Mount Shaw 3/16/21 9:03:02 AM

Judy A late winter ascent of Big Ball, Black Snout and Mount Shaw in the Ossipee Mountains, Tuftonboro, NH. After a thaw and recent hard refreeze the monorail was in excellent shape for the ascent. Lots of ice on the final steep portion ascending Black Snout that necessitated some detours even with trail crampons. Snow depths on the way over to Mount Shaw were impressive where the post holing from the last weekend's hikers showed how difficult that hiking must have been. The descent on the Mount Shaw trail also had a lot of damage from post holing and the monorail was in bad shape. Wish those knucleheads made better choices! Stream crossings on ice still stable but not after the next thaw. Microspikes or trail crampons are essential for a safe outing.