Took a needed break and went for a hike up Mt.Garfield here in the white mountain national forest in NH See my trail report here: Mt. Garfield - Garfield Trail - 11-15-2021 - NewEnglandTrailConditions.com Base temp 32°F snow, trace Summit temp neg 15°F wind chill & gusting about 65mph, snow 3 foot drifts. 10 miles total
That was beautiful Brian! Thanks for taking the extra time to take all those photos to share with us!
Looks like a great trip! Making me long for my New Hampshire home. Ever do any winter camping up there? Not crazy at all, it's strategic. You start hiking uphill, carrying a pack that probably weighs in around 25-30 lbs and wearing all your warm clothes, you'll be soaked in sweat in no time and once you're wet, you'll never get warm.
Some of these water crossings can get very technical during the winter especially spring. I've practiced breaking through ice and falling over in ponds/brooks just to practice the technique to get oneself out,dry and warm as fast as possible. When up on Garfield this past weekend, i took my gloves off for 2 minutes to get a panoramic picture. Parts of my hands already has frost nip (the stage just before frostbite) started getting that gray purple look, the waxy feel, so i hustled to get my mittens on, clapped my hands together ect to get the blood flowing- even threw hand warmers in (which i never do) It's amazing how easily one forgets how real it can get on these summits after a abnormally long warm season.
I am familiar. Have studied his techniques, just a bit. Haven't had much time to acclimatize to that weather yet either. By March -15 will feel a lot warmer.
I went to Maine and New Hampshire October 2022. Did alot of hiking and loved it. Would love to spend alot more time in that part of the country at state and national parks
