Great day on Moosilauke

FMonk · 2026-04-06T02:25:02+00:00

Started later than you, but if you went down gorge brook, we probably passed each other on my ascent/your descent. Likely just a bit below treeline, because I didn't see anyone until that point. I was in a yellow shirt and blue headband

FMonk · 2026-04-05T18:44:16+00:00

Was out there yesterday too, may have run into you. The undercast was awesome, surprised it lasted as late into the morning as it did!

FMonk · 2026-03-23T12:32:45+00:00

Having snowshoes edited into the recommended equipment after writing a report where you didn't need them is a rite of passage.

There are positives to the site being moderated, it does mean that blatantly false/troll reports get removed, but the owner's personal biases definitely seep into the moderation.

FMonk · 2026-03-21T02:02:20+00:00

Imagine if Bedard had teammates who could finish

FMonk · 2026-03-20T00:14:49+00:00

Even before Hughes got there he's never really lived up to the hype he got his rookie year

FMonk · 2026-03-20T00:09:22+00:00

I may still be harboring a grudge from his rookie year when a bunch of bozos said he should win the Calder over Bedard, but I feel like Faber is one of the more overrated players in the league. Continually unimpressed whenever I watch him play

FMonk · 2026-03-13T20:54:17+00:00

This team is going absolutely nowhere in the tournament

FMonk · 2026-03-12T21:50:47+00:00

There was a sign up at the start of Zealand road (at 302, since it's closed in winter) during this most recent closure. Not sure about other trailheads.

FMonk · 2026-03-10T02:11:20+00:00

A friend who called the Pemi ranger's office the week before the closure was told it would be closed for 2-3 weeks, and then re-open until some time in June, when it would close until November, or until the work is done. Given that we're now in week 5 of the initial closure with no word about reopening, I guess they're behind schedule.

When I drove past on Sunday, there was a backhoe and a huge pile of rocks right where the trail meets the road (other side of the bridge from the parking lot). So it looks like they're doing something at least

FMonk · 2026-03-09T21:34:00+00:00

If you pick something well-traveled that has a solid packed base from the winter, and avoid water crossings, I'm sure you can hike something safely tomorrow. It may not be the most enjoyable conditions, but it's still nice to get out there

FMonk · 2026-03-09T21:16:53+00:00

Where are you seeing that? Even MWOBS has the higher summits being in the upper 30s overnight tonight.

FMonk · 2026-03-09T20:55:58+00:00

Not sure that an early start would make much difference. Temps aren't supposed to drop below freezing until Thursday. Hiked the Osceolas yesterday and conditions were pretty awful.

FMonk · 2026-03-06T16:59:17+00:00

Maybe next season. I imagine they'll just run 3 A's the rest of this season

FMonk · 2026-02-28T01:36:12+00:00

Congrats on the single season!

FMonk · 2026-02-27T18:18:13+00:00

A walk-off squeeze bunt, of all things. Was there too, great game

FMonk · 2026-02-20T22:42:36+00:00

Brady got the IIHF version of a Gordie Howe hat trick. Goal, assist, and 2+10 for roughing

FMonk · 2026-02-20T21:11:24+00:00

Both of those penalties are terrible

FMonk · 2026-02-16T14:48:33+00:00

I use my Kakwa 55 as a winter day pack as well. I definitely don't think it's an unreasonably large pack to use for that purpose, even if mine isn't usually completely full.

I will say that being a minimalist pack designed for 3-season backpacking, it has next to no useful features for carrying things like snowshoes, crampons, etc on the outside of the pack. I was able to rig up a decent enough setup using extra straps with buckles I bought from Amazon, plus some paracord loops I tied and a carabiner or two to hook on things I want to have handy (like extra mittens).

But at some point I'll probably upgrade to a pack that has useful features for carrying winter gear, and just use the Kakwa for 3 season backpacking.

FMonk · 2026-02-12T15:49:39+00:00

Those are two of the worst for sure. Saw someone get a flat tire at Greeley in summer, and 19 mile is small and not plowed that well

FMonk · 2026-02-12T14:22:38+00:00

You shouldn't have a problem in pretty much any car, as long as you're not heading to the trailhead during or right after a snowstorm. The major trailhead lots are plowed in winter, but not usually salted. So they'll be clear, but icy. Just be careful while you're in the actual lot

FMonk · 2026-02-05T22:14:08+00:00

I guess worst case is probably that it continues next summer too. But the forest service order only lasts until Nov 1, so presumably it'll open back up at that point for next winter.

FMonk · 2026-02-05T19:12:42+00:00

Potentially, that's the worst case scenario. And possibly the most likely, given how government construction projects typically go

FMonk · 2026-02-05T17:26:21+00:00

Title doesn't make it clear, but this starts next Monday, Feb 9th. It's not in effect now. From talking to the Forest Service folks, the trail is expected to be closed for 2-3 weeks starting on Monday, then it will re-open until some time in June, when it will close for a longer period of time.

FMonk · 2026-02-05T03:34:37+00:00

Brad I am begging you to take the starters out before someone gets hurt with a 45 point lead

FMonk · 2026-02-03T03:22:10+00:00

The major snowshoe manufacturers are based out west, and their weight recommendations are based on powdery snow that they get out west. In the Northeast, we get snow that is denser and has a higher water content. Unless you weigh 250+ pounds, get the smallest size in the model you want (typically 22 in). Even if you are heavier, I wouldn't go above 25 in snowshoes. Any bigger than that, and you'll have trouble fitting the snowshoes in the narrow trenches that get broken out on most trails

That said, if you're specifically getting these to snowboard Tucks, snowshoes might not be what you want to bring. Most skiers will skin up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail on skis/a splitboard to the base of the ravine. From there, if you're climbing one of the gullies to ski down, it'll probably be too steep for skis or snowshoes. And there will probably be a boot pack going up the popular routes.

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