Sunday Stroll - 2/1/26

By: Spencer Ralston 

On my drive home Saturday, the full moon illuminated the road. The idea of skiing under the moon popped in my head. I set my alarm for 3:00am and prepared the kit.

At 3:00am, I rocketed out of bed ready to see the moon. I grabbed all my gear, or so I thought, and headed out the door. I arrived, got my kit ready and discovered I had a single ski pole. A little after 4:30am, I begin my single pole journey into Huntington Ravine.

Moving slower then I would have liked, I arrived into the base of the ravine to semi-clear skis. It was still pitch black out, and I begin to follow the boot pack at the base of the Ravine. I told myself that were ever the boot pack took me, I would climb whatever gully it lead to. Sadly, it ended around the base of the Harvard Bulge. I traversed over and began my ascent up North Gully (WI3, Steep Snow, 500ft).

I climbed under the moonlight, the red ambers of the morning sun began to light over Gorham and Berlin. I enjoyed the crux ice step at the start of the route, and entered into the more 4th class alpine terrain in the main part of the gully. Supportive snow and soft ice greeted my swings and kicks. Right before I topped out, I pulled over into a small cave near the top.

For the first time that morning, I turned and faced down valley. The lights of North Conway flickered off in the distance. My thoughts drifted off to my friends and partners below. It was warm enough that I was able to enjoy the silence. I let my gaze wonder over the valley, maybe Shawny is making coffee. Is Greg awake yet? How many Red Bulls has Kyle consumed? The darkness was lifting and I can not be late for work, so I gathered my kit and topped out of Huntington.

I put my skis on and skinned over to Tucerkman Ravine. At this point, my single pole, had been more funny than annoying. As I transition to ski down, the laughter actually got louder. The single pole was throwing off my balance and in Bambi like fashion, I skied down a chalky Lobster Claw. I skied out Little Headwall to the Sherburne Trail and back down to work at the shop....arriving early around 8am.