Wicked nice day

[Slo-go'en]

Wicked nice day in the Whites. Rafe talked me into meeting up with him at Crawford notch this morning and we bagged Mt Tom (4052'). along with at least 30 others! Couldn't ask for a better day, blue sky, 100 mile visibility, mid temps, no wind at summit. Lots of snow, nicely packed down from yesterday's hikers. Don't step off the monorail or your up to your waist. Won't be long before that trail turns into ice though. Even saw Herman the Ermine.
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[fastfoxengineering]

Snowshoes or microspikes?

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[egilbe]

If its anything like Grafton Notch, snowshoes all the way. Snow was too fluffy for spikes.

[Traffic Jam]

Great pictures...especially love the one of Herman with snow on his nose.

[peakbagger]

I was out on North Kinsman yesterday. Perfect conditions for snowshoes with plenty of morons running microspikes without even carrying snowshoes. The Monorail is definitely hiding under fresh snow, step off to the side of the main track and it definitely a possible posthole.

[LoneStranger]

If its anything like Grafton Notch, snowshoes all the way. Snow was too fluffy for spikes.

You didn't happen to break out the Baldpates for me, did you?

[rafe]

Snowshoes pretty much all the way. Steve switched to microspikes for a while on the descent then switched back to snowshoes.

Off the monorail, the snow was anywhere from 1-3 ft. deep.

In addition to Herman, who was hanging out at the junction of the summit spur trail, there was a gray Jay working the summit. I think Steve got a pic of the Jay as well, but they're not all that rare.

[egilbe]

You didn't happen to break out the Baldpates for me, did you?

nope, but we did see three people, with snow shoes, crossing over to that side of 26, so I'm fairly certain its packed out now. We thought about doing Tablerock after we came down Old Speck, but decided to tour downtown Berlin instead.

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[imscotty]

Wow, looks like a great day. Love the weasel photo. I have to ask, how long (nose to the tip of the tail) was that weasel?

[LIhikers]

Great photos, thanks.

[rafe]

Here are a couple more pics of the ermine.

[egilbe]

Already changing over to Summer colors

[Sarcasm the elf]

Here's looking back at you from the observatory this morning!

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[rafe]

OK how did you get to the summit at 9am? Stay at Lakes hut?

[rafe]

We started uphill a bit before 10 AM. The blue sky was intense today.

[Sarcasm the elf]

OK how did you get to the summit at 9am? Stay at Lakes hut?

Stayed in the observatory with an IME group.

Will post more once I get settled back in.

[Slo-go'en]

Wow, looks like a great day. Love the weasel photo. I have to ask, how long (nose to the tip of the tail) was that weasel?

I'd guess 18" or there abouts. I guess he's a Pine martin. Cute little devil.

[imscotty]

I'd guess 18" or there abouts. I guess he's a Pine martin. Cute little devil.

That is why I asked Slo-go'en. I was trying to judge by the footprints and he looked a little large to be a short-tailed or long-tailed weasel. Looking it up at 18 inches that could be a long tailed weasel or a small Pine Marten. Perhaps someone with more knowledge could chime in.

A Pine Marten would be a great and rare sighting. Last time I saw a Pine Marten in New England was in Tuckerman's Ravine in the 1970's.

[rocketsocks]

I honestly don't know if it's a mink, marten, I don't think it's a weasel though, but one things for sure...he/she's as cute as a big ear, nice find and a beautiful beautiful picture!

[rocketsocks]

Bug's ear...ugh!