Winter Scramble - Lichtenberg Mountain

5 capable scramblers left the cars at 7:45am.  Had to cut steps into the berm on Highway 2.  Smith Brook Road supported boot walking despite over 3 feet of recent snow.  4/5 of us used snowshoes however.   Followed the ridge south from the summer parking lot and continued on the ridge north and northwest of Lichtenwasser Lake.  This is by far the shortest and safest winter route.  There are a few short, steep snow sections to pass.  None very difficult.  Followed the same ridge to within 100 feet of the summit and decided that we would pass our turnaround time and put ourselves in avalanche terrain to cross the boulderfield and summit via the easy final 100 feet on the south ridge.  So we shared cake Allison made and turned back.  In a cloud all day, above freezing.  Returned to cars at 3:15pm.