I’ve been exploring Vermont this winter with the intent of mountain climbing and backpacking within the Inexperienced Mountains this summer season and autumn (2024). The final time I hung out in Vermont was in 2008 after I part hiked The Lengthy Path. Now I plan to finish a side-by-side of The Lengthy Path by mountain climbing all the aspect trails that result in it. That is the equal of mountain climbing the blue-blazed aspect trails on the Appalachian Path, however a lot shorter in fact.
I nonetheless hope to complete the 14/576 remaining ascents for the White Mountain 4000-footer Grid this April and Might, however not like many Gridiots, I’m not inquisitive about mountain climbing The Grid for a second spherical, no less than not right now. I really feel like I wish to discover new territory outdoors of New Hampshire, and Vermont is shut sufficient that I can commute pretty there simply, particularly for backpacking, the place I can stay within the woods for days at a time.
Coincidentally, there’s a rising development amongst critical New Hampshire peak baggers to department out and hike the mountains of Vermont, Maine, and the Adirondacks. This development is pushed partially by hikers searching for to peak bag lists that span a number of mountain ranges, together with the New England 67, the New England 100 Highest, and the Northeast 111 Highest. Whereas I might attempt to end these lists (I’m many of the manner full anyway), I take into account myself extra of a path hiker than a peak bagger so a side-by-side of The Lengthy Path, with plenty of backpacking thrown in, is extra my pace.
This explains why I discovered myself mountain climbing up the Battell Path to Mt Abraham (4006′) in March. The Battell Path runs for two.0 miles as much as the Lengthy Path (LT) and Mt Abraham is one other 0.9 miles previous the LT junction. I did this hike with two mates from New Hampshire who’re engaged on their New England 100 Highest in Winter lists and since our objectives coincided, I made a decision to get pleasure from their firm. I’d additionally hiked up Mt Mansfield with them earlier within the winter.
We couldn’t have picked a worse day, weatherwise. The forecast known as for rain within the afternoon, so we bought an early begin, assembly on the Battell Path Trailhead in Lincoln, VT at 8:00 am. Naturally, it began drizzling as quickly as we bought began, however I used to be in a position to hike and not using a rain jacket for the primary 2 miles till we bought to The Lengthy Path Junction.
Whereas the Battell Path does climb as much as The Lengthy Path, the climb is fairly gradual by means of open woods. The path was damaged out, we had been in a position to hike with path crampons for traction as a substitute of snowshoes.
I’d anticipated recognizing The Lengthy Path after we got here to its junction, however I had no reminiscence of it or the summits to comply with. Wanting again in my Lengthy Path Journal (which is posted right here on SectionHiker.com) gives the explanation why: it was raining and there have been no views.
I did keep in mind the Battelle Shelter, nevertheless, the place I’d spent the evening again in 2008. It regarded vaguely acquainted after we stopped beside it, though I didn’t keep in mind that it had an on-site caretaker. Abraham is a well-liked peak and the shelter is just about two miles from a highway, so it is smart to put in some grownup supervision to supervise it and to show the privy pile for composting. 🙂
We donned rain jackets on the shelter and headed towards the Abraham summit, passing by means of an space of Fir and Spruce earlier than reaching treeline. Whereas the snow remained agency, this part of path was affected by blowdowns in want of a noticed and a few path upkeep. If I can get again there within the subsequent week or so, I believe I’ll do some cleanup with a giant Silky noticed.
The Lengthy Path will get steeper earlier than it involves treeline and also you come to a set of alpine zone indicators. When the dwarf bushes and shrubs give strategy to rock you’re on the very small Abraham summit which is topped by a rock windwall – a circle of rocks you possibly can duck under to get out of the wind. There isn’t any summit signal. As soon as once more, there have been no views, simply wind, blowing rain, and fog. Certainly one of lately, I’ll climb a mountain in Vermont and hand around in some sunshine!
We didn’t hang around on the inhospitable summit however headed down the way in which we’d come. Whereas the climate on this hike didn’t cooperate, the corporate was good and the ascent was fairly gradual and nice. Whereas I do plan to hike the opposite aspect trails within the Lengthy Path system this 12 months, this shall be path to return to with mates on a transparent day.
Vermont Path Guides and Maps
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