View Full Version : WMNF conditions Hazardous
Slo-go'en
07-09-2009, 11:02
From Tuesdays "Berlin daily sun"
Recent storms have resulted in record rainfall accumulation on the White Mountian National Forest and streams have risen significantly. Waterways depth, clarity, speed an hydraulic force in the already swollen rivers will change rapidly after heavy rainfall events. Extream caution should be used when crossing rivers or entering the water.
Trails are wet and muddy resulting from several inches of summer rain. Expect to encounter fallen trees in the trails from the recent events.
The good news is the persistant rain might, this time, be finally over for a while. Still couldn't see the summits this morning, but the sun is starting to break out.
In other news, a Texas woman was carried off Mt Pierce Sunday afternoon, after slipping and fracturing an ankle.
A decomposing body was found off the Lion's Head trail near the summit of Mt Washington recently by hikers.
Be careful out there, it's not just walking in these parts!
modiyooch
07-09-2009, 12:54
scheduled for jul 23rd. keep me posted please. rescheduled once already.
Blue Jay
07-09-2009, 13:51
It has been wet up here. The blackflies even drowned. Somewhere there are 03 hikers smiling.:banana
I was hiking up there about a week ago (6/28-630). In my life I had never seen the water levels so high. Lakes of Clouds where overflowing banks and water running right over trail. Streams at spring time levels. Might even be worse now as it has rained since.
take this article seriously and approach any streams with extreme caution.
David
Ox97GaMe
07-09-2009, 17:55
I can attest to the fact that heavy rain in the Whites can create some hairy conditions. In 1999, I was thru there when the remnants of hurricane Dennis went thru dumping 9 inches in a single day. Crossing the Rattle River is still the scariest experience I have ever encountered, either on trail or off.
Great piece of information to know. I'm headed up there in early September so hopefully the rain will have quit by then. What is it typically like during the day up there that time of year?
sixhusbands
07-10-2009, 09:10
We just got back from the Whites and we are still drying out. We parked at Lincoln Woods and made a loop over the Franconia Ridge and back down over the Bonds. If we had a Kayak ,we could have used it on the backside of Mt. Garfield. The water was flowing so hard down that trail , you could not stand up and we had to bushwack most of the way down. The trail down to Guyot shelter was flowing strong too. Yes there were very few bugs , it was cold , we had limited views on the summitts but it still beats a good day at work.
Take a kid camping today!
Ox97GaMe
07-10-2009, 12:15
My trip WAS during Sept. around labor day to be precise. That is in the peak of hurricane season in the south. Most of those storms follow up the Appalachain range and dump lots of rain from NC to ME. That is in addition to the storms that start in the midwest and travel across the great lakes region. Lots of weather activity that time of year to keep an eye on.
On the other hand however, the best trip on Washington was over Labor Day weekend of another year. it was 66 and sunny that day and you could see for MILES.
Anyone know a way I can get my hands on an elevation profile map of Franconia and the Presidentials?
Blissful
07-16-2009, 11:40
Anyone know a way I can get my hands on an elevation profile map of Franconia and the Presidentials?
Check ATC for their maps.
modiyooch
07-16-2009, 16:31
leaving in 6 days, then 1-2 days to get there. Is the trail any less hazardous??
john gault
07-16-2009, 17:16
I can only imagine how muddy, boggy and wet the trail is from Vermont to Maine. When I went thru there in 2006 it was late in the year and we did not have substantial rains. However, now after two straight years of heavy rains that resulted in a landslide on Moody mountain, it just seems like that region will be SUCKIE.
I remember sinking into a mud pit up nearly to my waist because the bog- bridge gaveway on me. I wonder what that area looks like now?
Slo-go'en
07-16-2009, 18:10
leaving in 6 days, then 1-2 days to get there. Is the trail any less hazardous??
I would count on it being wet and muddy. Although we have been getting some breaks in the rain, it hasn't completely stoped for more than a day or two at a time and more is forcast. The trail may not ever dry out this summer at the rate we're going.
Its pretty sad when the temp goes up to 70 and it feels like a heat wave! Temps have been low 50's at night and mid to high 60's during the day lately, and thats down here in the valley, even when its not raining!
Homer&Marje
07-16-2009, 18:13
Just got back from the Whites....Nothing out of the ordinary...no more mud than usual. It's the main rivers that are flooded and risen above normal, the small tributaries and streams are as they always are....there...or not.!
Had no problems with any river crossings this year up in elevation.....although I'm not saying that the Whites aren't unpredictable and dangerous....just nothing out of the ordinary IMO.
johnnybgood
07-16-2009, 19:01
:cool:Where IS Alternate Reality Homer ?:cool:
Anyone have any idea if this is going to affect the arrival of foliage?
High Life
07-16-2009, 21:17
umm did someone say " a decomposing body was found off the Lion's Head trail near the summit of Mt Washington recently by hikers." ***
i mean people have been lost and never seen up there and people die , but lions head is a very popular route ... must google now ..
High Life
07-16-2009, 21:20
there you go ...
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20090710body_found_on_mt_washington_was_canadian_h iker/srvc=home&position=recent
It turned out to be the Canadian man who was missing for over a month. By the sounds of the story he was trying to find shelter.
Has anyone ever read "Not Without Peril" ( I might of butchered the title)? It makes you wonder how and why people keep making the same stupid mistakes up there.
High Life
07-16-2009, 21:33
I lived and worked at pinkham notch for a bit , i've seen people told that something is not a good idea ( which is the best the trail desk can do , is advise people . they are not allowed to tell people not to go somewhere )
This is a prime example of why. this happened when i worked at pinkham
( from the NH fish and game website (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=868723#post868723) sept.22 ,2006)
The recent rescue of four unprepared hikers from the summit of Mt. Washington is a sobering reminder of the importance of refreshing yourself on safe hiking principles before heading out on the trail this time of year. Dressed only for summer temperatures, and setting out late in the day for a difficult hike, these hikers were unprepared for the winter conditions they encountered at the higher altitudes of the summit. Their second mistake: they failed to turn back when they ran into trouble. One of the hikers remains hospitalized in serious condition suffering from severe hypothermia. The hikers, who are from Canada, found some shelter when they broke into one of the summit buildings. "Hikers, especially on Mt. Washington, should never count on buildings being open to provide a safe haven - or assume that staff will be around to help you get back down," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Lt. Todd Bogardus, who coordinates the hikeSafe initiative.
modiyooch
07-16-2009, 23:30
I was referring to the rain and the mud.
High Life
07-16-2009, 23:59
I was referring to the rain and the mud.
huh thats funny i could have swore i saw
" In other news, a Texas woman was carried off Mt Pierce Sunday afternoon, after slipping and fracturing an ankle.
A decomposing body was found off the Lion's Head trail near the summit of Mt Washington recently by hikers.
Be careful out there, it's not just walking in these parts!"
maybe i dreamt that ... :welcome
modiyooch
07-17-2009, 00:25
again, I was referring to the conditions due to rain and mud. I am well aware of the terrain, snow, and winds. thank you anyway.
I have already postponed this hike once. I guess I'm just hoping to hear less rain, less mud and chance of views.
High Life
07-17-2009, 00:49
dude whatever ! i was simply pointing out something you brought up
someone else had asked why that stuff happened , i dont care if you postpone your hike or not
Homer&Marje
07-17-2009, 08:07
That "Decomposing body" was missing for a little over a week, 2 hikers found him under a rock ledge where he was trying to take shelter, because he was soaking wet and dying of hypothermia.
Which he succumbed to unfortunately. BUT he was NOT prepared for any foul weather and at 70 years old that's a mistake you only make once apparently.
I spoke to a few caretakers who were out on the S & R that said it was tragic but it EASILY could have been avoided.
Blissful
07-17-2009, 15:57
Be careful out there, it's not just walking in these parts!"
Absolutely. Peolpe should not take the Whites for granted at any season but be prepared. And enjoy it. Gorgeous stuff.
johnnybgood
07-17-2009, 21:07
Absolutely. Peolpe should not take the Whites for granted at any season but be prepared. And enjoy it. Gorgeous stuff.
Gorgeous indeed. Best hiking IMHO .
Any signs of the rain slowing down? I saw that Pinkham Notch reported getting over 2 inches of rain yesterday!?! I'd like to have a few dry days for my September hike, but that doesn't sound like its going to happen.
Was in Vermont on the southern terminus of the Long Trail. The AT was extremely muddy(4 out of every 5 miles was choked with mud). Stayed at Seth Warner 7/27 and it was like the rain was being thrown down at us it was coming down so hard. The next day brought hard rain most of the day. Still beautiful though. Have a nice hike. I'm told that it has to start clearing soon.
ALOHA,
TACKLE:sun
peakbagger
07-30-2009, 12:46
Its still raining on occasion but we are finally getting a couple of days of sun mixed in with a day or so of afternoon or evening showers. The trails are a bit mucky but I have been out for the last few weekends and havent had any issues hiking, although wet rocks are a bit more of an issue. One thing that is really noticable is how green and lush the woods are.
If the weather pattern doesnt change, there is a lot to be said for being real flexible with your itinerary, where you can zero if need be to wait out the real nasty stuff.
Snowleopard
07-30-2009, 12:46
The New England weather pattern does seem to have changed recently
FROM:
an almost constant cloudy, cool, rainy almost Seattle climate, some rain everywhere everyday
TO:
Hot, humid, heavy rain storms every few days, with thunder storms whenever the sun is out; this averages out to the same kind of rain totals as June and earlier in July. It seems to be getting really common for us to be getting 1" to 4" of rain in a storm.
For example, Gorham, NH is forecast to have rain on 8 out of the next 15 days, so of it thunderstorms not heavy rain.
http://www.accuweather.com/us/nh/gorham/03581/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipchg=1&metric=0
September is often much drier (and August tends to be dry also). August and Sept we can have hurricanes or tropical storms that dump a lLOT of rain over a day or two.
Another useful link from the US weather service shows storm rain totals for the last 24 hours. Most of the AT from VT to ME got 1" to 2" in the last 24 hours.
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=gyx&product=NTP&loop=no
In a now discontinued thread, several folks questioned the accuracy of the weather bureau's predictions. I haven't spent much time in the Whites this summer, but I can report that weather bureau predictions for midcoast Maine have been right on the mark so far this summer. Almost every day is predicted to have rain, and almost every day rain does indeed fall.
Yesterday was sunny for a change. But when I looked out the window this morning at another downpour, I told my wife, that we were "having a break from yesterday's sun."
She chuckled, but wasn't amused.
Weary
Be glad she didn't throw something at you.
(I have had poor luck with accuweather. FWIW)
Snowleopard
07-30-2009, 13:30
Inaccuracies of weather forecasts -- agreed. But, this summer if I tell you that we're going to get rain in the next 24 hours, I'm probably right.
I like the weather radars for timing local hikes; when there is a break in the rain I'll go for a walk.
I also like these NWS weather radar storm total rain maps. They're based on estimates of rainfall from the radar. It looks like the Berkshires and S. VT got blasted, up to 4" total rain in the last 24 hours.
http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/radar.php?rid=box&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no
Click on Storm Totals on the left to see rain over the last 24 hours.
Modiyooch is supposed to be out there about this time probably doing the backstroke on the franconia ridge.
Homer&Marje
07-30-2009, 15:09
I might be doing my section in MA with Moddiyooch next week, or at least that was her plan depending on timing...Probably swimming but I hope not...
Remember folks, there's always a 10% chance that there is a 100% chance of rain.
Your never safe:rolleyes:
Blissful
07-30-2009, 16:13
I know a thru hiker out in that area right now. Moonwalker.
The Whites are tough when it comes to weather. Actually crazy.
Homer&Marje
07-30-2009, 16:45
I've done some vicious thunderstorms in the Whites...luckily they hit while we were tented...although a campsite at 4000 feet (Guyot and Liberty Springs) it feels like your right in the thunder:D Tent was blue most of the night this year and even my drysacks in the food bag were wet...well 1 of them. And some Ramen noodles
Last year we quit early on the first day of hiking it was raining so bad....I was disappointed we didn't make it to the site I wanted to, realized the next morning I was 300 yds away:D
rlharris
07-30-2009, 18:49
Modiyooch is supposed to be out there about this time probably doing the backstroke on the franconia ridge.
She and her husband completed the stretch from Kinsman Notch to Crawford Notch mid-afternoon Monday. They had some rain -- primarily overnight or first thing in the morning. They are now in Maine (which might actually be getting more rain.
Tuesday, Brad and I took advantage of the nice day and added North and South Twin Mountains to our list of 4000 footers.
The amount of rainfall has varied widely across the state. As of yesterday, the southern part of the state had received several more inches of rain than we have along the upper Connecticut River
Beware of the Dry River Wilderness area in rainy weather. The Dry River is possibly the biggest misnomer in the White Mts. The trail crosses it several times on the way to the ridgeline. When I did it last fall it was actually pretty dry, but the bridge was roped off near the trailhead because it was structurally unsafe.
Homer&Marje
07-30-2009, 23:08
Bondcliff Trail is probably a small stream at best....nice 3000' climb though:D
Top half of Franconia Brook Trail between Garfield and 13 falls was pretty wet, but it's an unmaintained, user only trail. Very pristine with good boots:D
Cookerhiker
07-30-2009, 23:26
Yesterday I finished 3 days of hiking in the Whites - the Franconia Range northbound starting from the Liberty Spring Trail in a steady drizzle. Most rocks were wet but my boots gave me sufficient traction. Occasional rain alternated with sporatic sun and lots of blowing mist except Tuesday which was perfect for hiking - really enjoyed the views from South Twin. The Trail was a waterfall in a few places and of course there's lots of mud though not as much as in Maine.
The real unexpected and unpleasant surprise was the return of black flies. The croo at one of the huts told us it was a second hatching because of all the rain. They were bad from Mt. Garfield to Galehead Hut.
So we got off the trail yesterday and spent today in the valley. Despite bad forecasts, it was a decent day but the Presidentials still were cloud-covered most of the day. The Franconias looked good this evening.
I didn't know a second hatching could happen. Does this mean I should prepare to deal with them come 5 weeks from now?
Homer&Marje
07-31-2009, 07:44
I didn't know a second hatching could happen. Does this mean I should prepare to deal with them come 5 weeks from now?
That all depends. If we get "Normal" August temps 75-90F most days, and there was a second hatch then there are going to be tons of them...put them into your meal plan:D
If we get a few nice cool nights that dip to frost in the mountains the higher elevations will thin out....with all the mud at the lower elevation though they can stay alive if it does not dip into the 40's.
Blackflies the first week of September would be odd.
Very odd.
Homer&Marje
07-31-2009, 10:20
Sorry...misread that to say 2 weeks. Early September should be clear of too many black flies