Above treeline insanity in the White Mtns

[whitemountainhiker]

To test myself, and to see how I would react to severe winter weather, I decided to attempt Eisenhower via Edmunds Path, with my friend, on what was prob the worst day of the young season. I had already decided we prob wouldn't make the summit, due to the weather, but I wanted to get a taste of above treeline weather with constant gale force winds, snow, and big time cold. My preliminary goal was to make it to the Crawford Path junction, and while I didn't make it there, I did come within a tenth of a mile of there. Good enough for me...I also brought my hand held thermometer/anemometer/ altimeter, to get some readings.

To quote from the hikers bible: "The last 0.2 mi segment before it joins the Mt. Eisenhower Loop and Crawford Path is very exposed to northwest winds and, although short, can create a serious problem in bad weather." Well, yeah, pretty much...thats what happened yesterday. But more on that later....

Abenaki Brook

snow frosted firs

approaching treeline

now above treeline, you can see the cairn here. at this point I was just attempting to get a couple pics of the scene, without really looking...I was getting tossed around pretty hardcore.

So at this point, I was getting slammed into the rock wall along the Edmunds Path, and I decided to call it a day, and turn around. In retrospect, we prob could have gone a little bit further to the trail junc...but I didn't like the thought of the unknown. The wind was so strong that it was knocking me around. Plus I was wearing goggles and making me disoriented even more, because they were ruining my depth perception. Plus, for me, hiking poles were absolutely a hindrance!! I felt like they were ruining my balance even more cause they nearly blew away several times, despite being wrapped around me hands. I would have felt better grabbing onto rocks hand having poles there.

In a slight lull, I got out my anemometer/thermometer and measured the temp and winds. It was 20 deg with a sustained 40 mph wind, gusting to well over 50. WInd chills at the strongest gusts was below zero. I didn't get the strongest gust, but I assume it was in the 60 mph range. Talk about a slap in the face! You tell someone who isn't used to steady winds above 30 mph, and they laugh at you because it doesn't sound that strong....but it is! Change the 30 mph winds to 40, with gusts to 60, while you are carrying a bunch of hiking stuff. Talk about awkward walking!

So time to head down.....still in somewhat good spirits.

And so we went down at the rock entrance

At this point, of course the sun decided to come out, in full force!

[whitemountainhiker]

part 2

where did that blue come from?

Fast forward to near the bottom

Blurry alpenglow

Mt Clinton Rd still open as of 11/20

I have videos too, and as soon as I figure out how to post them, I will. Hope you like!!

[Quakertown needs snow]

Awesome Phil, heck of a hike.

[Voyager]

Awesome Phil, heck of a hike.

[powderfreak]

I love alpenglow... nice shots.

[marsman]

Absolutely amazing shots! Glad you made it back ok and had the sense many do not - when to turn around. Did you use any Yaktraks or micro-spikes?

[skierinvermont]

Awesome hike.. I am jealous. Good move turning around, you almost always regret it afterwards when you realize you could have gone farther but in the moment it is always the safer thing to do. Sub-zero wind chills are not especially amenable to making good judgment calls in the heat of the moment.