| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Baldpate Mountain - West Peak, Baldpate Mountain - East Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 8, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Old Speck/AT lot plowed out, not very widely, but can fit more than several cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
For the few there were, all were easy and hoppable in nature. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
- |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
- |
|
 | Bugs: |
- |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
- |
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|
 | Comments: |
What a day. This was #100 of the Winter New England 100 Highest for me. Couldn't really have asked for a better day.
AT was broken out very nicely from Route 26 up to the area just before the steep climb up to Baldpate's west peak. Here at this area, remnants of past tracks veered left (more downhill) and right, so we headed right to stay with the AT proper. We never did see any track from the left merge back in -- maybe they hiked around West?
From that area forward, we broke out the trail from the West peak ascent through to East, and back, in depths of no more than about a foot. Decided to ditch snowshoes in favor of microspikes at the final clearing along the col between the peaks before the final ascent up onto the East peak, since that peak was mostly bare rock (though not ice). Worked out well, even if there were a few short sections of drifts to work through.
Bluebird skies, warm sun, a little wind but really only a little chilly coming back down off the East peak. Otherwise, a very, very pleasant hike. Thanks to Mike "Mountain Man" Henry and Mark "Rollie" Rolerson for joining me on this super day. Great company, and so gracious in every way. The NE 100 alone are an adventure; the same list in Winter is triply so. Sad to see this Winter drawing to a close, but it's been a fantastic one to finish this list, and I thank everyone that's shared in the experience with me along the way. |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Bertrand - |
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 | E-Mail: |
erik@bertpc.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-03-07 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/6d232e578173a3b2047b76d3847224b06704ddbb/?layer=SatelliteWithLabels |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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