Planning my first Winter Hike.

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

Hello ADKers.

My friend and I are planning to hike the Camel's Hump (Green Mountains) this Friday. I am an experienced summer hiker with a good 15-20 High Peaks under my belt. Im heading to the outfitter today to make sure that I'm well prepared, but my main conern is my boots. This summer I bought a paid of Lowa Renegade GTX Mids

http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/Sho...egory=3&Type=M.

They are Leather with Gortex.

Are these going to be insulated enough for a winter day-hike? We will have snow shoes, but Im still wary . . .

Any input is highly appreciated.

[Little Rickie]

Are you day hiking or winter camping.

I don't know the boots but the discription says they are weekend hikers with no temp rating which would make me think they would be OK for a day hike with 2 pairs of socks (if they don't make the boots too tight) and gators in moderatly cold temps. When you get down into the teens or lower and get wet you could have a problem.

If you're camping I'd find warmer boots, have lots of extra socks and a vapor barrier (plastic bags) for your feet. When you stop moving around camp your feet can get cold pretty fast and then you're not having fun anymore.

If in doubt borrow/rent warmer boots, bring foot warmers and don't be afraid to turn back if you get cold.

Go for a walk in the cold now with one pair of socks and see how the do while walking and sitting still.

Have fun.

[jrbren]

We just got a huge dump of snow. Plus the next couple of days are supposed to be windy. Camel's Hump is a very popular winter climb, but going on Friday the trail may or may not be broken out. I would guess you may have to break trail in spots as the wind may blow over previous snow shoe tracks. I would guess many climbers on Saturday and Sunday and well beaten path by mid day Saturday. That said, Vt schools are out this week & Thursday is supposed to be sunny so maybe there will be good traffic to break out the trail for you even by Friday. Which route are you taking ? I would recommend the Burroughs or Monroe trail for your first winter hike, as the long trail from wind gap can be hard to follow in winter if not broken. It also has some steep sections which I would have a winter hike or two under my belt before attempting. I usually(always) where leather boot with gortex with smart wool socks, and that is fine. I recommend gaitors if you can get them, keep your feet dry (gortex does not work if the snow gets in from the top )... I almost never have problems with cold feet even on days much colder then forecasted for Friday. I highly recommend a good parka with a good hood so you can enjoy the summit it it is windy, which it usually is.

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

We just got a huge dump of snow. Plus the next couple of days are supposed to be windy. Camel's Hump is a very popular winter climb, but going on Friday the trail may or may not be broken out. I would guess you may have to break trail in spots as the wind may blow over previous snow shoe tracks. I would guess many climbers on Saturday and Sunday and well beaten path by mid day Saturday. That said, Vt schools are out this week & Thursday is supposed to be sunny so maybe there will be good traffic to break out the trail for you even by Friday. Which route are you taking ? I would recommend the Burroughs or Monroe trail for your first winter hike, as the long trail from wind gap can be hard to follow in winter if not broken. It also has some steep sections which I would have a winter hike or two under my belt before attempting. I usually(always) where leather boot with gortex with smart wool socks, and that is fine. I recommend gaitors if you can get them, keep your feet dry (gortex does not work if the snow gets in from the top )... I almost never have problems with cold feet even on days much colder then forecasted for Friday. I highly recommend a good parka with a good hood so you can enjoy the summit it it is windy, which it usually is.

Thanks for the info. I went to Tents and Trails in NYC today and picked up some nice gear:

A stuffable down layer
A goretex parka
thick merino wool socks
gators
balaclava

We will probably end up hiking on whichever day is more likely to be clear so that we get some views.

Im gonna get crampons before I go.

Do you think I should get an axe?

[colden46]

Do you think I should get an axe?

In my opinion, only if you know how to use it. Otherwise it's just one more sharp piece of metal flailing around waiting to stab you if you fall. Be careful with the crampons too, if this is your first time using them. It's easy to catch a point and trip. And a lot of people (myself included) shred their pants/gaiters the first time in crampons.

The final approach from the north isn't all that steep, so an axe shouldn't be an issue anyways. From the south is a different story though. I think this is what jrbren was referring to when s/he said "It also has some steep sections which I would have a winter hike or two under my belt before attempting" -- and I second that. It's a great mountain though; when I hiked the Long Trail a few years back I got up there and the summit was above the clouds. Awesome!

[jrbren]

An ice axe is not needed for any of the hiking routes on Camel's hump, even the long trail from the south from wind gap. That is not to say they are not nice to have. Crampons may or may not be needed above tree line, which means bring them. It has been an icy winter with allot of freeze thaw cycles, but this week's snow may provide enough traction if it does not get blown off. One other piece of "gear" not mentioned, a long trail guide book. It describes all the trails in detail. Of all my winter hikes through the years I have only used my ice axe once (on Whiteface where the Wilmington trail meets the auto road, to get back on the Wilmington trail for the final approach to the summit ridge there is a little 4' ledge that really gets iced over that I find really challenging when the conditions are icy, another trail that is challenging in winter though is the Maple Ridge trail on Mansfield, an axe is not necessary there, but makes life easier). I would hold off on the axe until you have been out a few times and have a better idea of what you need/want, it is often a matter of personal choice. You do not want to buy a bunch of expensive gear and then find out everyone else's gear you hike with is better and want to buy it over again. For your first winter hike I recommend the Burroughs trail from Huntington (west), or the Monroe trail from the east (couching Lion farm site). Either trail meets up at a clearing just north of the summit, where you climb the last 300' or so from the north. I think this is what Colden46 meant by the northern approach, do not confuse with the 6+ mile Bamforth ridge trail from the north which is not likely to be broken and is a challenging summer hike with ~4K vertical gain. I have never done the Bamforth ridge trail in winter. Have fun.

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

UPDATE

We hit the Hump of Friday the 29th. What a perfect day! Clear skies and comfortable temps.

There was ALOT of snow but the trail had been hiked/skied/sledded on enough that it was fairly packed. We'd rented snowshoes but we didnt bring them. Instead we wore our stabilicers all the way up with no issues. I had thick wool Wigwam socks plus toe warmers, and my feet were toasty and dry the whole time!!

Best of all , we met a guy in the parking lot who was bringing a sled up the mountain. We realized that we had 2 plastic sleds in the trunk so we brought them up the mountain with us.

Here are a few of the pictures we took at this awesome summit on this beautiful day, plus one action shot of me sledding down the hump.

http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh56/louthemexikan/

[jrbren]

Thanks for the follow up, looks like you had great conditions. Hooked now for more ?

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

Thanks for the follow up, looks like you had great conditions. Hooked now for more ?

If I didn't live a solid 6 hours away in NYC, Id be hooked for real.

The view of the 'Dacks from across the valley while driving back home via VT 22A nearly brough me to tears. Oh, the High Peaks . . .

Ill be back up there as soon as I can.