Though unspecified on our booking form, pre-trip conversation revealed that a returning guest really wanted to hike the classic Franconia Ridge loop in winter and she finally pulled the trigger, so-to-speak. They had to start early due to our guest having an afternoon commitment, but Redline Guide Chase Hall was happy to accommodate her needs. But it wasn’t necessarily easy. Near whiteout conditions required that the team employ some careful navigating. And with that said, they made it.
There was very little wind but the ascent of Lafayette was in a whiteout. This tested my nav skills, for sure, but this was fun. Putting my skills to use. If the winds were super strong, however, it could have turned into a different story. In conversation on trail I was telling her about my Grid 2.0 project and she said that she would love to Grid out the ridge and would hire me for the project. I smiled and said ‘yes, please, I will do that!’ —Chase
