1.05.2009

And For Our Next Act

Well, Spungie Day was an amazing success and an excellent bit of adventure. There's a natural period of calm as we recover from being assaulted by the demons at the back of the Northwest Wind, sent by the Mountain Spirits to test our resolve. But that calm will turn to thirst as our next adventure swirls in the future, barely visible like backwash in a class of clear spring water.

While I'm always impressed by the big days out, we might be due for something a little different - what, I can't say for sure. But winter adventure doesn't have to be complicated. If anyone is available next weekend start posting ideas in the comments section this week.

[Update 1/8/09, 7am] It's Decided: THE MOOSE. Exact time, mtg place and route to be determined. Temperatures should be frigid to start w/ low visibility on the summit. In the interest of a personal lifetime goal of hiking all the trails in the WMNF, I propose hitting Gorge Brook Trail at some point. Another interesting challenge might be to ascend via the Beaver Brook Trail - a great, steep challenge in winter and opportunity for high adventure.

[Update 1/9/09, 6:30pm] Dangerous conditions, steep trails, exposure, bitter cold, acid-spitting snakes, tiger pits with hungry velociraptors, lava, bullets flying, barbed-wire and tornadoes. Bring your A-game.

[Update 1/9/09, 8:15pm] Some Stats:
From Rte 112 (Kinsman Notch) to Moosilauke Summit via Beaver Brook Trail:
3100ft ascent, 3.4 miles

Return via Gorge Brooke Trail
2450ft descent, 3.7 miles

27 comments:

  1. Since Mad Dog's gonna grace us with his presence, I'd say we take advantage of his availability and tackle one off his list....otherwise Hancocks or Tri's is fine with me.

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  2. MADDOG! What's left on your list? How about an Owl's Head winter assault?

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  3. As a project manager and MDs personal 48 Eyebrow Raising Peak Project assistant...MD has the following.

    1. Moosilauke
    2. East Osceola
    3. Osceola
    4. Tecumseh
    5. Whiteface
    6. Passaconaway
    7. Owls Head
    8. Galehead *MD please confirm*

    Owls head would be cool...we might also want to try Passaconaway and Whiteface with an assault up the Rollins Trail which was a tough little trail in summer I would imagine ice axe to be used going up in winter.

    Lets wait to hear from the man himself MD...to see what he would like to do, but I agree with G$$$ lets try get MD something he needs if not...Hancocks or Tri's is fine with me...

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  4. I agree w/ tMail: Pass/Whiteface in winter would be cool. Owl's Head too - although I'd have to bring a helmet to ski out - I'll probably crash into a few trees and flip over some stumps if there's not enough snow cover in there. AHHHHHHH! ** THUMP***

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  5. oh baby:

    BY THURSDAY MORNING...TOTAL SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATION WILL RANGE
    FROM 6 TO 12 INCHES ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VERMONT...AND MUCH
    OF NORTHERN NEW YORK.

    WIDESPREAD SNOW WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA FROM THE SOUTH LATER
    TONIGHT...AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY BY THE EARLY TO MID MORNING
    HOURS ON WEDNESDAY.

    this should help for saturday's MadDog Massacre

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  6. I'm on board with the MD train. I keep forgetting that he's short on the 48 - we have been out so much it doesn't seem possible!

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  7. uh, sorry guys. i have been stuck in a snowbank for a couple of days. and bracing myself for tonight's wintery mix. is that some kind of drink???

    in an attempt to appease my project manager, appeal to this broad coalition of party-goers, and once latch onto something i have no clue about in terms of what is involved, i'm up for owl's head, assuming the conditions are reasonable and everyone has what's needed - ski in? i need rentals. ski down? i don't think, i'd kill myself.

    also, mr. project manager, task #8 is complete. please update the project schedule.

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  8. I may try the ski thing for the novelty, as might g-$$$ and possibly the PM who just acquired some nice skis last winter. But I'm sure I'll be a wreck, even with a helmet. I don't exactly have good ... uh ... what's the word ... oh yeh, "control".

    We'll also have to put tMail on skis for the first time. Actually, the flat trail in will be perfect training. That could work.

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  9. Project Updated MD has 7 more Mountains to climb to complete his 48...if its Owls head I don't have any gear...please advise!

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  10. is day rental an option - from a lincoln shop? and still have enough time to get out and back to return the rental?

    plan B - hitch my stone sled to one of big dawgs and then strap myself down under some nice down.

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  11. shoe sizes please...Maddog? tmail?

    You may have to make due with some older gear (if size 10) but I may have extras...will check tomorrow in the AM...too late (and too cold) to be digging in the garage for the backup to the backup skis. I'll probably take one of my tele skis and 'skin my way across the wilderness trail. Helmet???? Not necessary for the tortoise speed we will be moving along!

    btw....I'm a free man until the 19th so anybody looking for a weekday adventure may find some company. woo-hoo!

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  12. G$$$ I am a size 10.

    I am not sure if any of the rental places would be open at that hour. MD there is probably a better chance of renting something Friday in Vt than in Lincoln.

    What would cost be to a purchase like this?

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  13. bah, only one spare set of skis and boots...unless you want to fuss with waxable racing skis (which I am terrible with getting the grip wax to work consistently). I could bring Lisa's skis but her NNN bindings are not compatible with my boots.

    tmail, to answer your question....LL Bean has a good starter package for $230.
    http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=504899&nav=bc&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&cat4=504281

    But REI is having their Winter Clearance starting Friday.....many bargains to be had, especially this is one of their sales where they do the Super Clearance... anything marked down and ending is .83 is an additional 50% off at th register.

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  14. Lincoln NH, DD at 8.30am

    Mutha you lead the way via trails you suggested sounds fantastic.

    Flatlanders (Tmail and PM) meet at 6.30am at the Park and Ride...

    G$$$ I assume you are going Kohls parking lot 7ish maybe a little before?

    MD get ready to get rub a dub dubed...

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  15. i'll be duct taping my seams tomorrow night (and sharpening my chisel shoes). mutha, let me know what day and time to swing by.

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  16. MD, pick me up between 7 and 7:15. 7:30 at the latest but then we can't head down to plymouth.

    beware the cold.

    and beaver brook trail may not be packed out so bring snowshoes.

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  17. Looking like another cold one tomorrow.....replacement pole shaft wasn't delivered, blister is infected, sand in the v-hole...should I just bail now???

    nope....if maddog's gonna risk his other meniscus then damn it I can gut it out.

    I just want to stay out of the limeline.....
    http://www.wmur.com/news/18447856/detail.html

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  18. Too bad the story doesn't say what happened. Did they just douche-out?

    Maddog, I'll drive the Durango down so we can spot a car. Who's in anyway, the usual gang of idiots? me, maddog, g-$$$, tmail, the pm?

    By the way, the Beaver Brook Trail has steps, ladders, exposure and 'dangerous' sections.

    I'm probably going to sharpen my crampons tonight and hope the trail is packed out.

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  19. jeezum, i thought this was going to be a leisurely walk. wtf are i going on?? it is freakn cold here now. i got the spray bottle ready.

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  20. Hell on wheels. Bring the cyanide capsules in the event of capture.

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  21. MD you are going to have to earn your 48!!!

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  22. Nate G will be joining us. He and I may stay in the car and drink whiskey instead of hiking!

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  23. Oh yeh. Got my crampons sharpened. Now, where did I put my dynamite????

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  24. Great day out! I think the pictures say most of what needs to be said...

    http://picasaweb.google.com/puppetmaster64/MoosilauckeMuthaSQuestAndNateGSBest#

    Mad Dog,
    Congrats on #43 and thanks for the gifts - including the hot chocolate on the trail! Next hike, we bring you a shaving kit!

    TMail (aka Elton),
    Hope you enjoyed the pack... I can be bought if you can't find one online!

    NateG,
    It's about time you dusted yourself off and got some exercise!

    G$,
    Hope the bloop emergency was nothing serious. Dr Amy says "if it's red in the bowl then don't panic, if the poo is very dark and tarry then be concerned."

    MuthaZ,
    Whiskey... need I say more?!

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