Camel's Hump trip this winter?

[RR]

Okay, Tripyramid will see a few of us, but that's in NH. I've heard that the CH is a really sweet backcountry deal...

Who's been there, or got the beta? Best time to go? Who's going?

I'll carry the grill if someone carries the fuel :)

[elwood]

Never been in the winter, but I'll carry the fuel!!!

[kfarrar]

How far is Camels Hump? Say from the NH/VT boarder on Route 89.

I 've never skied bc in Vermont but I'd love to check it out.

[M@]

Camels Hump is about as far as burlington. 1:43 from the NH/VT border in LEB.

I've never been in the winter either.

M@

[elwood]

Camel's hump is just outside of Waitsfield. (At least the way I go up is...)

Here is a pic I took a couple of weeks ago at the summit, isn't it beautiful up there???

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/387861/hump.jpg

[Castlerock]

There is an excellent chance that I can be there. (If I'm up at Sugarbush.)

[kfarrar]

Very cool picture. Kind of looks like serious isolation of a solo hiker.

[elwood]

kfarrar:
Very cool picture. Kind of looks like serious isolation of a solo hiker. I was solo that day, and was the third person up to the top (behind that guy in the picture and the caretaker). When I was coming up the face, I felt that isolated feeling. It was just me and the mountain and the 35 MPH winds up there. And the vis was nonexistant, as you can see. I have climbed the hump 7 times and have yet to see the view from up top! (Might not want to include me in the winter trip RR!)

[kfarrar]

The picture truly captures the emotion of the moment. Nice Job!

[RR]

I can use a compass and a map if it's a bit thick...but, Elwood, if having you along means there will be weather....we will just have to make sure it's skiing weather! (and that the grill will start!)

And bring that camera...super photograph!

[elwood]

I am going to ask around and see if I can find out where the skiable lines are. I know people who go shoeing up there, but haven't heard of any skiers (yet)...

[RR]

I saw something in the AMC Outdoors Mag last year. There's suposed to have been some gardening activity in the area, but word is the lines are somewhat tight in places.

NATO is having some adventure workshops there and the Glen: schedule (http://www.telemarknato.com/schedule.html)

Speaking of which, I guess there might be some of that "pruning" going on at another potential barbeque site 'long 'bout Oct 11. Very low key and quiet, just a restful bit of gardening.

[2plankerider]

i have heard that BC area around "the hump" is pretty cool if you know what to hit. i have been on it in all conditions: summer hike, winter hike,full moon winter hike, as well as snowboarded down the hiking trail ( we had trouble finding the stashes)i have always wanted to go back but have yet to do it. i called the green mountain club in waterbury and they said a book put out by the appalacian mtn club titled "Backcountry skiing adventures in VT/NY" for $14.95 (GMC sells it)has a segment on camels hump in it. timewise, i live in montpelier and its a 30 min drive to get to the trailhead at the duxbury side. they have tent platforms and there is a lodge along the long trail higher up top, i know it was moved a couple years ago after the original gorham lodge collapsed from snowfall. there is also monclair glen lodge which is actually a lean to along the long trail. white river/ lebenon is 45 min to montpelier. and yes elwood, a view DOES exist. a pretty sweet one to boot!
mapadventures makes a northern vt hiking map and it shows the logistics of the hump pretty good, just no skiing lines...i'm looking to get up there this winter myself(possible a full mooner if it works out) good luck!

[Castlerock]

I'm going to be in VT Oct 11th and enjoy gardening. Will I be able to help?

[TheOctopus]

I've hiked it in the fall and spotted some fine lines, but Goodman's book mentioned by 2planker has the beta. Everyone I've spoken with about it has raved about the scweet tree lines.

As with other adventures here, put in the don't-make-plans-around-me-but-keep-me-posted category. Present OH location is going to kill a lot of New England skiing for me this season, keep me in the loop and perhaps I can join in last-minute....

Further plug for Goodman's book(s): Pretty much everyone here who doesn't already have them would find them of interest. One is VT/NY (with a Mass. section); the other is NH and ME. Lots of good beta.

[Steveboarder]

Here is a cool link for some CH info http://www.restinglion.com/chsa/welcome.html

SB

:snowboarding:

[kmrnskier]

Elwood - how long of a hike (hours/miles) is Camels Hump? The vertical? I've heard of it, but never done it.

[RR]

The other garden spot I had in mind was over in NH, near a slide that has been discussed before. Besides being up for any legit trail maint., I'm on the lookout for a BBQ location.

My recollection is that there are some overly tight spots down low and thought I'd just see about that.

In line with this topic, I've not been to CH and have no idea as to the local gardening standards.

Addenda:

I can vouch for Goodman's book on HN...good reading and pretty easy to make plans with.

It occurs that we might make a Thunderbolt run (or two) if the winter sets up right. And that brings to mind a multi state Hike-to-Drop-in. Sort of a select list of the known goods.

It looks like NH, VT and MA have classics...Any other beta?

[Castlerock]

Yes, I had the impression the other horticultural conference was in the "Live Free or Die" state. Sorry, I won't be able to BBQ!

As for the Thunderbolt, I've read Goodmans, and somewhere last year I read a Trip Report type story from someone in NYC, who made a day trip to ski the Thunderbolt. I can't remember where it was. That hooked me. I was planning to try to hit it this year with good snow. I imagine there will be conversation here at the appropriate time.

[Castlerock]

The other one that should be on the list is Marcy.

[elwood]

Castlerock:
The other one that should be on the list is Marcy. I'm climbing Marcy this weekend. I'll be on the lookout for any good looking spots...

[Castlerock]

Great! Do you have Goodman's book? The Marcy tour would be a good pre-hike read.

[kmrnskier]

Guys - where are these places?
-KM

[elwood]

Castlerock:
Great! Do you have Goodman's book? The Marcy tour would be a good pre-hike read. I don't have Goodman's book, but I think I am going to EMS tonight... I'll pick it up.

Here is a report I found about boarding Marcy:
http://www.absolutemotions.com/Newsletter/Marcy/Marcy.htm

[kfarrar]

I have heard that there is some great skiing on Marcy. I would love to check it out, as well as Thunderbolt.

I've read Goodman's NH/Maine book and its amazing at how many bc ski trails there are. They are nothing like our beloved Tuckerman's but it would take years to explore all the territory.

One other great trip would be the Tucker Brook Trail on Cannon. I've been wanting to explore that for a while.

[RR]

Tuckerbrook Trail: *** and that's no lie. It needs good cover, lots of stumpage. Caught 3rd tracks on a powder day last winter :happydog:

Mt. Marcy: In the Adirondaks..never been there, very popular, a bit long according to all the reports.

Camel's Hump: check out the link a few posts back. Green Mountains of Vermont, never been there either.

North Slide, Mt. Tripyramid: East of Waterville Valley. NH. 1800 vert on rockslide path. Steepish, but not like the TR steeps. Potential for a BBQ if it's a sunny day...tailgating if not.

Thunderbolt Ski Trail: Mt. Greylock, NW corner of Massachusets. Steep, undulating and twisty...all the good stuff!

[kmrnskier]

RR - I couldn't get from your postings, have you actually skied the North Slide? It's got a great pitch to it.
-KM

[kfarrar]

RR

Are you saying to run at Mt Tripyrimid in 18OO vertical feet of skiing? If so, that would make a sweat run.

[Castlerock]

RR always beats me to it, but here are some resources, that are must have's. If you go to Tuck's you must have the Goodman NH book.
Goodman's NH, ME (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2IG9PI4AU6&isbn=1878239643&itm=1)
Goodman's MA and VT (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2IG9PI4AU6&isbn=1878239708&itm=2)

And one more that I really enjyed reading for the History buffs among us. If you've spent any time in the Mountains of the NE, you will recognize and be intrigued by the history of our back country.

Forest and Crag, Waterman (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2IG9PI4AU6&isbn=1929173482&itm=1)

Now, The Tripyramid slide is first on my list.

[Castlerock]

kfarrar, sweat or sweet? Or both?

[kfarrar]

An error on my part but I actually think it works both ways. A run down the headwall is about 800 - 1000 verticle and I know I'd be sweating. It would also qualify as a sweet run.

[Castlerock]

Definitely both..

By the way Elwood, there is just as good, if not better chance that the Goodman books will be at the Barnes and Noble as opposed to EMS....

And the best part is you don't have to move your car to check them both out!

[elwood]

Castlerock,

I was just thinking that I would definitely be able to find the book at Barnes and Noble. And you're right, I don't even have to move my car!!!

[M@]

Amazon has the NH one used for $7.50, picking one up now, there's at least one left.

[Castlerock]

I think that is where I got my copies of Goodman (B&N). I know that is where I got the Waterman book.

[Steveboarder]

I recently got my copies of goodmans NH/ME and VT/NY/MA at B&N these are a definate must have for anyone that hangs out on this board :cool:

[RR]

North Slide: 1800 measured feet for sliding*, with woods and hiking trail for another 1000 feet of sliding to the Livermore Road. The vert on the slide is maybe (actually it's only 400 feet of vert, according to the topo map), making it a wonderful place for self arrest practice...which is the only thing I have done there. The remaining vert to Livermore Road is probably less than 200 feet, but tree skiing can get convoluted :) .

Then it's a couple of miles out on the nearly all downhill of the Livermore Road**. There is an optional finish...skinning up the backside of Snow's Mt. and then descent via the old ski trails there.

* Measured using belayed self arrest on 300 feet of 7MM double-dry: starting about 80 feet below the trees at top (Wind scoured and some rocks poking through in that last bit up to the trees) and taking turns at being the self-arrestee, 300,600,600,250

**That's how we get in, so it's a couple of miles up to the North Slide Trail.

[kfarrar]

It would be great to tour with yall there this winter. And we can tailgate and barbeque, bonus.

[RR]

Here's a veiw to topozone.com: North Slide (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=19&n=4871539&e=303953&s=50&layer=DRG25&size=l&u=0)

[kfarrar]

I hiked Sandwitch Mountain in early December a few years ago. These was some pretty good snow. I'll definatley have to chech out the slide.

[NHski]

Whats the white patch for? Treeless area?