winter hike

I was up in Stowe on a business trip and decided to attempt Mansfield. I live in the south but do a fair amount of winter hiking and camping. As part of my conference I purchased a 3 day ski pass for Stowe. I rode the Quad up to the Octogon where I left my ski equipment. I snowshoed up the toll road to the ridge line. The tollroad was well pack but the ridgeline had deep snow. Once out of the trees the snow was fairly consolidated, very icy. I forgot my crampons but my snowshoes had built in claws. I made the top under completely clear weather. Outstanding hike.