W48-in-1: The Hancocks - 1/20/2013

This single winter season quest has started out with me climbing 19 straight solo winter peaks.  I was excited to be having my brother along for the Hancocks for this hike. He had not hiked in almost 5 weeks after a bout with some tendinitis in his shoulder. This was going to be a good one, in terms of mileage and elevation gain to get him back going again, especially before our upcoming trip to Baxter. Something unique always seems to happen, and this time it was that this hike was my 20th and 21st of this winter season, and it was my brother's 20th and 21st all time in winter. Here we go!

Sunrise from the Hancock Trailhead parking area

We started our hike just before sunrise, at a more "normal" time, you could say. We started the Spot Tracker, and off we went down the Hancock Notch Trail into the wilderness. As we got going, the temperature was not really all that cold. The sun was splashing some alpenglow on scar ridge to our left, and the skies were looking good as we hiked in at lower elevations. The trail was nicely packed out into a highway for us, and the scenery was simply beautiful. We bare booted ourselves all of the way to the junction for North and South peak. Here we put our snowshoes, and snapped up our televators for the ascent.

Cedar Brook Trail in winter 

Cedar Brook and Hancock Loop Trail junction

I had been on the Hancocks two previous times, including once with my brother. Both times I ascended Hancock, North first. This time, we elected to ascend the south peak first. The trail was broken out well from butt-sliders. Our nice warm-up and televators on the snowshoes provided us no problem with the ascent, except for slowing us a little. That was ok, because of course we had arrow slide, the southern Pemigewasset Wilderness and Franconia Ridge in our view as we went up. Since it was my brother's first winter ascent of the Hancocks, he took the lead as we reached the summit for our respective #20's. There was a wind coming from the west, so the outlook on the west side provided not only a good spot for a summit break, but a great view looking east towards Chocoura.

North Hancock and Pemi Wilderness from Hancock Loop (south ascent) 

Me at Hancock, South Peak summit (3rd Round, and 2nd time in winter)

Bill's first winter ascent of Hancock, South Peak 

View from Hancock, South Peak summit

Enjoying some warm tea as a reward

We took a solid break here, but after a while, the fingers started to "feel it" and it was time to get going across the ridge to North Hancock. We proceeded along the completely well marked and broken out trail. It was noticeably different doing the loop in this counter-clockwise direction. The traverse was incredibly easy for us along this section. So much so, after we stopped to talk to a solo hiker, who turned out to be Matt (see his blog here), we had no idea that in just 10 more steps we were already at the summit of Hancock, North Peak. As opposed to the somewhat fair weather we had on south peak, it was snowing like crazy on the summit of North. It was getting colder by the second, so after a couple of photos, we ducked into the trees.

We did some pretty good butt-sliding/glissading down the trail, and it seemed like we were down super fast. The hike out after summiting the Hancocks is always very pleasant. We had a nice weather morning, some views, some snow, and great scenery - it was a great day for the Hancocks in winter, and the end of another solid 4-peak weekend for me.

Crossing a frozen stream on Cedar Brook Trail 

Bill hikes the Cedar Brook Trail 

The Osceola's from the Hancock Trailhead

Hike Stats
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Distance: 9.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,650 ft.
Actual Book Time: 7:05

W48-in-1: Mt. Carrigain & Tecumseh - 1/19/2013

This Saturday was a great day for winter hiking. It was one of those days where it turned it out just a little bit better than forecast - basically not as cold. The sun tried to poke it's way through, but what you see above is just about all I got. So it turned out that Mt. Carrigain was going to be my next peak on the way to 48 this winter. I arrived at the Sawyer River Road winter lot at about 4:30am. It was 5 degrees and snowing really good (which was expected for the morning hours). I had given myself some time to get ready in the car, and at 5:00am, I was headed up the dark road for two miles.

Signal Ridge Trail

Trail reports described some parts of the old trail were tracked out, and that part got me confused a little bit near one of the crossings. I'm convinced morning twilight is more challenging than any other time of day to hike. It's not easy to see, even with a headlamp. I went backwards a little bit to the old junction, and I found my way more confidently on the old trail (which was slightly tracked), and after that I was smooth sailing up the Signal Ridge Trail. It was a great snowy solo winter climb up Carrigain. When I reached the ridge, the wind was gusting nicely, and the snow swirled in circles to my right on the leeward side of the ridge. About 15 minutes later, I reached the summit of Carrigain for the first time in winter, and my 28th of 48 in winter. I enjoyed the windy and cold summit observation tower for about 10 minutes, and then headed down, ending in 7 hours flat.

Signal Ridge below Carrigain summit 

Mt. Carrigain summit in winter

Since I finished at noon time, I was able to carry through with my plan of bagging two peaks for the day. I removed my boots and gaiters and drove back in to Conway. I took a right, and took in a winter drive of the entire Kancamagus Highway as I made my way towards Mt. Tecumseh. After a nice ride and some water and food replenishment into my body, I was ready to go bag Tecumseh. I started up the Tecumseh Trail at 2:50pm.

I was going pretty light for this one, basically some layers, essentials, and my lightweight Snowboogie sled, which was attached to my pack. I reached the summit in 1 hour. I put on my microspikes when I came across, not a broken-out trail, but a sled-tracked out trail, so that is when they were especially helpful in getting me to the top quickly - and also, that's how I know I'm not the only nut climbing a peak with a sled on my pack. When I arrived at the summit, the views were the best of the day, but it was colder. I felt it more quickly on my hands than I did that morning on Carrigain.

Mt. Tecumseh summit in winter

Mt. Tecumseh summit view

4th time to Tecumseh, 3rd time in winter

I didn't linger very long. I had some quick trail snacks, water, and put on a warmer layer and I was ready for the descent. Looking at the sled tracks on the way up, I knew I was going to be in for a nice ride. There was still plenty of daylight remaining, and I was pumped. I reached two separate-hike 4000 footers, almost 20 miles in 9 hours of hiking. Both summits provided some views, and hiking in the cold and falling snow is always amazing, so this sled ride down was a great end to my day! I was back at my camp in Belmont in time to watch the Bruins, and to get some rest for Sunday's hike with my brother to the Hancocks. Now buckle up and enjoy the ride!



Hike Stats - Carrigain
Trails: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Distance: 14 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,800 ft.
Actual Book Time: 7:00

Hike Stats - Tecumseh
Trails: Mt. Tecumseh Trail
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft.
Actual Book Time: 2:00