Franconia Ridge Loop

“I wouldn't normally report on a winter day hike, but it was my first real winter hike since the day before I was injured (mid February, 2004) - also the views were incredible.

Poison Ivy (from VFTT) and I headed to the White Mountains before 6AM and arrived about 8:30. There wasn't much snow in the WHite Mountains yet. There were scattered clouds in the sky.

We headed up the Falling Waters Trail. There was enough ice on the trail, that we put on our crampons pretty early on. I had some trouble getting them on tightly and securing the threads. My fingers are still stiff, and I have a gas bubble in one eye that floats over the center of my vision when I look down. Eventually, Ivy had to help me out.

My fingers got cold every time I took off my insulating layer (leaving me with just the burn gloves and liner gloves) and as we ascended into colder and windier territory it got harder and harder to warm them up. Even the chemical heat pads didn't work get my fingers warm. I quickly found out that I had to shake out my hands or twirl my arms like a wind mill to get the enough circulation for the heat to reach my finger tips.

The ridge was beautiful and moderatel windy, with gusts of maybe 30 - 35 miles an hour. The views were incredible, despite the clouds, the air was very clear. We had great views all around. The views of the Presidentials were far better than I've had in my previous 4 trips to Lincoln and Lafayette, and Ivy noted the clear view into Vermont. We crossed the peaks of Lincoln and Haystack, marveling at the views and occasionally ducking the winds that were slowly picking up.

As we moved towards Lafayette, the winds really started to pick up and push us around. Shortly before the final ascent they got really intense... much stronger than the 60 mph gusts I'd experienced in the Presidentials. I wanted to wait for Ivy, but it was brutal when I stood still - my fingers were numb I could feel the cold sinking in. I hiked the rest of the way up to the peak and sheltered in the rocks as I watched Ivy struggle through the winds.

There were three hikers and a small dog sheltering there when I reached the peak. I was amazed at the little dog who was still plucky and energetic despite the hike, the wind, and a small blue pack it was carrying. Later, we noticed it had a bloody nose - but it was still in good spirits on the way down.

The safest route down was the route we had planned on, heading down to the Hut and taking the Old Bridle Path back to the lot. The descent down the North Face of Lafayetter was intense. Ivy used the word "terrifying" afterwards. We had to fight to stay upright. I kept thinking of some people who had gotten lost in White Out conditions on Lafayette, and hoping the snow wouldn't get thicker. Fortunately it stayed pretty light, but mixed with freezing rain and driven by strong fast winds, we did take quite a pelting. I started getting ice crystals on my glasses at one point.

Anyhow, we made it back on time (before dark) and considered ourselves lucky to have been most of the way across the ridge before the winds went nuts on us. Ivy took some pics and I think she will post somewhere and send me a link. She was a big help in getting me through this first winter hike.

Other than problems with my fingers, I felt pretty good. I'm hoping that will get better over time, but for now I will stick to day hikes in the winter. The tops of my feet are all grafted skin, so they were more tender than I would have expected. I am also a little stiffer than I normally would expect, but I'm happy and ready to start planning the next trip.”

“Dude.”

“that is a great hike. I have not done it in winter. Did you happen to remember Waterman as you were making your way along the ridge in the howling wind?


Glad your experience was a good one. Be gentle on your hands and stuff!”

“Sounds like a good time! Glad you made it back ok Ped. Youve got to watch wether in the mountians it can get bad fast.”

“BTW: I did this exact loop in the Summer with Dunadan and his daughter, Cameo (aka my wife), and my son. I was thinking about him a bit as we did the circuit.

BTW: Distance is 8.9 miles, elevation gain 3,900 ft.
last edited: 1/03/05 9:53:17 AM”

“Yeah Spirit... we were lucky that we were almost done with the ridge (about 2 miles long) and very exposed, when the wind started whipping up. It would have been easy to retreat if we caught it early, but being right in the middle would have been hairy.”

“ped, you are an inspiration. rawk on!”

“That was the first mountain I took my wife hiking on.

She met my parents for the first time on top of Lincoln. They had gotten an earlier start than us, and we met them just as they were finishing up lunch.

I figured that if she could do that loop, and meet my parents at the same time, then she was a keeper.

That was back in October of 1992. And it was the last time I have been up there.”

“Ivy has pics at: http://community.webshots.com/user/ivysadventures
select "Lincoln & Lafayette winter hike"

she also posted a report at VFTT: http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4683”

“Nice story Lee.”

“Ped --


I just popped open my new Chuck Theodore White Mountain calendar for 2005.

January is a winter shot (probably from the Sugar Hill area where he has his studio) of . . ..of . .. .


the Franconia Ridge . . .nice blue sky,white mountain. It has your whole hike in view.”

“way to go ped! awesome report and hike!”

“outstanding pics”

“Way to go, pedxing. I certainly agree with you about the lack of snow in the White Mountains this year. We usually have 2-4 feet aorund where we live by this time of winter. All we have is a little bit of snow covered in ice from freezing rain. Let's hope the rest of the winter brings us lots more snow and no more rain.”