At Four Thousand Feet

Today I accomplished something that, four months ago, seemed far beyond my reach. I broke through a barrier of sorts – reaching and surpassing a little number that has toyed with me for weeks now.

I ran for over 10 consecutive miles. And not only that. I ran 100% pain free.

When diagnosed with a hip labral tear back in September, I established the “10 mile, pain free” standard as a benchmark. How (and why) I settled upon that number I do not know. Yet in my mind I equated running 10 miles with full and total recovery.

After talking things through with a specialist down in Boston, I knew that there was a slight (but very real) possibility that I’d never run long distances again without surgery. Nevertheless, I pressed on, building up my mileage in baby steps.

Who’d have known that today was to be the day?

Not even the most devious of ice patches on the mean (and terribly plowed, I might add) streets of Manchester could have dampened my spirits.

Dare I start setting running goals for the year?

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 »

Distance: 14 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3,500 feet
Trails Used: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge

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