Just now returned from a fantastic winter adventure in the White Mountains, NH.

[jerzone@techhub.social]

@TimKStanton Looks like a beautiful day to be up high in the Whites!

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@jerzone
So great. A number of other people were up on the ridge as well and I had lots of nice conversations. Everyone agreed how ideal the day was, in sharp contrast to the bitter cold and high winds that have been there in recent weeks.

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@hikingdude
Yeah, you definitely want to avoid avalanches. Rising temps make it rough going on the snow as well. The weather in the White Mountains has been remarkable in that it has snowed a lot all winter, but the temps have remained below freezing. No damaging rains or freeze/thaw cycles yet. I very much appreciated the outstanding conditions that I experienced yesterday. ️

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@Luminex
Yeah, beautiful in all directions for the entire day!

[intrepidhero@vmst.io]

@TimKStanton looks awesome Tim!

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@intrepidhero
It was an amazing day, Brian. This was my first time doing the ridge walk here in the winter. Given the fact that there is no "out" along the ridge between the entrance and exit points of this loop (so once you're on, you are committed), I had been waiting for ideal conditions for my first time, especially since I was going solo. It did not disappoint!! I will definitely do this again and feel that I now have the knowledge to do it under less than ideal conditions. ️

[intrepidhero@vmst.io]

@TimKStanton that's great! Are there areas on the ridge walk that are (or could be) an avalanche concern?

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@intrepidhero
I've read trail condition reports for a number of years describing this ridge hike and haven't seen any mention of an avalanche concern, and that includes the steep trails that lead to the ridge. But, there are regular avalanche issues in a nearby range (the "Presidentials"), within the White Mountains. Hikers on certain trails and backcountry skiers are at risk.

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@intrepidhero
PS. One of the biggest concerns in the winter on this ridge walk is the high winds that frequent the area. The winds can kick up the snow, greatly reduce visibility, and cause drifting that quickly smooths over the trail (even your own tracks that you want to follow back). Some of the incidents (requiring rescue/recovery) that occur up there are from hikers getting disoriented in these conditions and off trail.

[hikingdude@mastodon.social]

@TimKStanton oh that sounds like a really cool time that you had

[elperronegro@shmg.online]

@TimKStanton that looks like an amazing trip Tim. Do you come across others on this route or is it relatively quiet?

[ca_hawthorne@writing.exchange]

@TimKStanton The weather, the views, the snow, it looks like you found perfection! ️ ️

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@elperronegro
Yes, so amazing and thoroughly enjoyable, Richard. This was an unusual one-day weather window with a large high pressure system over the area with no wind, clear skies, and mild temps (but below freezing). Since this coincided with a holiday week, I had to “share”’ the mountain with others. But we were all stretched out over the 8.5 mile route (13.5km). Had a brief encounter with someone about once an hour, but otherwise was completely alone. ️ ️

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@CA_Hawthorne
Indeed! I watched the weather forecast all week while eyeing this day. The weather calmed down for this one day before it kicked up again.

[ca_hawthorne@writing.exchange]

@TimKStanton You're certainly doing better with forecasts than I've been doing this winter. I liked that winning hand you produced. Well done!

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@CA_Hawthorne

[theappletree@ruhr.social]

@TimKStanton Looks absolutely gorgeous!

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@theappletree
It was so beautiful! I stopped a lot just to look around and enjoy my surroundings!

[theappletree@ruhr.social]

@TimKStanton Sounds wonderfully ruminant and very good for your soul...

[timkstanton@mstdn.social]

@theappletree