At Four Thousand Feet

There is something truly magical about experiencing the Northern Presidentials on a windless, perfect winter day… in shorts and gaiters, no less. I’m now one peak away from wrapping up my 2009/2010 single season winter 48.

For a few weeks, I had my doubts about whether or not I’d complete the list this year. After a few tough hikes, my morale and determination were running rather low. Nevertheless, I’m not one to give up without a fight. Yesterday’s hike above treeline most certainly lifted my spirits.

Fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow…

A few pictures:

More Behind the Cut »

Fellow hikers sometimes ask me why I’m working on the White Mountain 4,000 Footer Grid. Why do I choose to (perhaps obstinately) remain focused on New Hampshire peaks, when there are other lists to chase and beautiful ranges to explore? To be quite honest, I have a difficult time justifying this focus myself. The Maine mountains in particular hold tremendous appeal, but not to the extent that I’m willing to undergo a half-day drive to visit them.

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, there’s something about the Whites that just resonates with me. Even in the pouring rain, or whilst breaking through foot upon foot of fresh snow, I feel inexplicably drawn to these peaks. Some say that I’ll tire of them eventually, and perhaps I will. Yet at this point in my life, I honestly cannot imagine ever losing interest in a place I hold so dearly.

This past weekend only served to reinforce that notion. Bluebird skies, endless views, and fantastic snow conditions made for what may very well have been two of the best days we’ve had this winter. On Saturday I traversed Zealand and the Bonds. At 23.2 miles in distance, it marked the longest continuous hike that I’ve done since my injury back in August 2009. Waking on Sunday, I was feeling terribly sluggish. Nevertheless, I still managed to muster up the energy to take a quick hike up Jackson the day after… and am I glad that I did…

There are a handful of mountains – one of which happens to be Jackson – that I am not particularly fond of. Hiking them in each month (to go against my previous chain of thought) becomes something of a chore. However, the beauty of the Grid is that you’re given the opportunity to experience New Hampshire’s highest peaks in a huge variety of conditions – good and bad. And in some instances, this can serve to foster appreciation for peaks and trails that you may once have held in disdain.

Breaking above treeline on Sunday, I finally realized why so many people love that little mountain on the eastern side of Crawford Notch. The summit cone was a blanket of white, each of the tiny krummholz encased by snow. The sky was so deeply blue at times that it appeared almost unreal, altered beyond the boundaries of nature. It was a day to be savored, and no longer will I hold that mountain in such low regard!

A few pictures from the weekend:

More Pictures Behind the Cut »

Finally, a short break! I’ll keep this succinct as I have many errands to run during this brief reprise from hiking, but the past eight days have been just marvelous. Although I’ve not been half as aggressive as I was during my Thanksgiving vacation, I still managed to bag 18 peaks (14 for winter 2009/2010):

• 12/19 – North and South Kinsman
• 12/20 – Hale and Waumbek
• 12/21 – Cabot
• 12/22 – Middle Carter, South Carter, Carter Dome, and Wildcat A
• 12/23 – Wildcat D
• 12/24 – Garfield and Lafayette
• 12/25 – Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce
• 12/26 – Whiteface and Passaconaway

Here’s a glimpse of some of my favorite photos from the week (full album here – well worth checking out). Now, onto week two of my vacation!

More Pictures Behind the Cut »

Yesterday on Isolation I realized my biggest goal of the year – to consecutively hike the 48 New Hampshire 4,000 footers in winter, spring, summer, and fall of 2009.

One of the greatest things in life is discovering those things that challenge and inspire us. Back in 2007, I was a girl so terribly out of shape that I could not carry my own backpack down from Jefferson (my Dad was not pleased to have to double up, nor was he particularly amused when I proceeded to throw up all over his truck due to overexertion). Yet as daunting and miserable as my first “adult” hike was, I felt an instant connection to the Whites that has stayed with me since.

Through these mountains I’ve made many new friends. I’ve reached – and pushed past – physical limits that I once thought to be unattainable. I’ve grown tremendously as a person. I’ve discovered what it feels like to have a clear personal goal, and to follow it through to completion.

These mountains have quite honestly changed my life for the better. Although my 2009 48 x 4 might be over, I know I’ll continue to find and pursue new challenges within the Whites. The question is: What next? I suppose the answer to that is quite obvious, as I can hear the grid calling…

On a lighter note, I would like to introduce my fabulous new snow pants. We may have been without clear skies on Isolation, but there was still plenty of blue to go around…

Photo courtesy of my friend Eric Rathbun

I’ve finally sorted through the pictures from my Thanksgiving vacation. What strikes me the most about this particular set of images is the wonderfully apparent transitioning of the seasons. Since my previous post on the topic shamefully did not admit the mountains that I climbed, here’s a brief synopsis:

• 11/21 – North Twin, South Twin, Galehead, and Garfield
• 11/22 – North and South Hancock
• 11/23 – Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, and Flume
• 11/24 – Tom, Field, and Willey
• 11/25 – Zealand, West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff
• 11/26 – Pierce, Eisenhower, and Jackson
• 11/27 – Waumbek
• 11/28 – Moriah
• 11/29 – East Osceola, Osceola, and Tecumseh

It certainly was a week of milestones for me. Not only did I reach my halfway point – and my 300th peak! – on the grid, but also ended November with a total of 44 4,000 footers climbed.

Below are a handful of my favorite images. The entire gallery may be viewed here…