About This Route
This 18-mile ski tour skins the Appalachian Trail (AT) and overlapping Long Trail from Camel’s Hump summit (4,083 feet) to Mount Mansfield (4,395 feet) in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. Launch from Burlington Nordic Club lot via Burrows Trailhead; navigate open balds and forested glades with 4-8 feet snow base per GMNF reports. Ideal for intermediate alpine touring; glades like Hell Brook offer powder stashes. Adhere to Leave No Trace: tread lightly on fragile alpine tundra.
Safety Considerations
Vermont's variable weather brings freeze-thaw crusts; VAST trail grooming aids access but watch snowmobile traffic. NSAA Smart Style: yield to groomers, spot jumps. Low avalanche risk but ice bulges on ledges; test snowpack with pole. Tree wells claim victims; probe around spruces. Cold snaps to -20F; layer per REI winter guide. Bobcats rare; secure food in Ursack bags. Check Vermont DOT webcams for road access.
Essential Gear
Fischer Transnordic skis; Marker Duke bindings. Mammut Barryvox beacon. Outdoor Research Ferrosi jacket, Smartwool socks. inReach Explorer+; Black Diamond whippet pole. First aid with Therm-a-Rest inflatable pad for splinting.