A mixed bag in Gulf of Slides - 19APR2014

[robrox]

3:48 AM Eyes pop open...going skiing, time to get started.
3:59AM Alarm goes off as "the sandwich" is half built and the kettle begins to boil
4:38AM Pull out of driveway
7:47AM Start Skinning...I am alone and first of the day acsending the GOSST (Gulf of Slides Ski Trail)...but not for long. As I prepare for the second open water stream crossing in the first .2 mile, Concordia2 arrives.

We ascend together finding the going pretty easy, with only a couple of grass and mud crossings...good thing I was using my "rock skins". We reach the second cache, whereat Concordia's blisters get treated and snacks are consumed



We started up Main Gully on skins...





...then we started booting but we soon started cramponing up



Then we skied.
Me at about 4800:

Concordia2 skiing at about 4300:
[video][/video]

We stopped at the top of the landslide pileup and darned if the sun didn't try to break through the Eastside cloud cover. BobT reported that about that time the Westside was sunny from his view from the Western Whites.




I was on a short timeline and after taking leave of Concordia2, I reached the soft snow not 30 feet from the spot where the previous 3 pix were taken.

The trail is getting a bit worn...



Down and wondering if the Gullies would soften

[Raventele]

That's cool , Rob..I am guessing the steepness and hard snow make for some
difficult Tele ?
I notice your boots..TRace?

[Johnny]

Woooooooaaaah! So cooool!!

NH rocks... Thanks for sharing...!

Do you think there will be something left for the first week of May?

[robrox]

Sure, there's plenty of snow in GOS, the big deal will be getting to it.

The GOSST will be all wet mud for the first .5 mile, and nearly as bad as that below 3300'. Graham Link from the Sherby will serve, but there is deep water in the first 60 meters off the Sherby. I'd consider taking the Boott Spur Trail to the Graham, It means a long carry, and, once you get onto it and slog to the high point, the Graham will be tough going on the descent to GOSST. The two water hazzards on that part of the Graham won't be too tough to pass.


I did some tele on the GOSST, the angle being easy and the snow nice and soft. Upper Left Gully in Tuckerman Ravine is much steeper and I can bend the knee just fine there. The Lip? Nope! That sucker steals my mojo...about the same as the hard lumpy snow in this TR. I have bent the knee in GOS when conditions are nice....but not on Saturday!

The Boots are T2X with after-market Plus liners in them. The T-Race is way too much boot for me.

[Skise]

Hmmm. That looks like "hey, I did it" skiing. Where all the individual parts are horrible (climbing is always horrible...) but the overall experience is positive because "Hey, I did it". Backpacking also goes in that cathegory, most of the time you are tired, wet, cold (or hot and thirsty) but after you come home you start planning the next trip. Yes, I hate my hobbies.

[robrox]

Hmmm. That looks like "hey, I did it" skiing. Where all the individual parts are horrible (climbing is always horrible...) but the overall experience is positive because "Hey, I did it". Backpacking also goes in that cathegory, most of the time you are tired, wet, cold (or hot and thirsty) but after you come home you start planning the next trip. Yes, I hate my hobbies.

The best fucking part for these expensive hobies is getting the goddamned boots off so we can drink in comfort!

[Johnny]

Ahahhaha! Sounds like fun to me...! The whole point of climbing and being wet, cold and tired is to make us appreciate how lucky (or stupid?) we are to think that this is cool... : )

Thanks for the tips... I'll definitely try to see if I can make it next month... And maybe take a chance at Tucks too... So you started at 8am, how long does it take to get to the top? I guess it's gonna be a bit longer with all that water and mud...? Never been there before, you start at the visitor's center?

Thanks, and keep us posted about that Slackfest...!

[robrox]

Being old and mostly in the way, I'm not all that fast.

7:47AM Start
(from the foot of the Sherby, cross the first bridge, bang a Left in another 30 feet and then bear right where the Avalanche Brook Ski Trail goes Left)

11:50AM to high point of 4950'.
We stopped for about 15 minutes for a little blister care...but 4 hours to the top of main gully from the parking lot sounds about average.

The Annual Mount Washington Memorial Day BBQ and Slackfest is on as long as I breathe and can get on the mountain. Skiing and Riding on the NE Snowfield a little above (and across the ropad from) the Air Force parking lot.If the Road is not open yet (almost unheard of) I shall be staying in one of the Hermit Lake shelters and skiing in the Ravine. The 10th Mountain Memorial Day Slalom is always on Memorial Day Monday and has been held once in Tuckerman Ravine because the Road, which had been open, was closed due to icing and high winds.

A Ranger told me that over 75 participants means I need a permit..so if you show up, deny everythying about Slackfest....

[Teleman]

Don't know nothing.....Comes easily!!!! TM

[Raventele]

Hmmm. That looks like "hey, I did it" skiing. Where all the individual parts are horrible (climbing is always horrible...) but the overall experience is positive because "Hey, I did it". Backpacking also goes in that cathegory, most of the time you are tired, wet, cold (or hot and thirsty) but after you come home you start planning the next trip. Yes, I hate my hobbies.

The best fucking part for these expensive hobies is getting the goddamned boots off so we can drink in comfort!

That's awesome , Rob..Awesome..Just let it all out! Been a long time coming!
Wish I could come to your event!!!