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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.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Starting the steep snow after the last section of ice. Fun to do as a multi species party!
[Hide Photo] Starting the steep snow after the last section of ice. Fun to do as a multi species party!
Skiing Great Gully, Photo by Jim Surette
[Hide Photo] Skiing Great Gully, Photo by Jim Surette
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] 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.
Early season options. Photo by AWinters
[Hide Photo] Early season options. Photo by AWinters
The snowfield near the top.
[Hide Photo] The snowfield near the top.
Better pre-Thanksgiving ice
[Hide Photo] Better pre-Thanksgiving ice
Climbing up for a mid winter ski
[Hide Photo] Climbing up for a mid winter ski
The remnants of the ice bulge- in July!
[Hide Photo] The remnants of the ice bulge- in July!
In the gully above the ice bulge.
[Hide Photo] In the gully above the ice bulge.
Roping up in two teams at the bottom.
[Hide Photo] Roping up in two teams at the bottom.
Pre-Thanksgiving ice
[Hide Photo] Pre-Thanksgiving ice
Nearing the top of the gully
[Hide Photo] Nearing the top of the gully

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Welcome To The Zoo
UMass
  WI2 Easy Snow
[Hide Comment] Made a video of our 'epic' ascent in mid March, if this doesn't get us sponsored nothing will

youtube.com/watch?v=xhqQF1z… Mar 28, 2021
Adam Jacobs
Winooski, VT
 
[Hide Comment] long fun climb after a long heinous post-hole approach… will never go in here without snow shoes again :)

Edit: unless it’s November Sep 14, 2021