| Summary | |
| Owner | MITOC Gallery Administrator |
| Creation Date | 2007-03-07 00:52:34 UTC-0500 |
| Description | Woody Hoburg Darren Verploegen Polly Anikeeva March 3-4, 2007 Two trips in one! Goofer's Delight (WI3), Cathedral, NH Lake of the Clouds via Ammonoousuc Ravine Trail Departing Boston at 4am got us to Cathedral just early enough to be first on this popular climb. Breaking trail in the new snow was a nice reminder to that it's possible to break a good sweat even on a 1/4 mile approach. This climb was my first ice lead! The top had bolts for the belay; Polly followed using straight shafted tools, and Darren ran up it like there was no tomorrow. We rapped and headed out, saying hi to the three or more parties in line for the climb on our way by. Consensus among group member was that it was time for a dunkin donut, so we took care of business and then drove on over to the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead, where we set off on our way to Lake of the Clouds to join the hockey festival. Starting up early in the afternoon, the trail had already been broken and we had an easy hike up to the lake. Darren opted to carry his snowshoes instead of wearing them, resulting in a few entertaining postholes but mainly in fewer clumsy objects attached to his feet. Visibility was still great with good views of the summit most of the way up. Upon arrival we were suprized by the hockey group with an already-started-by-Mike-Kokko snow cave (thanks Mike!); we ate food and then expanded the snow cave. Then we ate more food. The LOTC hut emergency shelter was our kitched of choice, and was had an amazing dinner complete with pasta, various meats and meat products, sodium, sauce, and even some veggies. See Matthew and Eric's report for more details on the hockey! Our night in the snow cave was great, especially for me (I was against the back wall). Darren and polly had some legs hanging out a little into the entrance, and as snow drifted in during the night their feet got wet. Polly is really good at snow caves. She fit's well, let's say. It's really amazing how peaceful and quiet it is in a snow cave even when the wind is howling outside. I'm definitely a convert. Next time, I'd bring a tarp and dig out a little larger both in depth and height, to make it even better. The next morning visibility was a bit poor for summitting, so we had breakfast, others attempted hockey, and we headed out. Next time swap the snowshoes for skis or sleds!! :) |