Trying to add a peak to our winter 48 lists we chose Hale as a quick hike for a Sunday. I was joined by Marty and Clarke (Ridgerunner) and we got to the parking area on 302, geared up and were moving by 8:20. Zealand Road was barebootable; Marty put on snowshoes after the plowed road ended and I put on Microspikes. We arrived at the Hale Brook Trailhead in an hour and headed up.
After a 16 mile workout the day before I could feel the burn and Marty and Clarke were kind enough to pity me to waiting for me at points. Since I postholed deeply as I was crossing the brook and to the other side of the ravine, I put on snowshoes (as did Clarke). We moved up steadily as it kept snowing; it snowed most of the day adding a few inches of powder. Nothing exciting to report and I eventually met Marty and Clarke at the summit after 2 hours and 40 minutes. We ran into a group that included Senator Jeb Bradley (who Marty had met before) but due to cold and windy conditions everybody dropped off the summit quickly.
Descent was uneventful; Clarke motored down quickly ahead and Marty and I occasionally butt slid where it was reasonable. I tweaked my achilles over striding going down and was glad to be back on the road. We zipped back to the cars in a little under 5 hours.
Not many pictures, but can be seen here . Winter peak number 25.
After a 16 mile workout the day before I could feel the burn and Marty and Clarke were kind enough to pity me to waiting for me at points. Since I postholed deeply as I was crossing the brook and to the other side of the ravine, I put on snowshoes (as did Clarke). We moved up steadily as it kept snowing; it snowed most of the day adding a few inches of powder. Nothing exciting to report and I eventually met Marty and Clarke at the summit after 2 hours and 40 minutes. We ran into a group that included Senator Jeb Bradley (who Marty had met before) but due to cold and windy conditions everybody dropped off the summit quickly.
Descent was uneventful; Clarke motored down quickly ahead and Marty and I occasionally butt slid where it was reasonable. I tweaked my achilles over striding going down and was glad to be back on the road. We zipped back to the cars in a little under 5 hours.
Not many pictures, but can be seen here . Winter peak number 25.