The plan was to hike the Franconia Ridge to Flume. We would start by hiking up to Lafayette and hike south to Flume, and take Liberty Springs back to the road. We would walk back to the car on the Pemi paved path.
We knew there was going to be wind and clouds at the summit of Lafayette and studied the Higher Summits forecast, so we were prepared for full-on winter conditions.
Best Laid Plans.
It was 37 degrees when we left Lafayette Place parking lot and started the climb to Lafayette. We wore spikes the entire time. It hailed and snowed off and on. We saw one backpacker on the way down who spent the night on the summit. After getting to Greenleaf Hut we knew that we were going to be in the clouds but didn’t know that visibility was going to be as bad as it was. As we continued above treeline we were looking for each cairn and it was starting to get tough to find the next one. Using my Garmin watch I could see we were close to the summit but couldn’t find it. After a few minutes we found the trail sign for the Franconia Ridge.
Later, we couldn’t figure out where to go to stay on the Franconia Ridge trail, visibility was bad. We stumbled around trying to get on the trail and head south but it was too uncertain.
So we made the right decision and headed back down. However, it was tough finding the cairns to get back down. I was in full panic mode. Thanks for my calm, sensible hiking partner, Greg, we looked, hiked some in the direction my watch said, looked for cairns, hiked some more. We couldn’t see our tracks in the snow due to the wind. After 5-10 minutes we found our way.
On our way down we came across two men hiking up. We told them about the poor visibility and they continued on. We worried about them.
We got back to the hut and ate lunch. We talked about the what just happened. We talked about the book we both read, The Last Traverse and about making decisions on that ridge when you want to finish what you started. Just as we were about to head out the two men arrived after getting to the summit; we were relieved.
The hike down Old Bridle Path was beautiful with the snow and we were glad to be heading down.
One of the aspects of working on the Grid is that you get to really know the mountains. All three times in the last two years that I’ve got to the top of Lafayette I hiked from the south. When I got to the summit today nothing looked familiar. It was snow covered and visibility was poor, and I just couldn’t find my way to the ridge trail. Now I just want to get back up there and get familiar with the summit and the ridge. I wonder if I did know this mountain and rock formations, would I have been able to find my way. I just want to know these mountains so well that I could find my way in any conditions.
I’ll be back up to Lafayette next month for sure.
Hiking with Greg is always an epic adventure and today was one for sure. Turning around was the right decision and we will do it another day. This was the first time I have been above treeline in winter conditions. In the three years I’ve been winter hiking, I’ve never hiked Franconia Ridge or the Presidentials in winter; because I’m not ready (yet) for that experience. I need more training and winter gear. However, I was excited to wear my goggles hiking for the first time. Now, bring on spring hiking!