Boston and Back: Last Call - Lincoln's Throat

Words by: Ian Reynolds l STE Contributing Editor

After picking up the scraps of the 60 inch week up at Jay we embarked on the long journey south to Boston. Cruising down interstate 91 in the Northeast Kingdom, we began to see the peaks of the White Mountains in New Hampshire.  As we moved on to 93 we grew closer to the presidential range, passing Cannon headed towards Loon.  Just after Cannon, a line caught my eye.  Deep in a valley I saw reminisce of old landslide path's down the face of Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette.  While deep into the New Hampshire woods, the open scars not only looked rippable, but long enough to make the journey worthwhile.  

Sunday evening I found myself scouring the internet to find out where, how and if they had been skied. Digging deep into threads and blogs i came up with enough evidence to deem them accessible and skiable. Typically an ice climbing expedition, Lincoln's Throat, as its known, doesn't reach the summit of Lincoln at 5089 feet. The scar comes to a halt at a rock chimney coated with ice.  A mere 800 feet from the summit, Lincoln's throat follows a clearly visible scar on the Northwest face down to a drainage and brook that leads to the valley floor, and fortunately for this expedition, the hiking trail and cars.  

Starting on the Old Bridal trail, you begin heading towards the summit of Lafayette.  Moving along the trail is quick and shouldn't take much time, its what comes next thats the real adventure.  From the trail you duck into the woods, heading down into the valley floor, and a brook that provides drainage for Lafayette, Lincoln and Lincoln's throat, one of 5-6 landslide paths down the face of the mountains.  Once you hit the stream, head up, if the snow is deep enough the brook should be covered and provide easy passage towards the summit.

Moving up the stream you pass several clearings that all look skiable, but to access the throat and the longest run, you pass two slide paths on the right, the two on the left before heading up the dog leg left to the ice crux at the top of the Throat.  

With the winter we have had in the east, the snow was less than ideal on the approach.  With open water flowing down the brook, the climb involved many crossings and weak snow bridges.  While warm, taking a swim wasn't on the agenda for the day.  

Once reaching the base of the Throat, skins give way to a boot pack straight up.  In late season, much like Tuckerman Ravine, ice fall is a real danger and with the substantial ice formation at the pinnacle, getting to this early is ideal.  If avalanche conditions permit, this has the potential to be stellar mid winter as well.  Once you hit the boot pack its pretty easy sailing as compared to the approach.  Get there early enough, set a good boot pack and you can lap the top section with relative ease.

From the peak of your climb, on a clear day you can see from Killington to the Canadian border.  Above you, blue ice clings to the rock; Directly in front, Cannon and the former Old Man of the Mountain.  The ski is wide open and steep, on a good snow day you could let your skis run, in the spring more reserved turns were necessary.  This run was ideal as it didn't see sun until around 1:30, keeping things firm and giving way to some mint east coast corn.

Sometimes a killer run just involves using your imagination, the internet and a map.  Its the willingness to take the adventure, and the preparation that allows you to be successful in the backcountry, east, west or internationally.  Remember get a map, a compass, snowshoes, bring water, food and a lighter.  Never walk into the woods unprepared.