Mt Abraham is a 4000 footer on Vermont’s Lengthy Path about 3.7 miles south of Mt Ellen, one other 4k peak. It’s a 6 mile out and again, climbing the ridge from the west by way of the Battell Path, simply exterior of Lincoln, VT. I climbed it final weekend with a bunch of 8 hikers from the Inexperienced Mountain Membership, led by a longtime SectionHiker reader named Jill. We had clear skies, nice views, and a spry group that was a variety of enjoyable to hike with.
I’ve climbed Mt Abraham just a few occasions already, however by no means in January. And whereas I haven’t dedicated to gridding out the Vermont 4000 footers (climbing all 5 peaks in each calendar month of the 12 months), I’d be mendacity if it hasn’t crossed my thoughts. However I’m not in hurry to deal with that as a purpose but and as an alternative, I’m having fun with exploring Vermont with out a fastened agenda, aside from a want to satisfy different hikers that I can hike and backpack with. The Inexperienced Mountain Membership teams I’ve been occurring hikes with (and main) are a handy strategy to meet native hikers and study the lay of the land.
Studying the lay of the land is necessary for me, since I do a good quantity of solo mountain climbing. In winter, that comes all the way down to understanding predict the climate and path circumstances that are necessary in deciding how a lot threat to tackle. After I winter hiked in New Hampshire, I used to be spoiled by having wonderful climate forecasts and quick access to a plethora of path situation studies because the White Mountains mountain climbing group is so giant and on-line. That’s not the case in Vermont, which is sparsely populated and has extremely variable and localized climate circumstances. There simply aren’t that many winter hikers within the state and no well-used on-line clearing home for path circumstances studies resembling New England Path Circumstances (NETC). Whereas NETC does have a bit for Vermont journey studies, a handful of hikers use it.
Vermont has a variety of snow this winter, so all of us packed snowshoes for this hike anticipating to want them. However the base of the path was damaged out, so we opted for Hillsounds as an alternative. The solar was out and the temperatures had been within the mid-twenties, although the forest on the summit was anticipated to be brisk with temperatures plunging into the only digits later within the night. I hate carrying lengthy underwear, so I donned a hotter pair of softshell pants for this hike, my KUIU Assault Pants, which have zippered vents alongside the thighs. They’re nice winter mountain climbing pants if you happen to run a bit of chilly.
The climb up the Battell Path is steep and fairly relentless for the primary two miles as much as the Lengthy Path shelter. We stopped for a snack on the shelter and adjusted our layers earlier than persevering with the final 0.9 miles to the summit. As we neared the ridge, the timber had been more and more burdened by snow and ice, indicators of the wild climate close to treeline. The path turned more and more slim and it was all we might do to maintain the snow overhead from falling down our necks as we handed.
The ultimate method from treeline to Abraham’s summit is kind of quick, possibly a 100 yards and nonetheless nicely protected type the wind. We quickly topped out to the summit which is flat with 270 diploma views of the Adirondacks and the Lengthy Path peaks to the north, together with Mt Ellen and Camel’s Hump. We layered up and took within the views, earlier than heading again down under treeline and downhill again to the trailhead. This was a enjoyable group and I stay up for mountain climbing with the folks I met once more.
This hike took us about 4 hours spherical journey (6 miles, 2000′ of elevation acquire) which is kind of doable even in the course of the quick days of winter. In different phrases, there’s a variety of bang for the buck and good climate safety all the way in which to the summit..so if you happen to’re searching for a reasonable Vermont 4000 footer to hike, Abraham is an effective selection. The roads resulting in the trailhead, although unpaved, are straightforward to drive and there’s ample parking for a half dozen automobiles.
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