At Four Thousand Feet

Distance: 30.9 miles
Elevation Gain: ~8,000 and change
Trails Used: Zealand Road, Hale Brook, Lend a Hand, Twinway, Bondcliff, West Bond Spur, North Twin Spur, Frost, Gale River, Haystack Road

This past Saturday I completed my longest winter hike to date: a 30 mile traverse (of sorts) across the northern boundary of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Throughout the course of the journey, our party of three stood atop the summits of 8 4,000 foot peaks:

• Hale
• Zealand
• West Bond
• Bond
• Bondcliff
• South Twin
• North Twin
• Galehead

To be perfectly honest, I’m struggling to put the experience accurately into words. This was hands-down the most challenging hike that I’ve ever undertaken. While heading towards South Twin, I suddenly hit a low point which nearly stopped me in my tracks – an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that both confused and distressed me. I had to reach deep inside myself to find the strength to keep going.

Why did this happen? Did I fuel myself improperly, or have I just not been training hard enough? Perhaps I was just having a bad day?

These are some questions I’ll have to think about as I continue to work towards improving myself as a hiker.

On a brighter note, I very much encourage you to read this more optimistic rendition of our 30 mile adventure, compiled by my good friend Tim Seaver.

A few pictures from the day:

More Behind the Cut »

Extreme cold, frostnip, wind, and 2+ feet of new snow – week two of my vacation was certainly tough. Nonetheless, I refused to let the conditions hold me back. Heading into my winter hiking extravaganza, I didn’t have any lofty goals in mind. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised to have…

Covered: 171.1 miles in distance
Gained: 55,550 vertical feet in elevation
Stood Atop: 30 4,000 footers

…in 15 days out on the trail. A quick recap of week two:

• 12/28 – Moriah
• 12/29 – Tecumseh
• 12/30 – Zealand
• 12/31 – North Twin, South Twin, and Galehead
• 1/1 – Liberty and Flume
• 1/2 – Tom, Field, and Willey
• 1/3 – Cannon

Not surprisingly, it was a terrible week for pictures! Here are a few of the better ones (please take that with a grain of salt)…

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 »

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…

“There are two kinds of climbers, those who climb because their heart sings when they’re in the mountains, and all the rest.” – Alex Lowe