At Four Thousand Feet

Sometimes I let myself get a little too focused on the peakbagging aspect of hiking mountains. Every trip up north becomes a mission of sorts, a challenge defined not by the journey, but the numbers.

How far can I go?
How fast?
How many 4,000 foot peaks can I squeeze into the timeframe?

While I do think it’s healthy to set goals, I’ve noticed that my current peakbagging aspirations have started to (ever so slightly) detract from my enjoyment of the mountains. Consequently, last weekend I decided to take things easy for once. A leisurely 11:30am start time on the Hancocks, followed by a stellar visit to Whiteface/Passaconaway and the Sandwich Range Wilderness, made for a spectacular two days of hiking.

North and South Hancock

Distance: 9.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,650 feet
Trails Used: Hancock Notch, Cedar Brook, Hancock Loop

More Pictures Behind the Cut »

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