Gulf of Slides, NH - 3/26/06

[Lftgly]

Very thin cover below 3000' elevation, had to walk down last pitch (OK, we could have sidestepped and not removed the skis). A couple warm days (Monday? Tuesday?) could make much of the lower ski slopes a muddy hiking trail. Partly to mostly sunny skies kept us warm and the snow soft through the morning ascent. The summits were in and out of the clouds, and as we reached higher elevations, we re-entered winter conditions. There was 1" to 4" or more of new snow blown in the trees and krumholz, though the gullies were mostly scoured down to 1" or bare old surfaces. The old surface was at least edgeable, not bullet-proof ice; just right to try our new ski crampons. According to second-hand reports from other campers/skiers, the southern snowfields had the best snow, but we didn't make the extra effort to go that far. We satisfied ourselves with a nice run down the Left Gully from about 4900', then back down the Gulf of Slides Ski Trail.

 

[JimG.]

Excellent report and pics as usual!

I think my plan to come up for my Tucks trip in 2 weeks is smart...I'm hearing that snow levels are fairly low and your pics of the GOS trail confirm that.

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Nice TR & Pix. Great report. Depressing news, but Great report.

 

[riverc0il]

excellent report, thanks for the pics. lower part of the ski trail looks ugly. doesn't look like mother nature is going to help out, but at this point more snow might just cover up the junk anyways without adding to the base.