Beautiful day to be out in New Hampshire's White Mountains to hike up Mt. Moosilauke (4802')! Mark, Alex, Jim, Rick, John J., Charley, Steve, Markus, John D., Bob, Jon and myself met at the Glencliff trailhead around 9:00 am.

All of us wore some type of traction device and we met few hikers on the way to the summit. The trail was firmly packed and the footing was fast and comfortable for all of us. Snowshoes were not needed.

Traction device seemed to be the footwear du jour. We kept them on for the way down.

I usually use poles but I left them at home and never missed them. I was very warm all day wearing my Marmot ski pants, Northface shell jacket, and headband covering my ears. I put on my balaclava for the summit approach but other than that I was very comfortable.  

The approach to the summit was spectacular with the evergreens caked with snow forming beautiful snow sculptures.

Temperatures did not vary much from about 10 degrees all day. The winds were still until we got above treeline. They reached perhaps 15 mph at the summit bringing the wind chill to 12 below zero.

We didn't hang on the summit for very long but long enough to take pictures. 

On the return, we took our lunch break at the base of the south summit. All of us bagged the South Peak of Moosilauke after the break.

Stats: 8.01 miles; 3:30 up and 2:30 down (including .3 mile side hike up/down S. Moose); total elevation gain approximately 3,700 feet.  

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