Hiked April 17, 2009 by Tim and Valerie
Conditions: Due to a family obligation, we weren't able to hike on Saturday for the Inferno Pentathlon, so Valerie took the day off from work on Friday and we went in that day instead. Lots less people than last year, but judging by the weather that came in on Saturday, we made the right choice.
At Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, we actually got a parking space. There were lots of people with their ski gear getting ready for the hike.
We could see the bowl high up on the mountain. That's where we're going.
At the trailhead, this wonderfully illustrated sign explained the hazards of falling ice. We particularly enjoyed the stick figures.
As we approached Hermit Lake (at the 2-mile mark), the views really opened up. There were many, many people taking a rest at the ranger's cabin there. It was a beautiful day, and avalanche danger was low.
A couple skiers climbing Hillman's Highway...
Once we got into the bowl, we found ourselves a nice spot out of the wind. Last year was just as sunny, but no wind. It make a big difference. No bikini tops in the snow this year. :-) We spent a few hours watching the skiers take chances with their lives in Tuckerman Ravine.
Lunch Rocks was full of resting skiers.
This crazy soul was using an ice ax to climb to a point from which no one else had skied.
This lenticular cloud passed over us as we started down.
Tim at Hermit Lake - Tuckerman Ravine is in the background.
The freaky cloud followed us for quite awhile. It was a day for these types of clouds. There were so many of them in the sky during our drive home that it looked like something from War of the Worlds.
Tim made a few panoramic shots of the day.