Hancocks, Osceolas, & Mt. Tecumseh - 6/3/15

With 17 4,000-footers to hike this month for my goal. On Wednesday night, I set out for my usual mid-week night hike to kick off June, and for this night I decided on the Hancocks & Osceolas.  I decided on the Hancock's first so that I could get a good daylight glimpse of the multiple crossings in case they were higher than the norm (see below for river crossing photos).  At 7:44pm, I was off and headed up the trail.

Starting the hike to the Hancocks     

Almost to the Hancock Loop Trail 

Last light approaching the South Hancock Summit

It was nice to have some stars out, but it seemed to cloud up as I traversed the ridge to North Hancock. I descended quickly, and motored along the trail non-stop until I was finished.  When finished, I noticed a thorn had got me good on my knee when I had to scoot along the edge of one river when I crossed. Didn't notice until the end.

North Hancock Summit 

Night time river crossings!

A fairly deep gouge for a thorn

About 15 minutes after arriving at the car from the Hancocks, I moved over to the Greeley Ponds Trail head and started my way to the Osceolas.  It was comfortable out, about 50 degrees. I had changed my shirt, and was ready for another steep battle. Once I got to the ridge, I was in the clouds, and in a dense fog bank which penetrated the trees onto the trail corridor.

Greeley Ponds Trail head 

Steep trail to East Osceola 

Dense fog on Mt. Osceola Trail\ 

East Osceola Summit

After the summit, I made fairly quick work to the chimney and bypass section.  As fun as it is, there's no need to ascend the chimney myself in the dark, so without hesitation I scooted up the bypass and continued on my way. Arriving at the summit of Osceola was pretty ominous as the fog cover was very thick.  After a very short break, I headed back, reaching my car in amazing one hour and fifty-six minutes, the quickest I've ever hiked the Osceolas.

The bypass to the chimney at night 

Arriving at the Osceola Summit 

Osceola Summit Marker 

Heading back down the bypass 

Since it was only 2:00am, and I had thoughts all night about such, I decided that I had just enough time to go get Tecumseh before I had to be at work.  Without much hesitation, I hopped in the car and drove Tripoli Road to the Waterville Valley Ski area.  At 3:45am I was on my way up Tecumseh for my 5th 4,000-footer of the night.  Just like the Osceola's the dense fog was settled over the mountain creating an eerie atmosphere. One foot in front of the other, I reached the summit in a little over an hour.  This was my 10th summit of Tecumseh.  On the summit, the birds started to chirp meaning sunrise was approaching.  I made my way down, finishing in just under two hours, with plenty of time to get back to MA and arrive timely for work.  Its amazing that I can pull up to three different trail heads and do five 4,000-footers without ever seeing another person. The total for the night was 21.3 miles and 8,712' of elevation gain in 8 hours total trail time, which is comparable (in distance and elevation gain) to a Presidential Range Traverse or climbing Mt. Rainier.  

Mt. Tecumseh Trail 

Going to be a socked in summit 

Mt. Tecumseh Summit around 4:30am 

Highlights:
Hancocks - 11th Round
Osceolas- 10th Round; new personal fastest time
Tecumseh - 11th Round; #476/576 for Grid. 100 to go between now and November.
Did not see another person all night.
3rd time to each peak in 2015

Trail Conditions:
I was a little worried about the difficulty of the crossings on this night, but they were actually already pretty low after rain this week.  I got my feet a little damp making my way out to the Hancocks, especially on the last couple crossings.  I was able to find rocks to hop across, a couple of them being submerged. The trail was a little muddy in a few spots, but not bad at all. The crossing on the way to the Osceolas was no problem. The trail was a little damp, but there were no hazards other than the dense fog.  For Tecumseh, the trail was damp, and the stream crossings were no problem.

Hancocks 

Hancocks 

Hancocks, wide but shallow here 

Hancocks

Oscecola's crossing

Hike Stats - Hancocks

Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail

Distance: 9 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,961 ft.

Actual Book Time: 3:10
Garmin Adventure

Hike Stats - Osceola's

Trails: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Distance: 7.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,092 ft.

Actual Book Time: 1:56
Garmin Adventure

Hike Stats - Tecumseh

Trails: Mt. Tecumseh Trail

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,280 ft.

Actual Book Time: 1:55
Garmin Adventure

Photo Album Link (all three)

W48-in-1: The Osceola's - 12/28/12

On Friday morning as snow was still flying, I set off on a climb to the Osceola's. I had climbed them twice already in winter. The first time, back in January '11, was the first time I had ever snowshoed. It took me and my brother all day long. The conditions were far more cold and windy that day, but as I tread through almost a foot of fresh untouched powder for nearly 4 miles, I couldn't help but think back to that day, when I first strapped my new MSR Lightning Ascents on. They still perform flawlessly and just like the day I first used them.

As I started the hike, the thick white blanket of snow all over everything in the woods was a sight to see. It was like an entire different world, and I know many winter hikers are just excited as I am. It was snowing and windy to start. Eventually the sun rose and allowed for some clearing at lower elevation.  

Rising sun from Mt. Osceola Trail

A brief view of the sky en route to East Osceola 

Once I hit the slide, I remembered that most of the way is pretty steep from here. As you can see below, the slide had a thin layer of ice, and the snow was blown off it. This area didn't cause any difficulty, but most of the way from here all of the way to Osceola was twice as hard as from the trail head to the slide.

Looking up the slide section 

East Osceola summit, 46th solo 4000-footer 

After bagging East Osceola, I looked forward to the Bypass section. I descended off the backside sliding down the drifts of powdery snow in my snowshoes. When I arrived at the Chimney and Bypass, it was another sight to see. Completely untouched snow filled the area. No one else but me would see it this way today. I started to climb the bypass, and about 5 or so feet up, I definitely slipped and slid back down. Luckily, the rocks aren't too sharp and my snowshoes didn't get caught. I made it fine on the second try, but towards the top, I had to jam my arm into the snow for leverage, and basically crawl up. With all of this snow like this, I could've been somewhere in the middle of the Alaskan backcountry for all I knew. It was tough.

Chimney ahead, Bypass to the right 

Looking up the Bypass

I was getting anxious to get to Osceola, because it meant that I would have it much easier going back. When I arrived, it looked the same as it did on my first time here. I had views once here, but it felt like deja vu. Osceola was the 47th summit I've hiked solo, and I now have only Cannon left to hike solo. Despite it being my 3rd time in winter here, they were new December peaks on my grid. I am approaching 25% completed.

Osceola summit 

My plan for this last week was to go on a rampage bagging 8+ peaks (a tentative Presi Traverse was planned too), but the weather really screwed things up. I was already starting to feel the effects of a head cold before this hike, so when I got back home, my head stuffed up so bad, and I couldn't muster it up to get back out there the following day (today). Planning for this single season thing is not easy. Already, its been affected by this dumping of snow, and threatening of additional storms. I'm already seeing how difficult its going to be. This upcoming week's weather is looking good so far; let's hope it doesn't do anything else, and the trails stay nicely broken out for me! (and this cold goes away)

My snowshoe tracks on the way back

Hike Stats:
Trails: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail
Distance: 7.6 mi.
Elevation Gain: 3,100 ft.
Actual Book Time: 7:10

Mt. Osceola, East Peak & Mt. Osceola 1/14/12

It was another frigid adventure yesterday, this time back to where my 2011 Quest for NHs 48 all started for me about exactly a year ago on the Osceola's. I joined my friend Mike for this one, as we did some peakbagging shenanigans. He is working on the 48, and oddly, it was his 31st and 32nd on round 1 while this was number 31 and 32 on my second round, and my 38th Trailwright.

We started up the Greeley Ponds Trail and it was a pleasant 1.3 mile stroll to the junction. The powdery snow snow was trampled from a couple of groups before us, but not packed solid. It was still nice walking, until my foot slipped off of a two plank bridge and I was in up over my thigh. That was pretty funny, and then it turned into an adventure. (I have this on video, its hilarious, I'll post it later)

Greeley Pond Trail

At the junction we could see the East Peak above which was impressive. At this point, I was already enjoying it because last time, it was snowing all day, and I couldn't see anything at all, just a steep trail. Now on the Mt. Osceola Trail, the trail steepened after leaving the open woods. Microspikes and our ice axes were doing the trick as we continued to climb. The powdery snow made it tough in some areas to climb without hand support.

East Peak from the junction

We encountered an older couple having a tough time at the open slide area. We assisted them from that area to the outlook near the summit. While Mike and I second guessed giving them assistance, we went along with them, offering assistance based on both of their willingness to continue. We were concerned about them going down, but I said to Mike, "we're all out here hiking our own hike, and you and I are prepared with the equipment we need." The gentleman had poles and yaktrax, and the woman had yaktrax and no poles.

Almost to East Peak from the viewpoint

We left them at the outlook after taking in the view together. I'm glad they got to experience the great view before heading back. I was excited to be able to see from the outlook this time. Osceola has some great views while ascending. We then made it to the rather view-less summit though, of East Peak. Another hiker was on his down from there. As we started to walk away, I said to Mike, "there's enough people out here, we can't worry about them, let's go". We carried on, and the chimney awaited.

#31 Round 1

#31 Round 2

Once there, I don't think there was any other option. The bypass looked way too easy, so the crampons went on with rather quickness and I was ready for the chimney. As I approached it, I sunk up to my hips in the snow. When I got to it, I tried going to the left, and getting enough grip to swing my body up over the first wall of ice, but I then went to the right, and used the tree to help me get over that section. I left my sure hold on the tree, and for about 30 seconds I was on my crampon points and my ice axe hold, leaning my body against the ice. I swung my ice axe a little left on the above ice and shifted left twice quickly, and the tough part was over. (I have to describe, it since Mike somehow didn't have the video working, even though I pressed record, otherwise you would simply watch me climb it) After the visible ice, it climbs another 15-20 feet or so through deep drifted snow. Here I still had to be extremely cautious with each step. I reached the top successfully, and it was a freakin' blast.

Mike followed suit, but he skipped the powdery snow section and came out just above the ice. We continued on, through the winter wonderland. We finally came to the summit, and before we came out of the trees, it looked like we had reached the gates of heaven. We popped out onto the summit to amazing views which I had not seen from here before. The Trips look mighty impressive, and Washington looks as just good from anywhere. A steady wind with chills down to -20 left us not hanging around too long, but the beaming sun and views were such a great reward for the steep effort.

About to get a great view from Osceola

A sweet view and a steep ledge

Mike celebrates #32 with some sort of ice axe pose

A couple of other favorites from this trip...

Mt. Washington in the distance

The beautiful Pemi

Now began the descent which was one of the best butt-sliding descents ever.

Hike Stats

Trails: Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Distance: 7.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,100 ft

Book Time: 6hrs 40min

Mt Osceola & Osceola East Peak - January 9 2011

Summit of Mt. Osceola

What an incredible undertaking this was to start my quest for NH's 48.  Now, just the second week into the year, Bill and I have two peaks under our belt. We started up the Greeley Pond Trail from the Kancamagus Highway exactly at 9am. We had the snowshoes on from the get-go, and we quickly got used to them. We did the first 1.3 miles in about an hour. When we got to the junction, we changed from the shoes to our Microspikes to switch it up and make headway as it got a bit steeper. After the junction, the trail is basically never flat again. Don't ever wish it will get flat, it won't.

Dan on Osceola, East Peak

Bill on Osceola, East Peak

The higher we got on the trail, the heavier it was snowing and the heavier the winds. Microspikes worked well for a little while, then we put back on the snowshoes. It was no problem switching them out. the straps on the MSR Lightning Ascents are quick and easy to secure. 

As we approached the East Peak, it was snowing really good. After walking up a few steep spirals, it seemed, the trail flattens out slightly. The trees are pretty small, and we came across the small path that leads to a very small outlook, where all we saw was white. We continued on a short distance and found the true summit of Osceola East Peak. With visibility probably less than 100ft or so, there were no views to take in, except the howling winds blowing through the trees and the snow blowing about, or falling from the trees, which make a variety of different grinding noises from the wind. We still remembered to take a moment and reflect on the fact that this mission is now started.

Reached the top of the Bypass, safely

The Mt. Osceola Trail descends the East Peak, and then ascends Mt. Osceola. In between there is vertical section called the Chimney and the Bypass. We decided to take the Bypass for obvious reasons. It appeared much safer, although that did not make it easy. I can imagine it is much easier in the summer. The Bypass was covered with about 2 inches of powder as we ascended it. After this section the trail continues for at least another half mile before reaching the summit of Mt. Osceola.

The summit was fantastic, but extremely cold. We knew that there was a wind chill advisory for the afternoon at the higher summits, which forecasted winds at 40-60mph and wind chills to -40 degrees. From the time we hiked between the peaks along the ridges, our waters, which were inside of our packs, were becoming completely frozen. Our cameras were saying battery low, and just minutes after removing a glove, fingers started to get numb. This was a great test for us to see what these conditions are like. With our new hiking boots, our feet were toasty warm the entire time. Our clothing and layering choices had worked out perfectly all day long.  Although prepared for anything, we certainly did not expect it to snow all day long. It never stopped.

Me & Bill on the Summit of Osceola

After reaching our goal of Mt. Osceola, we headed back down, over, and out. Going down the mountain all the way from the summit of Osceola to below East Osceola, the trail was pretty difficult. There was one other hiker on trail, who headed back prior to us. His footprints had been covered by drifts up to approximately 8 inches or more. The trail seems so steep going down, it was so hard to believe we freakin' hiked up it. We had our Microspikes on because we needed some maneuverability going down. Even with the spikes, there were a couple of decent 10 feet slides down some ice, which made it interesting. What really got interesting was when Bill started sliding on one of the iciest sections and did not stop. In fact he slid about 10 feet before somehow ending up on his feet but still sliding another 5 feet or so before catching himself on a tree with his chest and arms. Had there been no tree, he'd be in some pine trees about 20 feet down.

I think it was a bit steeper than we expected overall.  Before we made it back to the junction with the Greeley Pond Trail, it was pretty dark, and we used our headlamps. Once we passed the junction, we moved pretty quickly through the 1.3 miles, which is much much flatter and easier than any other part of the trail on this trip. It's a pretty amazing thing to experience hiking in these conditions. To top the experience off, not many get to experience hiking during a blustery and chilly snowfall under a slither of bright moonlight.

Hike Stats

Trails: Greely Pond Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail

Distance: 7.6 mi

Elevation Gain: 3100 feet