Great Gully
WI2 Mod. Snow,
Ice, Snow, Alpine, 1300 ft (394 m), Grade III,
Avg: 3.3 from 18
votes
FA: unknown
New Hampshire
> NH Ice & Mixed
> - Pinkham Notch…
> 3. King Ravine (Mt Ad…
Description
Follow the long gully from the floor of the ravine to the top, generally along the summer Great Gully Trail. There may be some brush thrashing at the bottom of the route, depending on the snow depth. Mostly moderate snow down low, a large ice bulge may form about 1/3 of the way up. This bulge may be bypassed by climbing a snowfield to climber's left and rejoining the gully proper higher up. About halfway up the gully narrows and begins to steepen, before widening again. The top 1/3 or so is steep snowfield, reaching about a 45 degree slope before leveling out in the alpine zone near Thunderstorm Junction.
When I did this route, snow conditions were perfect for practicing various crampon and ice ax techniques. We chose to use a running belay for nearly the entire route and bypassed the ice bulge, saving it for another day.
Descend by your choice of trails back to Appalachia. If conditions are good, I recommend walking around the lip of the ravine to go down the Airline, which will give you a nice view of the route you've just climbed.
Location
From the floor of the ravine follow the Great Gully trail, if possible, to base of the gully. Hard to miss.
Protection
Pickets, perhaps some screws. Standard above treeline gear, and avalanche sense.
[Hide Photo] Starting the steep snow after the last section of ice. Fun to do as a multi species party!
[Hide Photo] Skiing Great Gully, Photo by Jim Surette
[Hide Photo] Our approximate route up Great Gully, bypassing the ice bulge. Note the solo climber about 2/3 of the way up the route for scale.
[Hide Photo] Early season options. Photo by AWinters
UMass
youtube.com/watch?v=xhqQF1z… Mar 28, 2021
Winooski, VT
Edit: unless it’s November Sep 14, 2021