Mount Moosilauke

Trail: Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“Trails were Swiss cheese. Postholes everywhere but mostly on the sides of the center packed trail. Mostly firm when I started but if I stepped anywhere off the center of the trail I’d posthole (such a dirty word I know). I carried snowshoes, wore spikes, but never put the clownshoes on because I am the size of a 13 year old boy and wasn’t having trouble staying on the packed trail. Saw lots of people today, most were starting in spikes but carrying snowshoes, some in snowshoes to start. Closer to the end of my day the trails were definitely getting softer where snowshoes would have been more appropriate. My tiny fierce cat like dog finished her Winter48 today even though she’s seen in Moosilauke in conditions much more wintry. Then she let strangers pet her (while muzzled). Guess she’s mature now and shit. On a much more real sad, I don’t even want to have to write this, note. I was physically assaulted by a man today about a mile from the trailhead. Late 40s-mid 50s white male, average height, light to white colored hair, yellow snowshoes. I stopped to let him pass with one foot on the trail and the other foot postholed off trail. He stuck his elbow out and purposely shoved me off trail. Rightfully upset I asked him why he would put his hands on a woman and he said it was because I didn’t move far enough off trail. Other words were exchanged as he was waving his pole in my face then finally kept hiking. I have summited over 1100 peaks in the Whites. I have had a lot of rude encounters by men but I have never been physically assaulted by one until today. I am deepened saddened that my safe space no longer feels safe and it has been a long time since I have felt so helpless in a similar situation. Ladies protect yourself out there and remember just because you’re in the woods with mostly like minded people, doesn’t mean this shit still can’t happen. If this man could physically shove a women in a public space with people around, I can only imagine what he’s capable of without people around. Stay safe, and keep your damn hands off of other people.”

Trail: Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, Carriage Road, Snapper Trail

Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky

“I followed one gentleman who was barebooting the whole way up Gorge Brook which churned up the unconsolidated snow on top of the hard pack even more. No significant post holes. When I was going up Gorge I looked up Snapper, my planned descent, and it didn’t look like it had much traffic recently. By the time I came down it was packed with some loose powder on top. Carriage Road was pretty churned up with some ice, post holes and unconsolidated snow for the first half mile then improved to packed powder with a couple inches of loose powder on top. I passed 2 skiers who contributed to packing it down from the junction with Snapper on up. For me, snowshoes the whole way was definitely the right choice. Snow was very sticky, especially on Gorge Brook, and clumped on my snowshoes all the way up.”

Trail: Glencliff Trail, Carriage Road

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular

“Road access beyond the gate was solid. Gets choppy once you enter the woods. I suspected to many people bare booting. Trail begins to improve once your in the woods. This is where I donned my SShoes and kept them on until I got back to the access road. Trail is soft and with the tree snow raining down SShoes were best for me. You do you.Timed it just right and had full sun on the final push to,the peak. Very windy. Some half a dozen folks on my way down not including a young fellow from Boston who peaked just before me who skinned up Carriage rd. All in all great conditions.”