Turning around isn't failing: our attempt at Pierce

I think this blog contains more trip reports of Pierce than anything else at this point.  Yesterday, we attempted to make another ascent but turned around somewhere just shy of the junction with the Mizpah Cutoff.  Keenly aware that most folks are probably reading this particular post to get an idea what the conditions are like for the upcoming weekend, I'll keep my summary mostly in picture form to be more helpful.

Crawford Connector

To Gibbs Falls

Dirt...Ice...Dirt...Ice  

For awhile, I did a lot of donning and removing my Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro's, as there were many sections of dry trail, a couple stretches of avoidable ice, and some icy patches.  I find the Pro's to be easier to fit to my boots than my Kahtoola's and a better choice anticipating that I would be assisting the dog(s) at some point.  During that time, much of the ice was crunchy and sort of safe to step on carefully.

But slowly the trail became more ice than not and very slippery.  The crampons stayed on and I was assisting Tango via his Ruffwear Web Master more than I wasn't.  Ty was completely fine maneuvering the ice or avoiding it in the woods alongside the trail (which was usually an option). Her only issue was that we weren't moving fast enough!

I was concerned about this turn (shortly after Gibbs Falls)
from the moment I decided on Pierce.  The dogs had barely
enough room to skirt around it but the ice flows over the edge dangerously.

Photo opp!

Do your dog a favor and buy him a harness with a handle!

Bailing

Where the trail was its iciest, it was also pretty flat, even at the point I took the photograph immediately above this line.  Although not obvious in the photo below (sorry for the quality, it's a freeze frame from a video), the boiler plate ice + incline combo bested us.  When the trail began to climb (slightly but enough to make a difference when composed of ice), I called it.  Ty went up and down a couple of times.  She even slipped once and handled it like a boss.  After a few minutes of contemplation, I tried it with Tango.  I was putting in as much effort as he was to get him up the trail.  Bummed but knowing it was the right thing to do, we turned around.

Our turnaround spot

This wasn't even the worst stretch but
it definitely looked worse on the way down!

Photo opp!

Mud! (A welcome sight!)

And a fine consolation prize: lunch at Diana's Baths

Amidst many other potential and backup plans, I chose Pierce.  Not the winning decision of the day but we still had a lot of fun and bonding experience.  I'm happy with the outcome despite not summiting and honestly, it had to happen.  Next week we planned to do a much more challenging hike.  Had I not seen the conditions for myself, I would have made the mistake of attempting it with other people and their dogs.  Don't get me wrong, Pierce is definitely doable with traction for people (though I much prefer my Trail Crampon Pro's to micros) and the right dogs, it wasn't in the cards for us.  And neither will any other 4K'er for awhile.  We'll be checking off a couple lower peaks on the "to-do list" while we wait for the ice to melt. As impatient as I am to get above treeline again, I'm excited to experience new peaks and trails!

Gear Review: Hurtta Ultimate Warmer

We've had the Hurtta Ultimate Warmer for a couple of months now and with trails of ice and disappointing weather on all my potential hike days, it's finally time to write a review.

I bought the Ultimate Warmer via Backcountry K-9 for the purpose of keeping Ty warm on the super cold (summit temps below 10*), windy, above treeline hikes I was aiming to do this winter.  While we didn't do quite as much of that as anticipated, Ty still sported the jacket enough for me to know we're both really happy with it and it will hold up to colder temperatures than she's experienced yet.

Full disclosure, we already have a Ruffwear Quinzee and we love it.  It's warm, easy to put on, ideal for layering, and durable.  However, I felt that for some hikes, Ty needed more coverage.

We got off to a rough start with sizing.  I highly recommend measuring your dog multiple times, reading Hurtta's instructions, and sizing up when in doubt.  Tybee ended up in a 22" (per Backcountry K-9's sizing conversion) after having to swap out a couple of smaller sizes that weren't long enough to button the leg flaps behind her rear end.  It looked bulky but I finally realized it is to allow full range of motion.

Very good fit - comfortable but not loose fitting from tail to chest, even with leg extension

To Ty's dismay, I was intrigued by the coat's adjustability and toyed with the options for awhile before leaving the house.  Some basic notes:

• Its interior is very soft (not that Ty can tell but I like it).
• The collar has an upper and lower bungee adjustment to make it nice and snug against the neck.
• A well designed slit in the back to attach a leash to a hidden harness or collar without compromising on its thermal or waterproof properties.
• Chest flaps that provide extra front leg coverage.
• Vest style with broad chest and upper torso coverage.
• Fantastic back leg coverage including
• Optional leg loops that were loose on Ty (in a good way; they perform their function of keeping the jacket in place without being constricting). Some dogs may take a few outings to adjust to them.
• A snap that allows the leg flaps to come together to offer complete protection around the rear end 
• If full coverage is not desired, there is a snap on each side of the interior that allows some of the fabric to be folded back and secured.  Very helpful for a dog who hasn't pottied yet!
• Waterproof exterior.  We haven't used it in the rain/snow yet but I've spilled on it and watched the liquid bead off
• Lightweight, though it is the bulkiest of Ty's jackets (not that it matters to a packrat like me with her 55L winter pack!)
• Ample, durable 3M reflective trim

Thick collar that can be squished down and tightened
as needed by the chords

Full protection that doesn't restrict movement
(be sure when fitting your pet her front legs have full range of motion too).

Lilo models the back leg straps.  I like pit butts and I cannot lie!

Back leg flaps partially folded and affixed to the interior buttons 

Ty's used the Hurtta jacket on several hikes and I have no question she is well protected from the cold.  Her feet still get chilly when we stop (she'd rather be cold than wear boots, believe me, I've tried!).  For that reason, it took a couple hikes to make sure I was accurately reading her body language and ensure her legs, torso, and neck were as toasty as I'd hoped. Ty wore this coat through weather mostly in the upper teens to 20's but the wind chills dropped to the single digits enough for me to feel confident recommending it for colder weather.

Sit down. Stay awhile!

I've also assigned this coat to camping duty due to its snuggie-like coverage and warmth, even at rest.   In the summertime, Ty is fine with her Ruffwear Highlands Bed for overnights but, given my new goal of more camping, I wanted to see if this would extend the months we can hike in, especially since I was gifted a 20* bag recently!  Over the weekend we slept in the car in New York while accompanying a friend to adopt her new pup and she got a little too warm when the outside air temperature was about 40*!

With this in mind and knowing the seasonal transition is slow in the Whites, I know this jacket has at least a few more uses in it this year.  Hopefully people looking to get a head start on collecting gear for next winter will find their way to this review and they'll still have some time to test it out before the black flies return!  (It's also on sale right now!)

Exploring Pawtuckaway's Northwestern Corner

Two weeks away from the mountains has not meant two weeks without outings.  Last weekend Erick agreed to go somewhere new with us and we were lucky enough to also be sort of near Hannah's neck of the woods so she joined us for our first (overdue) visit to Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham, NH.

Based on a suggestion from a Facebook friend, we parked at the end of Round Pond Road.  Despite what the GPS says, it does not go through the park; there is a gate and if it directs you there via Reservation Road, it is leading you astray).  It was so busy, we had to park in the overflow area a little ways back towards the main road.  One of the reasons I wanted to go to Pawtuckaway was the ability to let the dogs off leash so as soon as we passed the gate, we released the hounds!

Frankly, I believe I am writing a report simply because it has been awhile since my last post because, despite having a loose plan to go up North Mountain via the Boulder Trail, we mostly wandered so I have very little helpful input for info-seekers.

The main trail we began on was perfect for a stroll: packed dirt and wide with no obstacles.  After skirting around Round Pond, we crossed a small stream the bore right at the first noticeable intersection (left indicated it was for the Round Pond Bypass).

If a challenge is what you seek, this isn't the trail for you
but it was perfect for our needs that day!

While the tree cover transformed into shade-forming evergreens, the trail continued with its easy, meandering style.  I mentally rejoiced at finding a place that engaged Erick, not typically a hiking guy.  All the while, Tango was upbeat and Ty was a joyful mix of her critter-chasing self, a perfect listener, and a new brand of puppy-like I don't think I've ever seen in her.

Round Pond

The trail descended after a few minutes and turned left to avoid one of the first massive boulders (glacial deposits, I believe) where there was an American Bulldog accompanying his boulder-climbing owner.  To the right and out of range of the bulldog were more massive boulders and I wandered off trail for photos ops and gawking.

A little blurry but I have to show off her parkour skills!

Finding our way to the pond

It would be awhile before we rejoined a trail because those rocks were super cool, which led me to other interesting rocks which led us down the hill to the swampy edge of one of the ponds.  Sitting on a shoulder-high rock, we watched Ty be the swamp thing for a long time while enjoying the sunshine and observing her in her "natural habitat" (Carolina Dogs are native to swampy areas in the south).

Can you spot her?

Lilo keeping watch

Awhile later, we made our way back up to a trail.  "A" trail because we didn't hop back on where we departed from.  This trail (perhaps the same one as before for all I know) followed the pond at a distance.

This trail had a little light scrambling that added some extra fun and entertainment because Ty was absolutely in heaven.  She would disappear up into the rocks and mysteriously reappear in the woods ahead of us.  It was at that point I realized how massive the park is.  So many cars in the lot but we hadn't encountered hoards of people.  Quite a few, but not a quantity difficult to manage with off leash dogs.  Many of them were there to climb/boulder.

Erick leading the way

A man and his dog <3

The trail we followed from the pond was narrower and more typical of a wooded path with some small obstacles (photos above).  We passed an intersection or two, all with promises of more boulders to marvel at and climb up, but we stayed the course and eventually landed back on the trail we started on that led back to the car.

Scooted up towards the tree with Tango. Ty did not approve.

Erick making his way back to the trail after giving me a hand.
Tango fared impressively well on his own!

We easily spent an awesome 2.5 hours wandering around and barely covered a small corner of the park.  It is massive and diverse; I cannot wait to bring the dogs back.  It is a park where anyone with a remote interest in being outdoors can have fun. Many of the trails are wide enough to walk side by side, enabling conversation in a way many of the mountain trails don't.  The boulders are fascinating and fun.  Even Tango enjoyed them and had my back when I scrambled up a steep hill that was more challenging than I had anticipated to get down from.  (Erick had to help and it's a wonder he's allowing me out again!)  My understanding is that the lake at the other end of the park allows canoeing but we enjoyed sitting on the pond's banks and taking in the experience.  And the woods are simply enchanting.  Despite the large number of park-goers, we saw bear scat right on the trail!  With the variety of interests between the six of us, everyone was a happy hiker; we wholeheartedly recommend this park to everyone! Hopefully we'll have a tale of paws on peaks in the near future but if not, expect some more local reports!

Tybee approved!
(And Tango too but I have a regrettably small number of  crisp photos of him.)

Click here for Pawtuckaway's website.  Scroll down for the pet-related rules.
Click here for the official map (which I managed to struggle with and wish had more description to match trail signs)