBFJyn4TdHBnOUZdKB8d4cay112NneyCMPGN5PdmaHdzB3OTPN3sl0/s4032/IMG_0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuzloO6ZCSyMIzIhPaaPTloPInK_PEZG8eM9iC7hMh46mTLGiCeo6uXRMAT_MZdHx6W2MzYRwa-6dWg_IxG_yIcUcLouh5KsPuqemlPNlCh7Le-WMp4AC7v37bGy9r4cxPFEEhJUBFJyn4TdHBnOUZdKB8d4cay112NneyCMPGN5PdmaHdzB3OTPN3sl0/w400-h300/IMG_0765.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Stonehenge on Hardwood Ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKuIjpY4Tur4_tvT6XWYmL0xdauWiRdi_-2fBWwJV0sY3cYDIQKXTiobAk6KvuknsF_-VtRujq3LKvBUNdVkYRd0FfdYZ_RxOt5xxcxTy7pMQ71PufwTPcuY8vwzXo4FJeTPNVmAN033Dp3QCadKC-7Nz6e_2MfRantYVEub85YZIDJig9oobsmdWFDqL/s4032/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKuIjpY4Tur4_tvT6XWYmL0xdauWiRdi_-2fBWwJV0sY3cYDIQKXTiobAk6KvuknsF_-VtRujq3LKvBUNdVkYRd0FfdYZ_RxOt5xxcxTy7pMQ71PufwTPcuY8vwzXo4FJeTPNVmAN033Dp3QCadKC-7Nz6e_2MfRantYVEub85YZIDJig9oobsmdWFDqL/w400-h300/IMG_0776.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A wonderful area to snowshoe through.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfVVe9H1sbNzBeCJV_ExDw8033v0KEIRLXcvk6E7JVU63VXHm9G6We7fSt6zBu39a93N36z4Fr3zc1UeD7a3jDaqpvZ_Nl6cl5rKScadZohjAO7TD4o9LT97Uhp0g0S5a6I97OUV9GXY1vZ4YxrQAwrjs28okAuxxN82FHjLI5AC3oLXjQhZL-wziGY7B/s4032/IMG_0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfVVe9H1sbNzBeCJV_ExDw8033v0KEIRLXcvk6E7JVU63VXHm9G6We7fSt6zBu39a93N36z4Fr3zc1UeD7a3jDaqpvZ_Nl6cl5rKScadZohjAO7TD4o9LT97Uhp0g0S5a6I97OUV9GXY1vZ4YxrQAwrjs28okAuxxN82FHjLI5AC3oLXjQhZL-wziGY7B/w400-h300/IMG_0789.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I headed east up the gentle ridge through wide open hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3hd1NP9E-uiU8bSnSctsMc3vOSd__29zY5Pz-2RsQottUp86QZVg8gJFRQkpMmxYbuuddYXNV2JfYjrGY81JIqWcZNwK73PRMbvfaDwA2BsoDPqBcuvmtxHn3hpQDcGmgoVi8qxgZNNBDbusWxdpUH2YhR6A7Ow7AoKYNptVpR_UwWryZGOvOjuN2Ysh/s4032/IMG_0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3hd1NP9E-uiU8bSnSctsMc3vOSd__29zY5Pz-2RsQottUp86QZVg8gJFRQkpMmxYbuuddYXNV2JfYjrGY81JIqWcZNwK73PRMbvfaDwA2BsoDPqBcuvmtxHn3hpQDcGmgoVi8qxgZNNBDbusWxdpUH2YhR6A7Ow7AoKYNptVpR_UwWryZGOvOjuN2Ysh/w400-h300/IMG_0791.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Guardians of another meadow.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7dnggsNNDD8gbovH4MjovzHr9q_RDORPktHYfcbtNbxsIUqjrODKvDtGNAv5qEmLB8i2yJUl6c9XDTCUlwpibKVJTmpQwc5hRMsUQl-vYP7kfbBSTLaOUmzvH41PfVdlpjJdWh4mKkjVzV_DXjH8X-5oPwNoqizQvYtP4x3pEbVld5d4Qf8NcqUT4AYP/s4032/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7dnggsNNDD8gbovH4MjovzHr9q_RDORPktHYfcbtNbxsIUqjrODKvDtGNAv5qEmLB8i2yJUl6c9XDTCUlwpibKVJTmpQwc5hRMsUQl-vYP7kfbBSTLaOUmzvH41PfVdlpjJdWh4mKkjVzV_DXjH8X-5oPwNoqizQvYtP4x3pEbVld5d4Qf8NcqUT4AYP/w400-h300/IMG_0796.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Split rock.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f2x_7rB2dvO3Vs36pGW-RusB1t9y7sC94F9LAWUjS6wBE10kokFui-P3zJI_3LiEXUoOf3O8C63jvh2jgBxfgF6fzweB6zg2phkXu7f0rHO8ZhdyD3fRuexzo85COhTcpBc6g_-3h9zn-QwERtYymk8j-LJLVN9Lxx7aOE3Wn465n8DyhWIsZko4Jjwn/s4032/IMG_0802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f2x_7rB2dvO3Vs36pGW-RusB1t9y7sC94F9LAWUjS6wBE10kokFui-P3zJI_3LiEXUoOf3O8C63jvh2jgBxfgF6fzweB6zg2phkXu7f0rHO8ZhdyD3fRuexzo85COhTcpBc6g_-3h9zn-QwERtYymk8j-LJLVN9Lxx7aOE3Wn465n8DyhWIsZko4Jjwn/w400-h300/IMG_0802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Yet another opening in the forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_nISJxszZNBCEJu3JtDusFV2lHTzcNEu5U7zHNuDfxEzP8okm4UHanuVRW_mntqefLvocWphGK2En2Yo3tpa8y5ZtryPbR91e6EZZEGlJrtQCj68FvcIbDAN2sU8I5b-sWYdRZvYRyVHLgUMIw-MlnrTWRRpqlneHLTivc3-QrnBrUN6ZfmkdX-waNst/s4032/IMG_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_nISJxszZNBCEJu3JtDusFV2lHTzcNEu5U7zHNuDfxEzP8okm4UHanuVRW_mntqefLvocWphGK2En2Yo3tpa8y5ZtryPbR91e6EZZEGlJrtQCj68FvcIbDAN2sU8I5b-sWYdRZvYRyVHLgUMIw-MlnrTWRRpqlneHLTivc3-QrnBrUN6ZfmkdX-waNst/w400-h300/IMG_0803.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A battered but tenacious old yellow birch.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuecLMiuTz58Ki8eH0zg0CId78qk6qwICm9DMbPvpj4-EkznBhQQb8VVgDGw3IVeb78PndiVts5HFSCNz240cBohRdy4voH-6x5XW-uZxBnXKvUExSnsoXpZE09eco4XnxeHfUENXxf7qo1vfhy7Mb6DV91G1gANhKxjE9VwIokGsUopf9IJiPVRNu-FPu/s4032/IMG_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuecLMiuTz58Ki8eH0zg0CId78qk6qwICm9DMbPvpj4-EkznBhQQb8VVgDGw3IVeb78PndiVts5HFSCNz240cBohRdy4voH-6x5XW-uZxBnXKvUExSnsoXpZE09eco4XnxeHfUENXxf7qo1vfhy7Mb6DV91G1gANhKxjE9VwIokGsUopf9IJiPVRNu-FPu/w300-h400/IMG_0813.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Lightning strike?<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOHoTm_hKjw-jZJfNM1eCkJ9ZPeqHinMuy3nCb8Dmw9w2jZgTGncyO89YI9BLTPEuFccmWcXXctpZAft8sOgv41N1zadCKskN8OP7IaKLizg0nGPOWhvtyFexTLTa_IsAFhhERrfhoRpWmrAQsEcXrxTsVsgEYYV0HXAc8utYT6sHh-K5xKehST14C1FF/s4032/IMG_0815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOHoTm_hKjw-jZJfNM1eCkJ9ZPeqHinMuy3nCb8Dmw9w2jZgTGncyO89YI9BLTPEuFccmWcXXctpZAft8sOgv41N1zadCKskN8OP7IaKLizg0nGPOWhvtyFexTLTa_IsAFhhERrfhoRpWmrAQsEcXrxTsVsgEYYV0HXAc8utYT6sHh-K5xKehST14C1FF/w400-h300/IMG_0815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">My turnaround point was a little 2323-ft. knob. The hardwoods continue up to 2500 ft., then the forest abruptly changes to spruce. So the Hardwood Ridge name is descriptive only for the lower half of the ridge, which tops out at 3834 ft., south of Mt. Flume.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCJmBel3BMAjLP5M9MvKdwI019ZGsrvTs2rI4L0ikWD8qsJruco0e_TkqiTO5q4V3HXLMzOW4NcXvYYfWu_OY37KSDfVxD5hTqQNvdXgdmKJjuHlqlS8ZGmpogrGZPrCeqhr-EiiFPzwRaHzRKrWptxsyhvQhSDDIBFUXCKoscLKW7Eyy7Wdk14QC3BRH/s4032/IMG_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCJmBel3BMAjLP5M9MvKdwI019ZGsrvTs2rI4L0ikWD8qsJruco0e_TkqiTO5q4V3HXLMzOW4NcXvYYfWu_OY37KSDfVxD5hTqQNvdXgdmKJjuHlqlS8ZGmpogrGZPrCeqhr-EiiFPzwRaHzRKrWptxsyhvQhSDDIBFUXCKoscLKW7Eyy7Wdk14QC3BRH/w400-h300/IMG_0818.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are quite a few bear trees on the ridge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ8RlCNgI6julpkoJeWJ-wWcpzx1aggF_O6XqYJalbdgnaNKGJ6BKLcBYXPNhFgtoDFVbTtkTMQYoblhKAGd9NunNaqb_rOe4jedscA82SKyvm1jNJD1taGmpiOiF_eysHz3NsZQ6X00YGeQ8cGSw-_HHh-u8V55E2qyBrgcbysZ8RzaJAFrSeOHAJebv/s4032/IMG_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ8RlCNgI6julpkoJeWJ-wWcpzx1aggF_O6XqYJalbdgnaNKGJ6BKLcBYXPNhFgtoDFVbTtkTMQYoblhKAGd9NunNaqb_rOe4jedscA82SKyvm1jNJD1taGmpiOiF_eysHz3NsZQ6X00YGeQ8cGSw-_HHh-u8V55E2qyBrgcbysZ8RzaJAFrSeOHAJebv/w300-h400/IMG_0820.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It's always nice to have a set of tracks to follow on the way down.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2H7-wfRqj5c4178euLY3k-86INQ-NIseQriPir1L7VYCGANTcCNlUoskX9StUshemmeEs0cXvwcs7Yt-OjYixtJBmjq9GSxFe-Jter7Xo4J4mSIKT8DUjhW7TwcWvFqPANNosj-yLcDcMGbhBeT01VnpJw5nCz7d_YQ_cQactWjaferJBOgLMZHs6epV/s4032/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2H7-wfRqj5c4178euLY3k-86INQ-NIseQriPir1L7VYCGANTcCNlUoskX9StUshemmeEs0cXvwcs7Yt-OjYixtJBmjq9GSxFe-Jter7Xo4J4mSIKT8DUjhW7TwcWvFqPANNosj-yLcDcMGbhBeT01VnpJw5nCz7d_YQ_cQactWjaferJBOgLMZHs6epV/w400-h300/IMG_0832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Flurries obscured the little framed view of Mount Wolf from one of the spruce meadows.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH1A0hJ5Xo_kUNc8TahkK23uGY65UGynV7Y5qiV_j2Yl7UuDzn-O18VjoJbPNXNBxT95V4HxJcyrC8S60SFeiYP7bJHuevpG8gXGuhYUl5ZZGNrafopy51XgluZZmZrPaTCV8mV9WWqZOEClu039hVPzDLSYcT6ynbqEHUjnc2EfW7aHs5bZvCQWjByrU/s4032/IMG_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH1A0hJ5Xo_kUNc8TahkK23uGY65UGynV7Y5qiV_j2Yl7UuDzn-O18VjoJbPNXNBxT95V4HxJcyrC8S60SFeiYP7bJHuevpG8gXGuhYUl5ZZGNrafopy51XgluZZmZrPaTCV8mV9WWqZOEClu039hVPzDLSYcT6ynbqEHUjnc2EfW7aHs5bZvCQWjByrU/w400-h300/IMG_0846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunset through the trees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduE9Gt4VD6U09qz2jVXGV9uWNC-xqaKP4l-RXUOn15uETlfzTbrc5Q5pXor0jAAqZbSA7SQK0ME2E5-Of7kAW14njAeolE-olwA41F8EZi9j0oufFpYSDSBe_fVoUhmHTSMh5bD0IhQ48iA3a8aN_FfVVaMyk1nhWCfTQL8is5MNlp9ZT357yvxkSxzHT/s4032/IMG_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduE9Gt4VD6U09qz2jVXGV9uWNC-xqaKP4l-RXUOn15uETlfzTbrc5Q5pXor0jAAqZbSA7SQK0ME2E5-Of7kAW14njAeolE-olwA41F8EZi9j0oufFpYSDSBe_fVoUhmHTSMh5bD0IhQ48iA3a8aN_FfVVaMyk1nhWCfTQL8is5MNlp9ZT357yvxkSxzHT/w400-h300/IMG_0866.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-58896499582510885002024-01-13T17:21:00.001-05:002024-01-13T17:21:09.459-05:00West Ledges, Dickey Mountain: 1/12/24<p style="text-align: left;">After bailing on a long bushwhack out of Lincoln Woods, where snow conditions looked potentially difficult, I headed down to the Welch-Dickey trailhead for a shorter bushwhack out to a wide band of open ledges on the western slope of Dickey Mountain. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I snowshoed a mile or so up the Dickey Notch Trail, where the snow cover was only a few inches deep, but dense enough to provide good 'shoeing on a mostly smooth surface.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgtnR59PkcLcLA5ILFZ0y6WTrzdLvQWfP_t36KumcrSZN91Y4D0aElWF6hJa3T1hedC8n9E-P0wZJbtxFJQe9b5oGZB1CV5YY4QSzJGeV-m9X1FiHbl6YXkMcQ9Co1VGuXvutcEC6vQnB945phgDuuGZ515C2SE74bHE8tc2RLm8XTB1E9b37b9DX3qoa/s4032/IMG_0548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgtnR59PkcLcLA5ILFZ0y6WTrzdLvQWfP_t36KumcrSZN91Y4D0aElWF6hJa3T1hedC8n9E-P0wZJbtxFJQe9b5oGZB1CV5YY4QSzJGeV-m9X1FiHbl6YXkMcQ9Co1VGuXvutcEC6vQnB945phgDuuGZ515C2SE74bHE8tc2RLm8XTB1E9b37b9DX3qoa/w400-h300/IMG_0548.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The only drawback to this trail was the occasional open wet spot to be crossed.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLi0d3ga2duLFfm8FcvsPfzTChuUIcSgDXXwe6qUqd9pSueEFf-QgHSU4COuTQfTWbLAoUxlHw-7nVluAyD085fWl0Um-XKq51WIAG8BnkMGpz2UkSJsgCROahf2xiFDUOlnQjqVypSncLH35-lzlxCoDjOZ2UswE63KCKp2LHI-NzKm_8decv6azk5gK/s4032/IMG_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLi0d3ga2duLFfm8FcvsPfzTChuUIcSgDXXwe6qUqd9pSueEFf-QgHSU4COuTQfTWbLAoUxlHw-7nVluAyD085fWl0Um-XKq51WIAG8BnkMGpz2UkSJsgCROahf2xiFDUOlnQjqVypSncLH35-lzlxCoDjOZ2UswE63KCKp2LHI-NzKm_8decv6azk5gK/w400-h300/IMG_0553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I always enjoy the traverse past the chain of small beaver ponds on the floor of the notch, between Cone Mountain and Dickey Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAT6_SBImgovu7u823_4z5hF0lnzkIxY4CLAoRtZZFeSdiPlk3xz25vf579zM4alLXOK5ifPWsso0ot1aPjaZnFQhQTxvEy4acrmgDGzSk1KZH1bfJ7ttYBhVjrj25tsEzBlnFr-50daEzvbZr7uKfxwIEA0iehh2B7actDEgwdzTb2TpG0B9Yg0RRhc9/s4032/IMG_0556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAT6_SBImgovu7u823_4z5hF0lnzkIxY4CLAoRtZZFeSdiPlk3xz25vf579zM4alLXOK5ifPWsso0ot1aPjaZnFQhQTxvEy4acrmgDGzSk1KZH1bfJ7ttYBhVjrj25tsEzBlnFr-50daEzvbZr7uKfxwIEA0iehh2B7actDEgwdzTb2TpG0B9Yg0RRhc9/w400-h300/IMG_0556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An old beaver lodge rises in the middle of this pond.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRQRM0Z2TXEDWy9ANDeEFY_c13_3_nkn2Dy6Cmu_CZrlLVxHXuGs6_xakFvsBXsEB-6ZPvRi3eek00y1y5RlvBFomaxBf_92GMYsZlxylAmakVNFrgw5yIqrb_SONZn2RVcHXRNb5xLLD0VmjIHlJVZ-4EnRLwf4Qp8DapoTmLQr7pToZlg1VSSsx-naT/s4032/IMG_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRQRM0Z2TXEDWy9ANDeEFY_c13_3_nkn2Dy6Cmu_CZrlLVxHXuGs6_xakFvsBXsEB-6ZPvRi3eek00y1y5RlvBFomaxBf_92GMYsZlxylAmakVNFrgw5yIqrb_SONZn2RVcHXRNb5xLLD0VmjIHlJVZ-4EnRLwf4Qp8DapoTmLQr7pToZlg1VSSsx-naT/w400-h300/IMG_0565.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Beautiful hardwood forest in the heart of the notch, north of the beaver ponds. A wonderful little backcountry nook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0YBj2EYWQoaWDDWQMlaM-7elcNnFeYd1PN9RiTpb51ZI3ZH5QZHPGPbvAdL9Y9yDUxePy7g0BsRrpY-zyDTalLbPV4pxgL1byQu9MmedlTtgDxmT96IutoLgojZeCj-08S182PXaXTHDAF0HT4QVJ09KB5xZYy5AQWhha0ackYYkRER694cYmqCy2GUS/s4032/IMG_0577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0YBj2EYWQoaWDDWQMlaM-7elcNnFeYd1PN9RiTpb51ZI3ZH5QZHPGPbvAdL9Y9yDUxePy7g0BsRrpY-zyDTalLbPV4pxgL1byQu9MmedlTtgDxmT96IutoLgojZeCj-08S182PXaXTHDAF0HT4QVJ09KB5xZYy5AQWhha0ackYYkRER694cYmqCy2GUS/w400-h300/IMG_0577.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I headed up a steep little drainage to start the 3/4 mile whack across the SW slopes of Dickey Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK61BkNIyuxk4Tz528P6KyGTDZ7wv-CYxeferUARK3p89WR-NMkJKaMY4KUzgceP7YzGy74EWcOB_XsN5vCzqgSpyDxORxW7lBDVWO86z2TZ9C_MKW6y6kfsSMnT-6WPif3uSrH_nEdK-bpyYg2DYf3dCOab6efBBmJzsoHoypIeZz266FIPuaSvyO5nLs/s4032/IMG_0587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK61BkNIyuxk4Tz528P6KyGTDZ7wv-CYxeferUARK3p89WR-NMkJKaMY4KUzgceP7YzGy74EWcOB_XsN5vCzqgSpyDxORxW7lBDVWO86z2TZ9C_MKW6y6kfsSMnT-6WPif3uSrH_nEdK-bpyYg2DYf3dCOab6efBBmJzsoHoypIeZz266FIPuaSvyO5nLs/w400-h300/IMG_0587.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Rocky terrain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9WrfMUuXS5-Th5g1CiXN3QtHpQPb1GHI0EMTSQw628udRZp6VA7dtaanIMBBnCMv1qA-lrZvYwH7D2cVX4sxRS_lfbsweA5za73DeCm_V61UF-1M01KwPXbvx5ElV0xcwVcBln5qfZTZpKF3AZUjD_BeES8Fzo_7pFuCqM0dLiL7ssJTIRnnbl_oKee5/s4032/IMG_0588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9WrfMUuXS5-Th5g1CiXN3QtHpQPb1GHI0EMTSQw628udRZp6VA7dtaanIMBBnCMv1qA-lrZvYwH7D2cVX4sxRS_lfbsweA5za73DeCm_V61UF-1M01KwPXbvx5ElV0xcwVcBln5qfZTZpKF3AZUjD_BeES8Fzo_7pFuCqM0dLiL7ssJTIRnnbl_oKee5/w400-h300/IMG_0588.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back at Cone Mountain.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkOAQBnos9aP1Ha4fBm1wJ-xzVSx_h5K86Fxg3RZod7xOlCfEUGPv_TPh0u0DXXT50YFbqbF6AY07QsQHUkWpP51gUjXc3V0jeGTuJY0kpHbq2i3IyQzLShv16S-BT1SQ6M34CYmgOOoyWlBPaB5KLu0gGCA60lE26Nj3OH1LjkxWsOtT0GYtyocZLgRi/s4032/IMG_0591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkOAQBnos9aP1Ha4fBm1wJ-xzVSx_h5K86Fxg3RZod7xOlCfEUGPv_TPh0u0DXXT50YFbqbF6AY07QsQHUkWpP51gUjXc3V0jeGTuJY0kpHbq2i3IyQzLShv16S-BT1SQ6M34CYmgOOoyWlBPaB5KLu0gGCA60lE26Nj3OH1LjkxWsOtT0GYtyocZLgRi/w400-h300/IMG_0591.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A gorgeous winter day in the hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0lRcaV9gLb46HicSOeKf5Dpgz283D7R36TNbQUdrvj3EKxszWc064u9msBxA2N7d4gvJnKcF0sV3KJAtJcRq3goJNdGUWLYaWoD-5W5s2o6GSrB_MHvBoHy9Sb5dTPC4NQE8W0mLNAYX8jMQSSwUsX-Qvk7IRGQJQO3qhg04mw_i8fV7PHX47UHasbYr/s4032/IMG_0594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0lRcaV9gLb46HicSOeKf5Dpgz283D7R36TNbQUdrvj3EKxszWc064u9msBxA2N7d4gvJnKcF0sV3KJAtJcRq3goJNdGUWLYaWoD-5W5s2o6GSrB_MHvBoHy9Sb5dTPC4NQE8W0mLNAYX8jMQSSwUsX-Qvk7IRGQJQO3qhg04mw_i8fV7PHX47UHasbYr/w400-h300/IMG_0594.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Weaving through an old clearcut with some junky blowdown.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATYOGeDisUDB-5u_C0OdYVrAjN9nBVEOhIfDtpripGwpOTZZ9v4P-QkesHBrN58yvcd05REZPxekSAYw3ucC7YXsdSHwCQibCaY2fUtLQxnvSkUD_ERG7ERFOoKyF69FeyW85_BcswMWUhBqwvL4BTGNJMUBvSK0nQGnDdD78b3Sw1FTApPG-TKkmPap5/s4032/IMG_0597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATYOGeDisUDB-5u_C0OdYVrAjN9nBVEOhIfDtpripGwpOTZZ9v4P-QkesHBrN58yvcd05REZPxekSAYw3ucC7YXsdSHwCQibCaY2fUtLQxnvSkUD_ERG7ERFOoKyF69FeyW85_BcswMWUhBqwvL4BTGNJMUBvSK0nQGnDdD78b3Sw1FTApPG-TKkmPap5/w400-h300/IMG_0597.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Once past the clearcut, it was great open hardwood snowshoeing.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrrmxqg8wFKDyYMrv7VkdewnOC5evugUSIuibhZq5Y6WFy988HZpAk9w1dxR728_eec19iA7FYC4JYjOcloqgLWE2Il9dDTo_tyAPnU0D2WZ4oJzISuUyIt2Cb-97_lI8tJGiWGvqS7-YBFqUM7F1Dvksfw55edWOGkU_V_PYJ3YuASe1E_Bksswhsa2t/s4032/IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrrmxqg8wFKDyYMrv7VkdewnOC5evugUSIuibhZq5Y6WFy988HZpAk9w1dxR728_eec19iA7FYC4JYjOcloqgLWE2Il9dDTo_tyAPnU0D2WZ4oJzISuUyIt2Cb-97_lI8tJGiWGvqS7-YBFqUM7F1Dvksfw55edWOGkU_V_PYJ3YuASe1E_Bksswhsa2t/w400-h300/IMG_0599.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow up here was sugary with a bit of crust on top, ranging from 6 to 12 inches deep.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35B2ZnoH-b_l4qc2DBGSHgDJd3KwRpGKK1BNnPJso5jfJcTxy9PEhtK7QSzUzA5xx2D2zMOMA7obgppY2bqszGyf3rEsOJMauUfrsrNShDUo63f94YRjkG6nSbY8zTVYA76mB2q1ZDHMniYbQXv8DRKnX5_wzyfW8JEZ0idxjjl3xdLKTZS6DfrVvalkb/s4032/IMG_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35B2ZnoH-b_l4qc2DBGSHgDJd3KwRpGKK1BNnPJso5jfJcTxy9PEhtK7QSzUzA5xx2D2zMOMA7obgppY2bqszGyf3rEsOJMauUfrsrNShDUo63f94YRjkG6nSbY8zTVYA76mB2q1ZDHMniYbQXv8DRKnX5_wzyfW8JEZ0idxjjl3xdLKTZS6DfrVvalkb/w400-h300/IMG_0602.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Whatever left these tracks was making long bounds down the slope. Fisher?<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fYAC4BstikuE0AwYqhXt30GDFGS2Etx72LFBbNofx0l40iXP1gilZlb4MHLUgCf4kCOPI4hkX7sw6CrlkNfmrTYVdTkRrlb9Ie9gEiIiB8BXaG2hMwSQjMR2hIGSYwzKfe46NSP5KF9phaPWwhzACitPNvB2l_4nwNRZi5mDJYi7SK1q6yiDaAN_oX9L/s4032/IMG_0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fYAC4BstikuE0AwYqhXt30GDFGS2Etx72LFBbNofx0l40iXP1gilZlb4MHLUgCf4kCOPI4hkX7sw6CrlkNfmrTYVdTkRrlb9Ie9gEiIiB8BXaG2hMwSQjMR2hIGSYwzKfe46NSP5KF9phaPWwhzACitPNvB2l_4nwNRZi5mDJYi7SK1q6yiDaAN_oX9L/w300-h400/IMG_0605.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Across this broad slope the hardwoods go on and on.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWucfERWjIjuZ4t8oaGkodZZI9K-KTTJ8y4LQI2AKPIbI5u9Vew08HoeRV5Y_oTvdFg9-sejtsH30eA4g1LeiDrb5JiIMRETEeV_qsCdxCMPO4QztbT2Mc3u2QaylBMMtpZ99le5QODp4lD_6eY5pmOLidKmVDCjBPDxrZx2B0CQBiZymt_xjKC_78JT1g/s4032/IMG_0613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWucfERWjIjuZ4t8oaGkodZZI9K-KTTJ8y4LQI2AKPIbI5u9Vew08HoeRV5Y_oTvdFg9-sejtsH30eA4g1LeiDrb5JiIMRETEeV_qsCdxCMPO4QztbT2Mc3u2QaylBMMtpZ99le5QODp4lD_6eY5pmOLidKmVDCjBPDxrZx2B0CQBiZymt_xjKC_78JT1g/w400-h300/IMG_0613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sidehilling.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQpwKZLB9d2wfC5uv68fLsn4_la8WYE2eS3iti8Eo-u3OJX7RVDDgWbTGJ19cUqFZDuHQ_ljSFkn6GrSOQtEO53qFOXJBfsirWkFUf4y7Wz8P0S4lU8Bh11nhoBAhYctpnCJXJQHLIoZctTBIQNdfH5TMSxIMxhP5AH8tylvuj4J4FZEwLggFDfxdFv3h/s4032/IMG_0616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQpwKZLB9d2wfC5uv68fLsn4_la8WYE2eS3iti8Eo-u3OJX7RVDDgWbTGJ19cUqFZDuHQ_ljSFkn6GrSOQtEO53qFOXJBfsirWkFUf4y7Wz8P0S4lU8Bh11nhoBAhYctpnCJXJQHLIoZctTBIQNdfH5TMSxIMxhP5AH8tylvuj4J4FZEwLggFDfxdFv3h/w400-h300/IMG_0616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Into the conifers, approaching the first ledge.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVz5npExV3z4DAnjQs2bqt4nCb1FydLidU13qpnvmATRyINbjZw65t0mmumcu7CIfve8rg1Tg2sfRO6Zwejto5L0um21GXNHK_fx54zp5c3pFfgFS98Ma29H7K8G0EhCecLIgTT5LzzYmTWnj9qp6T39bIBmY9-jPV84x1cYiKTP5fmIXIVHb72d8MErD/s4032/IMG_0618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVz5npExV3z4DAnjQs2bqt4nCb1FydLidU13qpnvmATRyINbjZw65t0mmumcu7CIfve8rg1Tg2sfRO6Zwejto5L0um21GXNHK_fx54zp5c3pFfgFS98Ma29H7K8G0EhCecLIgTT5LzzYmTWnj9qp6T39bIBmY9-jPV84x1cYiKTP5fmIXIVHb72d8MErD/w400-h300/IMG_0618.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Emerging on the first ledge, looking out to Mounts Kineo, Cushman and Moosilauke.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwCBUdhT0M42eOlyQb_TkHkahsWhOxFntt2qIIcPKjWam_uaowfvCtmLw3jd0F61_fjPKMO6SKE8xYXf-HxJ3dFq6eU55zfB0F5TC-Hhug_40QtAIwMWc4SkBL2aqubPXZs0mx3_2alcI2dCnVbZSupfWP16prd6vXdigw8o1BGQFKk1rHtuiFHlJrF4n/s4032/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwCBUdhT0M42eOlyQb_TkHkahsWhOxFntt2qIIcPKjWam_uaowfvCtmLw3jd0F61_fjPKMO6SKE8xYXf-HxJ3dFq6eU55zfB0F5TC-Hhug_40QtAIwMWc4SkBL2aqubPXZs0mx3_2alcI2dCnVbZSupfWP16prd6vXdigw8o1BGQFKk1rHtuiFHlJrF4n/w400-h300/IMG_0623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Moose!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW9H_RW7H1cng8Z0zr-j8LHH-256jeinYN0L0BVHi4QuZM507SfYZG65cqf77WYupI1wpPiyMNfAjDWh0g-9nUVWl0PCLyk5vU9WoHeN3juys_W-GaplqRukGS0DN-HHCKVQnstb1q7-nkF6B-z9m_mHUTWjfRX7xN6xi1avdQkB5uYcTsx4VNgvnvqNC/s4032/IMG_0625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW9H_RW7H1cng8Z0zr-j8LHH-256jeinYN0L0BVHi4QuZM507SfYZG65cqf77WYupI1wpPiyMNfAjDWh0g-9nUVWl0PCLyk5vU9WoHeN3juys_W-GaplqRukGS0DN-HHCKVQnstb1q7-nkF6B-z9m_mHUTWjfRX7xN6xi1avdQkB5uYcTsx4VNgvnvqNC/w400-h300/IMG_0625.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back to the SW towards Stinson and Carr Mountains, from the upper end of the ledge. The MSRs had excellent grip on the crusty styrofoam snow on the ledges. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-3OYXl10EAxhFVDjDBdVjrFD7U1783xfxbMG0hRBLe5LJsb_HaEY_9jcGBfnksiBlZZns2DjXYyTVwWS8roQCHh-NMMd64XoCezDJ-HhR85Apc3RIVnAOyIPUSAgZJd-1USnUdRbauEci3NotBhJAtdrrQfCNMAGuKbhhuWxyjFiKTh-YscnIQbGOSXZ/s4032/IMG_0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-3OYXl10EAxhFVDjDBdVjrFD7U1783xfxbMG0hRBLe5LJsb_HaEY_9jcGBfnksiBlZZns2DjXYyTVwWS8roQCHh-NMMd64XoCezDJ-HhR85Apc3RIVnAOyIPUSAgZJd-1USnUdRbauEci3NotBhJAtdrrQfCNMAGuKbhhuWxyjFiKTh-YscnIQbGOSXZ/w400-h300/IMG_0629.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A short jaunt up through the woods led to the main band of ledges.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBT_G79I-n1c1PEggQxjo3UTo1YWw9VmTiGfdeyW0fEQuSZcbEyXf38IJ5VQWiWPX4RHZx4_cdlOOPPSIgGnCUlvVuQq23iRQeVTqpGJGU_fRdTj_wx1P35yMzLViKbgsmG41WATFJ0z5T1lsrEvwlwtrg72dV4zaVC5hVPauBzDX8VazhGvvX42EI3Ys/s4032/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBT_G79I-n1c1PEggQxjo3UTo1YWw9VmTiGfdeyW0fEQuSZcbEyXf38IJ5VQWiWPX4RHZx4_cdlOOPPSIgGnCUlvVuQq23iRQeVTqpGJGU_fRdTj_wx1P35yMzLViKbgsmG41WATFJ0z5T1lsrEvwlwtrg72dV4zaVC5hVPauBzDX8VazhGvvX42EI3Ys/w400-h300/IMG_0631.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Starting up and across the main band of west ledges, which extends for 0.1 mile.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI8jVNsIckQY9z9xdsjt_O9i5IZMRN7eSWkbXot3A4uKbfR3UVowvqsnNq_BOFi1IRwRj7OTB09TdKtEppuql7QvPscRBIurW6QNrH5zBvOmaEe4_74_sHMUZG50Je84KPlED96SByoCSsQE6aeyJAUFfcK8vu-ISTp1N2ghLK-SQemHT2jX5TtHAnboK/s4032/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI8jVNsIckQY9z9xdsjt_O9i5IZMRN7eSWkbXot3A4uKbfR3UVowvqsnNq_BOFi1IRwRj7OTB09TdKtEppuql7QvPscRBIurW6QNrH5zBvOmaEe4_74_sHMUZG50Je84KPlED96SByoCSsQE6aeyJAUFfcK8vu-ISTp1N2ghLK-SQemHT2jX5TtHAnboK/w400-h300/IMG_0636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are some good-sized white pines out here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyG64rtqXUJGiGJdMIyeIQ1EDCn9A11r-NOMJkrYh8BCug0zNH3eQ9zyu7O1wkJ5pXzeCGBuieTAO09Hz5jq2dI2s0DIJB3VcO50QvwX7rle6clYtTVSfbJvmxTUvPuSU9b0L9uu0B0QfbP14RFxwfc0GXAjCZqhAiMAPpgQgYduwGkAg_3Rgp3EhkzgB/s4032/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyG64rtqXUJGiGJdMIyeIQ1EDCn9A11r-NOMJkrYh8BCug0zNH3eQ9zyu7O1wkJ5pXzeCGBuieTAO09Hz5jq2dI2s0DIJB3VcO50QvwX7rle6clYtTVSfbJvmxTUvPuSU9b0L9uu0B0QfbP14RFxwfc0GXAjCZqhAiMAPpgQgYduwGkAg_3Rgp3EhkzgB/w400-h300/IMG_0646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">The ledges keep going.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3D_E2xeUSv4PIFqe06GduYwTQVrQfp33iqhWLjfvyfxl1zguL56cCNIPrG1waIUKAO4cPpm4EOyZQ8HtnocW9cArx4Wu82WwZCoLVJ0_8Mdq_PmjOxUL2EoeswswvRmfFlaLjJDX2YbPTCZq-ml5uPXP3vN-7hPronosz84Nx73TsySxE3otNtszf6-M/s4032/IMG_0648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3D_E2xeUSv4PIFqe06GduYwTQVrQfp33iqhWLjfvyfxl1zguL56cCNIPrG1waIUKAO4cPpm4EOyZQ8HtnocW9cArx4Wu82WwZCoLVJ0_8Mdq_PmjOxUL2EoeswswvRmfFlaLjJDX2YbPTCZq-ml5uPXP3vN-7hPronosz84Nx73TsySxE3otNtszf6-M/w400-h300/IMG_0648.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN1eKai_xDD3Vy6SOUH2wJpE7fU2H2PQsg2oxiZthZHB-Urg6LMFGobisVdkfXSZI6kEs79ItT_K52Ow87XW17f1JM0Uj45EQY4siYRpelrSiYEdqFiAVolhXBaIfPHzNrfQYJj1k26ZCgSc3WW0jy1upAL9kwWp9JjAghKQEBjMWFmPycuymgpWMADHL/s4032/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN1eKai_xDD3Vy6SOUH2wJpE7fU2H2PQsg2oxiZthZHB-Urg6LMFGobisVdkfXSZI6kEs79ItT_K52Ow87XW17f1JM0Uj45EQY4siYRpelrSiYEdqFiAVolhXBaIfPHzNrfQYJj1k26ZCgSc3WW0jy1upAL9kwWp9JjAghKQEBjMWFmPycuymgpWMADHL/w400-h300/IMG_0649.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A glorious day for snowshoeing across this open expanse.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n2pY_u5eZOj1HW0qEmGKrPdV5VYtATm1HAUxMZBMqNbsmuKxr4R7B2qW6zdZgiJVmmjQZD-lNDQ34ewaZiov_cMw98lSalcChzmIHAGH658Fb4P7Rd6zAMUOdhh_IFDliDjr4z3C5PgR1ew11qSZ5N1s24LAI7aXxPW4x7aD9lOe0KlCi1_7E5WdWC4a/s4032/IMG_0655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n2pY_u5eZOj1HW0qEmGKrPdV5VYtATm1HAUxMZBMqNbsmuKxr4R7B2qW6zdZgiJVmmjQZD-lNDQ34ewaZiov_cMw98lSalcChzmIHAGH658Fb4P7Rd6zAMUOdhh_IFDliDjr4z3C5PgR1ew11qSZ5N1s24LAI7aXxPW4x7aD9lOe0KlCi1_7E5WdWC4a/w400-h300/IMG_0655.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p> </p><p>The northernmost ledge opens the widest views, including a close-up look at the wild spurs of Mount Tecumseh: Fisher Mountain, Hogback Mountain, snowy West Tecumseh, pointy SW Green, and Green Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwluGsfQczjliWg9l-jQ9XyD0pH4fSFIzZ4n0HrfWi0wyJAwLwe_8DGHCSfWZOHtIDqY0oMmSryyZO0Jf9xVhq8Pfz45KXWpCm1yTGUnpvwzT4quSOoBbMOhm6kuUZHzMus6aiPHViDe_TrQWppzBdO6vWb6ThygxDIv3Etd-l_-wAapykK0E-f1FtRmz/s4032/IMG_0665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwluGsfQczjliWg9l-jQ9XyD0pH4fSFIzZ4n0HrfWi0wyJAwLwe_8DGHCSfWZOHtIDqY0oMmSryyZO0Jf9xVhq8Pfz45KXWpCm1yTGUnpvwzT4quSOoBbMOhm6kuUZHzMus6aiPHViDe_TrQWppzBdO6vWb6ThygxDIv3Etd-l_-wAapykK0E-f1FtRmz/w400-h300/IMG_0665.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">In the distance the view opens out to the Kinsmans, Cannon Balls, Cannon and Franconia Range.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspH_V1XdY_msEG9aX22pV2TAwWkvpXAAp9fxVK2qMKkxRDpPK9xnpEELL34Jg_7E6se47gLBcGKnTxdzVHnelmLD_bFicXDhNF3oRy17hmKrnYwzc2nAuFyedox7zr8TCsuyQMFLol_tmZn1eNfQoTkhWBPfm6dYbW9mrULykFdASOs3xLiOTA2GfgyRa/s4032/IMG_0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspH_V1XdY_msEG9aX22pV2TAwWkvpXAAp9fxVK2qMKkxRDpPK9xnpEELL34Jg_7E6se47gLBcGKnTxdzVHnelmLD_bFicXDhNF3oRy17hmKrnYwzc2nAuFyedox7zr8TCsuyQMFLol_tmZn1eNfQoTkhWBPfm6dYbW9mrULykFdASOs3xLiOTA2GfgyRa/w400-h300/IMG_0657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Zoom on Cannon and the Franconias.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xtCGXJbrBrSaIAx5-eN2gKAiLJIc_lRx5kpdKevYK5PqUSPOb-UgUyLzON4hCKkK_fX8kg1Zs9H1kBZoew8CdtBzcW8mEClmDna1g5iyxrE7xuAlYBL1BL2uy0MTJCUubzdkaDCEvO9vyGtU24_o-nDMc7nOSX1FKUrr292PqJswfYzGzbHjRfPqKtY6/s4032/IMG_0658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xtCGXJbrBrSaIAx5-eN2gKAiLJIc_lRx5kpdKevYK5PqUSPOb-UgUyLzON4hCKkK_fX8kg1Zs9H1kBZoew8CdtBzcW8mEClmDna1g5iyxrE7xuAlYBL1BL2uy0MTJCUubzdkaDCEvO9vyGtU24_o-nDMc7nOSX1FKUrr292PqJswfYzGzbHjRfPqKtY6/w400-h300/IMG_0658.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">It was a sunny and nearly windless afternoon, allowing for an hour-plus sojourn at this remote perch.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJFsbJXrKPygw2llkHyIkhSjXFN-y2sGNmpMSAztVSwioyPVy3QnomM0YF4NoVYQRFyI0fKsU72CDhyGhdIpE-PtRZcMOhkhC7yTaLR7pNAI7qlHxEl4g7s8E_tuhdVWbx8_YnHwdyoOjGGTo6GuHqaZ2oIuDdR2CNhZhR_vHo-6Sm3HTvOfiHxTkaFpg/s4032/IMG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJFsbJXrKPygw2llkHyIkhSjXFN-y2sGNmpMSAztVSwioyPVy3QnomM0YF4NoVYQRFyI0fKsU72CDhyGhdIpE-PtRZcMOhkhC7yTaLR7pNAI7qlHxEl4g7s8E_tuhdVWbx8_YnHwdyoOjGGTo6GuHqaZ2oIuDdR2CNhZhR_vHo-6Sm3HTvOfiHxTkaFpg/w400-h300/IMG_0678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading back down and across the ledges.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eixUVZC6BKczj5Vmo6BlaiWp3A2hg_VIKxH6rLFXKdL4CSYwo_nk78a_6hnTc3XTeTbX6r5kMnE-32Djw1G4IiW7nu_bdr08_eGWhDcdyaDKtdIRa4ZN-VaPSCcut6BnS9kjpJt3o8k55_UUplnyFv6hkklcF8hDEiuiPJX5rBNM5zejb8SptHlNBHXY/s4032/IMG_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eixUVZC6BKczj5Vmo6BlaiWp3A2hg_VIKxH6rLFXKdL4CSYwo_nk78a_6hnTc3XTeTbX6r5kMnE-32Djw1G4IiW7nu_bdr08_eGWhDcdyaDKtdIRa4ZN-VaPSCcut6BnS9kjpJt3o8k55_UUplnyFv6hkklcF8hDEiuiPJX5rBNM5zejb8SptHlNBHXY/w400-h300/IMG_0685.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Late afternoon in the hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUXpAs40oUlainXlvYacaxiR_1P_UtNgTCodCtmvcOxFEe4u3w0vze4Gk7cBZASUM0bsgZcyBTn8eUnErsbmneJgMGOD0gbu6vh-51a5seElsxI7YKADtCUGH4FK0MpiG8VNKEAxY5eLotAE3WjNN41DnkZs3Ftw-lbuUgkhEUlw6LldaEvZ6OPAy93s3/s4032/IMG_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUXpAs40oUlainXlvYacaxiR_1P_UtNgTCodCtmvcOxFEe4u3w0vze4Gk7cBZASUM0bsgZcyBTn8eUnErsbmneJgMGOD0gbu6vh-51a5seElsxI7YKADtCUGH4FK0MpiG8VNKEAxY5eLotAE3WjNN41DnkZs3Ftw-lbuUgkhEUlw6LldaEvZ6OPAy93s3/w400-h300/IMG_0694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">In this area I came across several interesting examples of forest art.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u2oQBAQ5Il_uOURPbLxGcUX3fOZpNNkfRDc7tn0VTMYfhMa8yrHWaCohTeDlaUkiQlECMfikPK1J6scyImfTpxI87d4u6xzP4X2lnatULEY3iBb18HYCNxfCzc8onpwo0XrfuM0tZB7bRZug29h62aJTfkmQ_hEXCviXqQ6JkVqRl__pwjM04xKD_6e2/s4032/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u2oQBAQ5Il_uOURPbLxGcUX3fOZpNNkfRDc7tn0VTMYfhMa8yrHWaCohTeDlaUkiQlECMfikPK1J6scyImfTpxI87d4u6xzP4X2lnatULEY3iBb18HYCNxfCzc8onpwo0XrfuM0tZB7bRZug29h62aJTfkmQ_hEXCviXqQ6JkVqRl__pwjM04xKD_6e2/w400-h300/IMG_0698.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure what created these curious fracture lines. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kFqKOJo8xMzQHc7XqOzKuf_i4uf54_qcyWmEnHBA24dHynTlxz6K9jUFeZ22OoXqiiWgqq8PA06vEHKBO6-XJUZv-e5z-w9E-ABpDdXhkOqgyRp56kSmSl8O6JU0nZ3w3m2I3hFFmQAkOKvEckqxxkGDE9dElF24QVkFCL2AxtYuKtNx81QIjoUBfzrm/s4032/IMG_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kFqKOJo8xMzQHc7XqOzKuf_i4uf54_qcyWmEnHBA24dHynTlxz6K9jUFeZ22OoXqiiWgqq8PA06vEHKBO6-XJUZv-e5z-w9E-ABpDdXhkOqgyRp56kSmSl8O6JU0nZ3w3m2I3hFFmQAkOKvEckqxxkGDE9dElF24QVkFCL2AxtYuKtNx81QIjoUBfzrm/w400-h300/IMG_0700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It's interesting that these patterns were found on the same mountain that hosts a well-known stone circle on one of its trailside ledges.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKmVv09YeM2sXAjcQtBmEuU_zB3UvL0cX8sAB8ARH08z0B4oZl5heFqSDbZ7K6g-CE4XFSP09_7-Mjb-axXP_rYE3mog9EJHqnZr8JWUpEpjppnGjp-l0q9sXIm25vpaif-1tWO625Rd0OrEJsF8bTcqQE95BXrl2Qhq_QpXtXkpYklHuC1tI7RiU-tH_/s4032/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKmVv09YeM2sXAjcQtBmEuU_zB3UvL0cX8sAB8ARH08z0B4oZl5heFqSDbZ7K6g-CE4XFSP09_7-Mjb-axXP_rYE3mog9EJHqnZr8JWUpEpjppnGjp-l0q9sXIm25vpaif-1tWO625Rd0OrEJsF8bTcqQE95BXrl2Qhq_QpXtXkpYklHuC1tI7RiU-tH_/w400-h300/IMG_0701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Sun dropping behind Cone Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EUy8ABN_eoCTQ5pv6SKeZ5cpurFPsbkGhPMb5uwNc4MiiukUv6DIcyCQSLIlDuyuppU6DlyuuG-GEMNCSl233OBTKKH9abLsNhpgYzVIh-atrjzam8bwIza3as0E-ucTenlDmMo15c5Xb4y7tul8mFzi3ybFX-IlDLlo8wizQPIWJmm5Hc-bv5oOGNzw/s4032/IMG_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EUy8ABN_eoCTQ5pv6SKeZ5cpurFPsbkGhPMb5uwNc4MiiukUv6DIcyCQSLIlDuyuppU6DlyuuG-GEMNCSl233OBTKKH9abLsNhpgYzVIh-atrjzam8bwIza3as0E-ucTenlDmMo15c5Xb4y7tul8mFzi3ybFX-IlDLlo8wizQPIWJmm5Hc-bv5oOGNzw/w400-h300/IMG_0704.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Fading light in the hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJphZ-xPgNehne4M3lvFNrpFGi5RkjhPWJJzzue0fvQsdfU0Wx1hvGzoXHjPwNsKSP1lKyFAzTuw_Ty8t-9OHa87djmqyyxfT3TchksmhI-lfHY71fwyPj2TURLWvhjMdlrRXsV1RXSwHgaO0YrrTLpRz3WOxUogpp93PiUCyahfj487PYvsuhAgPGnHcq/s4032/IMG_0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJphZ-xPgNehne4M3lvFNrpFGi5RkjhPWJJzzue0fvQsdfU0Wx1hvGzoXHjPwNsKSP1lKyFAzTuw_Ty8t-9OHa87djmqyyxfT3TchksmhI-lfHY71fwyPj2TURLWvhjMdlrRXsV1RXSwHgaO0YrrTLpRz3WOxUogpp93PiUCyahfj487PYvsuhAgPGnHcq/w400-h300/IMG_0711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I swung across to the Dickey end of the Welch-Dickey Loop for the final mile of the descent. As expected, it was choppy with thin cover in places, a stark contrast to the smooth sailing in the untrodden forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9rwICIb4IAGr6iVqUxnXU_4yJ_rpbxyDhbIWQTy8gZjC2pPT_BmqqDI7-zE8e9JZKMG2kAorP0iccpvvlv42xAGQobxpP9WFJiwIcE4ggN_WJiHR4-qRAPo_SZPnc1n7AQuN6ePiBv5anx695tENjnt_SHBcV3EfAijWZy9pgior22kM2xPZvFjduwkc/s4032/IMG_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9rwICIb4IAGr6iVqUxnXU_4yJ_rpbxyDhbIWQTy8gZjC2pPT_BmqqDI7-zE8e9JZKMG2kAorP0iccpvvlv42xAGQobxpP9WFJiwIcE4ggN_WJiHR4-qRAPo_SZPnc1n7AQuN6ePiBv5anx695tENjnt_SHBcV3EfAijWZy9pgior22kM2xPZvFjduwkc/w400-h300/IMG_0712.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-10671185068912910182024-01-09T15:20:00.000-05:002024-01-09T15:20:31.352-05:00Bald Knob Snowshoe: 1/8/24<p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking to get my snowshoes out from three weeks worth of cold storage, I headed down to the Smarts Brook area where 9 to 10 inches of snow had been reported from the weekend storm. (We had only 5 to 6 inches at our house in Lincoln.) I spent the afternoon on a snowshoe jaunt up to Bald Knob (2300 ft.), the westernmost and lowest of the peaks on Sandwich Mountain's Acteon Ridge. After an approach on Old Waterville Road and Yellow Jacket Trail (shown below), my route was a combination of unofficial paths and bushwhacking. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOJNWCiXmxqzcjpBWS3qvyodoMRfHYjysTjgPh5CmiXD1rki4828pnOZqOD5Y5h0OuFUutlbpSkhz7YrfjhrZw0hJ4WnrFBF52vEuRyXbkFquvL2QIWIkGBX3Hr87Tt8ha-39kXkF8DSVlhJvZe__YqpLora_35lpxZeOWylzcCcwIAuu6ySFbooaHA6z/s4032/IMG_0393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOJNWCiXmxqzcjpBWS3qvyodoMRfHYjysTjgPh5CmiXD1rki4828pnOZqOD5Y5h0OuFUutlbpSkhz7YrfjhrZw0hJ4WnrFBF52vEuRyXbkFquvL2QIWIkGBX3Hr87Tt8ha-39kXkF8DSVlhJvZe__YqpLora_35lpxZeOWylzcCcwIAuu6ySFbooaHA6z/w400-h300/IMG_0393.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">A unique marking for an unofficial mountain bike trail named "Fork."<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr2ihGoksSyXmvxQbIAXGkay4bxkqi2ImTp1PCmWiPlBXck0ub1W3QALAcYpSA3h3gLuCTuWxSHlyDtb6GbHymf-Qi6uGFN1FJU9Z_oyCWlpI1yuassK1YUyiRcRojESCHg8Ls40FL-86J7KsiRBjGiFujDH1TEAiH9dv0uPtKuGI_xrUvVRObojOwPwu/s4032/IMG_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr2ihGoksSyXmvxQbIAXGkay4bxkqi2ImTp1PCmWiPlBXck0ub1W3QALAcYpSA3h3gLuCTuWxSHlyDtb6GbHymf-Qi6uGFN1FJU9Z_oyCWlpI1yuassK1YUyiRcRojESCHg8Ls40FL-86J7KsiRBjGiFujDH1TEAiH9dv0uPtKuGI_xrUvVRObojOwPwu/w400-h300/IMG_0405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Meandering up through open hardwoods on the SW slope of Bald Knob.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6snoKa-cqlLIqmqzMpO0VWQkzr-Qsbt-K9dmBb1y7ve4VcY_4W8jMb1UsUbQ2lyAz-ARFF9QU-gF9F52fs1zQh2EuAnf2qEtRLAzCpWPVWh5jQzLtBhUs4DfMVrVfAFXDvuFLK67u29Z4D5XdDA0XMHjp_UZE9QTnTljg3epYKuFN1EKOkUVSEL1vuhAf/s4032/IMG_0411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6snoKa-cqlLIqmqzMpO0VWQkzr-Qsbt-K9dmBb1y7ve4VcY_4W8jMb1UsUbQ2lyAz-ARFF9QU-gF9F52fs1zQh2EuAnf2qEtRLAzCpWPVWh5jQzLtBhUs4DfMVrVfAFXDvuFLK67u29Z4D5XdDA0XMHjp_UZE9QTnTljg3epYKuFN1EKOkUVSEL1vuhAf/w400-h300/IMG_0411.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The fluffy powder was a foot deep in these open woods. A good workout!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1794JfG5Ajx2pDkusX2XDTgdSRJS1vlLSWtSRM28fBx4qJXl4vK9XxON2QOizAEuLr-p7f3LSsUDsTjdAjWgTNk0HkCOQZKOv-WwyEtHi2Ev3UZ2oxHRc19kw0WGAmsiN0wtOv1zmxUZpj028cBkykHRqlKFzZnGfAKrPW6-XnpLIvKzv9TgEMwU_T2d/s4032/IMG_0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1794JfG5Ajx2pDkusX2XDTgdSRJS1vlLSWtSRM28fBx4qJXl4vK9XxON2QOizAEuLr-p7f3LSsUDsTjdAjWgTNk0HkCOQZKOv-WwyEtHi2Ev3UZ2oxHRc19kw0WGAmsiN0wtOv1zmxUZpj028cBkykHRqlKFzZnGfAKrPW6-XnpLIvKzv9TgEMwU_T2d/w400-h300/IMG_0413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There is a remarkable assemblage of boulders on this slope.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHpmcT7Ag1_VXa3EOa6S89mONsPL3JRP2EWm3MBrloWGD_wuD0jutAWpX12C0Gq0fvGuYItWNcW5oPCFuiDYwYxRV76q8psTLGAq-GcqmlxkBdJqNzfjoNAEUMLYoBh9PN367sKC9T0GhUZ1a6pxrNui6GBdCA2i0MsGnTDCsBAXYS1bmewN_Dy2xi8Wz/s4032/IMG_0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHpmcT7Ag1_VXa3EOa6S89mONsPL3JRP2EWm3MBrloWGD_wuD0jutAWpX12C0Gq0fvGuYItWNcW5oPCFuiDYwYxRV76q8psTLGAq-GcqmlxkBdJqNzfjoNAEUMLYoBh9PN367sKC9T0GhUZ1a6pxrNui6GBdCA2i0MsGnTDCsBAXYS1bmewN_Dy2xi8Wz/w400-h300/IMG_0416.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are 44 climbing routes listed for the "Yellowjacket Boulders" on the Mountain Project website.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxngD5r2mAcvSnQyEmwSDFe9EhTtGMORMwgaFmKavs6xviKK5XvWfANQpO6MYKMZl7tiwgoGgeDUtiBKm_6mq11umk0krMB2cusZhpP_4bSvaWZMu2bnJ8vQV1i0ZGidCZFaSu7hiGeGY_C-hfS-Ol0TQh_JqRG0IZR0gp6Bua3fQHdJW8eekdUSFaI64-/s4032/IMG_0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxngD5r2mAcvSnQyEmwSDFe9EhTtGMORMwgaFmKavs6xviKK5XvWfANQpO6MYKMZl7tiwgoGgeDUtiBKm_6mq11umk0krMB2cusZhpP_4bSvaWZMu2bnJ8vQV1i0ZGidCZFaSu7hiGeGY_C-hfS-Ol0TQh_JqRG0IZR0gp6Bua3fQHdJW8eekdUSFaI64-/w400-h300/IMG_0419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The "Yellowjacket Boulder" itself, the best-known destination in the area, offers another 12 climbing routes.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvhjOloiPrY_-fa9x7DGPDqPAXSIL6n1Jm642ktYHnKSg9H9-jaBMhmfnGmxJhuilJWY3dVxUaUmXYQJH6vpgWjkNThSJbYEAsZR_Tp7PMbCvWP36os-THiM2Wxpkx-p-yJQWBbQZPOgKXNIZX95SDxjqgOn4xRbcaZInp4TKn7ebJDcjH5emLcByK6E7/s4032/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvhjOloiPrY_-fa9x7DGPDqPAXSIL6n1Jm642ktYHnKSg9H9-jaBMhmfnGmxJhuilJWY3dVxUaUmXYQJH6vpgWjkNThSJbYEAsZR_Tp7PMbCvWP36os-THiM2Wxpkx-p-yJQWBbQZPOgKXNIZX95SDxjqgOn4xRbcaZInp4TKn7ebJDcjH5emLcByK6E7/w400-h300/IMG_0422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Bushwhacking up through a vast open forest of hemlock, mixing with spruce higher up. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl_Y6kO1cZnHdiaG3yuDRzNEIgT0OsX4sHsHgfTuVqTjY06FsQLoV5HdqDM_c0eypFpDE9S_hnPwc7BtPwphlXTcFgrV5hIqOpicBW6Z4GeJQLBa8ybxCDUGQGuAkkPfqvNO1ZkFXnlLxEqCoxAcDJeTYpHp_AglsOAEDR96ZXvYSd6dNcOzXXcCrrCtk/s4032/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl_Y6kO1cZnHdiaG3yuDRzNEIgT0OsX4sHsHgfTuVqTjY06FsQLoV5HdqDM_c0eypFpDE9S_hnPwc7BtPwphlXTcFgrV5hIqOpicBW6Z4GeJQLBa8ybxCDUGQGuAkkPfqvNO1ZkFXnlLxEqCoxAcDJeTYpHp_AglsOAEDR96ZXvYSd6dNcOzXXcCrrCtk/w400-h300/IMG_0427.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The snow depth in here was less than in the hardwoods, probably about 8 inches.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy10ZCcUGTuc6vVXjjqPaPGm5oCbarZssh5ZpgcDN48kYyU7Gw5Cpk0T6ciWqdedKjRdKhydXGdpbB0OykOWBOm6CDImYkF_qLASk-ahNwv9LYVv2syO8DXyxqTh_AYsaU91FdaHR6SqCEVvkALBrw7r_C75FlQsDQRIcsF894oVpK28vamd5Z6YA63ce3/s4032/IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy10ZCcUGTuc6vVXjjqPaPGm5oCbarZssh5ZpgcDN48kYyU7Gw5Cpk0T6ciWqdedKjRdKhydXGdpbB0OykOWBOm6CDImYkF_qLASk-ahNwv9LYVv2syO8DXyxqTh_AYsaU91FdaHR6SqCEVvkALBrw7r_C75FlQsDQRIcsF894oVpK28vamd5Z6YA63ce3/w400-h300/IMG_0431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Back into deeper snow along an unofficial climber's path.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxSb5HRiZvSb5lvNVGeFDzvKkTYgo4TGYf8Lq2FwBkNmfYi94S7XQHZOzKcMX-sCQNCCnyGsup-eFJ3pUQg4C6VLkYmCXv9nTuUCjGIVL3-BZynvrLQZvVbJpfkqa_0T-N43PHa6TluSFMPXkCD2dvjpAjIYOCBRv2joF_gpgLqWt94npcRfjoQg_beOt/s4032/IMG_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxSb5HRiZvSb5lvNVGeFDzvKkTYgo4TGYf8Lq2FwBkNmfYi94S7XQHZOzKcMX-sCQNCCnyGsup-eFJ3pUQg4C6VLkYmCXv9nTuUCjGIVL3-BZynvrLQZvVbJpfkqa_0T-N43PHa6TluSFMPXkCD2dvjpAjIYOCBRv2joF_gpgLqWt94npcRfjoQg_beOt/w400-h300/IMG_0436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Bald Knob Cliff, aka Lost World Crag. Another 10 climbing routes here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iPuDlZqzFUXszirdMPlw0ht8tE4AJrcMAgt-xNqppMVwNQqSqljPD17-u06FkMAA-xBLp-IV1Em8HnIvrZY3o5cSNKBNj3dTtDfSAJlpDXfxbVkisvwCEe39V9syHaEQA6OKPZoA6SiEshelzSODMgHIgVYQhTF0Kck_ocbvquDYRJKaEbqNCiF96POU/s4032/IMG_0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iPuDlZqzFUXszirdMPlw0ht8tE4AJrcMAgt-xNqppMVwNQqSqljPD17-u06FkMAA-xBLp-IV1Em8HnIvrZY3o5cSNKBNj3dTtDfSAJlpDXfxbVkisvwCEe39V9syHaEQA6OKPZoA6SiEshelzSODMgHIgVYQhTF0Kck_ocbvquDYRJKaEbqNCiF96POU/w400-h300/IMG_0439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking wintry.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQr0cRn0n_7Dis3BzonsDcoKp8scrJCv96dHx5WhEs8W4JnDIFcH-yGbs4l6QhcbywaWW6EoP2XIeDU3tDrc8lojlFqtQN71knkRnomW4o2FMCRimm2w0ECnz0HObZ1exr5SMF8Xent088sTXPfOnln2rv2XADAwzozRCIVcxGYLkigXXbEvEedGzFzgO/s4032/IMG_0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQr0cRn0n_7Dis3BzonsDcoKp8scrJCv96dHx5WhEs8W4JnDIFcH-yGbs4l6QhcbywaWW6EoP2XIeDU3tDrc8lojlFqtQN71knkRnomW4o2FMCRimm2w0ECnz0HObZ1exr5SMF8Xent088sTXPfOnln2rv2XADAwzozRCIVcxGYLkigXXbEvEedGzFzgO/w400-h300/IMG_0443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An open hardwood plateau on the SE side of Bald Knob.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRteFzMyVjTSto1E8WO55jjgfPQnvXL1oFfKJMqRnNrcMXXtkd_TxFHl4n5iQconXGLDDz4UIcJCtbF-KQMKxfHMDrOU2hIC03uzJpNVG5L9qUgtOpQEd6gWUtAuvCjHQGUMqxpuG9eMD7B7V_Au7BpGPdUWgaCozuk_j9Y9YdSUm9mShmwbJ2P4jnq_X/s4032/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRteFzMyVjTSto1E8WO55jjgfPQnvXL1oFfKJMqRnNrcMXXtkd_TxFHl4n5iQconXGLDDz4UIcJCtbF-KQMKxfHMDrOU2hIC03uzJpNVG5L9qUgtOpQEd6gWUtAuvCjHQGUMqxpuG9eMD7B7V_Au7BpGPdUWgaCozuk_j9Y9YdSUm9mShmwbJ2P4jnq_X/w400-h300/IMG_0450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Deep powder - probably 14 to 16 inches - on the upper Bald Knob ledges.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4FSLQIFYhpPXDeEpyYi3tMawAVQSXP6_ShZ_AAAzddbSeJIuVkQqrmIbm8Ebu4QL8dPToeuidreGtlYBg0ctO8z4S8yfpF-MN0VuIk-GXPu6iewWbGd5DC5uhGdM8ABrW1kHynsaVnU_jmfHfhJq0r9ETOLBBJXuf9BSj9sNtOgt77CgsjH9NxFv-zYG/s4032/IMG_0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4FSLQIFYhpPXDeEpyYi3tMawAVQSXP6_ShZ_AAAzddbSeJIuVkQqrmIbm8Ebu4QL8dPToeuidreGtlYBg0ctO8z4S8yfpF-MN0VuIk-GXPu6iewWbGd5DC5uhGdM8ABrW1kHynsaVnU_jmfHfhJq0r9ETOLBBJXuf9BSj9sNtOgt77CgsjH9NxFv-zYG/w400-h300/IMG_0467.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A few white pines are mixed in with the spruces, and some red pines, too.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37k2lsNFoFX5UPwRcra2BpMLhAYnqxUIv3Sy-m7PoHxE5f9GQnHSUmHIHAWlRj9s4cJMMtd1HS6XeOFZplZio4sj7idczVEQRk6gpqMmnwExFotIScATU53NgQ3XFHYCz_o_YYrxhqv85_3Rv6DGFmHdRsOkbmzzq_nJM8pN_tQENQ_FKyWAgu65E2FBy/s4032/IMG_0469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37k2lsNFoFX5UPwRcra2BpMLhAYnqxUIv3Sy-m7PoHxE5f9GQnHSUmHIHAWlRj9s4cJMMtd1HS6XeOFZplZio4sj7idczVEQRk6gpqMmnwExFotIScATU53NgQ3XFHYCz_o_YYrxhqv85_3Rv6DGFmHdRsOkbmzzq_nJM8pN_tQENQ_FKyWAgu65E2FBy/w400-h300/IMG_0469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Bald Knob high point. It's not on any peakbagging list as its prominence is only 70 feet.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbdmMJKDiLmk4N_ss9rUMcydPSFnv4Lod6j-Rp9v005TaSx1qC86t5_W9z4Rdd6R6hG_YX8v_zap_Bg46bq_QlujwZ53iYNYKBDHE2i8LqHM74F1T0wbCIUVz-V4u_KOBI75V33tPWLWpccEo25fi0onXnbfYaggfIYCqQqLJZorJ5HDXs2Zw-h6csMxn/s4032/IMG_0492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbdmMJKDiLmk4N_ss9rUMcydPSFnv4Lod6j-Rp9v005TaSx1qC86t5_W9z4Rdd6R6hG_YX8v_zap_Bg46bq_QlujwZ53iYNYKBDHE2i8LqHM74F1T0wbCIUVz-V4u_KOBI75V33tPWLWpccEo25fi0onXnbfYaggfIYCqQqLJZorJ5HDXs2Zw-h6csMxn/w400-h300/IMG_0492.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Welch & Dickey Mountains are close by to the NW, across the Mad River valley.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55kalyGIwi8vkCH_sV3-nV_mJ5QPWxjzoLefcS91N-RfsgwV5wP5mAJxb81R8XfioCGLCJuMrLFxrvs5_nw3fT4l_eiSVowh2wyCRaM5yW_U-40x0t_WjDJJJXlkEcUpGSwxX70O7oAGotobkNZRH4SzZ-OLU_mC5oDj5m9fyPZEF7kRECqYMwrw3yI1p/s4032/IMG_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55kalyGIwi8vkCH_sV3-nV_mJ5QPWxjzoLefcS91N-RfsgwV5wP5mAJxb81R8XfioCGLCJuMrLFxrvs5_nw3fT4l_eiSVowh2wyCRaM5yW_U-40x0t_WjDJJJXlkEcUpGSwxX70O7oAGotobkNZRH4SzZ-OLU_mC5oDj5m9fyPZEF7kRECqYMwrw3yI1p/w400-h300/IMG_0487.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The summit of Sandwich Dome (L) and the higher of the two Black Mountains (R).<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPHid2Sf7uM7z-PcAYNYQBhyyjEs7oRyWKEsRhxQNyuSVD5Vmpc8us3JEly2qxvtzHdqFTonujiCdjYLjtCWxxtLK61ydl37opvBtV-kDTB8GiqBbZv8rI-ZOilcVnfpTu16FqypAPOv_vY7VNGennhTyYe6fjaw6xElig6buJ3qGpRRo9zZzaEgYUrrx/s4032/IMG_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPHid2Sf7uM7z-PcAYNYQBhyyjEs7oRyWKEsRhxQNyuSVD5Vmpc8us3JEly2qxvtzHdqFTonujiCdjYLjtCWxxtLK61ydl37opvBtV-kDTB8GiqBbZv8rI-ZOilcVnfpTu16FqypAPOv_vY7VNGennhTyYe6fjaw6xElig6buJ3qGpRRo9zZzaEgYUrrx/w400-h300/IMG_0496.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A forlorn white pine eking out a livelihood on the ledges.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSFIZPQFXsceXYYbEAoZZEFUcdB_dwfz9wUz-yCueA-QqtbqYWk2GaczUGTzaaW8J2juNPpJbhJlXU5d5O8wqCiXyqFDt7HTRlgqelBdXgYQAK1GVH8sDiXuLRyBravWV8o1Qlukc1GFhKe4CfPhq6gmdJPhjebRWm6_6Q9VhC-axBZBLE6AGG9U0vlsj/s4032/IMG_0502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSFIZPQFXsceXYYbEAoZZEFUcdB_dwfz9wUz-yCueA-QqtbqYWk2GaczUGTzaaW8J2juNPpJbhJlXU5d5O8wqCiXyqFDt7HTRlgqelBdXgYQAK1GVH8sDiXuLRyBravWV8o1Qlukc1GFhKe4CfPhq6gmdJPhjebRWm6_6Q9VhC-axBZBLE6AGG9U0vlsj/w400-h300/IMG_0502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Sandwich Notch and the Campton Range.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgqWhmOimYi4as1bncJjspldEfM3K5bevvhSZDP-3AjruC4J_9w5zM2bGEWQ79BIPYq5H4AaCbAF_nC51MDSBJn_qfL1a4UV9jVB-3dkFxzpJy0pmeGFKi687HtdE3axZyZG5arSpmAJSndqlEI9U5hSuiLwd6eaDU7ls7yfJvd-n0e8HKbnCxTxxEcv3/s4032/IMG_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgqWhmOimYi4as1bncJjspldEfM3K5bevvhSZDP-3AjruC4J_9w5zM2bGEWQ79BIPYq5H4AaCbAF_nC51MDSBJn_qfL1a4UV9jVB-3dkFxzpJy0pmeGFKi687HtdE3axZyZG5arSpmAJSndqlEI9U5hSuiLwd6eaDU7ls7yfJvd-n0e8HKbnCxTxxEcv3/w400-h300/IMG_0503.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking south to the sun.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHHHt-MlUczaC_nku1uNwY_Y85rWdDEGFYtGiXTaSs8QSebytkrrtF5IyD5hLCFK_DGcwISJiDXftaKcXm1gZjOv1NQigcgp0nH7_vXt7_ECz__XaFp9yVX01JUsMo3o37XkMrQs8nthagZ8oJ60aJTrZkS3whI84darNIU1jlyizeghz0J8CREHEunah/s4032/IMG_0505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHHHt-MlUczaC_nku1uNwY_Y85rWdDEGFYtGiXTaSs8QSebytkrrtF5IyD5hLCFK_DGcwISJiDXftaKcXm1gZjOv1NQigcgp0nH7_vXt7_ECz__XaFp9yVX01JUsMo3o37XkMrQs8nthagZ8oJ60aJTrZkS3whI84darNIU1jlyizeghz0J8CREHEunah/w400-h300/IMG_0505.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">A distant peek at South Tripyramid and the South Slides.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtCm2G3N3QxCg9tab8mA9fjy3Kdw2pNgpUatmblPzrNnxUY1XxZpgUo9fAtYvPR6sN5Fh4JgZFxiQmDJJmXPYJcPu2Jq2uFlQN60YwOVchW7a1GAne14o9hEJLPu1Xhw35bh5VW0JzhhVqHzCzPhRj6itIJaeYT-0KJoAMGlQP8DF0lWE9GRitOfPKGnK/s5184/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtCm2G3N3QxCg9tab8mA9fjy3Kdw2pNgpUatmblPzrNnxUY1XxZpgUo9fAtYvPR6sN5Fh4JgZFxiQmDJJmXPYJcPu2Jq2uFlQN60YwOVchW7a1GAne14o9hEJLPu1Xhw35bh5VW0JzhhVqHzCzPhRj6itIJaeYT-0KJoAMGlQP8DF0lWE9GRitOfPKGnK/w400-h300/IMG_0128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Winter at its best - blue sky and snowy ledges.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0REuXxC5PrjYtIPGWrTvgH9LbFECjgeX4UlKD3Fr8AKJNosXQxijJbpsrXvRQkTlC7URQPDAlSBI-jYIYLo2DGd1MV9ZU1CcAGeqAeituKqerIYsngBxRiN1TRVt-1ST4NDzokNoM36rruz9yDnkcwIFwaGrJ3ri1W-9bBvOWhAn5Jl2yA882Is5TRi/s4032/IMG_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0REuXxC5PrjYtIPGWrTvgH9LbFECjgeX4UlKD3Fr8AKJNosXQxijJbpsrXvRQkTlC7URQPDAlSBI-jYIYLo2DGd1MV9ZU1CcAGeqAeituKqerIYsngBxRiN1TRVt-1ST4NDzokNoM36rruz9yDnkcwIFwaGrJ3ri1W-9bBvOWhAn5Jl2yA882Is5TRi/w400-h300/IMG_0516.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Jennings Peak.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5CcY1MnJU5DkaDj2L4xxrTEioUmVYg31B9U1leG8B7ZLgBHKBkLyTRxbKDcxCf92dzgWMR9JiDCi0kbeoe22AA9X2huSqdt9KeC1b7z9xSK0-IE3O1dnisMtP2Ihyphenhyphenggs_GsMZAAsMkTdCpW1bjij3im6rNmFiElfZpZwFZHZ9USjcM2OtZwoy-QLp3bK/s4032/IMG_0527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5CcY1MnJU5DkaDj2L4xxrTEioUmVYg31B9U1leG8B7ZLgBHKBkLyTRxbKDcxCf92dzgWMR9JiDCi0kbeoe22AA9X2huSqdt9KeC1b7z9xSK0-IE3O1dnisMtP2Ihyphenhyphenggs_GsMZAAsMkTdCpW1bjij3im6rNmFiElfZpZwFZHZ9USjcM2OtZwoy-QLp3bK/w400-h300/IMG_0527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Muted sunset in the hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWnjqKNRhyphenhyphenBbHWFtLhbhEShvq_PxvC7mn08P0c7-KrEuBhZK0nkeH7W_BjcSQqW652B9eqSn7DU8tTirl35hLfx7xSdbVJXlWYAQhfRgf3czFPL9dtUPdFHuNHonQSHB8CUIlx3JZI_T25RGoo0EWiOuyo2Hs-wk0suStOQbuGcJMd18GzNrpKmd7Chdr/s4032/IMG_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWnjqKNRhyphenhyphenBbHWFtLhbhEShvq_PxvC7mn08P0c7-KrEuBhZK0nkeH7W_BjcSQqW652B9eqSn7DU8tTirl35hLfx7xSdbVJXlWYAQhfRgf3czFPL9dtUPdFHuNHonQSHB8CUIlx3JZI_T25RGoo0EWiOuyo2Hs-wk0suStOQbuGcJMd18GzNrpKmd7Chdr/w400-h300/IMG_0537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-41566023213878247742024-01-06T15:10:00.002-05:002024-01-06T20:07:30.186-05:00Tripyramid South Slides: 1/5/24<p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Saddled with a persistent cold but on the upswing, I wasn't sure how far I would want to go on this cold and breezy day. I knew that Livermore Trail and the south end of Mount Tripyramid Trail would be nearly ice-free in these extended shoulder season conditions. This long walk into the Wilderness is often my go-to when conditions on many trails are lousy. (The older I get, the less I enjoy hiking on ice flows mixed with rocks, dirt and choppy snow.) I was curious to see how the Tripyramid trail fared during the December rainstorm, and whether there was any fresh activity out on the slides. I hoped to make it out to the lower open section of Tripyramid's South Slide, a fine viewpoint that would be less exposed to the NW wind. It would depend on my energy level and the condition of the crossings of Avalanche Brook, Cold Brook and a couple of nameless tributaries.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The cold (14 degrees at the start) was invigorating and the walking was good on Livermore Trail with just a dusting of snow. I made the obligatory stop at White Cascade on Slide Brook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8ugXPEc-oCg5hq9JfFPK4QwTIx1cHQusCDXNMUCYmDiypfrFS1ncBBILzToBvjg6GpHPnETxyAg8mzC2TOY-8_BB0fDuw_ptSrQ9HjLngQ5wh_-e5I0qPTSuJXxnRrgnNU5nZzYUAL1h3l83ahzy8tL0Bmyd0Q_jYfBuTRZp16gxcpMt7GvdSMzeWjOd/s4032/IMG_0250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8ugXPEc-oCg5hq9JfFPK4QwTIx1cHQusCDXNMUCYmDiypfrFS1ncBBILzToBvjg6GpHPnETxyAg8mzC2TOY-8_BB0fDuw_ptSrQ9HjLngQ5wh_-e5I0qPTSuJXxnRrgnNU5nZzYUAL1h3l83ahzy8tL0Bmyd0Q_jYfBuTRZp16gxcpMt7GvdSMzeWjOd/w400-h300/IMG_0250.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">It was a nice sunny morning, though clouds rolled in early in the afternoon.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFV3j-EzUoJtzTQSoLl25Z7rE2QbT8ngJY-6JgyuHKhkYEO0q-mSmjEj-IV8Rf5Ylh4dhew4cRkx1RAR7iVLHD1sFlGZOkNSd3WS53nBNccbLyB5U9Nd4R08FUUTLX5Zu2-gW4ZAths4NccCazV1dP1w3o-GfFPBDD1XTXrnn97cDdkLh7WjHATd8umam/s4032/IMG_0251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFV3j-EzUoJtzTQSoLl25Z7rE2QbT8ngJY-6JgyuHKhkYEO0q-mSmjEj-IV8Rf5Ylh4dhew4cRkx1RAR7iVLHD1sFlGZOkNSd3WS53nBNccbLyB5U9Nd4R08FUUTLX5Zu2-gW4ZAths4NccCazV1dP1w3o-GfFPBDD1XTXrnn97cDdkLh7WjHATd8umam/w400-h300/IMG_0251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Here we go.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWx2Rz6mKUYdQiODRdGXhM6cOtckvTh3N8uBoods5LIr83fQoegA201zbWLjKqDV1tpRqyJ_aoAcjpQftTVGX3u5xXFpGLk1Yl_eXguQIB5ql91HwT1boW0CTtX1iHdiUomcYw-OU0oxNA_fSZTB1iKmDjwOiL769mmnMdo2jrjKSM4UUOj052xgNEUmG/s4032/IMG_0252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWx2Rz6mKUYdQiODRdGXhM6cOtckvTh3N8uBoods5LIr83fQoegA201zbWLjKqDV1tpRqyJ_aoAcjpQftTVGX3u5xXFpGLk1Yl_eXguQIB5ql91HwT1boW0CTtX1iHdiUomcYw-OU0oxNA_fSZTB1iKmDjwOiL769mmnMdo2jrjKSM4UUOj052xgNEUmG/w400-h300/IMG_0252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The crossing of Avalanche Brook, which was considerably rearranged by the December storm, was feasible using careful foot placement and a slightly underwater rock. The other brooks farther up the trail were all crossable with some scouting and care.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1QmPp_8t4asM0ukDA08YKahbco5cbU3Wyg4MHNA7SFNgZU90uhxx7CCRFWcoOkZlvIDiofQH25IMBRbHUZ3Aa8L9sRi7FNpImT28PYlW7ybC9SIkv6OAkEeCubAiec_95pEbHm0fRGz_5CpJEBce3q_nrEzQjM0MWIk4ILujboR1e6FWC7wnbcRoR2yU/s4032/IMG_0254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1QmPp_8t4asM0ukDA08YKahbco5cbU3Wyg4MHNA7SFNgZU90uhxx7CCRFWcoOkZlvIDiofQH25IMBRbHUZ3Aa8L9sRi7FNpImT28PYlW7ybC9SIkv6OAkEeCubAiec_95pEbHm0fRGz_5CpJEBce3q_nrEzQjM0MWIk4ILujboR1e6FWC7wnbcRoR2yU/w400-h300/IMG_0254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Always a pleasure.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dDXAxDAIAhh9Fo-ff6T0gq7b-fiI6SjwxPmdmJE5F26Uka58WZ7Qpl-2CGgU0webBzOTi2N4ydIjFsqa48XUp3JmWCDa9d9cy02eENfiFryPTtw6ARYl42iZehyphenhyphen397n5xmsMS1dRurbeIFS63b6xniakvWzb7tET23i1zy_dWFHwD7RW2rgR23HRl3PN/s4032/IMG_0255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dDXAxDAIAhh9Fo-ff6T0gq7b-fiI6SjwxPmdmJE5F26Uka58WZ7Qpl-2CGgU0webBzOTi2N4ydIjFsqa48XUp3JmWCDa9d9cy02eENfiFryPTtw6ARYl42iZehyphenhyphen397n5xmsMS1dRurbeIFS63b6xniakvWzb7tET23i1zy_dWFHwD7RW2rgR23HRl3PN/w400-h300/IMG_0255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The gateway glade, with Tripyramid glimpsed through the trees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAWHyU2rgLhRK2n_pZXGaQsKkaTsKM4Zlll2fctbSCauZy5WH1Jy3f5u6XjVfuFhtDJRUXxJHUnajlDAF8VdVZV1jffAWZJNFwnhH0aNX0zFncCR8wcxNychxJhn2VhDnSiVtPWjmSkz66q2SH-KjIN-b83xokAQeLrcWZQ6k5rwxY6E4PdtYP8-t2Byk/s4032/IMG_0256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAWHyU2rgLhRK2n_pZXGaQsKkaTsKM4Zlll2fctbSCauZy5WH1Jy3f5u6XjVfuFhtDJRUXxJHUnajlDAF8VdVZV1jffAWZJNFwnhH0aNX0zFncCR8wcxNychxJhn2VhDnSiVtPWjmSkz66q2SH-KjIN-b83xokAQeLrcWZQ6k5rwxY6E4PdtYP8-t2Byk/w400-h300/IMG_0256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A seriously zippified blowdown.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgkUbKhgN7yPaXDaw1KrnXYB0Y_y7dt4ev_PnD0AiP753IxiVH9bweHY19YEbemy7Q8VTVGC8zPDp1Xq64S5rSrioxm2MWClUOF9W9Gc0T9m8uu9kOTTn0VkJtyaepFAtFl9LqMZEQ4ufTH_WJ2taNns8AKecydqKdJuhZUT_uNyCPVUZ_UkLrS4lM5QP/s4032/IMG_0258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgkUbKhgN7yPaXDaw1KrnXYB0Y_y7dt4ev_PnD0AiP753IxiVH9bweHY19YEbemy7Q8VTVGC8zPDp1Xq64S5rSrioxm2MWClUOF9W9Gc0T9m8uu9kOTTn0VkJtyaepFAtFl9LqMZEQ4ufTH_WJ2taNns8AKecydqKdJuhZUT_uNyCPVUZ_UkLrS4lM5QP/w400-h300/IMG_0258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Icy cascade on Slide Brook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp3unDAha4ADqaeNtQ7QlF4IYpk0yz0GcLA8GR0gvuCjEAic5xL4QtWDsKv5mwMWAvlPzPf_CYZqGfZqnHVNu18Viyxz0GJgjqFSVcZamKzZD5Gr2fjLtd_yzDMakRadDWh2yCfje4LOh-ItEqywt0yiohv1-kVrcC_HwzlUEtQGxeNBEU7582iothV16/s4032/IMG_0261.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp3unDAha4ADqaeNtQ7QlF4IYpk0yz0GcLA8GR0gvuCjEAic5xL4QtWDsKv5mwMWAvlPzPf_CYZqGfZqnHVNu18Viyxz0GJgjqFSVcZamKzZD5Gr2fjLtd_yzDMakRadDWh2yCfje4LOh-ItEqywt0yiohv1-kVrcC_HwzlUEtQGxeNBEU7582iothV16/w400-h300/IMG_0261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Endless hardwoods on Tripyramid's west slope.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT41g3OZjZsaK069qChNNDqYql-N0yKVn-mmiOFX2PVReoMLAKsgUkT4-21KVeR6ayHsHqp_t990nG3JnUrtEUGl6xICpalahiseLBf_fzATctN_J_gQOuGelxElyuXUVJfhMWkpKZC38Bx-PqXZh1jE9Cm7ZKhIQvqGoYxthZIaTsoHyZdh1jpsfVVpe/s4032/IMG_0263.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT41g3OZjZsaK069qChNNDqYql-N0yKVn-mmiOFX2PVReoMLAKsgUkT4-21KVeR6ayHsHqp_t990nG3JnUrtEUGl6xICpalahiseLBf_fzATctN_J_gQOuGelxElyuXUVJfhMWkpKZC38Bx-PqXZh1jE9Cm7ZKhIQvqGoYxthZIaTsoHyZdh1jpsfVVpe/w400-h300/IMG_0263.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>The December storm took its toll on the trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4dJ_R6xMFCsY70-mkNbwhqY5N7ac48bqGQzydHdml82ataP56E64hNPiuOj6njp8OiQRvWAETtm2DOFPfj0zCe4ABOazBn5eUgksIPGOxs0BM66S4rSry2bl2tzeOd_fxL9Hh6Ij5nCO9ziqxNHlxxMGjj7zGbW14qVWXzNcBp2k6_DXkzH4VgsFOz2x/s4032/IMG_0370.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4dJ_R6xMFCsY70-mkNbwhqY5N7ac48bqGQzydHdml82ataP56E64hNPiuOj6njp8OiQRvWAETtm2DOFPfj0zCe4ABOazBn5eUgksIPGOxs0BM66S4rSry2bl2tzeOd_fxL9Hh6Ij5nCO9ziqxNHlxxMGjj7zGbW14qVWXzNcBp2k6_DXkzH4VgsFOz2x/w400-h300/IMG_0370.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">This boulder was not on the trail in November.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmR6xtQezQrvfGwXSBPQGOUnIKCEK7V_Kdg1gMwFCxx49qA7jefnwxPrlz_NWmzQvoGoYGdtB7DxxO3A9zJXi1sqh3KsOemQKqbwbdr6LbSh5qCszn11quj6lNja49_XY7SsSTEm7TawPM75ChWlUmEr3OLo9VeWnKseyJuPOyqI6191nEqOsXi3KqwjF/s4032/IMG_0272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmR6xtQezQrvfGwXSBPQGOUnIKCEK7V_Kdg1gMwFCxx49qA7jefnwxPrlz_NWmzQvoGoYGdtB7DxxO3A9zJXi1sqh3KsOemQKqbwbdr6LbSh5qCszn11quj6lNja49_XY7SsSTEm7TawPM75ChWlUmEr3OLo9VeWnKseyJuPOyqI6191nEqOsXi3KqwjF/w400-h300/IMG_0272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">South Tripyramid looms ahead.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6us1orhy8zSiwFueIGBeUSVQklZYIXHqEOhaZ4FOlbnaHs4QTCIs6MjJWeCepz8WKk_sH1OzJSHoAdDGmnn6wig7dTVzgdNxsfdpVJse38EYCwAyhyphenhyphenHyAUYyyqAYiBZcm3IWcpThmODz9ElXzhgu7ykeWwxoD-23y7C31YRbIAMSt2W5VwxjN64vdhJO/s4032/IMG_0277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6us1orhy8zSiwFueIGBeUSVQklZYIXHqEOhaZ4FOlbnaHs4QTCIs6MjJWeCepz8WKk_sH1OzJSHoAdDGmnn6wig7dTVzgdNxsfdpVJse38EYCwAyhyphenhyphenHyAUYyyqAYiBZcm3IWcpThmODz9ElXzhgu7ykeWwxoD-23y7C31YRbIAMSt2W5VwxjN64vdhJO/w400-h300/IMG_0277.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A favorite sugar maple glade at 2900 ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eYEvmfBEbciWVbyvH7ZWpCaXbIxjB0t4zidDoT95AsfNfIp4ySkpaDHx0sZH9s15UdvTwtqHcHIe02GYqpOjWTDA1VKplDoNGkHaqa3lMw5T8K77loR5RycOEi5JiYxJCZGmwaXOD8HhnzmkXgf9DaaKfUkoG1IgbTe6hcs-glvmYC5q3PiqoAmSuw7y/s4032/IMG_0285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eYEvmfBEbciWVbyvH7ZWpCaXbIxjB0t4zidDoT95AsfNfIp4ySkpaDHx0sZH9s15UdvTwtqHcHIe02GYqpOjWTDA1VKplDoNGkHaqa3lMw5T8K77loR5RycOEi5JiYxJCZGmwaXOD8HhnzmkXgf9DaaKfUkoG1IgbTe6hcs-glvmYC5q3PiqoAmSuw7y/w400-h300/IMG_0285.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking more like winter approaching the base of the South Slide at 3000 ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8RGg4UhBIFodBRBqIELiyBzBtqXoL4tfxLUYDedHAaEhS38wvEy9w9qdcxK-sqoNZsjgGHW6KxhwrthU5sO6vSGi-FT2w5Mf84jUS-bEhNF633b2n8kgoFSCpsDdMr9yOPkFGN6A3huthCFHynSfLvvab0Edc7LVDVQ-_064v45EyZlciICe3yn6VQxa/s4032/IMG_0289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8RGg4UhBIFodBRBqIELiyBzBtqXoL4tfxLUYDedHAaEhS38wvEy9w9qdcxK-sqoNZsjgGHW6KxhwrthU5sO6vSGi-FT2w5Mf84jUS-bEhNF633b2n8kgoFSCpsDdMr9yOPkFGN6A3huthCFHynSfLvvab0Edc7LVDVQ-_064v45EyZlciICe3yn6VQxa/w400-h300/IMG_0289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Hard-frozen ascending to the slide, but no ice.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHCJ4gAzfbv3p_kIg3ApMxlBQ2FuudDOYqEFz4GfeXXXP9deepAnpK1K8mo5IrHq4B8h1uQU8RbWriCF3r341jzy_03raaA8M4rR1YYrZwEYoZTWgmM4RubXnTMUMFvoKtgZnJKmD-qbWlM0YZCfH9JynKKw7JS9bJbr8KeP8xweaLASk1zid5wBUW_Fn/s4032/IMG_0291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHCJ4gAzfbv3p_kIg3ApMxlBQ2FuudDOYqEFz4GfeXXXP9deepAnpK1K8mo5IrHq4B8h1uQU8RbWriCF3r341jzy_03raaA8M4rR1YYrZwEYoZTWgmM4RubXnTMUMFvoKtgZnJKmD-qbWlM0YZCfH9JynKKw7JS9bJbr8KeP8xweaLASk1zid5wBUW_Fn/w300-h400/IMG_0291.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A little slippery with some snow, careful footing needed.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkw5ml91Qwh6Mpj2Pp-oKZLRmi7VwhSuxk3404R_AThNRdQar2JwtgA9VjPAIQ-JoWlx3DgIza78mVf1ecZtv1kYgzl03TKX0dSXiA-oaNRfk9q1Jaj0FC0Co_9HVHGlmCPnwniLwqsCoAPVc9iYEzD9tr3mGBNDZ5JKrx7YWV1dNQ_q3r6wDdgQxB3Ws/s4032/IMG_0293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkw5ml91Qwh6Mpj2Pp-oKZLRmi7VwhSuxk3404R_AThNRdQar2JwtgA9VjPAIQ-JoWlx3DgIza78mVf1ecZtv1kYgzl03TKX0dSXiA-oaNRfk9q1Jaj0FC0Co_9HVHGlmCPnwniLwqsCoAPVc9iYEzD9tr3mGBNDZ5JKrx7YWV1dNQ_q3r6wDdgQxB3Ws/w400-h300/IMG_0293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Breaking into the open on the lower of three swaths of gravel and broken rock that the Mount Tripyramid Trail leads through as it ascends the South Slide. There appeared to be a bit of fresh erosion from the December storm, but nothing substantial. This was the first slide to fall on the steep slope of South Tripyramid, surging downward during an intense rainstorm on October 4, 1869. The bright scar of the slide was visible as far away as 50 miles to the south, and quickly attracted the attention of geologists and trampers. It soon became known as the "Great Slide." Though much of the original extent of the slide is revegetated with a dense growth of spruce, the three remaining open swaths still provide excellent views.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQcTdKyGWeQS_yfpK1-Og0zWBxIQfAZiVFhyphenhyphent-4qSt8tcKZuUW0HzDm34iEkNYsLtqZC3VJ1vV6A9Nwqd1bacp90e6xlS6YPMzrd5ITbLfFcyEm1GLtGJdGFGP7KfudaObLent5TZCB5Vfc16VNc2ENuql2BeBFBhbO9AJ78XbqYiFNjcqc8_5EIrGTtg/s4032/IMG_0297.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQcTdKyGWeQS_yfpK1-Og0zWBxIQfAZiVFhyphenhyphent-4qSt8tcKZuUW0HzDm34iEkNYsLtqZC3VJ1vV6A9Nwqd1bacp90e6xlS6YPMzrd5ITbLfFcyEm1GLtGJdGFGP7KfudaObLent5TZCB5Vfc16VNc2ENuql2BeBFBhbO9AJ78XbqYiFNjcqc8_5EIrGTtg/w400-h300/IMG_0297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of two white pines that have seeded in along the edge of the slide, high above their normal elevation range.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmNGX35hyphenhyphenx9yLQf9e6iqvT08geE7sMS_QZgfHVQ3_jdZ3gTKAQTwuyGmdBlxZiOQfuD7MtI-mtOPNgN08s06_Ov1vcFc4eMHlMpf9XFP6i4hVRsOU7Dn8hCrttmLq0b7HzIXreGhROHJMOcOUeF81VwGgX9U1f_BHkUT1dDr3OOhudDe5FlXGUgf3au6v/s4032/IMG_0299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmNGX35hyphenhyphenx9yLQf9e6iqvT08geE7sMS_QZgfHVQ3_jdZ3gTKAQTwuyGmdBlxZiOQfuD7MtI-mtOPNgN08s06_Ov1vcFc4eMHlMpf9XFP6i4hVRsOU7Dn8hCrttmLq0b7HzIXreGhROHJMOcOUeF81VwGgX9U1f_BHkUT1dDr3OOhudDe5FlXGUgf3au6v/w300-h400/IMG_0299.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The second white pine.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRghcIZkVPjk6HQN2KUCNP0fTQ7e8rG4fQ4E_V0CVqGVUswQDP5BOTNW9nIVFVu4XygXmuyf1VzcTE91XVtIBzRc2flTeBtApcYbIiC87UNvgQryvRP3ajyDE_8og-u4Gsy1i0Dzp2XdFnawjbE44AhpACZGbe2UPzA4z2ZUCfGPeUqaFagLG4ywaSUvi/s4032/IMG_0305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRghcIZkVPjk6HQN2KUCNP0fTQ7e8rG4fQ4E_V0CVqGVUswQDP5BOTNW9nIVFVu4XygXmuyf1VzcTE91XVtIBzRc2flTeBtApcYbIiC87UNvgQryvRP3ajyDE_8og-u4Gsy1i0Dzp2XdFnawjbE44AhpACZGbe2UPzA4z2ZUCfGPeUqaFagLG4ywaSUvi/w400-h300/IMG_0305.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Clouds had rolled in, obscuring the sun and the distant views, but there were still good local vistas looking towards Lost Pass and Sandwich Dome.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAkqeIVeVJHLYE8pNMVDinbVLklCBi63fjjzFuUWWzNKwMAR-51RlSjRtAM533-5Qv7ezzuDCgATDZ5ky-R_Ny2v1Lsupwp3IPNlX7rzCrElRUDJl_-s2ozeiOu3xhJMBYPzpjh7K8M3piiGWGmAV7n5inDqtDXSPDoU4NEVzvtRRO0VitkFW9Q26P3Sg/s4032/IMG_0310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAkqeIVeVJHLYE8pNMVDinbVLklCBi63fjjzFuUWWzNKwMAR-51RlSjRtAM533-5Qv7ezzuDCgATDZ5ky-R_Ny2v1Lsupwp3IPNlX7rzCrElRUDJl_-s2ozeiOu3xhJMBYPzpjh7K8M3piiGWGmAV7n5inDqtDXSPDoU4NEVzvtRRO0VitkFW9Q26P3Sg/w400-h300/IMG_0310.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Approaching a familiar sitting rock at the top of the first open swath, at 3280 ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6LBiaIwXX-JmCg0l369sdYqO1HyqE-MzV-iEehDG1dEZGJbTDIe5fwGta68m2R8uSGVOGCQKR18keEsNAKH1e0ZYez4BMBTrdao7ipGL_Mupscd6-hVhRyqLbRlIHpnsg_988Gy207ctjai6qvy_ruuDu7f8dob04j1LGjdPUe6FO7XGBnreMe7WJzBV/s4032/IMG_0308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6LBiaIwXX-JmCg0l369sdYqO1HyqE-MzV-iEehDG1dEZGJbTDIe5fwGta68m2R8uSGVOGCQKR18keEsNAKH1e0ZYez4BMBTrdao7ipGL_Mupscd6-hVhRyqLbRlIHpnsg_988Gy207ctjai6qvy_ruuDu7f8dob04j1LGjdPUe6FO7XGBnreMe7WJzBV/w400-h300/IMG_0308.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Wide views here to the SW. In the morning, when there was 90-mile visibility, the view would have included Killington Peak, Dorset Peak and Stratton Mountain in Vermont. Though there was a chilly breeze, by layering up I was able to hang out here for a half-hour lunch break.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPGydN7hRTAvblCRSdSSYlU7Q12tAfHAy7zSiNEQbIAg1gbJxgpiYqNkGONVuE56RNRdOHr6fkCzym_rEkr5bGpVJ1TlQy76afhxGzLXfejwDIIqmdxdLo9JAJkDlHRAWZF3owWW3Yij2_AW90yaKux684KXZZYXoXTSNVX96UUlwTq_7eG8LGOlgt8vL/s4032/IMG_0315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPGydN7hRTAvblCRSdSSYlU7Q12tAfHAy7zSiNEQbIAg1gbJxgpiYqNkGONVuE56RNRdOHr6fkCzym_rEkr5bGpVJ1TlQy76afhxGzLXfejwDIIqmdxdLo9JAJkDlHRAWZF3owWW3Yij2_AW90yaKux684KXZZYXoXTSNVX96UUlwTq_7eG8LGOlgt8vL/w400-h300/IMG_0315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">After a careful descent back to the base of the 1869 South Slide, I bushwhacked across and then back up the slope to pay visits to the lower parts of the 2011 and 1885 South Slides.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOlVidx1apaLSnwhqBpBP5ISjbsQAIVKgWIL5AqO-39I7j988lStjlN0XwhBzOSKrczZh6zcW7jEJxsl2AJdIKi2AL_4CIdt4A7GJ4gf7a6F1_GpWQhg3WUyWr9aQbyvqIn6vsSp7tD1Pc-ziuNfxcwIpt7a81Q8ovep3I0goFXcAWkwYUpVHpNJlQFSz/s4032/IMG_0318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOlVidx1apaLSnwhqBpBP5ISjbsQAIVKgWIL5AqO-39I7j988lStjlN0XwhBzOSKrczZh6zcW7jEJxsl2AJdIKi2AL_4CIdt4A7GJ4gf7a6F1_GpWQhg3WUyWr9aQbyvqIn6vsSp7tD1Pc-ziuNfxcwIpt7a81Q8ovep3I0goFXcAWkwYUpVHpNJlQFSz/w400-h300/IMG_0318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up from the base of the relatively small 2011 slide, which came down during Tropical Storm Irene.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CtXS51Q_lRmLx2TaLGc615S4Ty6QY604r6_Gn6-kmrjoH9nRsRcE2MB6fiIZrnfrQrkIlG2pVVOHOkzLKG-uF6OLaje9lPWrPktPI0ldf8sLiei0IVzMXlgXeH93OdiYsUP-8cdcBpfc3_ohu4lAsaOMrdv7o-BBbmp5p31WOcVErlhPnMtoaSOGICvh/s4032/IMG_0324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CtXS51Q_lRmLx2TaLGc615S4Ty6QY604r6_Gn6-kmrjoH9nRsRcE2MB6fiIZrnfrQrkIlG2pVVOHOkzLKG-uF6OLaje9lPWrPktPI0ldf8sLiei0IVzMXlgXeH93OdiYsUP-8cdcBpfc3_ohu4lAsaOMrdv7o-BBbmp5p31WOcVErlhPnMtoaSOGICvh/w400-h300/IMG_0324.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A good angle on the slide from atop the steep bank it gouged out.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcj1p8BcPigXk1ZHwdWviIiP92IATCbLplzyFs_b7GY8ERpXNN3P2qm2uqyM9j_VA2-vSSS6kz7Dbj8I7U7NuCLBH34izp9nsYbQfQQ76thjxvmGExOQBGqlebkatUSfBSKSEyBCEWSf5dBODj2wWlB9QzLtdlXN-zt4Z43Utdjw1MsPH93aYocWOzMz3/s4032/IMG_0331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcj1p8BcPigXk1ZHwdWviIiP92IATCbLplzyFs_b7GY8ERpXNN3P2qm2uqyM9j_VA2-vSSS6kz7Dbj8I7U7NuCLBH34izp9nsYbQfQQ76thjxvmGExOQBGqlebkatUSfBSKSEyBCEWSf5dBODj2wWlB9QzLtdlXN-zt4Z43Utdjw1MsPH93aYocWOzMz3/w400-h300/IMG_0331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">A ghostly view of Mount Tecumseh.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q5WVKMpI84NaoK-EsMcmz1B-E9LIc7SolZSbCDjDSnaa_3kl9_oA6uPs-n5zRuvHwILmepX7I52NZ6AzwUQU6tlyHzhONUEvOks53xr-GfroLfOURnlT99Ya1dgXamOROD0M7KL1f6FkSqL0_uCs9LULOCOjwRpRhMNP0R_b4fSsP69zHfJS3_wwDAR_/s4032/IMG_0341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q5WVKMpI84NaoK-EsMcmz1B-E9LIc7SolZSbCDjDSnaa_3kl9_oA6uPs-n5zRuvHwILmepX7I52NZ6AzwUQU6tlyHzhONUEvOks53xr-GfroLfOURnlT99Ya1dgXamOROD0M7KL1f6FkSqL0_uCs9LULOCOjwRpRhMNP0R_b4fSsP69zHfJS3_wwDAR_/w400-h300/IMG_0341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I continued across to the lowest of three remaining open patches on the 1885 South Slide (the highest patch is crossed by the Kate Sleeper Trail). This fell on August 13, 1885 (along with the huge North Slide and several more in Avalanche Ravine) and was reportedly an enormous slide, larger than the 1869 "Great Slide." Though slightly more recent, it is more fully revegetated with spruce than the 1869 slide. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fq8mxqcp0lKbMAjtOLIyTNobzEw6AO8rwI4hPkPVN0CDYKR5-7EyPMADQBfUssOu6wY6jvp8BnRhwbH2ew07QZT-12e7nHYr6G9fjlT_BAWY4Q3Ud-MkzzUCGuLMqrIxa0mmfYjNVay19x7KLLfX-drIBfOfzCNl6WAEmPS5xpjtvOEG1kQgY4D4v1rd/s4032/IMG_0349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fq8mxqcp0lKbMAjtOLIyTNobzEw6AO8rwI4hPkPVN0CDYKR5-7EyPMADQBfUssOu6wY6jvp8BnRhwbH2ew07QZT-12e7nHYr6G9fjlT_BAWY4Q3Ud-MkzzUCGuLMqrIxa0mmfYjNVay19x7KLLfX-drIBfOfzCNl6WAEmPS5xpjtvOEG1kQgY4D4v1rd/w400-h300/IMG_0349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another angle on Sandwich Dome, rising behind the northern Flat Mountain.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SXGWp0Sl2GiBS8ZLeOSDkAwcxFQfF6UmSiYPzIHnD4FT1t2IGNhWXKdwjOk50geGvroCRrYTxnYOqur_ZRoa1uEZS7W7UBq9agWzaDmD0X1up66aNEF66nZQQlbONWvGE0DUBPoXfeKuFyLpcG3Q_iGPnZaUE2GR-61H31wz6jJy8wqGftwQcaDyy70B/s4032/IMG_0357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SXGWp0Sl2GiBS8ZLeOSDkAwcxFQfF6UmSiYPzIHnD4FT1t2IGNhWXKdwjOk50geGvroCRrYTxnYOqur_ZRoa1uEZS7W7UBq9agWzaDmD0X1up66aNEF66nZQQlbONWvGE0DUBPoXfeKuFyLpcG3Q_iGPnZaUE2GR-61H31wz6jJy8wqGftwQcaDyy70B/w400-h300/IMG_0357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">At the bottom of this patch are two of the largest white pines I've seen growing on a higher elevation slide, here at 3160 ft.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzHwVt4oJBWJofsrpTt4BkdPaDiZn9_ldbZpwqOgvvJwVOZATbdbNZCl-v3KurHO5GBBTxI5Xvhel3-F7B0LcYfIgswsRzoxzQF579UB8a3JCy3xDonc_PaWGT7maLzpA8k59tRGP7P0zJz_zvGOxw7CgMGavsFQYYgmOckBhLRVySiiP81OrdedGwX3y/s4032/IMG_0361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzHwVt4oJBWJofsrpTt4BkdPaDiZn9_ldbZpwqOgvvJwVOZATbdbNZCl-v3KurHO5GBBTxI5Xvhel3-F7B0LcYfIgswsRzoxzQF579UB8a3JCy3xDonc_PaWGT7maLzpA8k59tRGP7P0zJz_zvGOxw7CgMGavsFQYYgmOckBhLRVySiiP81OrdedGwX3y/w400-h300/IMG_0361.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Golden hour in the hardwoods along Mount Tripyramid Trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0AA9txLNaCfZxa_oZN9qrZ1KwTaMyUFUyY9JO-XUHAgQvds2_cNSxwAlyGsKUA30Crvuw59iShZ6yiks-O0JNo42SwLq9qaqa01pzrIUPqxpsHL852rRYHbBjExN3l6zDW92cZ3db08J2IQi0LeOlI3G_s2D5AKvGRwbOVPFrfc9EOFs-PeQqd3c-81s/s4032/IMG_0374.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0AA9txLNaCfZxa_oZN9qrZ1KwTaMyUFUyY9JO-XUHAgQvds2_cNSxwAlyGsKUA30Crvuw59iShZ6yiks-O0JNo42SwLq9qaqa01pzrIUPqxpsHL852rRYHbBjExN3l6zDW92cZ3db08J2IQi0LeOlI3G_s2D5AKvGRwbOVPFrfc9EOFs-PeQqd3c-81s/w400-h300/IMG_0374.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Until next time.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eZyUcWvquOILeStN6foCN2E6QyuFMVei8jPoMznZib5czBGSzwx7HrVPnJZqlokcYb-OttUb5DJsJPBCrr6S0db10UCg0MtzsBnOGgH5VBRBjHzHH-ZC0wN9S8Obf2191Eg1Ql9tUHWAoq_Tci73o9cmqDyYtgkJdrBId5l9ptVD7tPqHTK9WWQChVEi/s4032/IMG_0379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eZyUcWvquOILeStN6foCN2E6QyuFMVei8jPoMznZib5czBGSzwx7HrVPnJZqlokcYb-OttUb5DJsJPBCrr6S0db10UCg0MtzsBnOGgH5VBRBjHzHH-ZC0wN9S8Obf2191Eg1Ql9tUHWAoq_Tci73o9cmqDyYtgkJdrBId5l9ptVD7tPqHTK9WWQChVEi/w400-h300/IMG_0379.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The rearranged crossing at Avalanche Brook.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVccw0aUnutbbX5CT8jHPAxMoqMX-ZlnwOyMY0CEgQTk9EZrTHR5uAvVCmwd063x1fv5hJxP9EVfqUIkgrYB9ZI6hkSEUwmyKfkeVBKbtaop4fu1CT7juwlCJd5TguZfX-YGnQB24MfK33hDAft8ovxr4ial4cRuyxTEAlYSfdJm-k5uYKNfExv-CT_HKg/s4032/IMG_0381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVccw0aUnutbbX5CT8jHPAxMoqMX-ZlnwOyMY0CEgQTk9EZrTHR5uAvVCmwd063x1fv5hJxP9EVfqUIkgrYB9ZI6hkSEUwmyKfkeVBKbtaop4fu1CT7juwlCJd5TguZfX-YGnQB24MfK33hDAft8ovxr4ial4cRuyxTEAlYSfdJm-k5uYKNfExv-CT_HKg/w400-h300/IMG_0381.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-2335323906988817402024-01-03T20:47:00.002-05:002024-01-03T21:11:27.671-05:00Crawford Notch Rambling: 1/2/24<p style="text-align: left;">Being under the weather from a stubborn holiday cold, I knew my hiking range would be limited on this fine, sunny, early winter day. As luck would have it, my top priority for the first outing of 2024 was to head to Crawford Notch and take short hikes to two locations that were impacted by the big December rainstorm: Landslide Gully on Mount Webster and the Dry River Trail, a mile in from the trailhead. If time and energy permitted, I could also bushwhack to a clifftop on a southern spur of Webster for some views.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Arriving late morning in the Notch, I parked at the Willey House Site and made a short walk on the Sam Willey Trail to the point where the new slide activity in Landslide Gully had overrun the footpath.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_kFdiULxl1IBHwzFb043VxFTldBRvl8ZpjR3uPhfX1XnsB5XzSYZ7-WZTLa0kgouf0Dya1DxfYdnpSmKAyjVsO9u9uquybNPt0_tP00Zh5TDmBqTUrhYfZRYrCV5Gw6Q4Cx7rnodFNtgo7WYiABDlpDLkGwmPMNB_5N-KWb_bFnASPueKx6Y0zFWipD_/s4032/IMG_9901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_kFdiULxl1IBHwzFb043VxFTldBRvl8ZpjR3uPhfX1XnsB5XzSYZ7-WZTLa0kgouf0Dya1DxfYdnpSmKAyjVsO9u9uquybNPt0_tP00Zh5TDmBqTUrhYfZRYrCV5Gw6Q4Cx7rnodFNtgo7WYiABDlpDLkGwmPMNB_5N-KWb_bFnASPueKx6Y0zFWipD_/w400-h300/IMG_9901.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading up to the wide, open lower part of the slide, passing some freshly stripped trees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-_42FxMzHOGZIhwpk7dbRNq2icCPha2jnG0H5UmxMym4GYVDVzeI9IMLx_-jIdikqCcq6x9nXKHNMRdYE9diUeZV6LpP5K8UTCTEVfkzX4baT7FYT0LAJgjpk6T8tyuWmkeW10CPYuXrgcU7RGYw2GtxqAEClypEtVUE3th7OCKW_otSeMQDMD_LV1fB/s4032/IMG_9909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-_42FxMzHOGZIhwpk7dbRNq2icCPha2jnG0H5UmxMym4GYVDVzeI9IMLx_-jIdikqCcq6x9nXKHNMRdYE9diUeZV6LpP5K8UTCTEVfkzX4baT7FYT0LAJgjpk6T8tyuWmkeW10CPYuXrgcU7RGYw2GtxqAEClypEtVUE3th7OCKW_otSeMQDMD_LV1fB/w400-h300/IMG_9909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up the length of Landslide Gully, which begins at a little notch in the ridgeline. Last month's activity was not a new slide, per se, but a "refresh" of a long-existing slide, which may date back to the November 1927 rainstorm. A previous "refreshing" occurred in an October 1959 rainstorm and was witnessed by the manager of Crawford Notch State Park.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3WbuTR2UO4uZU5b8uo5GS0GsWuRHaN50znGk1RfxwqbTmwVa_A3pdtJI2-fyJagWY0QnfLj3ZUEY6YbP1w52YAV969VLhqkkLjhLUjzeswqA-WI3bxnknfRmF_NPar-fWqHmxQ4tKQXs-PKehnJWZ8NjAeqHkvTDqN_EfEhu-Nn2243mfVEz5eohHEl9/s4032/IMG_9911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3WbuTR2UO4uZU5b8uo5GS0GsWuRHaN50znGk1RfxwqbTmwVa_A3pdtJI2-fyJagWY0QnfLj3ZUEY6YbP1w52YAV969VLhqkkLjhLUjzeswqA-WI3bxnknfRmF_NPar-fWqHmxQ4tKQXs-PKehnJWZ8NjAeqHkvTDqN_EfEhu-Nn2243mfVEz5eohHEl9/w400-h300/IMG_9911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I circled around some mangled trees and emerged at a spine of jumbled rocks known as a "debris flow levee" on the south edge of the slide. From here the gouging triggered by the recent storm was obvious.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3InKMIAxC8Ow4IUBYRvy8AWfgkTX-XZJSgnaXfzEM67zpDEAJkdlkPNYrGMmCaZqD4zFS2u0k2RsqlHwpRvpd809HT-vFdPy6DcQWuTrPgop3QHvMdpZEENXvgEz5b3aZteDEoQQaxacBBLH6QkNJixdiiCa2UCt88zbtfTcfXPrXwJiyj2PJ_AnBrtyk/s4032/IMG_9921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3InKMIAxC8Ow4IUBYRvy8AWfgkTX-XZJSgnaXfzEM67zpDEAJkdlkPNYrGMmCaZqD4zFS2u0k2RsqlHwpRvpd809HT-vFdPy6DcQWuTrPgop3QHvMdpZEENXvgEz5b3aZteDEoQQaxacBBLH6QkNJixdiiCa2UCt88zbtfTcfXPrXwJiyj2PJ_AnBrtyk/w400-h300/IMG_9921.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking across at the slope of Mount Willey and the location of the infamous 1826 Willey Slide, which I believe is marked by the stripe of dark conifers on the left.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8FoEAwjmYJ4kcVtlVMHHYFcnfmEX0JfClP5jPmhqk6NN7lmsMZN34FLcKP_fXUYJqN3QiAmCtZgEsUrim6tpErpXTO8GyAZFCtcE5Ltv_P1MxM8QhrJNJht7e1YNUCL6qZwlztG7hNUGHiUQ5fDvIrGHvqp0KSx1h1rh4-EekDv8A6Ch49_yaywMe6gf/s4032/IMG_9928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8FoEAwjmYJ4kcVtlVMHHYFcnfmEX0JfClP5jPmhqk6NN7lmsMZN34FLcKP_fXUYJqN3QiAmCtZgEsUrim6tpErpXTO8GyAZFCtcE5Ltv_P1MxM8QhrJNJht7e1YNUCL6qZwlztG7hNUGHiUQ5fDvIrGHvqp0KSx1h1rh4-EekDv8A6Ch49_yaywMe6gf/w400-h300/IMG_9928.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When I visited the lower end of this slide a couple of summers ago, the rocks were loose and were wet and slippery due to humidity and rain showers. On this visit the rocks were well-frozen in place and dry. It should be noted that this is a potentially dangerous slide. This lower section is relatively lower angle, but higher up the slide is much steeper with both smooth slabs and broken ledges. Some years ago one of two inexperienced climbers attempting a summer climb was killed by a rockfall. In deep winter the upper half is a well-known alpine-style ice climb, and in heavy snow years it is descended by skiers. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPFoBbumkYxsHueaXvF5GsmZE9QHnHCbLauH1I4MXafcx5Q3UDXJtcABygiEaUn15TaOyTkyu3mJaj0lonDBObg_SOt8XP8L6MKTbIkdONA8LTCIoSbvK-Q8wdvJ5JIDd46HXYUclnvpygmJYc4FXR4NBK3RTFKum3LYh5kUQRoHOI4S1qfzlCkjCtvTv/s4032/IMG_9929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPFoBbumkYxsHueaXvF5GsmZE9QHnHCbLauH1I4MXafcx5Q3UDXJtcABygiEaUn15TaOyTkyu3mJaj0lonDBObg_SOt8XP8L6MKTbIkdONA8LTCIoSbvK-Q8wdvJ5JIDd46HXYUclnvpygmJYc4FXR4NBK3RTFKum3LYh5kUQRoHOI4S1qfzlCkjCtvTv/w400-h300/IMG_9929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I picked my way up carefully to get a closer look at the recent slide activity.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGUnwZysCqRXCNIBT6m6iq-B7Im-fa4ynzsZhi0MDiV2maM3wpwFCZIiS2OJvZjljpUJTvvaiCbZMJ8QoMtalM8Vo31H_sxwwFY6o-82KntzHrz-ww3aRXdEhMgiSd47o1mF1Z_zYyqw7f5-M2fjhDJiY_vmpuCd2ndNFNIetSzTyvPSMu7vHyUuiAtn0/s4032/IMG_9943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGUnwZysCqRXCNIBT6m6iq-B7Im-fa4ynzsZhi0MDiV2maM3wpwFCZIiS2OJvZjljpUJTvvaiCbZMJ8QoMtalM8Vo31H_sxwwFY6o-82KntzHrz-ww3aRXdEhMgiSd47o1mF1Z_zYyqw7f5-M2fjhDJiY_vmpuCd2ndNFNIetSzTyvPSMu7vHyUuiAtn0/w400-h300/IMG_9943.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Almost like a halfpipe here.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7SRur6_-xayEonz9g-fztbLoYSqrbn3JpAr2JRxc9GZG3o6asiL67rhKiCjI3Hm4PCLMUlBLSGDnUwqbhgpm2JiktrpYhVNoIRvBnZ72Xm68LqKdV0muQhY35RTAAv4zj-h33Cs53DyEXPOutdHjvkAX6i3tuvvkZXTTcpxgdeUHSzAhs1y15tNVyqJJ/s4032/IMG_9947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7SRur6_-xayEonz9g-fztbLoYSqrbn3JpAr2JRxc9GZG3o6asiL67rhKiCjI3Hm4PCLMUlBLSGDnUwqbhgpm2JiktrpYhVNoIRvBnZ72Xm68LqKdV0muQhY35RTAAv4zj-h33Cs53DyEXPOutdHjvkAX6i3tuvvkZXTTcpxgdeUHSzAhs1y15tNVyqJJ/w400-h300/IMG_9947.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking down at the Willey House Site.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMCw66VbGZm8w1so2gWv3pwDYygT-nL8Tw1vAC0VMKO2Q1FSmXK1qBI9reXDPlehpfztVAaqLQD62-MrTxKIsoiJkkVb6b_i_bIx_d_lLU3wz4ZdQWzfKJJs-NFt596xv_CmLDvs9RS_MpxXvqWHao9vxORosoQL2U8hTh2aF5xAHZk3uFNYZQnjt2B8Z/s4032/IMG_9980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMCw66VbGZm8w1so2gWv3pwDYygT-nL8Tw1vAC0VMKO2Q1FSmXK1qBI9reXDPlehpfztVAaqLQD62-MrTxKIsoiJkkVb6b_i_bIx_d_lLU3wz4ZdQWzfKJJs-NFt596xv_CmLDvs9RS_MpxXvqWHao9vxORosoQL2U8hTh2aF5xAHZk3uFNYZQnjt2B8Z/w400-h300/IMG_9980.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Unstable rocks along the edge.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfOMma5ar58WWodJoQ2oi-UKc9dexz0fBT5eZ61rXQDkbx8zlqZziYKvR2SKTMPXt4IS5mexEvxO46EoSVYhihUOjWvDo13OHCg02u8MTSrDZo8P7MmfFK5lYNGdCpG8s5YoqUc5iRfn5StHc_rmse35337YFVFuQ0iqwdPJnsBsKTNR-nG4xbhVlmH0Y/s4032/IMG_9984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfOMma5ar58WWodJoQ2oi-UKc9dexz0fBT5eZ61rXQDkbx8zlqZziYKvR2SKTMPXt4IS5mexEvxO46EoSVYhihUOjWvDo13OHCg02u8MTSrDZo8P7MmfFK5lYNGdCpG8s5YoqUc5iRfn5StHc_rmse35337YFVFuQ0iqwdPJnsBsKTNR-nG4xbhVlmH0Y/w400-h300/IMG_9984.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">My turnaround point; above here the rocks in the center of the slide looked less stable.</p><p><br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg911H6VfMHh20_XptTe1spE1rCHd3b6V-N1XbYdPShZ8wv-DXwNcqZonocoD4MJSDtgjTHn5ICWjVuF6_lmj7Mffo4s0jWiU9uVIk5dbV-XJDRL8C7T-mp160ADbtW8xPBQcJkQYtrehYYfAjGZY0wXzwXqWHZys62ggE_ucvzDsD6awkdxzmiYmc2nEeD/s4032/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg911H6VfMHh20_XptTe1spE1rCHd3b6V-N1XbYdPShZ8wv-DXwNcqZonocoD4MJSDtgjTHn5ICWjVuF6_lmj7Mffo4s0jWiU9uVIk5dbV-XJDRL8C7T-mp160ADbtW8xPBQcJkQYtrehYYfAjGZY0wXzwXqWHZys62ggE_ucvzDsD6awkdxzmiYmc2nEeD/w400-h300/IMG_0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looked like a red squirrel was scampering around on the slide.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kGtvM-0GAtmGmnaAWMcuXbYR9w7rVV8qEOi2zZ6NO3hdsdGsXBj_xJsXAZQaDBRgKQ6DolU8h7Cu8RimYXdKh-icqbcR1HbasAd8sjO3frobXg67D5yAQB0CUUm0gZV-WiGg2NHx2qfI388psXJ8HL7gyiHjZKeaKyeDwkZ-SEZ4kD_2NzBADEtIsSiY/s4032/IMG_0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kGtvM-0GAtmGmnaAWMcuXbYR9w7rVV8qEOi2zZ6NO3hdsdGsXBj_xJsXAZQaDBRgKQ6DolU8h7Cu8RimYXdKh-icqbcR1HbasAd8sjO3frobXg67D5yAQB0CUUm0gZV-WiGg2NHx2qfI388psXJ8HL7gyiHjZKeaKyeDwkZ-SEZ4kD_2NzBADEtIsSiY/w400-h300/IMG_0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Nice view of Willey's ridge.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaqXoZCeLZT7SnBMVwRNF4kwlKg15QtB2dCp5EkTGAX3A2E2gU18AfaLD2aii3jQ5rKnrqSTnwWazIYAnVbRLIc9CxxKL_sIntCoxx9VPSwGphm5vJxILVgCHuP7S2cXCtybLKVjHtU1x6HxM-rL4ypsLf08LRGvKcxzuqokzmMbl3JozXaKrFK5QEzQ3/s4032/IMG_0025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaqXoZCeLZT7SnBMVwRNF4kwlKg15QtB2dCp5EkTGAX3A2E2gU18AfaLD2aii3jQ5rKnrqSTnwWazIYAnVbRLIc9CxxKL_sIntCoxx9VPSwGphm5vJxILVgCHuP7S2cXCtybLKVjHtU1x6HxM-rL4ypsLf08LRGvKcxzuqokzmMbl3JozXaKrFK5QEzQ3/w400-h300/IMG_0025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up to the lofty crest of the Webster Cliffs.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TgDc63NAQJsciBXLeG1RBEWcpyEbHT-b6G-GfIlDbarfCYPETx71zoS-aW4-m9H_jKymzs5YE1GkE120DhQvzkA-VUwinOtF4rVieNirZmP_ghfzmgWJuG3QLf122wk0pHpWPvPAcuZybbPNb5EEa3VNBzrO1OD16-3Y31rRjvjQldJMQ-L0xyc638js/s4032/IMG_0029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TgDc63NAQJsciBXLeG1RBEWcpyEbHT-b6G-GfIlDbarfCYPETx71zoS-aW4-m9H_jKymzs5YE1GkE120DhQvzkA-VUwinOtF4rVieNirZmP_ghfzmgWJuG3QLf122wk0pHpWPvPAcuZybbPNb5EEa3VNBzrO1OD16-3Y31rRjvjQldJMQ-L0xyc638js/w400-h300/IMG_0029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Nice new bridge across the Saco River by Willey Pond.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysaugBbxFTFyt2uYPjt_hNaUG13gD_qC0rnyutX3R3iyInIvCVJrNX9SeSRSXXJRQpYITsIMU7Q8aWxdCb9XboxSC3ruUr_1jbaP7bgpk7_hjF80SvCg-BYcFlWXkfltH03ct_f26mv5lmHQxtJhrFu4vOi-q4kNkSKjSdstCfcYwwb5B6ni4LX3D1DIq/s4032/IMG_0067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysaugBbxFTFyt2uYPjt_hNaUG13gD_qC0rnyutX3R3iyInIvCVJrNX9SeSRSXXJRQpYITsIMU7Q8aWxdCb9XboxSC3ruUr_1jbaP7bgpk7_hjF80SvCg-BYcFlWXkfltH03ct_f26mv5lmHQxtJhrFu4vOi-q4kNkSKjSdstCfcYwwb5B6ni4LX3D1DIq/w400-h300/IMG_0067.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">View north to Mount Willard across the bed of Willey Pond (which is intentionally drained for winter).<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2eQp7lFkc0Pnj-4pnl_wxAevN5Y3P9khLL3_kifRa9OorzQuMu3fse-AudhkALPAKJOfjhoDXn2ym7qTmaKGUQCnnxLPG6nZNRdbd-n9EzqszKV0gdcDWATd4lk7I4-pZwMrr8vd9X3bsxnto3wr7VdKE8ClSeJ9bso1KWGqif1mEHyHhLZq5Zoao6gj/s4032/IMG_0059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2eQp7lFkc0Pnj-4pnl_wxAevN5Y3P9khLL3_kifRa9OorzQuMu3fse-AudhkALPAKJOfjhoDXn2ym7qTmaKGUQCnnxLPG6nZNRdbd-n9EzqszKV0gdcDWATd4lk7I4-pZwMrr8vd9X3bsxnto3wr7VdKE8ClSeJ9bso1KWGqif1mEHyHhLZq5Zoao6gj/w400-h300/IMG_0059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">View of Landslide Gully from picnic area above the Willey House site.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_37sxyKg7JI92vgjrSLg3D1ZgofTHZLple0EAh01x-LQ_jxgqdv5DX3jf5DPQIJdd_sIgh4uhW5HQWVqCYLKRdofG_3HWbSiDEvoFUwIdT4gkdItvn417TekI16SPHp_VxFx9E4KuLH7BgvjZUJ3Kj08CotlBuq3dkn4cnkhA8ZGifDOlbvSLPKLWu4L/s4032/IMG_0072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_37sxyKg7JI92vgjrSLg3D1ZgofTHZLple0EAh01x-LQ_jxgqdv5DX3jf5DPQIJdd_sIgh4uhW5HQWVqCYLKRdofG_3HWbSiDEvoFUwIdT4gkdItvn417TekI16SPHp_VxFx9E4KuLH7BgvjZUJ3Kj08CotlBuq3dkn4cnkhA8ZGifDOlbvSLPKLWu4L/w400-h300/IMG_0072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">After lunch I drove down Route 302 to the Dry River Trail, where this sign tells a familiar story.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdlP2OvijJZO_8j1jyQZcRj-SFajiLSgpDBvohnz65lLK8Aqsn43kvgl-UftSpsF4M8TTcclFSOlGGhSCCpR0cggDRQ3JR8LXLoihL0jU3BuRmIdONFdvpg9yINseY_NOAim6nXBtEVVQ9a9rpz8a3obZp-x8Kng11qs3JQgD4rqkfPSBgdNxlZRSb9yS/s4032/IMG_0082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdlP2OvijJZO_8j1jyQZcRj-SFajiLSgpDBvohnz65lLK8Aqsn43kvgl-UftSpsF4M8TTcclFSOlGGhSCCpR0cggDRQ3JR8LXLoihL0jU3BuRmIdONFdvpg9yINseY_NOAim6nXBtEVVQ9a9rpz8a3obZp-x8Kng11qs3JQgD4rqkfPSBgdNxlZRSb9yS/w400-h300/IMG_0082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Bare ground walking through the hardwoods in January.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6BuJBp54KXEtaRzS4q38fOn5EQBkldg4aJm9Hs2KIXMDQsM46vLn4_EA28p1Z9O-6ALy3cMTfGIfL0NADKf63AWeC_NG78qcmqCmwh-6Cb2ySp2Rai0DcTyJ1BIq_zUmG-qcmd2YPWi5MRBkcgJxD4VD1eZAUk0ffeVuhudCA1i0YwYb9tKeCQmR8_BA/s4032/IMG_0083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6BuJBp54KXEtaRzS4q38fOn5EQBkldg4aJm9Hs2KIXMDQsM46vLn4_EA28p1Z9O-6ALy3cMTfGIfL0NADKf63AWeC_NG78qcmqCmwh-6Cb2ySp2Rai0DcTyJ1BIq_zUmG-qcmd2YPWi5MRBkcgJxD4VD1eZAUk0ffeVuhudCA1i0YwYb9tKeCQmR8_BA/w400-h300/IMG_0083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">After the intersection with Dry River Connection from the state park campground, for a short distance the Dry River Trail follows the bed of the Saco Valley Railroad, a logging operation of the 1890s. The old logging railroad crossed the river 13 times because of the
steep, canyon-like terrain in the lower five miles of the valley. Likewise, the Dry River Trail had numerous
crossings. But after two hikers drowned in 1971 in this misnamed river,
which rises fast and furious during storms, a bridge was built here and
numerous relocations were made to eliminate most of the other crossings.
As a result the trail has many rough ups and downs off the railroad grade and is much more
difficult than a typical valley trail. Major washouts from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and the "Halloween storm" in 2017 necessitated more rough relocations. This recent storm was the third part of a triple whammy on the Dry River Trail. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvN911clCxC8vFdgVevg68N9ek7eEz6dRDw5TydBje2GRHvHmqEMc2wHQ6A_lUce2qF3_jX3FEIMFOVLtiJnUaoUGKFXUhfR_Xiv0en2RU7HClhFcAAsp3am5IptVvPXiCH3eqZKnZgBpubAfI1vfrzlHqj3roJTtzNY609gEgcDOs2-wXGWZ7-5o5ivT/s4032/IMG_0089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvN911clCxC8vFdgVevg68N9ek7eEz6dRDw5TydBje2GRHvHmqEMc2wHQ6A_lUce2qF3_jX3FEIMFOVLtiJnUaoUGKFXUhfR_Xiv0en2RU7HClhFcAAsp3am5IptVvPXiCH3eqZKnZgBpubAfI1vfrzlHqj3roJTtzNY609gEgcDOs2-wXGWZ7-5o5ivT/w400-h300/IMG_0089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The Dry River valley is Wilderness with an extra large capital W. It's not for everybody, but it has its devotees.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4sglvI3Zw5kmmvsYl9e-8OLA4S3RdCWQqubIO1dxkm5ibeMIAoCjseGilCAjfDldZNd-s_u_x8bZ65d6E4tHq15xlfr2NixXUEXOLdTENIHENThD1KHYvuQTFnUkN0M0gNnOvVsnOqiqDan37CMWwQYqgzIhyphenhyphenybZIPxa5cOOPHoMkSbJwMF4g83WKcK9/s4032/IMG_0090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4sglvI3Zw5kmmvsYl9e-8OLA4S3RdCWQqubIO1dxkm5ibeMIAoCjseGilCAjfDldZNd-s_u_x8bZ65d6E4tHq15xlfr2NixXUEXOLdTENIHENThD1KHYvuQTFnUkN0M0gNnOvVsnOqiqDan37CMWwQYqgzIhyphenhyphenybZIPxa5cOOPHoMkSbJwMF4g83WKcK9/w400-h300/IMG_0090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This open area was expanded by the 2017 storm.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEnbHJFnCVYoKpK6-EB81KwD3QNxt2lJSAgttm1BhVtmrOlguoDc9LTM6prj_679x9tvHVhn7LdRt0lYqy4l4Kuo9n2Sb4IVf7iHGjEg3WjnK05aDAf43ykIVEpsA_vOuAePbhV-gxg6Uqmch4C_BrfOTvgXbdky2X5Vb9Dw819YnIFA6xxRjGqTXud2c/s4032/IMG_0092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEnbHJFnCVYoKpK6-EB81KwD3QNxt2lJSAgttm1BhVtmrOlguoDc9LTM6prj_679x9tvHVhn7LdRt0lYqy4l4Kuo9n2Sb4IVf7iHGjEg3WjnK05aDAf43ykIVEpsA_vOuAePbhV-gxg6Uqmch4C_BrfOTvgXbdky2X5Vb9Dw819YnIFA6xxRjGqTXud2c/w400-h300/IMG_0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">That storm fashioned a nice cascade here, with a swimming hole just below. Photo taken in 2021.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8j-vRTawEoxhI9diHtFpPfR5H9KGVQLJ3fpLqZkKmwYubnDV_8uiRX1pHOknD8Ec-_KHuLNUCk6iNHa8CTDr8c62oDFru3zSPBoSjdoq0kcA094p7kaI_Bfp0_hTDOVHfYupv730lGeFL6MkJ9FuhMJNUbzLYyuGP6R4tLxdlOAtwmTKkwLt9mIhXZJE/s1024/dry%20river%202017%20cascade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8j-vRTawEoxhI9diHtFpPfR5H9KGVQLJ3fpLqZkKmwYubnDV_8uiRX1pHOknD8Ec-_KHuLNUCk6iNHa8CTDr8c62oDFru3zSPBoSjdoq0kcA094p7kaI_Bfp0_hTDOVHfYupv730lGeFL6MkJ9FuhMJNUbzLYyuGP6R4tLxdlOAtwmTKkwLt9mIhXZJE/w400-h300/dry%20river%202017%20cascade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">The recent storm changed things again, diverting the river's flow out of this channel and over to the other side of a small island. Cascade and swimming hole, gone.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JH_zAfNo4c0rfmZfrXuEiKaS8rE_350nYl6Ebr3OFMwZOuygaHTYcUPtY65TcqJLFf7hPjw8NCQ9Q0eQELAGsGWHW0MvPIImN7FPbeF4DrV-FGXDBpmiMh-2BnjZQDATL-ZjS5TUPjTz5SORIPtLg0jvtbTt9XcqBkBDagrAtqg3drRjbMdIshsFbK0C/s4032/IMG_0095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JH_zAfNo4c0rfmZfrXuEiKaS8rE_350nYl6Ebr3OFMwZOuygaHTYcUPtY65TcqJLFf7hPjw8NCQ9Q0eQELAGsGWHW0MvPIImN7FPbeF4DrV-FGXDBpmiMh-2BnjZQDATL-ZjS5TUPjTz5SORIPtLg0jvtbTt9XcqBkBDagrAtqg3drRjbMdIshsFbK0C/w400-h300/IMG_0095.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Storm chaos rules at about the one-mile mark along the trail.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVwy7O6YaQbNDLNk4ZRIV7tqF69SNbS2SQ35wDpBWFda8KUkOHkyWE4NMlxnYnuxe5H1s64b2piOcZ4iB0pR9btXCk2aHUZbQGpDXKP5fWSIjK28NC9c-KoXd2bKGhfInFmTnBRLDrpXKIgx8e1Yq7o4_ik1RfD0leKW0L9sPTuOHVWxAF6mir7u412OW/s4032/IMG_0105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVwy7O6YaQbNDLNk4ZRIV7tqF69SNbS2SQ35wDpBWFda8KUkOHkyWE4NMlxnYnuxe5H1s64b2piOcZ4iB0pR9btXCk2aHUZbQGpDXKP5fWSIjK28NC9c-KoXd2bKGhfInFmTnBRLDrpXKIgx8e1Yq7o4_ik1RfD0leKW0L9sPTuOHVWxAF6mir7u412OW/w400-h300/IMG_0105.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">To continue to the big washout I had seen pictures of, I had to squeeze through a mess of boulders and blowdowns.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltDGA4j5VIFrBF684FV63WxE9SsYG9E23xjzcDDcBFQY66KIamYrwZUM4yTkbAmx0_6HseBPiS9cRfeZdRs7a4pMxuyK7BftSO91BMuMp2fGu4bYNAz5h3PGDoq0-MHR3y_jaCZ9wN0ckFhV96nHZW-EBukvZXwP6OpzWB9U9ZGZfz4K8F415T7wRXRzM/s4032/IMG_0102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltDGA4j5VIFrBF684FV63WxE9SsYG9E23xjzcDDcBFQY66KIamYrwZUM4yTkbAmx0_6HseBPiS9cRfeZdRs7a4pMxuyK7BftSO91BMuMp2fGu4bYNAz5h3PGDoq0-MHR3y_jaCZ9wN0ckFhV96nHZW-EBukvZXwP6OpzWB9U9ZGZfz4K8F415T7wRXRzM/w400-h300/IMG_0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Nice view here of a spur of Montalban Ridge, but there's big trouble ahead.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0kKGgl_PpvD5i6KwEShPuvAsdwVL1eqTtC4saB7UK_NXPVFgcrw-2L3N6-QzML-RPh6qXL9res-WEJXSF5G9uNB8TnGipzm_d4114Z1VyHLD1HfILFePixoGIHOThLktOgRNYvbabcYtsJBrLo2BvuYhyphenhyphenA4pSF8RlL5bnlH-BA23-Swda6l_qOfNKVo/s4032/IMG_0107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0kKGgl_PpvD5i6KwEShPuvAsdwVL1eqTtC4saB7UK_NXPVFgcrw-2L3N6-QzML-RPh6qXL9res-WEJXSF5G9uNB8TnGipzm_d4114Z1VyHLD1HfILFePixoGIHOThLktOgRNYvbabcYtsJBrLo2BvuYhyphenhyphenA4pSF8RlL5bnlH-BA23-Swda6l_qOfNKVo/w400-h300/IMG_0107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The trail is gone, and there's a steep drop to the riverbed.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt79jILiOwsrxs-lLtZ8uv9UHGk7QWbe4afXDS1sIGX6GWz-reh-KbLvsjq6DOUxEkFCS_trK-tDLYVfM3PRVw8NzV4RmV-se2m4VgtVR5RZ96pSQ26qgzPdexPXWLHDXBvZ_X6HP6PcXtvkl8k7fdiMK3ipUAlILSvjiUTPb8CT1i5sAYTWK395IzM-W/s4032/IMG_0116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt79jILiOwsrxs-lLtZ8uv9UHGk7QWbe4afXDS1sIGX6GWz-reh-KbLvsjq6DOUxEkFCS_trK-tDLYVfM3PRVw8NzV4RmV-se2m4VgtVR5RZ96pSQ26qgzPdexPXWLHDXBvZ_X6HP6PcXtvkl8k7fdiMK3ipUAlILSvjiUTPb8CT1i5sAYTWK395IzM-W/w400-h300/IMG_0116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Getting around this washout would require a bushwhack up and over a steep slope. I considered it, but not knowing how feasible it would be, and what might be encountered beyond, I opted to save my limited time and energy for a known-quantity bushwhack to the cliff on the south spur of Webster. If a relocation is made here, it will be another gnarly one.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NN7mJ8wTQWyL6EJd3dUhHVZI3K6_rweIdFMtrqkwYl370RRj0ywjxuqpCT8iNO4WnPnWwNmu40cA5Zmas17YeclJdfFl-pt0wVMl8Gldb8gAYyMhysQF9VY08hqEUM_UCNkPutzpXrhKeI2f8xhcxsilntd40iuHzQbSFkdHaBzb15emD9NfgVBVxNXg/s4032/IMG_0117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NN7mJ8wTQWyL6EJd3dUhHVZI3K6_rweIdFMtrqkwYl370RRj0ywjxuqpCT8iNO4WnPnWwNmu40cA5Zmas17YeclJdfFl-pt0wVMl8Gldb8gAYyMhysQF9VY08hqEUM_UCNkPutzpXrhKeI2f8xhcxsilntd40iuHzQbSFkdHaBzb15emD9NfgVBVxNXg/w400-h300/IMG_0117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading back down the trail, I made a short detour to a sunny open spot on a high bank with a view downstream to Mount Bemis. Caution is needed if venturing out to any bank along this river, as some are severely undercut and dangerous.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9NJP05gGcZi5siKa96BGO4csnHdA3VIKi9C7eAs-E2UTWDWam53iWOKnAn_7s4yRJq5-_833ZNSfhJ7NEE4nbkiASlwJ4HX3Lz8bWkSyhFrJISMK6u3uleJXlfaPqCDHb5vuHKN7kNUQrw2-tGJKIGvZ820aTRmRUwOVL9qvjvM6tKkren2ucJEqMpYT/s4032/IMG_0124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9NJP05gGcZi5siKa96BGO4csnHdA3VIKi9C7eAs-E2UTWDWam53iWOKnAn_7s4yRJq5-_833ZNSfhJ7NEE4nbkiASlwJ4HX3Lz8bWkSyhFrJISMK6u3uleJXlfaPqCDHb5vuHKN7kNUQrw2-tGJKIGvZ820aTRmRUwOVL9qvjvM6tKkren2ucJEqMpYT/w400-h300/IMG_0124.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I started the bushwhack to the cliff by climbing up an old logging road that departs from the trail.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijnF8QPBB9Jo9-wqj_QXvvWCVcnkxRDa123pvckPxfvnX9Jd_JTvV_uWyS0xW9piBLSL5JYKGBDr7liRIPu-Lhe53PvLKSkBNRJx_guxRPZD9_LdoQkQEfcD42ql5ODIOVjQGIX8vvjCALBGOJIhjjueYAeE0I6rOFCsgAEEQCpPzQ0VJvmJwgCLPAUos/s4032/IMG_0132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijnF8QPBB9Jo9-wqj_QXvvWCVcnkxRDa123pvckPxfvnX9Jd_JTvV_uWyS0xW9piBLSL5JYKGBDr7liRIPu-Lhe53PvLKSkBNRJx_guxRPZD9_LdoQkQEfcD42ql5ODIOVjQGIX8vvjCALBGOJIhjjueYAeE0I6rOFCsgAEEQCpPzQ0VJvmJwgCLPAUos/w400-h300/IMG_0132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">The route to the cliff was almost entirely through open hardwoods.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLgak2fYjr1nCKCphS08EV368Rgt1747xTyDoMUrqL6KMaMHZVJwv22GhNHqbgX963Nh3LISx-5vzNsyJRlTvkAchLCVopv2mCNIl1n06ABkHaWAt0lUvSDL9boMMMv8bZ4GPf4qf2nEwf-_YjZTpTx4CTvlPWRqg1IMuhqczM-OS1w9Kh5Tl-GgJJofO/s4032/IMG_0140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLgak2fYjr1nCKCphS08EV368Rgt1747xTyDoMUrqL6KMaMHZVJwv22GhNHqbgX963Nh3LISx-5vzNsyJRlTvkAchLCVopv2mCNIl1n06ABkHaWAt0lUvSDL9boMMMv8bZ4GPf4qf2nEwf-_YjZTpTx4CTvlPWRqg1IMuhqczM-OS1w9Kh5Tl-GgJJofO/w400-h300/IMG_0140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Higher up, massive ledges loomed in the forest.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OMiR_Us73bDTj7GBuzBEUUfd4xa3AJNOfgKzNKxtnbuu_NTDhNcwajdaiOO1KJhdIej8ZctDIT-1s9vQX5DB-Se3eRwzbgPflsyeyxclP3sWi9_njOEqqm5lZRXemnCxCZrfX4YTO6rQkZwp4g2eCUK615nPCtyLOjcLq5w87cUsJZL0COOCdVCU6xG_/s4032/IMG_0150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OMiR_Us73bDTj7GBuzBEUUfd4xa3AJNOfgKzNKxtnbuu_NTDhNcwajdaiOO1KJhdIej8ZctDIT-1s9vQX5DB-Se3eRwzbgPflsyeyxclP3sWi9_njOEqqm5lZRXemnCxCZrfX4YTO6rQkZwp4g2eCUK615nPCtyLOjcLq5w87cUsJZL0COOCdVCU6xG_/w400-h300/IMG_0150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Approaching the cliff on a steep sidehill with slippery oak leaves.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQok8TMV2pP1l4QR-mCk3TJKsPMS6FgeSnaBtO2wOSKuX1ZUqCKdedX9bOZ1vvEDDeRd08hs9ljtflf0MFl1amUs4duwByJTx5jTZ1Jy0P44zdxN_X1DqR-h7N19LEg4MH9-Nck7upTGqoGYNgn6Mb5CzHoYizjEEwlBSLjOJfxJwayIqAkMHjU8mnmUu/s4032/IMG_0156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQok8TMV2pP1l4QR-mCk3TJKsPMS6FgeSnaBtO2wOSKuX1ZUqCKdedX9bOZ1vvEDDeRd08hs9ljtflf0MFl1amUs4duwByJTx5jTZ1Jy0P44zdxN_X1DqR-h7N19LEg4MH9-Nck7upTGqoGYNgn6Mb5CzHoYizjEEwlBSLjOJfxJwayIqAkMHjU8mnmUu/w400-h300/IMG_0156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Side view of the cliff from a small perch at the top.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBIiUjUueoySPi9nYT51_5xgpnV-hmuhhj9UNM4KBPvkdzgg8aploaS9HBC3ZtTwDY9kJ3c-4xq5UmhhmVQHnSfbLuGNcWvnOXcRyPE0k7o3yjDBmUgw4yB10G-3skPFcvJZyemZGWZQuG1t5QTumQnFeTvTYwR4MHu0SxIg4QaqIF17J0zgKO_MPXBwf/s4032/IMG_0166.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBIiUjUueoySPi9nYT51_5xgpnV-hmuhhj9UNM4KBPvkdzgg8aploaS9HBC3ZtTwDY9kJ3c-4xq5UmhhmVQHnSfbLuGNcWvnOXcRyPE0k7o3yjDBmUgw4yB10G-3skPFcvJZyemZGWZQuG1t5QTumQnFeTvTYwR4MHu0SxIg4QaqIF17J0zgKO_MPXBwf/w400-h300/IMG_0166.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A view south down lower Crawford Notch with late afternoon shadows. The rocky nubble of Mount Crawford is on the left. In the distance are Bartlett Haystack, Mount Paugus, Mount Tremont and Mount Passaconaway. Parts of Mount Bemis and Frankenstein Cliff are on the right.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJF9oqnpzxU6Ecpy1ZabRCzJbraQgbNJtczVLZN3CpkuIWir6e5x2Of3XMRzlrDjb8RVnzhyg2mqj_UIHRHKwRMFKhParjdlXsUdAxPKKoL31XT52jIAjRdN2T9kXA-hjQ3X3Fp2ZgQU2ciXLBoNX1bzSpscJAyP2RxZGippydBMI9lDrvUJVCGTz5Wkr/s4032/IMG_0170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJF9oqnpzxU6Ecpy1ZabRCzJbraQgbNJtczVLZN3CpkuIWir6e5x2Of3XMRzlrDjb8RVnzhyg2mqj_UIHRHKwRMFKhParjdlXsUdAxPKKoL31XT52jIAjRdN2T9kXA-hjQ3X3Fp2ZgQU2ciXLBoNX1bzSpscJAyP2RxZGippydBMI9lDrvUJVCGTz5Wkr/w400-h300/IMG_0170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking up the Notch to Mount Willey and the south end of Mount Webster.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mb1kB-J361Skp2gz91fmbnXLyGA91gKx1xX0Wsud2yHlI5OOFNacfUj45_bFQKHDNUF5JhYzZReSkITZ_QtkGCHjwGLPJbvWy1hRd-jHH_6fi4LoLbx1-xP4ReItp4YXZg8XrLx47Hm5yJA9XEq_M6UoR7I50s0XFTsv5LpEhJxHjJmbDAdd54bcXV8e/s4032/IMG_0182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mb1kB-J361Skp2gz91fmbnXLyGA91gKx1xX0Wsud2yHlI5OOFNacfUj45_bFQKHDNUF5JhYzZReSkITZ_QtkGCHjwGLPJbvWy1hRd-jHH_6fi4LoLbx1-xP4ReItp4YXZg8XrLx47Hm5yJA9XEq_M6UoR7I50s0XFTsv5LpEhJxHjJmbDAdd54bcXV8e/w400-h300/IMG_0182.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Zoomed.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1K4WzzDre96G6zUxjQhopKDMfE6biAGpD2I8EyL83XLWUkZPj5CKJUJiWaGsEekfUPgR7RILSQRqJT3g-IrFXvFvb6TL2n0H1eRMPEWPHyagz6LWEruGp23ZhknOxl0_Gvfb-wO6j5Lu7cuPgL79KYGhqcQO79rywk4J5WGtLs858eDO4IhPRbZ-iLqb/s4032/IMG_0177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1K4WzzDre96G6zUxjQhopKDMfE6biAGpD2I8EyL83XLWUkZPj5CKJUJiWaGsEekfUPgR7RILSQRqJT3g-IrFXvFvb6TL2n0H1eRMPEWPHyagz6LWEruGp23ZhknOxl0_Gvfb-wO6j5Lu7cuPgL79KYGhqcQO79rywk4J5WGtLs858eDO4IhPRbZ-iLqb/w400-h300/IMG_0177.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Beautiful maple glade traversed on the descent.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoncwJJ2Pc9w9TGa1adi-rhjUhLwb3g5pgS19WIELvpGEjU8GjPcoQICcB25920gYFO5hL-nCU8TWXUNjq1lCKUIrWQrbUi4C7bWUTq9SwpLAW0GiCe-1BVXoTadFyJoIw_eJ8AHRHI_fmRbyszZrP3YAPgR210nKKHTgWmWL0zU66-_zYXafW5CFAskRY/s4032/IMG_0232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoncwJJ2Pc9w9TGa1adi-rhjUhLwb3g5pgS19WIELvpGEjU8GjPcoQICcB25920gYFO5hL-nCU8TWXUNjq1lCKUIrWQrbUi4C7bWUTq9SwpLAW0GiCe-1BVXoTadFyJoIw_eJ8AHRHI_fmRbyszZrP3YAPgR210nKKHTgWmWL0zU66-_zYXafW5CFAskRY/w400-h300/IMG_0232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Bear nest! There's much to see in Crawford Notch.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Di6qyPujZ1E7qLqX9FziBcIVd7YMIJD6ek6_dJ5TyDsWUMpMZCdIg8OSUmF-7QNNF_9_Bboh8e7_ECrzlyt1gzwshjs1Q9_HrWxJ0-dX_eGht2Huppxva8sqmidTBv5l4sePBAiLP3v1XlZYeD56CNoyUyxKCtbER50U_rPtLNl16xGYKYh_o1NNoqok/s4032/IMG_0237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Di6qyPujZ1E7qLqX9FziBcIVd7YMIJD6ek6_dJ5TyDsWUMpMZCdIg8OSUmF-7QNNF_9_Bboh8e7_ECrzlyt1gzwshjs1Q9_HrWxJ0-dX_eGht2Huppxva8sqmidTBv5l4sePBAiLP3v1XlZYeD56CNoyUyxKCtbER50U_rPtLNl16xGYKYh_o1NNoqok/w400-h300/IMG_0237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-10041763595249399742023-12-29T19:21:00.001-05:002023-12-29T19:21:51.341-05:00Scenes from Olde Cape Cod: 12/25-12/27/23<p style="text-align: left;">A few photos taken on walks while we were down on Lower Cape Cod enjoying a family visit.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Bridge Pond in Wiley Park, Eastham, at dusk on Christmas Day.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym7ih_MiDOXVHQS55k8Pfrwhj8GLUAUpxmWFlstChGx0G9ob8dPwJLybxbe31UplExaS90cFxspfC9BzQpYp6Bo8x6duzPk_FZQ5AU-cSLZxQEBggrTfD3kYCmQKpo2dgbRcX-OuGfTQiDFbnCZEAL_1Q3_HKJtUC_MNoUjF7x7MBQgxmXOSTZBdMWfnW/s4032/IMG_9765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym7ih_MiDOXVHQS55k8Pfrwhj8GLUAUpxmWFlstChGx0G9ob8dPwJLybxbe31UplExaS90cFxspfC9BzQpYp6Bo8x6duzPk_FZQ5AU-cSLZxQEBggrTfD3kYCmQKpo2dgbRcX-OuGfTQiDFbnCZEAL_1Q3_HKJtUC_MNoUjF7x7MBQgxmXOSTZBdMWfnW/w400-h300/IMG_9765.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Moon over Great Pond, Wiley Park, Eastham.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yOX4OdxxkHl3j_Y8Sz1Bu-mNKDhhkO79jPkDkj3zWgUMMT6kbAiSqsTWGeD2cbEXxCTZ_Uw6rVE0kL2NEBeW6YwtZvSOwW-X-AVF_WjEEoxJLli0zomC5RYh4hgwd8qPhGwO0pYO84eCjYX2AcZY0q_fo2SRBvYL5JfqwywoUMVbbZPQ4eQ1jqNjrn6T/s4032/IMG_9772.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yOX4OdxxkHl3j_Y8Sz1Bu-mNKDhhkO79jPkDkj3zWgUMMT6kbAiSqsTWGeD2cbEXxCTZ_Uw6rVE0kL2NEBeW6YwtZvSOwW-X-AVF_WjEEoxJLli0zomC5RYh4hgwd8qPhGwO0pYO84eCjYX2AcZY0q_fo2SRBvYL5JfqwywoUMVbbZPQ4eQ1jqNjrn6T/w400-h300/IMG_9772.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of our favorite walks on the Cape, a fire road through the South Truro woods leading to a view of the Atlantic from the top of a lofty sand cliff.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFmZ1AfJFypQLjk0pUTLh7DKRd_0i8AvcMF-Sea2iOzuLc_1Rnyu-t6IYyee1UChZRbxlAZImIKIHLU_a0WqaJ5CQwsgMKe3ZVJFDQa8UoNlZiBt-NlPKnSV_PZOdXwEdSP0CxFs3ZWSsry-68rYJ2XpMprOzZODGEkDUY0pZzZWKEB4U-PQG4gROdKjB/s4032/IMG_9777.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFmZ1AfJFypQLjk0pUTLh7DKRd_0i8AvcMF-Sea2iOzuLc_1Rnyu-t6IYyee1UChZRbxlAZImIKIHLU_a0WqaJ5CQwsgMKe3ZVJFDQa8UoNlZiBt-NlPKnSV_PZOdXwEdSP0CxFs3ZWSsry-68rYJ2XpMprOzZODGEkDUY0pZzZWKEB4U-PQG4gROdKjB/w400-h300/IMG_9777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">We could get used to these soft sandy trails. </p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjmJZHmQha30VHLV3rkN-DwIY-JQqZDwsRH2QauLWiUXlL5BUqskLa5vbe7fYd3E-sQVDiWcWErJKgidGkE8y2SKHSIrwYvh0s3Q6rQgYrxL9y1Kz55_hW1oFzYHNxCij4imCQSqUJpniSzHnXuJP3rjuj_QIoZILev-H7gvW2iSkhXoOWGfOavvpbOUZ/s4032/IMG_9782.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjmJZHmQha30VHLV3rkN-DwIY-JQqZDwsRH2QauLWiUXlL5BUqskLa5vbe7fYd3E-sQVDiWcWErJKgidGkE8y2SKHSIrwYvh0s3Q6rQgYrxL9y1Kz55_hW1oFzYHNxCij4imCQSqUJpniSzHnXuJP3rjuj_QIoZILev-H7gvW2iSkhXoOWGfOavvpbOUZ/w400-h300/IMG_9782.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>When we reached the sand cliff and peered out through the fog to the ocean, a surprise awaited. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTG9HGn5A5dthjNYhkPPG28jRpOJjHRSbZxHq62wWBuh_RysK7KZlUNQqjeLaoqtTfuQa775jKYyCO3gTsvQTGSZeghyphenhyphen6dBIfC7r8ekrLbjSYd8kblHLx9BbOCs9Sef-IpFgN4VDQ2wNuDLeBo-EcVQ21lNIq5ebkSLSS2CZDtp_sVjkw_svw4Ihaj9C0/s4032/IMG_9812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTG9HGn5A5dthjNYhkPPG28jRpOJjHRSbZxHq62wWBuh_RysK7KZlUNQqjeLaoqtTfuQa775jKYyCO3gTsvQTGSZeghyphenhyphen6dBIfC7r8ekrLbjSYd8kblHLx9BbOCs9Sef-IpFgN4VDQ2wNuDLeBo-EcVQ21lNIq5ebkSLSS2CZDtp_sVjkw_svw4Ihaj9C0/w400-h300/IMG_9812.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A Brocken Spectre!<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EbrGMEmBgve65HJBq3O6vhGw_X4CHnax1nRKUl09vFxR05VAR0f9o6Aoa06rHRBUuT7q7xGOSrRta_64d81P1YprUZmxZ2b_MGP-hWNOUlpL8g9rBiyjKx0Ukuu-ZOFbGxNG3AG6WbqJlMu9m9O794N6jZULlF5QWBd0neVCYhxjd4EAGg93MNYHIDVk/s4032/IMG_9799.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EbrGMEmBgve65HJBq3O6vhGw_X4CHnax1nRKUl09vFxR05VAR0f9o6Aoa06rHRBUuT7q7xGOSrRta_64d81P1YprUZmxZ2b_MGP-hWNOUlpL8g9rBiyjKx0Ukuu-ZOFbGxNG3AG6WbqJlMu9m9O794N6jZULlF5QWBd0neVCYhxjd4EAGg93MNYHIDVk/w400-h300/IMG_9799.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I've only seen this sun-and-fog phenomenon once before, on Fulling Mill Mountain in the Mahoosucs. It was named after a mountain in Germany, the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains. It was first observed there in 1780.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGghbRu8opkg9ViNqOI2DC0uhpH6FLiidONfeCcs2rsi8wCdjYGGbXDKk-gUCy7X2Vzw05ahVRofkYE5Ge7H_phwtrUKD9InXF-OqH9fq_pCLtJoGkaBu7xJEcU9Rp3v3XDV-Zc0vRlDLnCLOoj6RmGbF5h0zdkiDvnKwJ96-e62GWGwX0GfAVhWV_8fWe/s4032/IMG_9800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGghbRu8opkg9ViNqOI2DC0uhpH6FLiidONfeCcs2rsi8wCdjYGGbXDKk-gUCy7X2Vzw05ahVRofkYE5Ge7H_phwtrUKD9InXF-OqH9fq_pCLtJoGkaBu7xJEcU9Rp3v3XDV-Zc0vRlDLnCLOoj6RmGbF5h0zdkiDvnKwJ96-e62GWGwX0GfAVhWV_8fWe/w400-h300/IMG_9800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Carol playing with the shadow.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvJoTwQ2GkulB5XzyoibpU2HFHwFUtuxzi-13VTM933WDFjZqbkEYYtrdlpUxgo8B8hJRdYoZ-dzFJ6XnwA0Fx1DJ1Nsmn8Ml1s8aWeqrhrCO1_wPJvHE-lrn7sb6t4sZ-ML_z1rpFNYt270cOVY9OCZeMRMYkih1OIFEmdjdyIHYTlFBGzL9-dHBLcS6/s4032/IMG_9804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvJoTwQ2GkulB5XzyoibpU2HFHwFUtuxzi-13VTM933WDFjZqbkEYYtrdlpUxgo8B8hJRdYoZ-dzFJ6XnwA0Fx1DJ1Nsmn8Ml1s8aWeqrhrCO1_wPJvHE-lrn7sb6t4sZ-ML_z1rpFNYt270cOVY9OCZeMRMYkih1OIFEmdjdyIHYTlFBGzL9-dHBLcS6/w400-h300/IMG_9804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heading back into the fog.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0WCkgan1WnZB_f0_HHsYTFUh0y6kY80neuGMS2I1NgjN9A8qnL1tCoOCkeFDFFakt3Gxjirto9j9yEMwuB6gTE4aFLzCU6Nx-FBBZI7AFQgQ58Oup24NyoXVN5K0hWwrdVaX7r9ul0kjbOGol06gX50SV_qyVL1yIhQhbllH7l8AFhSydhvnxibg05gS/s4032/IMG_9818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0WCkgan1WnZB_f0_HHsYTFUh0y6kY80neuGMS2I1NgjN9A8qnL1tCoOCkeFDFFakt3Gxjirto9j9yEMwuB6gTE4aFLzCU6Nx-FBBZI7AFQgQ58Oup24NyoXVN5K0hWwrdVaX7r9ul0kjbOGol06gX50SV_qyVL1yIhQhbllH7l8AFhSydhvnxibg05gS/w400-h300/IMG_9818.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">We always enjoy walking in Nickerson State Park, a beautiful enclave of clear kettle ponds and woods of pitch pine and oak with an extensive trail system.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oXyIxVov339l80w7p6KbbeYDrqljzsypmEGAFkLAdpps7dMdiZJ6Br4x-UhDzjLyK63iEcb9TvdadKH8B9QgRp1Uy1h3zJqPlnAnjE_hsx_fuJFIVIPdfxchyxmTpas1_HHvluU3SHEk0NJWsi7sRi8mc9Qe_FCBkKfkCW_lhawu2I4qTWZ9LAS5rnX2/s4032/IMG_9823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oXyIxVov339l80w7p6KbbeYDrqljzsypmEGAFkLAdpps7dMdiZJ6Br4x-UhDzjLyK63iEcb9TvdadKH8B9QgRp1Uy1h3zJqPlnAnjE_hsx_fuJFIVIPdfxchyxmTpas1_HHvluU3SHEk0NJWsi7sRi8mc9Qe_FCBkKfkCW_lhawu2I4qTWZ9LAS5rnX2/w300-h400/IMG_9823.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Our two-mile loop around Little Cliff Pond touched four kettle ponds. This view looks south along the length of Little Cliff Pond.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9czN95ZJLMco6GLKT6PIa0Oy-6dp4JLcrjZ-xtIDuCnLPy4W7ABZGT-UGTGD-2dA7joZBJSxsajYviCtQWCWRqNCfKCxjx_L2BbotrzolRtthlj9Qv0fCC0CTmqliZeZGgoJGYSzcZD3D39ligDmvTRO9iqd2of1KQKPX869mquf4EUtMVxbVS0zbnQcQ/s4032/IMG_9827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9czN95ZJLMco6GLKT6PIa0Oy-6dp4JLcrjZ-xtIDuCnLPy4W7ABZGT-UGTGD-2dA7joZBJSxsajYviCtQWCWRqNCfKCxjx_L2BbotrzolRtthlj9Qv0fCC0CTmqliZeZGgoJGYSzcZD3D39ligDmvTRO9iqd2of1KQKPX869mquf4EUtMVxbVS0zbnQcQ/w400-h300/IMG_9827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Pleasant woodsy trails meander through the park.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW1OPUdcieqf2048u6QDF6ryeS9yOIKDGuX7syqTDlg7nC5hUqajM4-s0ThQ184Yhv60RhBvR_XCeXMkrFh0mQEKtM7-KqyAnaGKJfs3pLAyHZa_m8JdkQqWo5r8-KlLDhdJtT5vLY8v8bfKq1fjG-V121v90cgCRhULwMBrr_iWmLGq4kUzUjio_5vdX/s4032/IMG_9830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW1OPUdcieqf2048u6QDF6ryeS9yOIKDGuX7syqTDlg7nC5hUqajM4-s0ThQ184Yhv60RhBvR_XCeXMkrFh0mQEKtM7-KqyAnaGKJfs3pLAyHZa_m8JdkQqWo5r8-KlLDhdJtT5vLY8v8bfKq1fjG-V121v90cgCRhULwMBrr_iWmLGq4kUzUjio_5vdX/w400-h300/IMG_9830.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Beautiful sand beach on Higgins Pond.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRty3bhBJorgSaeNmapgrVgsF1uSfVNYf7K6AB12yGDyLRFBAHY6JTW4I7WDCsjpSQTtzrX_ADLSmMx_3Wtdj9Gvka3w4mSkIz091D4lUmcafDkjhg5Rorrx9GRf_gZODqmJS122Qwv8uF-wM_28lVGNA_Q2u7qDbveGc3h1gL0O8KTKTTvVlq14mVJTj/s4032/IMG_9836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRty3bhBJorgSaeNmapgrVgsF1uSfVNYf7K6AB12yGDyLRFBAHY6JTW4I7WDCsjpSQTtzrX_ADLSmMx_3Wtdj9Gvka3w4mSkIz091D4lUmcafDkjhg5Rorrx9GRf_gZODqmJS122Qwv8uF-wM_28lVGNA_Q2u7qDbveGc3h1gL0O8KTKTTvVlq14mVJTj/w400-h300/IMG_9836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Eel Pond, smaller and more secluded.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETg1b5oDsC_gxUhRg0moscdewbRPOIeT3PLuUnW0gchnXsfZlCIF3tioyi_e-slqtatsJc7wP5VkoN8oaUiIK6QBPAS37xQbeflreCU3XTu4aT0jVCvH5y9JGslDphLxjVNvLl2Ii-XPRVq9BRVkT8d0Mob8BOkLv_p5VQyzLpWM86z6EfyU5LfxDJZHh/s4032/IMG_9840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETg1b5oDsC_gxUhRg0moscdewbRPOIeT3PLuUnW0gchnXsfZlCIF3tioyi_e-slqtatsJc7wP5VkoN8oaUiIK6QBPAS37xQbeflreCU3XTu4aT0jVCvH5y9JGslDphLxjVNvLl2Ii-XPRVq9BRVkT8d0Mob8BOkLv_p5VQyzLpWM86z6EfyU5LfxDJZHh/w400-h300/IMG_9840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Rounding the south end of Little Cliff Pond.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkB7rtvnP3_4KEo3-ByyK8PcZmLWOKZPxc7SmsFR5TWoHvDq1IkyPGFYz7gptEpz6j5KPAnuaBB0Y_ln4WK-ADQL-RWv2ClS8ZqT8FFiYE8YYsNVHGbydEWkjF7BM8wbPDtkXlPh7OXG-qsY_wyen_B3MUMtXImfY2xiT9aJMKbvYuOW7zpJTAFW5XCcs/s4032/IMG_9851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkB7rtvnP3_4KEo3-ByyK8PcZmLWOKZPxc7SmsFR5TWoHvDq1IkyPGFYz7gptEpz6j5KPAnuaBB0Y_ln4WK-ADQL-RWv2ClS8ZqT8FFiYE8YYsNVHGbydEWkjF7BM8wbPDtkXlPh7OXG-qsY_wyen_B3MUMtXImfY2xiT9aJMKbvYuOW7zpJTAFW5XCcs/w400-h300/IMG_9851.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Cool gnarled pitch pine, struggling for survival.</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKKddeQl9WFjIlBk91zuaIj99tnoV3ISgMehKE3mvD-FLZ24H5dlDN2-kQXGSKCVnpfZ2vOd7m59vKDzYrkPYR9gMoVrOtgHs9hDqNHU1IqA5Vjy5gI-kQIzrXz8vR5LTHNztJmed5451-TIYRTqMm5yf9BGh17a2JgYzZv_XV_dnV-zMB7kUJPQenUNR/s4032/IMG_9853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKKddeQl9WFjIlBk91zuaIj99tnoV3ISgMehKE3mvD-FLZ24H5dlDN2-kQXGSKCVnpfZ2vOd7m59vKDzYrkPYR9gMoVrOtgHs9hDqNHU1IqA5Vjy5gI-kQIzrXz8vR5LTHNztJmed5451-TIYRTqMm5yf9BGh17a2JgYzZv_XV_dnV-zMB7kUJPQenUNR/w400-h300/IMG_9853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A favorite trail section along the isthmus between Little Cliff Pond and (Big) Cliff Pond.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_0XsxQV9PD3WoowtjpQkPzilNFBynNxgctS0fq158jK82g_4_jG4n2-d5FtuMcP7oa1RGP4AKcF_Jh76xalCAAHgroS3w9eWg86hpPWIQqLXQLbc7geFAFoyChcYMphoc9JYjpBybkIoHfCMq3p9MHXKlOY_4zsy6IyqghWAX4wQ7YmaueE40KOwPm4h/s4032/IMG_9870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_0XsxQV9PD3WoowtjpQkPzilNFBynNxgctS0fq158jK82g_4_jG4n2-d5FtuMcP7oa1RGP4AKcF_Jh76xalCAAHgroS3w9eWg86hpPWIQqLXQLbc7geFAFoyChcYMphoc9JYjpBybkIoHfCMq3p9MHXKlOY_4zsy6IyqghWAX4wQ7YmaueE40KOwPm4h/w400-h300/IMG_9870.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Catching a panorama of Cliff Pond, at 206 acres the largest in the park. In the summer there are hundreds of campsites occupied here and it is a busy place. In the off-season Nickerson is one of the true gems of the Cape.<br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5DcD0Lt9nN-UkSK0vEIlg_VIBC8zYiNWUu_9DQougwnzIrbH5j3uU3aXSN_FqT7MvPiiOT1rA7hZpNYREgs7PHgwX5OHq6RmN0G_ajZs-KsM1FVdIgHF1C-rHLcQOuhG05CrwVHpBMeaDjBo-BTnkcsRsO0CvUxSYhO1gJ8ya5GQX7s4TkMCDtxzWFpA/s4032/IMG_9882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5DcD0Lt9nN-UkSK0vEIlg_VIBC8zYiNWUu_9DQougwnzIrbH5j3uU3aXSN_FqT7MvPiiOT1rA7hZpNYREgs7PHgwX5OHq6RmN0G_ajZs-KsM1FVdIgHF1C-rHLcQOuhG05CrwVHpBMeaDjBo-BTnkcsRsO0CvUxSYhO1gJ8ya5GQX7s4TkMCDtxzWFpA/w400-h300/IMG_9882.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-50656417165008444952023-12-23T15:34:00.000-05:002023-12-23T15:34:28.111-05:00West Hitchcock Slide: 12/22/23<div><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;">With sunny skies, temperatures into the low 30s and bare ground at lower elevations, I headed over to Lincoln Woods for a bushwhack to the small ledgy slide on the west side of Mount Hitchcock's West Peak. This would be my third visit to this spot. The approach to the whack was an easy mile on the Pemi East Side Trail.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGnP9fxjDAlTtl_InsMyHsDwNrws5MfQeYO3dYdzMAT-UMQLF4x_9TE00atdyaCIv7YwMfCoOKmZQJ4Io0VFbzTArLLBM45v40U5xhCOMLOFIOzAEXKRywX-HFIQPV9mucdLo3dKD3HSTlaxjz9xXDbk_ScfySI_OBUdySIWoPPIhr-GMDtSaFSYitEaH/s4032/IMG_9582.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGnP9fxjDAlTtl_InsMyHsDwNrws5MfQeYO3dYdzMAT-UMQLF4x_9TE00atdyaCIv7YwMfCoOKmZQJ4Io0VFbzTArLLBM45v40U5xhCOMLOFIOzAEXKRywX-HFIQPV9mucdLo3dKD3HSTlaxjz9xXDbk_ScfySI_OBUdySIWoPPIhr-GMDtSaFSYitEaH/w400-h300/IMG_9582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Into the forest we go.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kOsTiO0H6ExZbemcTHDxM0wl2DvXQcweptJmaG86qDrxqlGyDUR90eH0GKV6SlI-VheGISdcjniyAKJ8_Ul1T8geE05UAdGef3wdQXRgVorDqZ6AGxU9JbparocUZPYNx1ANKhi808xd3oquaxfbxjbWB9G35pG2O7JxXEDPBp3VJ_c5JitCuM1CwmHH/s4032/IMG_9583.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kOsTiO0H6ExZbemcTHDxM0wl2DvXQcweptJmaG86qDrxqlGyDUR90eH0GKV6SlI-VheGISdcjniyAKJ8_Ul1T8geE05UAdGef3wdQXRgVorDqZ6AGxU9JbparocUZPYNx1ANKhi808xd3oquaxfbxjbWB9G35pG2O7JxXEDPBp3VJ_c5JitCuM1CwmHH/w400-h300/IMG_9583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A fine hardwood and hemlock mix on a small ridge.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEWoUUgZ_c7IXbG5wCkuXAGIvbjgKoBjr4Y9995t2ErMklhO9ilceXEa99zQVcv2TdwZJYzN1jXwkwlHojZIuKJIIKroKwYF_Sl2YXz0j2mqmfo7tON9ppY_QRTeMoTRQqMft3Kz5aDtDMNiBGSSp0pMJb1LDDGGDIhR1QRPK6VQDoRQD7p-duej0BxiB/s4032/IMG_9588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEWoUUgZ_c7IXbG5wCkuXAGIvbjgKoBjr4Y9995t2ErMklhO9ilceXEa99zQVcv2TdwZJYzN1jXwkwlHojZIuKJIIKroKwYF_Sl2YXz0j2mqmfo7tON9ppY_QRTeMoTRQqMft3Kz5aDtDMNiBGSSp0pMJb1LDDGGDIhR1QRPK6VQDoRQD7p-duej0BxiB/w400-h300/IMG_9588.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of the whack on this western slope of Hitchcock was through a pure hardwood forest with a healthy population of beech saplings. This was like a late October/early November stick season bushwhack.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJJHCGxXxmYax1hwK7ypDLDOn_LpwdNNpKeZdf3ELG-2-eKgt2W68oY61He9dZKIMTsVBKxC5OVXJFeh-V84JDmzRHr43HfLFHh4C4HOzbaeYaKg7CXke2dTRf0JEw3Dg-WOyIAG-u2Rm5Xi3gCUPjYJJS0e8Y8jlmz5ep6WFmsgdl_bU0QBgeB1YauFK/s4032/IMG_9596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJJHCGxXxmYax1hwK7ypDLDOn_LpwdNNpKeZdf3ELG-2-eKgt2W68oY61He9dZKIMTsVBKxC5OVXJFeh-V84JDmzRHr43HfLFHh4C4HOzbaeYaKg7CXke2dTRf0JEw3Dg-WOyIAG-u2Rm5Xi3gCUPjYJJS0e8Y8jlmz5ep6WFmsgdl_bU0QBgeB1YauFK/w400-h300/IMG_9596.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At 2250 ft. the forest abruptly switches over to spruces.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbEr-hchm35VQd7ri2b7ceSe1pRMQlIAvJuptlO-tPSGbZ3fZc8IfViLpCmloAyR-d1lU6s9ZqVFaftJPgse5jOuj1ClPgReHMTgi4dOKrqhCUbX4a49JlmIaARo7dx-wBE6tOgjkEq1TPtjeqq1W_zxJ5beKi8kcE2DFSpdNA_iFFFil-8mPWy1oj7Jo/s4032/IMG_9598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbEr-hchm35VQd7ri2b7ceSe1pRMQlIAvJuptlO-tPSGbZ3fZc8IfViLpCmloAyR-d1lU6s9ZqVFaftJPgse5jOuj1ClPgReHMTgi4dOKrqhCUbX4a49JlmIaARo7dx-wBE6tOgjkEq1TPtjeqq1W_zxJ5beKi8kcE2DFSpdNA_iFFFil-8mPWy1oj7Jo/w400-h300/IMG_9598.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Steep and wild.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD-IBwHiXzIsk9ckqbdUHtOH7Qa-jd0LcxHDwE7UWP_J01R6yG6b2-q2IjHUsBQGGc7tZz-MLRFepCBFuix5HNfs0Qv98T4T6s6UMKT5OqpPNhSJUjxliU56Kg9g_PAw_4qab83tG45_WcZtt0YlSu0RkZ-ugVjosmYIg2zNVr6Qc8g4Nx-pgEEQDcjGd/s4032/IMG_9602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD-IBwHiXzIsk9ckqbdUHtOH7Qa-jd0LcxHDwE7UWP_J01R6yG6b2-q2IjHUsBQGGc7tZz-MLRFepCBFuix5HNfs0Qv98T4T6s6UMKT5OqpPNhSJUjxliU56Kg9g_PAw_4qab83tG45_WcZtt0YlSu0RkZ-ugVjosmYIg2zNVr6Qc8g4Nx-pgEEQDcjGd/w400-h300/IMG_9602.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's the slide!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j0-S5AeEQlOzP92e45Wf1bWAJhZp6E_f0vg84OQVoFqwRHd-xmhh1Uua9U4kayqY40tYg3G6U0H5f8HNdOr7NrMGhrItaTFoQxl2srHcMB-QSEZgGxvXhKmJ45_TK8ImQ94tP77Ix1pR6pfhpR4BQAFPH_9fwWTceQ3VfvwMoZlfEz6UnoJ8FH8S-qIH/s4032/IMG_9605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j0-S5AeEQlOzP92e45Wf1bWAJhZp6E_f0vg84OQVoFqwRHd-xmhh1Uua9U4kayqY40tYg3G6U0H5f8HNdOr7NrMGhrItaTFoQxl2srHcMB-QSEZgGxvXhKmJ45_TK8ImQ94tP77Ix1pR6pfhpR4BQAFPH_9fwWTceQ3VfvwMoZlfEz6UnoJ8FH8S-qIH/w400-h300/IMG_9605.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Climbing steeply through the woods parallel to the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztQ3n2KF4ms6MKZthN9GB-9f0fuz_dnbZ-GbJgrAQqYIs1wFSK9YRmDbIzDVWESCh5mmcIt_f0F2VzKWh-Hd14W6zEczpesiQZk2GKfFQJkQy_TREAK7wmF5gsDppfelvhoEo1kE33EKMC29Ew0ZyCeARo0g06tgGkgk_aE_F51fV1IndgVLrZ3Fk4fZx/s4032/IMG_9608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztQ3n2KF4ms6MKZthN9GB-9f0fuz_dnbZ-GbJgrAQqYIs1wFSK9YRmDbIzDVWESCh5mmcIt_f0F2VzKWh-Hd14W6zEczpesiQZk2GKfFQJkQy_TREAK7wmF5gsDppfelvhoEo1kE33EKMC29Ew0ZyCeARo0g06tgGkgk_aE_F51fV1IndgVLrZ3Fk4fZx/w400-h300/IMG_9608.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back down.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5cDlFAS3GN8kOssfVCiMNpI6C09L2AldJFZqScYaBcKT1E-i-JMeTvLs_UWqv_eRHXrUZjg_-Pz7cnysYnbjYJV585nX-DDnAdP73C_NPFr1P_nIgVx7QQaIyznjVwTM-GEOMXu7NFp-5H2krhkNk-4IgYwq1GTw0I1kFhwiL1F36Ln1vNTdjSpqfvhl/s4032/IMG_9610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5cDlFAS3GN8kOssfVCiMNpI6C09L2AldJFZqScYaBcKT1E-i-JMeTvLs_UWqv_eRHXrUZjg_-Pz7cnysYnbjYJV585nX-DDnAdP73C_NPFr1P_nIgVx7QQaIyznjVwTM-GEOMXu7NFp-5H2krhkNk-4IgYwq1GTw0I1kFhwiL1F36Ln1vNTdjSpqfvhl/w400-h300/IMG_9610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Won't be going out there for a view. Need to go a little higher.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwbnl1C6yvDgf2W5PXfclfYWvVuzp795PiDLLfOPaQn4NPOrgQrQES59fNIgA69jVZI0pFhlq69LSGg6ptJII8N3hJ7dc2bP1eQCpFAv4YynXDYieTyADtzJq8HI1pBBkvaGQn_tAXT-3hJGezzUBQoGK9GrArWjpa0lJGilumzRrBx5SIEH4b659qsNT/s4032/IMG_9613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwbnl1C6yvDgf2W5PXfclfYWvVuzp795PiDLLfOPaQn4NPOrgQrQES59fNIgA69jVZI0pFhlq69LSGg6ptJII8N3hJ7dc2bP1eQCpFAv4YynXDYieTyADtzJq8HI1pBBkvaGQn_tAXT-3hJGezzUBQoGK9GrArWjpa0lJGilumzRrBx5SIEH4b659qsNT/w400-h300/IMG_9613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wormed my way up and out to a tiny perch at the lower north corner of the wider upper part of the slide, which consists of very steep overlapping ledge slabs. This is one of the more dangerous slides I've been to, best appreciated from its edges. Back in 1998 I made a full circuit up over the top of the slide and down the other side and found only a couple of safe small perches for enjoying the views.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6fbT5JkI00U0VtnsP3V-GtFF9E_aHQ5WRcoI7NIkhmd90en-ZxnZNRPpzknxeuFx4EC2K-0kZYVxSwQrNUWQEqV6FJWzqX4hNz0Lv73-dQAMG_2AwMSTL0xyfTOyj986Ctx02QrRgMw6kC2OWexqaRjYgMpNBxKmGxuUT_J6NS-70PKtNebsTyUYG1ev/s4032/IMG_9619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6fbT5JkI00U0VtnsP3V-GtFF9E_aHQ5WRcoI7NIkhmd90en-ZxnZNRPpzknxeuFx4EC2K-0kZYVxSwQrNUWQEqV6FJWzqX4hNz0Lv73-dQAMG_2AwMSTL0xyfTOyj986Ctx02QrRgMw6kC2OWexqaRjYgMpNBxKmGxuUT_J6NS-70PKtNebsTyUYG1ev/w400-h300/IMG_9619.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A side view shows the steepness. The slope on this slide averages 37-38 degrees. It is fresh-looking and prominent in a 1939 aerial photo, suggesting that it may have fallen during the November 1927 rainstorm or the September 1938 hurricane.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3q-V_2D3SwAwuEjpLfOiN0bVQ5A-ONSEQUlKM3rOamcAWhU3NwS63FlSiMCPJRwNzf879S5mMWWOoNWdbe_OsR1-mseXDVKrI8d8YB1gUCpQJN7GPbeCgKh6TO8eDupl11ezeFfbuZ_fNDxT_rB2HgEpUPWIAFddaIdn4OrjJ2YkVLUeqC3JpEGXn2vv/s4032/IMG_9617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3q-V_2D3SwAwuEjpLfOiN0bVQ5A-ONSEQUlKM3rOamcAWhU3NwS63FlSiMCPJRwNzf879S5mMWWOoNWdbe_OsR1-mseXDVKrI8d8YB1gUCpQJN7GPbeCgKh6TO8eDupl11ezeFfbuZ_fNDxT_rB2HgEpUPWIAFddaIdn4OrjJ2YkVLUeqC3JpEGXn2vv/w400-h300/IMG_9617.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Interesting layering along the edge of the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7NCXGQhWxZEyVw_dMBPCHYNQ0RjDE5sJGieNhpLaq32L0Gw5eeE5nUp9tgZRjlstgXqv5Uamk_R2CNR8ji5LAt121m45lXQTgCSnGsdYgh5GQXDwokoVae6HhViEzoXPZY28lZtAWcAue4-hVNIDgD4Nmh2bf8A4hjQEohT3MK3A5UEiP6wXHWBXz6ub/s4032/IMG_9626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7NCXGQhWxZEyVw_dMBPCHYNQ0RjDE5sJGieNhpLaq32L0Gw5eeE5nUp9tgZRjlstgXqv5Uamk_R2CNR8ji5LAt121m45lXQTgCSnGsdYgh5GQXDwokoVae6HhViEzoXPZY28lZtAWcAue4-hVNIDgD4Nmh2bf8A4hjQEohT3MK3A5UEiP6wXHWBXz6ub/w400-h300/IMG_9626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I dropped down from this somewhat precarious little spot to seek a more comfortable place for a late lunch.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESkRryIYdVUxWc939canX8j0b0XUOtQk6pVsHLwpMVF3SqnQJpazbtpbgWgmeDZY0-JyqoLxdhf1beEEtOyyyf6140R6YZWI-BL7NqibDpUVuXaXD1AfM-aJfplJZ30YQP-uI_BqWFcdhz8bL4KAa3meuickbgJFt4XeXgkjOjcG5cZ9HlH-EjgmnS7By/s4032/IMG_9634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESkRryIYdVUxWc939canX8j0b0XUOtQk6pVsHLwpMVF3SqnQJpazbtpbgWgmeDZY0-JyqoLxdhf1beEEtOyyyf6140R6YZWI-BL7NqibDpUVuXaXD1AfM-aJfplJZ30YQP-uI_BqWFcdhz8bL4KAa3meuickbgJFt4XeXgkjOjcG5cZ9HlH-EjgmnS7By/w400-h300/IMG_9634.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I traversed to a safe little shelf with a fine view down the East Branch valley to the center of Lincoln, with Mount Moosilauke on the horizon. This slide is visible from the end of our driveway. With binoculars I tried to make out the roof of our house, but couldn't tell for sure.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx4Il9NGNHgmpi1xa_TaiVgZm39D-l4h53bnfc96wYAuqbmD7hN2AXPVzuGP4TGxXB3Q7QZGy1RsqJnQ-7tM55Yo-1alBcX8t-N2kRInRpRF3DK7b-Ulz8klOrqrJBImAhZbqdswHcQzHlATMFQvvjuBMirFoT9IIqa1rU0u8KygOJ71sx-cEIedoi3l0/s4032/IMG_9635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx4Il9NGNHgmpi1xa_TaiVgZm39D-l4h53bnfc96wYAuqbmD7hN2AXPVzuGP4TGxXB3Q7QZGy1RsqJnQ-7tM55Yo-1alBcX8t-N2kRInRpRF3DK7b-Ulz8klOrqrJBImAhZbqdswHcQzHlATMFQvvjuBMirFoT9IIqa1rU0u8KygOJ71sx-cEIedoi3l0/w400-h300/IMG_9635.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moosilauke is a dominant presence. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpzSaso_xHh8CUlO-MlkH4Y0bQAB-AU89QYCTS820lhU-FYxx0s43Uuj6l-ASK_U-dbBrd9LWCIoH4Mh7RNrI5HxDOHgBaLGErtqsYmjH3afWtOObPCMn56h8bxYmtGsPOZVJWW2WQBZ2BObEeLmoMkjm4H0ixwn3HhXJdQWQAX8a_-rZnlGKXQrjDwKo/s4032/IMG_9643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpzSaso_xHh8CUlO-MlkH4Y0bQAB-AU89QYCTS820lhU-FYxx0s43Uuj6l-ASK_U-dbBrd9LWCIoH4Mh7RNrI5HxDOHgBaLGErtqsYmjH3afWtOObPCMn56h8bxYmtGsPOZVJWW2WQBZ2BObEeLmoMkjm4H0ixwn3HhXJdQWQAX8a_-rZnlGKXQrjDwKo/w400-h300/IMG_9643.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Peering up the slide from my perch.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSeMt4bm6-06crZHtXkGrxuh0SZeaIdrVskUlGUCb7XUPN6elKsKMO-hXy8OOQtpJnrAioM2du0bOLCqd4N3gMhP2vWklPMOAFi62lD5SeHRcr7E6WlpJZ2XJ_SrmRXGZ3V-w39zB9cf8AJlN6xTgtlg2sSz5rxeielibhAOFXzw6qdf4YoCKbaF2zqg8/s4032/IMG_9648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSeMt4bm6-06crZHtXkGrxuh0SZeaIdrVskUlGUCb7XUPN6elKsKMO-hXy8OOQtpJnrAioM2du0bOLCqd4N3gMhP2vWklPMOAFi62lD5SeHRcr7E6WlpJZ2XJ_SrmRXGZ3V-w39zB9cf8AJlN6xTgtlg2sSz5rxeielibhAOFXzw6qdf4YoCKbaF2zqg8/w400-h300/IMG_9648.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking across some icy slabs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBoHi2c6v0voVGPI_k2_BMYqJKr6fkKtMQwYNIgxs5UA7Ge8ks3Ric8NeFHvoMPlOq7nwuH85qzYU4xiP-yTAgD6fL8BCx1VXUtMk8YNRarq0FujM7WKnUfsvFXU_M3qVPsMJAy2afoFnxwkvwGbTLd81yVf0rE_LfS4Q9WG8d4rUF1NOjIF_vmbQEUBw/s4032/IMG_9656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBoHi2c6v0voVGPI_k2_BMYqJKr6fkKtMQwYNIgxs5UA7Ge8ks3Ric8NeFHvoMPlOq7nwuH85qzYU4xiP-yTAgD6fL8BCx1VXUtMk8YNRarq0FujM7WKnUfsvFXU_M3qVPsMJAy2afoFnxwkvwGbTLd81yVf0rE_LfS4Q9WG8d4rUF1NOjIF_vmbQEUBw/w400-h300/IMG_9656.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Farther down along the slide, a peek across at several summits of Scar Ridge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5ycCTppfp-Z0mrLeVto_9PiGoEvu-r-5gS63JwZQbMeRxHGzvIt0968nehiysdStsPyp74_MyMbahF5fzJ-MTA74STUBWR3o0u578gGs49EwZN-Hu2DV5EUne2G-yaqBitBMWkrZ0C0o1ZIxzG0nzCYAYl1ulgo5twGvPbYTueDDDGPakhRowV4hOypM/s4032/IMG_9693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5ycCTppfp-Z0mrLeVto_9PiGoEvu-r-5gS63JwZQbMeRxHGzvIt0968nehiysdStsPyp74_MyMbahF5fzJ-MTA74STUBWR3o0u578gGs49EwZN-Hu2DV5EUne2G-yaqBitBMWkrZ0C0o1ZIxzG0nzCYAYl1ulgo5twGvPbYTueDDDGPakhRowV4hOypM/w300-h400/IMG_9693.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Scraggly spruces and birches have gained toeholds on these steep slabs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0th7DCyTWFTV4p8DeYa-59VIECEo3QgFjQ3N2thiNlbSbI4eH70r64WCMWrYA6OhYj4jbs8idgt__ONtzCqzOlvbU9snb-nJjRqieR76hn3ttqCrjjoLSlSay7bDzeaRDfar1-9kGwYGmARNFWCf0RpL8d37Mxbz5N8Zd1XY50Hvw57aIonBrZYpf0bHH/s4032/IMG_9698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0th7DCyTWFTV4p8DeYa-59VIECEo3QgFjQ3N2thiNlbSbI4eH70r64WCMWrYA6OhYj4jbs8idgt__ONtzCqzOlvbU9snb-nJjRqieR76hn3ttqCrjjoLSlSay7bDzeaRDfar1-9kGwYGmARNFWCf0RpL8d37Mxbz5N8Zd1XY50Hvw57aIonBrZYpf0bHH/w400-h300/IMG_9698.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heading down through the wild spruce forest alongside the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJnkMIItXb7zFG6ZCckFe0py80tZWvsMMtS4MXHBEZ2Hd1-5l9HZFYqcRin3yO4tBMBW9VSyl0UtDcV-tR8Qp9bYsaGa3wPOYuaKk923kwG9YorU27yfXa9EfoTH2SviwEGF_Lexy9QVc6K_PWEzXdQbSgicqH-UMFA_bHC7DzH-URvreW3eDaUyriwfI/s4032/IMG_9714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJnkMIItXb7zFG6ZCckFe0py80tZWvsMMtS4MXHBEZ2Hd1-5l9HZFYqcRin3yO4tBMBW9VSyl0UtDcV-tR8Qp9bYsaGa3wPOYuaKk923kwG9YorU27yfXa9EfoTH2SviwEGF_Lexy9QVc6K_PWEzXdQbSgicqH-UMFA_bHC7DzH-URvreW3eDaUyriwfI/w400-h300/IMG_9714.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back down in the hardwoods, a glimpse of the Franconia Range through the trees.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzykq8rwpAsB_0Cu2mlW7Nso6VblANgkLS5rYS2iJP0EZEhvVxheY6PyEyWrYEq5YHcsmiOG5u3db1M3pZrDv8RW2BM7pA-WosEUdMJgklCxpWQr1C11YS6NRkbtBTEWeRKmzLSIclu6IuQuCJSJUA9Ibw5vWW3VOlbbvCnpw5q7Wwc1MWAdX5Y-itL8Qp/s4032/IMG_9720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzykq8rwpAsB_0Cu2mlW7Nso6VblANgkLS5rYS2iJP0EZEhvVxheY6PyEyWrYEq5YHcsmiOG5u3db1M3pZrDv8RW2BM7pA-WosEUdMJgklCxpWQr1C11YS6NRkbtBTEWeRKmzLSIclu6IuQuCJSJUA9Ibw5vWW3VOlbbvCnpw5q7Wwc1MWAdX5Y-itL8Qp/w400-h300/IMG_9720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Late day sun.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CSZnDP3jAXWxAasL919ZU0-35l3VZCS9fKjcKbAlSKTMPwBhIfD1XoGxUNoQv_y91T-fMrFqrm8bNxoeOkPHGxRGenYZkpJ-I1jgpq4evk13CZ4Dj_5MzgKJkR4IHQyXatAT03meEIrB9BglQ7MXJ1ngiteVy6DCP0saO793nI-3M73RGzhWBgMatUuo/s4032/IMG_9723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CSZnDP3jAXWxAasL919ZU0-35l3VZCS9fKjcKbAlSKTMPwBhIfD1XoGxUNoQv_y91T-fMrFqrm8bNxoeOkPHGxRGenYZkpJ-I1jgpq4evk13CZ4Dj_5MzgKJkR4IHQyXatAT03meEIrB9BglQ7MXJ1ngiteVy6DCP0saO793nI-3M73RGzhWBgMatUuo/w400-h300/IMG_9723.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A chaos of blowdowns.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC5wMIhBkxbki4ZaVHIWZCLp6qmj-erJtHSBs4lghL5rbnRVLuMPgkW9e9ssFuK6uXQvCoYkXyi64G5R0c9ULJ592a498euFrGiW8X5h-bb59lWAwhfb_bY9zZv-yfWYHdB9IJEmvjiR3asm2ta_8fa2ExCYVC5S3nmZDhaWRKrJnFEdDw6yXrZJ0No3h/s4032/IMG_9727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC5wMIhBkxbki4ZaVHIWZCLp6qmj-erJtHSBs4lghL5rbnRVLuMPgkW9e9ssFuK6uXQvCoYkXyi64G5R0c9ULJ592a498euFrGiW8X5h-bb59lWAwhfb_bY9zZv-yfWYHdB9IJEmvjiR3asm2ta_8fa2ExCYVC5S3nmZDhaWRKrJnFEdDw6yXrZJ0No3h/w400-h300/IMG_9727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sun going down behind a great ent tree.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxjKE9j1v1kGP0c686RxiQ2aCpiJRKUIeGQh26k6e6Q9lm_TU7bDrK2VWsHd8dXTFYHX_ngsoIMYT1u5vd1NgUSK7BD83oRNT2-NtVQhMpDkjmgOOk49vVgvQCi2nQ5c3bN0m6yAsfuf3HjcQxdEk6z2PefscrtUJ1XqJSvZTSgHCX_PiTinQ_rV9wgHI/s4032/IMG_9732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxjKE9j1v1kGP0c686RxiQ2aCpiJRKUIeGQh26k6e6Q9lm_TU7bDrK2VWsHd8dXTFYHX_ngsoIMYT1u5vd1NgUSK7BD83oRNT2-NtVQhMpDkjmgOOk49vVgvQCi2nQ5c3bN0m6yAsfuf3HjcQxdEk6z2PefscrtUJ1XqJSvZTSgHCX_PiTinQ_rV9wgHI/w300-h400/IMG_9732.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Ent tree from the other side.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKMbH3hkDedv8CaM3QzehCtPYUue4B7Rs2Np6Uopgt8UFvJ296fFZE-sPRHO_DTTTwe26guRZQHZRWhCiTnKxKYogeeWV7I2Rgg48cirMRWuk8YvXmg734uLPooiYJROtdu2QBPk9cCLKJJ_Yb0RTK04hjwBw6TFuK9jUUWzaFovSTkZsSYJQKQu2Ec-I/s4032/IMG_9738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKMbH3hkDedv8CaM3QzehCtPYUue4B7Rs2Np6Uopgt8UFvJ296fFZE-sPRHO_DTTTwe26guRZQHZRWhCiTnKxKYogeeWV7I2Rgg48cirMRWuk8YvXmg734uLPooiYJROtdu2QBPk9cCLKJJ_Yb0RTK04hjwBw6TFuK9jUUWzaFovSTkZsSYJQKQu2Ec-I/w300-h400/IMG_9738.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Scar Ridge at dusk, from a field beside the Pemi East Side Trail. Happy Holidays to all, and best wishes for the New Year!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF0eRckI3Cnq1WgxaStzMz9supdhAyQGO22GTGFrNsTMh_oNLJQgTGZpI1wIcfOCbTt5j-0iq7TyvMRCMTaPGVo1iMKtS3_uMYZ4rTC3evksB_OXQQ9rPlA6igla5Eo_cK8EHt_BF2Fp54cVZFG6zFPjDWTMOPIWVR2gOOXlPvoNKJOUGvEGINTk6u1Au/s4032/IMG_9758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF0eRckI3Cnq1WgxaStzMz9supdhAyQGO22GTGFrNsTMh_oNLJQgTGZpI1wIcfOCbTt5j-0iq7TyvMRCMTaPGVo1iMKtS3_uMYZ4rTC3evksB_OXQQ9rPlA6igla5Eo_cK8EHt_BF2Fp54cVZFG6zFPjDWTMOPIWVR2gOOXlPvoNKJOUGvEGINTk6u1Au/w400-h300/IMG_9758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814464431995035927.post-12374666496089839952023-12-21T16:53:00.000-05:002023-12-21T16:53:23.388-05:00After the Storm<div><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;">The December 18th rainstorm was certainly one of the most impactful in recent decades. Here's hoping those affected by it are on the road to recovery. This photo shows the East Branch of the Pemigewasset as seen from the Loon Mountain bridge around noontime, shortly before its peak flow was reached. Waves were washing over a huge midstream boulder, as seen in lower center of the photo.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsxwqDTCzTVCFlXkXZqWlOJfWYAN_06d-jvSGwqPsdzGAuRFHIrmBtZPQhOi414kmsidg0JNscIVolwVG8vrOv6ehOn4o_gcak6iXQwDLgWRnDibKH2sr3zMrAYqXYOeEhIrNmp6HYB4En0__uoKn2JIeYhwjGP8RZklA9f9felG6Ya1TOJRU7JBqeQF3/s4032/IMG_9360.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsxwqDTCzTVCFlXkXZqWlOJfWYAN_06d-jvSGwqPsdzGAuRFHIrmBtZPQhOi414kmsidg0JNscIVolwVG8vrOv6ehOn4o_gcak6iXQwDLgWRnDibKH2sr3zMrAYqXYOeEhIrNmp6HYB4En0__uoKn2JIeYhwjGP8RZklA9f9felG6Ya1TOJRU7JBqeQF3/w400-h300/IMG_9360.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The East Branch peaked at 22,600 cubic feet per second (cfs), which I believe was just slightly higher than the peak of the 2017 Halloween storm, but still below the 30,000 cfs recorded during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Normal flow for this time of year might typically be 200 or 300 cfs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWy4dbls4b9qm21mXxDqB81FWEpnh5tkl5CDbKhFaACdzpXd4vESoytRawcQhJ1aP2SGQg9SQ07mHLXfKt8XNOfElVvHNZdmUJZ15sqfBZHsztz6bX37YBKvRyrDEW2vx_sSKq3RJe-QM__qePdKFcSLyf-xi7izxzDR6MNeStn7UiwjevqJZqUWTu51KH/s4032/IMG_9363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="4032" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWy4dbls4b9qm21mXxDqB81FWEpnh5tkl5CDbKhFaACdzpXd4vESoytRawcQhJ1aP2SGQg9SQ07mHLXfKt8XNOfElVvHNZdmUJZ15sqfBZHsztz6bX37YBKvRyrDEW2vx_sSKq3RJe-QM__qePdKFcSLyf-xi7izxzDR6MNeStn7UiwjevqJZqUWTu51KH/w400-h260/IMG_9363.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning, December 19th, Carol and I took a walk on the Lincoln Woods Trail to check for damage. The East Branch was still ripping as seen from the suspension footbridge. The flow at this point was about 4,000 cfs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f4PnWdDrTHfBUdQQtS01TOcuXUCym164b-ipPFzQLsLnpkEnzuu1iJmRkWXcDMlxVOupQKMR7vhlJw_zQ0A6dfSISj30cK6yFMFW3qOLZAnEUP6D0le8AxB6lWE3QJFfJ1FFciB9N9vIpiZK4s-LuU53FBIiIoK3Y1YqdITWAvC0S8Ow3YLe6RiMS1Ag/s4032/IMG_9365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f4PnWdDrTHfBUdQQtS01TOcuXUCym164b-ipPFzQLsLnpkEnzuu1iJmRkWXcDMlxVOupQKMR7vhlJw_zQ0A6dfSISj30cK6yFMFW3qOLZAnEUP6D0le8AxB6lWE3QJFfJ1FFciB9N9vIpiZK4s-LuU53FBIiIoK3Y1YqdITWAvC0S8Ow3YLe6RiMS1Ag/w400-h300/IMG_9365.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lincoln Woods Trail was reportedly "a sheet of ice" before the storm. The warmth and rain </div><div style="text-align: left;">disposed of that, and the trail was 98% ice-free in its first two miles.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvDdsi6ZKyVrHjXA-S5rDd603NdztZ91Ehp5l9BarPUcYd6TZFUE6i6e58f6oK3w4lqYfO82cmbRlN_boljh_BS-_A_6_l7viV1rFXp6YbjfRGCSXbJRso9tFi2KLQ8yMkMOKbYpCqJfceYcTErK6CUbXG-ESjfQjXcq24EK0AtNlIwQYIQrv7MjjVTsW/s4032/IMG_9366.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvDdsi6ZKyVrHjXA-S5rDd603NdztZ91Ehp5l9BarPUcYd6TZFUE6i6e58f6oK3w4lqYfO82cmbRlN_boljh_BS-_A_6_l7viV1rFXp6YbjfRGCSXbJRso9tFi2KLQ8yMkMOKbYpCqJfceYcTErK6CUbXG-ESjfQjXcq24EK0AtNlIwQYIQrv7MjjVTsW/w400-h300/IMG_9366.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There did not appear to be major new erosion at the fenced washout 0.7 mile up the trail. The bank probably did get eaten into a bit more. This is scheduled for repair by the Forest Service in the next year or two.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqHRG1Uk6wg-suT3P2STlU7yAKgYsPSf20lO6J47FlQl8fpZ7h3SVZPeNh8rkH-Ul9YAU87wNM9krJOBQDQ69F42rSVEq19sEKZ3Nb0HdflXDKW8gHax_xQYrKFJGh5jxIMg-JreIM930jeug5Y1RotS2TaHZBIQioUqJVrDpdlo9wt-61f52Q8NspPky/s4032/IMG_9375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqHRG1Uk6wg-suT3P2STlU7yAKgYsPSf20lO6J47FlQl8fpZ7h3SVZPeNh8rkH-Ul9YAU87wNM9krJOBQDQ69F42rSVEq19sEKZ3Nb0HdflXDKW8gHax_xQYrKFJGh5jxIMg-JreIM930jeug5Y1RotS2TaHZBIQioUqJVrDpdlo9wt-61f52Q8NspPky/w400-h300/IMG_9375.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Osseo Brook, the tributary that drains the valley followed by the Osseo Trail, was running strong. Along our walk we ran into two solo hikers who had turned back at their respective first stream crossings - one had hoped to go to Bondcliff, the other to Thirteen Falls. Not this day.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-22RqSOzWAyJ5x-CPpo4M35CiNHouv1LJmJBLphL8SjfEP6RHDgUUfvYzSQLMGkF_Jy3XgCzOtN5ucMB4H9DhTSk87y0usqlfKRXJIav8A15vaZfNFBQDLAHy5lHjTL7dq4MjV8cVzV17mSjVmhM1E0Jd0wgiHElGTOt3UfIwiGZestog2dMJwOzudmQl/s4032/IMG_9377.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-22RqSOzWAyJ5x-CPpo4M35CiNHouv1LJmJBLphL8SjfEP6RHDgUUfvYzSQLMGkF_Jy3XgCzOtN5ucMB4H9DhTSk87y0usqlfKRXJIav8A15vaZfNFBQDLAHy5lHjTL7dq4MjV8cVzV17mSjVmhM1E0Jd0wgiHElGTOt3UfIwiGZestog2dMJwOzudmQl/w400-h300/IMG_9377.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first few yards of the Osseo Trail was underwater.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6v8bTAof_kGzCFclyK0Y7MHnbGwJoTsMbA8Bwi_u6XL-Fd2xKcp4BMKbhjgsUhM4PF4SoKHWq7SHw3dyUna_fdDStFJ0fdatSZM3J_pyIfvsVim2QUS181ZvVNowSCa8uCL2Hn-AL6DJnL_hN4wWAECJJdczJqYsXOhs93dkTQEt42tJeuWRRAMz65kf/s4032/IMG_9379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6v8bTAof_kGzCFclyK0Y7MHnbGwJoTsMbA8Bwi_u6XL-Fd2xKcp4BMKbhjgsUhM4PF4SoKHWq7SHw3dyUna_fdDStFJ0fdatSZM3J_pyIfvsVim2QUS181ZvVNowSCa8uCL2Hn-AL6DJnL_hN4wWAECJJdczJqYsXOhs93dkTQEt42tJeuWRRAMz65kf/w400-h300/IMG_9379.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At mile 1.7/1.8, where the trail runs close to the river, the storm surge had washed over the trail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5P_irrjUNF7rlrPx3RVwdDgNAwuFybv8vjkYSbGAypRUAND4DIhn_EHYCiWhm0Q5JTiHKK2u4-mxoahmzW0LoEkYeOyDnX0FUtWUqAI-ygP4rtc78FyxuqSPXJ1KEW2jtmEz2bPtIIALrmYnjxjsOBEZxP3xHJR9rDjRIQaS1mLdBe2H3eU9zwL4rvPS/s4032/IMG_9392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5P_irrjUNF7rlrPx3RVwdDgNAwuFybv8vjkYSbGAypRUAND4DIhn_EHYCiWhm0Q5JTiHKK2u4-mxoahmzW0LoEkYeOyDnX0FUtWUqAI-ygP4rtc78FyxuqSPXJ1KEW2jtmEz2bPtIIALrmYnjxjsOBEZxP3xHJR9rDjRIQaS1mLdBe2H3eU9zwL4rvPS/w400-h300/IMG_9392.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A pretty good washout here.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-u4Z27oQpv_HjOlWibqZXaqLBe-95lyrJJPUA6RI6kWCYoBIViGjgleSR3Z2H_8EFhf35UlgHNMz0V_lz6P5OX785OxI1GIy77pkXOmQU8X8hiBc83hmS8r3acTaE9652wDw6ZJWBBe7OwqVi0cB_Rnkm05soq8u2F3D6thvJfv1NkAtFDBbv6ajy0ze/s4032/IMG_9394.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-u4Z27oQpv_HjOlWibqZXaqLBe-95lyrJJPUA6RI6kWCYoBIViGjgleSR3Z2H_8EFhf35UlgHNMz0V_lz6P5OX785OxI1GIy77pkXOmQU8X8hiBc83hmS8r3acTaE9652wDw6ZJWBBe7OwqVi0cB_Rnkm05soq8u2F3D6thvJfv1NkAtFDBbv6ajy0ze/w400-h300/IMG_9394.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">High water view of Bondcliff and its sharp south spur upstream.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g1rtKQh6R-uF5YSonbh5Pd0n8whSHn1NKLGv3zoBAy0zIOZXVtj9niJh7r6gGhXhbcqh8IWqQ1YKXwGMxmqFx59H1T7blTP0QAALjhK-pJUO8ZGqKvlnyT6RyidTYFlrx-2BQ5AOAE-dBbXs1Iag4zFKY9XMEVxTTk6xDl_JPisM7bBom73tAPrUh3-t/s4032/IMG_9398.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g1rtKQh6R-uF5YSonbh5Pd0n8whSHn1NKLGv3zoBAy0zIOZXVtj9niJh7r6gGhXhbcqh8IWqQ1YKXwGMxmqFx59H1T7blTP0QAALjhK-pJUO8ZGqKvlnyT6RyidTYFlrx-2BQ5AOAE-dBbXs1Iag4zFKY9XMEVxTTk6xDl_JPisM7bBom73tAPrUh3-t/w400-h300/IMG_9398.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On December 20th I headed down to Waterville Valley to take a walk on the Livermore Trail and check out the post-storm scene out towards Mount Tripyramid. Due to a road washout, there was no vehicle access to the Livermore trailhead parking area, so I parked at the Snows Mountain lot and walked West Branch Road and the Connector and Greeley Path XC Ski Trails to the Depot Camp clearing on Livermore Trail. This added 1 1/2 miles round trip to the hike. The damage to the Connector trail was extensive where it runs alongside the Mad River.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ulvt_N9EdaJrAztHnAdo0N7wsLYa6mS4cvQ2E2edlx752ew4GOlt-RDleIOgBAFXn6ez6ZAgNFFH9-mxBv8ug6746NHlE7-NnxNkkq4IPkjXXgO1dmGuJ9JWc53Lfb09BumUprEEiNnwCm8IzyGo7Lo8C1sWdObb7zbJGhEYT8qjlzF-J74uZov6cWM/s4032/IMG_9413.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ulvt_N9EdaJrAztHnAdo0N7wsLYa6mS4cvQ2E2edlx752ew4GOlt-RDleIOgBAFXn6ez6ZAgNFFH9-mxBv8ug6746NHlE7-NnxNkkq4IPkjXXgO1dmGuJ9JWc53Lfb09BumUprEEiNnwCm8IzyGo7Lo8C1sWdObb7zbJGhEYT8qjlzF-J74uZov6cWM/w400-h300/IMG_9413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whoa!<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbFKAYXK4zmNCOipbXxE7wMIzI3mUxwk_Er-TOPnUgcqt2IJw0wthM47hJiQ6H1JbRY7UyKZGuB1QvKe2NRdMdF02p8n_qgE0AjZNWkvXz1O3Hc8GvKyjH4iBXzOnEAf2oSEzTPmyr_DKLnbIRoq0aJPaqcF7YAqWO16r8YrKed4imO5NRqV68DfMAiKS/s4032/IMG_9414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbFKAYXK4zmNCOipbXxE7wMIzI3mUxwk_Er-TOPnUgcqt2IJw0wthM47hJiQ6H1JbRY7UyKZGuB1QvKe2NRdMdF02p8n_qgE0AjZNWkvXz1O3Hc8GvKyjH4iBXzOnEAf2oSEzTPmyr_DKLnbIRoq0aJPaqcF7YAqWO16r8YrKed4imO5NRqV68DfMAiKS/w400-h300/IMG_9414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the things I wanted to check on was the first 100-yard section of my adopted Kettles Path, which routinely floods during high water, when a vagrant stream takes over the footbed. Today was no exception. I'm hoping we can do a relocation of this section next year.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfSNI2_HsiIRsE95SOAy5wimxBsEVqzy9e3vgnW17MSAP_aXl6cgIvUsUuC12GeGNbqeCbIwpJpgneWY9LnmktITHLtQkz0qnIpFwqkEIUpka_KegmTB7-qgZU1JzfZZR3ineOOlNtgS7j040hszScOhEfw7ZGkvFtA7y4PztGMFpL1woNg4dNABiI_3Q/s4032/IMG_9417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfSNI2_HsiIRsE95SOAy5wimxBsEVqzy9e3vgnW17MSAP_aXl6cgIvUsUuC12GeGNbqeCbIwpJpgneWY9LnmktITHLtQkz0qnIpFwqkEIUpka_KegmTB7-qgZU1JzfZZR3ineOOlNtgS7j040hszScOhEfw7ZGkvFtA7y4PztGMFpL1woNg4dNABiI_3Q/w400-h300/IMG_9417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There was moderate erosion in a few spots along the Livermore Trail, such as this section where it ascends alongside a field.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlOExp3p9fhySU_zBpyVYlNUH2cY8V5QsxHvKBIgN1MSNtRAhCYJWFIt5AESkvUt_jyjCQ7_ECo1BTFMtqvMkY63m8zC7FkEP_d4ZjNce1rOUo2dHpCH_JI7K_lPMxnFjtYl-2YFzKShGL0UuY4H-dlaKH2c1g1j9mznnXiH77H7XYcpgMBi7Kk6caf6e/s4032/IMG_9421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlOExp3p9fhySU_zBpyVYlNUH2cY8V5QsxHvKBIgN1MSNtRAhCYJWFIt5AESkvUt_jyjCQ7_ECo1BTFMtqvMkY63m8zC7FkEP_d4ZjNce1rOUo2dHpCH_JI7K_lPMxnFjtYl-2YFzKShGL0UuY4H-dlaKH2c1g1j9mznnXiH77H7XYcpgMBi7Kk6caf6e/w400-h300/IMG_9421.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a few icy spots down low, the mostly smooth Livermore Trail was dry and 100% ice and snow free as far as I followed it. I find it a good choice for a long woods walk when the steep, rocky trails are in tough shape as they are during this renewed shoulder season. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqXf9p9SumcifYKwvzFNKetMYa_2aw3xkMrsY_NQcUgYjAZVO30xHz_ARu2_gbVN7Z40fArnYOJMFrm8pP8Z0lGoEBBWeeAUBDlC4X_cuImtFKKhnQj4RjeUS-S-nMbgY63x_zhAOpewyT7gGOZhX2FSqmc_4xZOOOjdcIDr3NalWpE2RRMbIWCF2KQkq/s4032/IMG_9430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqXf9p9SumcifYKwvzFNKetMYa_2aw3xkMrsY_NQcUgYjAZVO30xHz_ARu2_gbVN7Z40fArnYOJMFrm8pP8Z0lGoEBBWeeAUBDlC4X_cuImtFKKhnQj4RjeUS-S-nMbgY63x_zhAOpewyT7gGOZhX2FSqmc_4xZOOOjdcIDr3NalWpE2RRMbIWCF2KQkq/w400-h300/IMG_9430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An erosion channel by the junction with Upper Snows Mountain X-C Trail.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCxeMRhiXxpwrOodPp9fCEbnepw9Op2r90xKCB9oTxM5dWoCImMJP47CImuI9QMnqp2LwWIDx4C7btvOolGRvJbdcKgtPA8BTz6jvC7J6aqByM-q968hLD4BmHYUrOX6ZtsiNr4ddtdViXOpRIAQganLD1SFDAM6rATC_m5cn6lSPblVPLun7qSQnvCxb/s4032/IMG_9431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCxeMRhiXxpwrOodPp9fCEbnepw9Op2r90xKCB9oTxM5dWoCImMJP47CImuI9QMnqp2LwWIDx4C7btvOolGRvJbdcKgtPA8BTz6jvC7J6aqByM-q968hLD4BmHYUrOX6ZtsiNr4ddtdViXOpRIAQganLD1SFDAM6rATC_m5cn6lSPblVPLun7qSQnvCxb/w400-h300/IMG_9431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Slide Brook was surging at White Cascade.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg17J7NjqY5D6fqnMKrAqCa9JWXzQ0mUXMokK2JkZj4sqgj6rcv0ZrewfrBI-xhcuiTuaXjsM4EkYY8nEu0MDW7nBsgMMlzv-QYBnNnlc1wmTHAuYNBLTTb2vH-zSMGcC6COqiHqJatfygguRM1fUbwjdrjTl6bFFMnOtvqppxkLTl9-YidXBe_E69U2gE/s4032/IMG_9437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg17J7NjqY5D6fqnMKrAqCa9JWXzQ0mUXMokK2JkZj4sqgj6rcv0ZrewfrBI-xhcuiTuaXjsM4EkYY8nEu0MDW7nBsgMMlzv-QYBnNnlc1wmTHAuYNBLTTb2vH-zSMGcC6COqiHqJatfygguRM1fUbwjdrjTl6bFFMnOtvqppxkLTl9-YidXBe_E69U2gE/w400-h300/IMG_9437.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The storm caused a significant rearrangement of the Avalanche Brook crossing at the south end of Mount Tripyramid Trail. In recent years the crossing has been wide, shallow and stony. Now the west side of the crossing is a new bar of gravel and stone. The brook channel is half as wide as it was but deeper. No way to cross here today without wading.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFpIn5GRoWa-MpWWx8gxgt_4hCbFjQiuuHjTtgLN2gogSudoNsPHDOQb0dkS7iuAzZvzS_y82a_eOLQbXJsj23kJ2ZRvJoTr0lslofbXkgGOBRiQOtBxol82QG_l2mBfKDNjj-k1xy9bY0HfLvfMGlliNnwjxFyoOurALec_mJMwvHZkDA2SfdvSHEkRt/s4032/IMG_9441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFpIn5GRoWa-MpWWx8gxgt_4hCbFjQiuuHjTtgLN2gogSudoNsPHDOQb0dkS7iuAzZvzS_y82a_eOLQbXJsj23kJ2ZRvJoTr0lslofbXkgGOBRiQOtBxol82QG_l2mBfKDNjj-k1xy9bY0HfLvfMGlliNnwjxFyoOurALec_mJMwvHZkDA2SfdvSHEkRt/w400-h300/IMG_9441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">En route to looking for a possible alternate crossing to access some hardwood bushwhacking in the Cold Brook valley, I passed by an artifact from the first of two Avalanche Camps used to log the western slopes of Tripyramid in the early 1900s.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCNc1aqrh7PD5cm0GxB2vDPgkb5FlNhW7XdcSrG4gkbrxfU0FaHMI_gr8FVe9sdHctX1y4M0An6bSx70EQ-1I8Vyz-ij8qHQzooGydYuO4y_ecxIe5YGq2gkymIbyaI0ZN9O8YN84m3H4mpUqAcpoDQbU8ikPUQ49ibS2AdKKUGdR5mmJV2jz2UFu0dFB/s4032/IMG_9447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCNc1aqrh7PD5cm0GxB2vDPgkb5FlNhW7XdcSrG4gkbrxfU0FaHMI_gr8FVe9sdHctX1y4M0An6bSx70EQ-1I8Vyz-ij8qHQzooGydYuO4y_ecxIe5YGq2gkymIbyaI0ZN9O8YN84m3H4mpUqAcpoDQbU8ikPUQ49ibS2AdKKUGdR5mmJV2jz2UFu0dFB/w400-h300/IMG_9447.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A beautiful hardwood flat on the floor of the valley.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgKU1Y37HrYcMxBpi02P5KV_uDPJuWcLcF61tCPMGouGPKv6Yi2pzqIvYlxEqlEicK3k73I_K9sT-GZxVABHZaom2HA3s2KUwgX80lPvXDeu_6sL9n2HclUr_p0CLSBE6f5CWS2dJreKynx1zvKOcz2byPuXSC64RrcQqFWxDZnGtm5dEACQMi6r5C8HM/s4032/IMG_9449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgKU1Y37HrYcMxBpi02P5KV_uDPJuWcLcF61tCPMGouGPKv6Yi2pzqIvYlxEqlEicK3k73I_K9sT-GZxVABHZaom2HA3s2KUwgX80lPvXDeu_6sL9n2HclUr_p0CLSBE6f5CWS2dJreKynx1zvKOcz2byPuXSC64RrcQqFWxDZnGtm5dEACQMi6r5C8HM/w400-h300/IMG_9449.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I probably could have navigated a crossing here, but I might have ended up with wet feet due to ice-coated rocks. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRnRBeRE0rvxlIAO_PtE5NfrdX3Z2vEe5onMKZE8JyHq_euanbJvRwj9Vt_9VBXr_IkyxFbmdwGzej_s5qLaDydEgAgfSXma1P_B3d0JtHlN_2IPKTevPShIeWFRvgpwhrr1WC5gKmx-tHUqd3Zm52BGWyewNc2nY0uyee9smtrzureRWwXdnvxaRDfm-/s4032/IMG_9453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRnRBeRE0rvxlIAO_PtE5NfrdX3Z2vEe5onMKZE8JyHq_euanbJvRwj9Vt_9VBXr_IkyxFbmdwGzej_s5qLaDydEgAgfSXma1P_B3d0JtHlN_2IPKTevPShIeWFRvgpwhrr1WC5gKmx-tHUqd3Zm52BGWyewNc2nY0uyee9smtrzureRWwXdnvxaRDfm-/w400-h300/IMG_9453.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I retreated to Livermore Trail and continued upward, passing more storm erosion.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR6acBVjM3n90UpXSpu1buX56EgRZhiM3heQy6cbdxrgLfpytcJ5_wX7E7Qhs8eAwX5MwtVurAhT7sHfQL3gI-yT5QsJ5FSps5AvdIhPyp38KwBEbkuYWD618ax4BFc8oGYjRhqTPfn15-kMU-buVHnqSaHHqG0luyDeFtsSvSXTE-WkyNv1Cl_4WDyHU/s4032/IMG_9457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR6acBVjM3n90UpXSpu1buX56EgRZhiM3heQy6cbdxrgLfpytcJ5_wX7E7Qhs8eAwX5MwtVurAhT7sHfQL3gI-yT5QsJ5FSps5AvdIhPyp38KwBEbkuYWD618ax4BFc8oGYjRhqTPfn15-kMU-buVHnqSaHHqG0luyDeFtsSvSXTE-WkyNv1Cl_4WDyHU/w300-h400/IMG_9457.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This washout was gouged by the storm at the end of April. It may have been enhanced by the recent storm.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCH4VQYGrn3QbkPWqbuXkIWE6Ad9EAbwtWChvJOkOPvz_tIKSV0g6V-HIaDkrdUkg48gCAKxXV1ukL3meKcPeXWQOPobuBWDAQyJ93U8CbikZ2-dVeYpoIViM8d8fNqXazos_UAA3XElZEmqfaMCfgN9P7Ix2uVgKOdvByjtDx1AC3peYDiEk7u0c0cfS/s4032/IMG_9458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCH4VQYGrn3QbkPWqbuXkIWE6Ad9EAbwtWChvJOkOPvz_tIKSV0g6V-HIaDkrdUkg48gCAKxXV1ukL3meKcPeXWQOPobuBWDAQyJ93U8CbikZ2-dVeYpoIViM8d8fNqXazos_UAA3XElZEmqfaMCfgN9P7Ix2uVgKOdvByjtDx1AC3peYDiEk7u0c0cfS/w400-h300/IMG_9458.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I must say that this bare-ground stroll through the sun-washed hardwoods was quite enjoyable, reminiscent of late October/November tramping. Just five days earlier I had been snowshoeing through here. <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOkv4MBFKRw2XqcAVt8sB5SEJFFDNCjxwGx7eR70XJHpCyOgEzUaQ2Rqw4NY6xppv7sDnugdR7EB84MtEpDmjTB820cCtqpeV2xEPaMrWf2cyKTkFDHMj85xDIeQ-Y5MIxSBcJjuYus2tnKRDjDkUCuBbN5Mb6EMNQ0JNSn-XJk56h48AP3XJfbfW4KR-/s4032/IMG_9461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOkv4MBFKRw2XqcAVt8sB5SEJFFDNCjxwGx7eR70XJHpCyOgEzUaQ2Rqw4NY6xppv7sDnugdR7EB84MtEpDmjTB820cCtqpeV2xEPaMrWf2cyKTkFDHMj85xDIeQ-Y5MIxSBcJjuYus2tnKRDjDkUCuBbN5Mb6EMNQ0JNSn-XJk56h48AP3XJfbfW4KR-/w400-h300/IMG_9461.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the junction with the north end of the Mount Tripyramid Trail, I decided to reprise my favorite bushwhack route into Avalanche Ravine, following the old logging road along the north side of Avalanche Brook. The first part of the old roadbed was mostly melted out, revealing a not-so-historic artifact.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHlBJUylpqKvvJPUQmtRUchqxHf19pAC8flOfFCkDq3tIt2sbHSxBa66GqJkNCxXMmMkwJ6eAu-icgK0F_28KyJdBmBxwX8d7Xz8fj2HJf1rTi1F7EYaKBV-PTZbh8i0qbjQoJH6DO-YTEAu79Fv3V6S3s18s1t2ke5jDZb-yVnMR5epX9gB-a8wmNSJq/s4032/IMG_9470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHlBJUylpqKvvJPUQmtRUchqxHf19pAC8flOfFCkDq3tIt2sbHSxBa66GqJkNCxXMmMkwJ6eAu-icgK0F_28KyJdBmBxwX8d7Xz8fj2HJf1rTi1F7EYaKBV-PTZbh8i0qbjQoJH6DO-YTEAu79Fv3V6S3s18s1t2ke5jDZb-yVnMR5epX9gB-a8wmNSJq/w400-h300/IMG_9470.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Five days earlier I had been snowshoeing through nearly a foot in this gorgeous hardwood glade.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzBEJLA8RhBBMGbTcbPxGT39u_HIpb7dlOH-WzXIMcbA2hrS6Or6YyJLnF2S7WCrgnFIE6vBosD_1F8AoPoUYzck4uWFEnvxVzOYVjVP8X8u9pWS8MysqN2I3rqmft6ls5PqiIeRB5CuRAIPpku6bBLw8d8EDfZ6G5n87DQOHsIydu9ZaCDzIr8pB-9GR/s4032/IMG_9476.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzBEJLA8RhBBMGbTcbPxGT39u_HIpb7dlOH-WzXIMcbA2hrS6Or6YyJLnF2S7WCrgnFIE6vBosD_1F8AoPoUYzck4uWFEnvxVzOYVjVP8X8u9pWS8MysqN2I3rqmft6ls5PqiIeRB5CuRAIPpku6bBLw8d8EDfZ6G5n87DQOHsIydu9ZaCDzIr8pB-9GR/w400-h300/IMG_9476.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Farther up the ravine, a layer of crunchy snow remained in this "inner sanctum" glade.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV5RlqYxV7nhLkeAB-TU5p6XtRFpI2nAEkU-dYNL6PzV5q4i7MUjIlcS1Q1EC4u-jJK0RXFOCENR6RxP7n7pV4OTrnwtmtBzHMRDi63EJ0AukzlTUeKtYmBBUOv2SnQ1M5a5pkG-3Xf8EBBUMZCZZJuOcfllssO-y0ZZklAd5hSe1KiajeVllnk8r29wu/s4032/IMG_9481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV5RlqYxV7nhLkeAB-TU5p6XtRFpI2nAEkU-dYNL6PzV5q4i7MUjIlcS1Q1EC4u-jJK0RXFOCENR6RxP7n7pV4OTrnwtmtBzHMRDi63EJ0AukzlTUeKtYmBBUOv2SnQ1M5a5pkG-3Xf8EBBUMZCZZJuOcfllssO-y0ZZklAd5hSe1KiajeVllnk8r29wu/w400-h300/IMG_9481.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Avalanche Brook was easy to cross here.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaI6RJ8Q5OqjEQUx0Zku9kZBGqatB9JqHWwcRKiF3NtHa_0-WBeCnpYW309iQLzKzBLTGnYPkFs7cm4241pifXr9qRpJH8FsxVk2ygQWqobD3e1sPL7ndsWk8SysnM7juNQuLeXorqaZbdeN1IaWYTaunCc48hcOyrmQIEOYPjH2xab8ugv2sydrSHTqy/s4032/IMG_9484.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaI6RJ8Q5OqjEQUx0Zku9kZBGqatB9JqHWwcRKiF3NtHa_0-WBeCnpYW309iQLzKzBLTGnYPkFs7cm4241pifXr9qRpJH8FsxVk2ygQWqobD3e1sPL7ndsWk8SysnM7juNQuLeXorqaZbdeN1IaWYTaunCc48hcOyrmQIEOYPjH2xab8ugv2sydrSHTqy/w400-h300/IMG_9484.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the base of the East Fork of Tripyramid's North Slide, a stream was cascading down the ledges into a cold pool.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0Fs-Yvjj-6zXTi7GMEMpx9kaAGEK9SReavx1gDNwQBh3KWBt5hFQA7dqMb6wILBtjiwnW6VCv454JB7OUlB3lIkLEDWDn-dKNqlyI5vidoCEZYGgI7neB9gtnVUj-K7No9VfR5aC97-uFNAWN_yF-kLoCQRqUUJJjVSk50fcDXH__ZelmjMHQkh7hnXS/s4032/IMG_9492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0Fs-Yvjj-6zXTi7GMEMpx9kaAGEK9SReavx1gDNwQBh3KWBt5hFQA7dqMb6wILBtjiwnW6VCv454JB7OUlB3lIkLEDWDn-dKNqlyI5vidoCEZYGgI7neB9gtnVUj-K7No9VfR5aC97-uFNAWN_yF-kLoCQRqUUJJjVSk50fcDXH__ZelmjMHQkh7hnXS/w400-h300/IMG_9492.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a crystal-clear day and I wanted a view, so I decided to make the steep 450-ft. bushwhack climb to the first area of open ledge on the East Fork. The crunchy snow provided good traction for my boots.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZCSqWfVV4fvLIsucQynnBMBDylp7qgAOcT9bjSIWVPZDKCJvnetMChuiQCQGyaHxZ63_hRZsfuhmze7KmbW12MJ-ExTOCkV7txXqMp9Gzpirtwse8OfEMLZYaulOKM6l_uiZvwhtkLS9IA0zpKf6S36_eVbI4ZKXFT7YiOa7soYni50TFIKZrS1WOS60/s4032/IMG_9500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZCSqWfVV4fvLIsucQynnBMBDylp7qgAOcT9bjSIWVPZDKCJvnetMChuiQCQGyaHxZ63_hRZsfuhmze7KmbW12MJ-ExTOCkV7txXqMp9Gzpirtwse8OfEMLZYaulOKM6l_uiZvwhtkLS9IA0zpKf6S36_eVbI4ZKXFT7YiOa7soYni50TFIKZrS1WOS60/w400-h300/IMG_9500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This mossy slope was once an open part of the East Fork, which was as massive as the main part of the North Slide when it fell in 1885.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1yx11jAS5Hmd_aebKrkx4fH2SHvl82K3nxEMcEhTjs328VkqI0sr_qbBQtOu7j1VzVTL7RvEydEDfokG7ULmXLkeQR-XB3k29AT3bhG6sk2VtkuyiQ-Y25JQYOPRKaXTNHXrSJcxmUQP-Vmx5LiZ5FZmng_lGbcTYz1vAo-yeKPNqXjZ7qsvV7JGFqEj/s4032/IMG_9501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1yx11jAS5Hmd_aebKrkx4fH2SHvl82K3nxEMcEhTjs328VkqI0sr_qbBQtOu7j1VzVTL7RvEydEDfokG7ULmXLkeQR-XB3k29AT3bhG6sk2VtkuyiQ-Y25JQYOPRKaXTNHXrSJcxmUQP-Vmx5LiZ5FZmng_lGbcTYz1vAo-yeKPNqXjZ7qsvV7JGFqEj/w400-h300/IMG_9501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This photo of the North Slide shows the extent of the East Fork, on the left. It was taken from the south slope of Scaur Peak (aka the "Fourth Pyramid") and accompanied an article, “Geology of Tripyramid Mountain,” by L.V. Pirsson and Wm. North Rice that appeared in <i>The American Journal of Science </i>in 1911.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTpE6X-dful6G1zeV8yvQkg9Gg5uKSQlVGHJAoQtEMNjM9oDTaVhFYDFmypY0OUr-6aZQRllW_0y-taDeGlHQ54e4s7IXbicY7XkKv_8FOQVo7HgqmfIjOC7s0x6T9Cz9SJ58p8C0-bsNBE0kkqCCos3XsIy6Epdj9fGewGJEqw4MUYhorSuBukmapy0r/s641/north%20slide%201911%20article.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="437" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTpE6X-dful6G1zeV8yvQkg9Gg5uKSQlVGHJAoQtEMNjM9oDTaVhFYDFmypY0OUr-6aZQRllW_0y-taDeGlHQ54e4s7IXbicY7XkKv_8FOQVo7HgqmfIjOC7s0x6T9Cz9SJ58p8C0-bsNBE0kkqCCos3XsIy6Epdj9fGewGJEqw4MUYhorSuBukmapy0r/w437-h640/north%20slide%201911%20article.png" width="437" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I reached the open area, I found hard crusty snow. Time to put on the spikes.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuDRDEbKSrd8UtfH9E3arnaVOaK6IkrVPGRjQa0vpS_1y1kI9arpl_QU5-Apll7rAZrtJCgIBEOOhKFRfBmfGXP3mwBP2DuW_yZvRkEwdtSahg5v30VwpknYb5AGJEypIaO4qcobg2SSfKjDzbUXg1iEcphFvprMf8Y9w-sTQhTmOf7fec2sowjv4idZs/s4032/IMG_9510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuDRDEbKSrd8UtfH9E3arnaVOaK6IkrVPGRjQa0vpS_1y1kI9arpl_QU5-Apll7rAZrtJCgIBEOOhKFRfBmfGXP3mwBP2DuW_yZvRkEwdtSahg5v30VwpknYb5AGJEypIaO4qcobg2SSfKjDzbUXg1iEcphFvprMf8Y9w-sTQhTmOf7fec2sowjv4idZs/w400-h300/IMG_9510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nice view up here of Mount Tecumseh, Mount Moosilauke and the Osceolas, with parts of Scaur Ridge in the foreground. The rounded top of Flume Peak is seen under Mount Osceola.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJssO27f8QzLBx2u-8x_ulDkrtQLDbsdhJu7KZr5JGP86RmhjomOGcdA5L-KUZyFjZ1Vbjx-nFH4kPrZBuRYJyok5Ok3xym9kdPR7yMgmQDStx6aYsnwWOJ7jp1nj8Bez9CzQnDECsOFvhqAeO4B-9aZSFl0RXZCqLQ2IXfFvvSqwJBr4IxPPHituBn1K/s4032/IMG_9522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJssO27f8QzLBx2u-8x_ulDkrtQLDbsdhJu7KZr5JGP86RmhjomOGcdA5L-KUZyFjZ1Vbjx-nFH4kPrZBuRYJyok5Ok3xym9kdPR7yMgmQDStx6aYsnwWOJ7jp1nj8Bez9CzQnDECsOFvhqAeO4B-9aZSFl0RXZCqLQ2IXfFvvSqwJBr4IxPPHituBn1K/w400-h300/IMG_9522.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Zoom on the Osceolas, with the Kinsmans just peeking over on the right.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17UGEHg4QY2F2OSUWLFK73e2Z7Kk57k0CfO8kyqpvY3TKdWu7cGUgpoXmtaqFQLbC4FAWJlyiG88IGJcicuC3CIb_mTCe9gT-85IppmXkYmZNn2DUFLq-sSZz8582-WpQNyLl3FFqPQYxebEa456sQohZI_Ag8UTYDL_hYvE99Tdm5xNYTTU4tSzJjZE3/s4032/IMG_9528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17UGEHg4QY2F2OSUWLFK73e2Z7Kk57k0CfO8kyqpvY3TKdWu7cGUgpoXmtaqFQLbC4FAWJlyiG88IGJcicuC3CIb_mTCe9gT-85IppmXkYmZNn2DUFLq-sSZz8582-WpQNyLl3FFqPQYxebEa456sQohZI_Ag8UTYDL_hYvE99Tdm5xNYTTU4tSzJjZE3/w400-h300/IMG_9528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">A good-sized solitary white pine was thriving up here among the spruces at 3240 ft.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4NX8uQza1gXmflUuGtRgYASl1u70VQ2jh-r_BfMgKxlFA5BPbVwOhXEgAdlczpWXfv70KQpX3ZzOGziUu2mRRMVbDrPmjnI0fKjkBort1gWkdWgsr4pR3495XgPpDcxN6X1G_gI-btd2WfkW2BP8IQfJVuQmix9EzRkFUNBkshnumI-tDH70jwZravwE/s4032/IMG_9520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4NX8uQza1gXmflUuGtRgYASl1u70VQ2jh-r_BfMgKxlFA5BPbVwOhXEgAdlczpWXfv70KQpX3ZzOGziUu2mRRMVbDrPmjnI0fKjkBort1gWkdWgsr4pR3495XgPpDcxN6X1G_gI-btd2WfkW2BP8IQfJVuQmix9EzRkFUNBkshnumI-tDH70jwZravwE/w400-h300/IMG_9520.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I found a flat spot to sit and enjoy a late lunch with a view.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjYCbs8oaRCAWGaOIqxaQuKmzoGMA61e-LQUVWKan3fJp63zALW6BU99SvbHg7P-uJt5clVlP29dNkrk6Ltm9ffVbVo9CnvUAZYun39qN39Q0M2zw2YusOY6C4602J2Xn1yzh9CX0sXauEfSLU-DhhOCLG2C126av_Wt5aTJplWoCjhviR4HnAe5cGdIk/s4032/IMG_9531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjYCbs8oaRCAWGaOIqxaQuKmzoGMA61e-LQUVWKan3fJp63zALW6BU99SvbHg7P-uJt5clVlP29dNkrk6Ltm9ffVbVo9CnvUAZYun39qN39Q0M2zw2YusOY6C4602J2Xn1yzh9CX0sXauEfSLU-DhhOCLG2C126av_Wt5aTJplWoCjhviR4HnAe5cGdIk/w300-h400/IMG_9531.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Steep terrain up here, probably a pitch of about 34 degrees.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT54_h2LbeBbd4L1r7Vc0ck81AOzTXQxeQ_FFSLWeZbCUht6L-KiSqBUV-hU_ND-3Rr1sI5i5SPwyePRKutv6sta3mF0x6TbpAWzpdka5eEfm_HG-gacDyEb9RwXt1THhf6Gc09jpaOYadaQKjoc_UZJ0HpULy-mJqg5kyJ6mQ278L78aqvM7WCuSVM9TJ/s4032/IMG_9534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT54_h2LbeBbd4L1r7Vc0ck81AOzTXQxeQ_FFSLWeZbCUht6L-KiSqBUV-hU_ND-3Rr1sI5i5SPwyePRKutv6sta3mF0x6TbpAWzpdka5eEfm_HG-gacDyEb9RwXt1THhf6Gc09jpaOYadaQKjoc_UZJ0HpULy-mJqg5kyJ6mQ278L78aqvM7WCuSVM9TJ/w400-h300/IMG_9534.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heading back down to the floor of the ravine.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP0iJfwpSgjV5L5SWE6U1R_hUmBJQUEOqLLVcwTjy11IaVeymfgrc2hB-f6y4t6tpVvYcWEt8t5dxEGfHKi3aqmr92bQ06GzfRIATHA2GB4ZFOPtphG86G0gVCzNYcgqsccxrc66v4eWJHMeUX3tJbvONov10g5yZsGZJoJxo2lOycMkESNejQmBbL4QS/s4032/IMG_9543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP0iJfwpSgjV5L5SWE6U1R_hUmBJQUEOqLLVcwTjy11IaVeymfgrc2hB-f6y4t6tpVvYcWEt8t5dxEGfHKi3aqmr92bQ06GzfRIATHA2GB4ZFOPtphG86G0gVCzNYcgqsccxrc66v4eWJHMeUX3tJbvONov10g5yZsGZJoJxo2lOycMkESNejQmBbL4QS/w400-h300/IMG_9543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Though these were distorted by melting, I kept my string of bear track sightings going.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUty8k6GosQbGAlbUU_Kyq4FVEOSz1rKqRMbDhxWrX0lrRj9Y_Pj255_fz2jVfPiiteOKuYskIR10Fz3tV5B_siQn2OiwejEem9sSg_d47n8Fp-M7fn8sVFhY6aqz1BiNMsTUUqvLnEf7zFoTfP5RksJ7kYYOrk1hGPakAMnuWtQyLj7XYJ7TDAvUFHHv/s4032/IMG_9544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUty8k6GosQbGAlbUU_Kyq4FVEOSz1rKqRMbDhxWrX0lrRj9Y_Pj255_fz2jVfPiiteOKuYskIR10Fz3tV5B_siQn2OiwejEem9sSg_d47n8Fp-M7fn8sVFhY6aqz1BiNMsTUUqvLnEf7zFoTfP5RksJ7kYYOrk1hGPakAMnuWtQyLj7XYJ7TDAvUFHHv/w400-h300/IMG_9544.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Partway down I popped out for a look at the open, flowing strip of the slide.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfH8WSVa79uLK3n2IGOzSZDoM31QbvxkBhDS-R5g0s_G1Y8Pqn8RhTLB93B7pKdxSvT6L2uolAv_zZ31de-gyx44EsbWeLCaAgq-_0sI6pcuEwPcI5JCBPyMTMhMFJDHepkAzyNNc28lwhooqj4uK-tmqAnKIGV_ySu4FM7zgMdeUSCJfzdtV-5vH0cM1/s4032/IMG_9548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfH8WSVa79uLK3n2IGOzSZDoM31QbvxkBhDS-R5g0s_G1Y8Pqn8RhTLB93B7pKdxSvT6L2uolAv_zZ31de-gyx44EsbWeLCaAgq-_0sI6pcuEwPcI5JCBPyMTMhMFJDHepkAzyNNc28lwhooqj4uK-tmqAnKIGV_ySu4FM7zgMdeUSCJfzdtV-5vH0cM1/w400-h300/IMG_9548.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back down at the base of the East Fork, I spotted a half-moon just above the sunlit slope of North Tripyramid.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_o21Rq3-4tHChFPnIzzlK-IhD0CeSrDbPPpZO5oQlq_r-VX3GzXqhhehZjMPMXseVvI5VVsdzMBIEt4j0MW7vsD10vz3vsS4TX0AZABtLtuTEUUI9NDIrZblWru33b80HjYWZ8N2HkjFeJ2Eg-d6ERSTkm61Weq1reTQkkg_UPZf8EbTIM0O3O8sBfCH/s4032/IMG_9564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_o21Rq3-4tHChFPnIzzlK-IhD0CeSrDbPPpZO5oQlq_r-VX3GzXqhhehZjMPMXseVvI5VVsdzMBIEt4j0MW7vsD10vz3vsS4TX0AZABtLtuTEUUI9NDIrZblWru33b80HjYWZ8N2HkjFeJ2Eg-d6ERSTkm61Weq1reTQkkg_UPZf8EbTIM0O3O8sBfCH/w300-h400/IMG_9564.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There it is!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJcXCUEX5F3MBKW0wiway5h0hVyN1-mSBYxhjRnzpVXk9dnIOOgXqyfr2UNm5siQc2WIpbCTJ7t1y1CpfMNdfv5c2ef47eyUNbRWG2Tf6a-R8BeB3qYHjESnxlIRjOMvC4GRjro47OKMY1I7-ro4ubdbbPjOl4DKDjjFmqkqsWf4SJb1J6vCekJNIJsx2/s4032/IMG_9561.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJcXCUEX5F3MBKW0wiway5h0hVyN1-mSBYxhjRnzpVXk9dnIOOgXqyfr2UNm5siQc2WIpbCTJ7t1y1CpfMNdfv5c2ef47eyUNbRWG2Tf6a-R8BeB3qYHjESnxlIRjOMvC4GRjro47OKMY1I7-ro4ubdbbPjOl4DKDjjFmqkqsWf4SJb1J6vCekJNIJsx2/w400-h300/IMG_9561.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The top of the North Slide was looking bony.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg7dsnGevYDWrPG3rn0YukQElUpPQ-BHqXi6TzBiYhByA_rSKAb7IUAV-pSG9okcfxOtwDa94dOCN11lKcJeh7Eiy9CzpeHOYRLqwghZqzS4DvNyUzuG2mplxE7fTQnqdgfi6z8JNYpgBldCo8ugvPkTwDlsjoemtUG8FH3CEBybMLYi7Wx0OCn0ekoIF/s4032/IMG_9566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg7dsnGevYDWrPG3rn0YukQElUpPQ-BHqXi6TzBiYhByA_rSKAb7IUAV-pSG9okcfxOtwDa94dOCN11lKcJeh7Eiy9CzpeHOYRLqwghZqzS4DvNyUzuG2mplxE7fTQnqdgfi6z8JNYpgBldCo8ugvPkTwDlsjoemtUG8FH3CEBybMLYi7Wx0OCn0ekoIF/w400-h300/IMG_9566.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Late day sun in the hardwoods.<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBTLobSNo5TOxGUvWMUTWJFLu9TllWXXjs1bLYOG2lqSz3m7qDPGXSfIiXe1G55c77Jpe2ApOyo_Q4asxMc9nJMMMVcd6DBkUhd8HxJ7WaIu33qkxACtkoDNev_7Ucl4qdxT34yOjN-VI_2gi_f_izR2CW7AcSyZqaqV1hn-JrVwnBZuX0ysPUnNws70C/s4032/IMG_9576.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBTLobSNo5TOxGUvWMUTWJFLu9TllWXXjs1bLYOG2lqSz3m7qDPGXSfIiXe1G55c77Jpe2ApOyo_Q4asxMc9nJMMMVcd6DBkUhd8HxJ7WaIu33qkxACtkoDNev_7Ucl4qdxT34yOjN-VI_2gi_f_izR2CW7AcSyZqaqV1hn-JrVwnBZuX0ysPUnNws70C/w400-h300/IMG_9576.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Homeward bound on Livermore Trail. Thanks to the half-moon I never had to pull out the headlamp.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxmtmqpM1njYciRCCUCKntlGv3RSV5VkGaJy13AwZp85NCacBJ_8ttzt91QiMK9fjuFuuFpBWGXYMTXpW5dbF42oofcykM-8sErrxskt8qGX5MyINesGIdV1789GE8qvUSIZvKcXMOUb815Zqx_SFAN4n9_pRwf-WXvqQdv9I0ZyOciZl0aJDTG0J47OR/s4032/IMG_9577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxmtmqpM1njYciRCCUCKntlGv3RSV5VkGaJy13AwZp85NCacBJ_8ttzt91QiMK9fjuFuuFpBWGXYMTXpW5dbF42oofcykM-8sErrxskt8qGX5MyINesGIdV1789GE8qvUSIZvKcXMOUb815Zqx_SFAN4n9_pRwf-WXvqQdv9I0ZyOciZl0aJDTG0J47OR/w400-h300/IMG_9577.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Steve Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.com0