I will be climbing Mt. Mansfield in early or mid December. Are crampons and a mountaineering axe needed? Do I need snow shoes, or can you just walk the approach trails? Any other advice is appreciated. I have never visited the area. Thanks
Jeff T
Jeff T
Depends really on what Trail(s) you use. I went up last weekend. The Sunset Rodge Trail is mostly exposed and it wide open. There were already small patches of ice, and it hasn’t been very cold here in Vermont. If doing that Trail and/or Maple Ridge, I would consider using crampon/snow shoe or Yax Trax. Snowshoes, might be a bit excessive and get in the way though. If you stick to Trails that are in tree cover, you should avoid a lot of the ice, such as the Halfway House Trail or the Laura Cowles. The Ridge (LT) is heavily used but could be pretty dicey-I’d be prepared. Have fun and I hope you get good weather. It was phenomonal last saturday.
A-Train