Mt. Pemigewasset. It's about practice.

Just because you hiked last winter does not mean you will be ready for this winter.  Sometimes you have to train a bit to get ready for the big boys.  You can forget how hard it is to maneuver with snowshoes.  You can forget how cold your fingertips get.  And pack weight.  Boy, do you forget about that.  We're talking about practice (yes, a little NBA humor).  I knew it was going to get cold.  I knew it was late.  I knew I was probably not going to make it to the summit, but I did it anyway.  I also knew that any hike started in Franconia Notch near 2pm has never equaled a summit.  At least for me.

Once I was on my way, it was gorgeous.  We just had snow the night before and it left the most beautiful scenery.  Suddenly, I realized how much I love winter hiking.  And how out of practice I was.  Adjusted pack and off I went.  Forgot my poles, so had to run back to car.  Once I was a chilled mess, I properly adjust my snowshoes and off I went, under 3 and 93.  The tunnels had no snow.  But between the tunnels was probably the most beautiful scenery.  Loved it.  Yeah, I got winded, but it gave me a better chance to take it all in.  Being slow has some advantages.  Snowshoeing is just awesome.  The trail is so different.  The snow even changes with elevation.  You can have crusty snow at the trailhead, mashed potato halfway up, and fluffy deep powder at the top.  

I was enjoying myself, even as the trail went up and up.  It was a gentle up.  A turn here, a turn there.  A few easily crossed water crossings.  A few plank bridges, which are fun in snowshoes.  Not many views going up, still nice though.  But the wind was blowing and I knew I had decisions to make.  So I took stock of the situation and decided to turn back.  Once thing I need to work on is maneuvering with gloves on.  After I took off my gloves, my fingers got cold and began to hurt.  It took some time to get them back to normal, but I was checking to make sure it was not frostbite. If fingers feel like Swedish Fish, it is frostnip. If they feel like Tootsie Rolls, it is frostbite. It is probably a good idea to start thost handwarmers before you set out.  Again, refreshing the memory.  As I got closer to the car, it got colder and colder.  My nose must have looked like Rudolph’s.  Winter camping?  Yeah, not in this lifetime.

Little tree says "You Shall Not Pass."

But snowshoeing can be hard.  The snowshoes change your stride.  It is harder to get around little obstacles like a blowdown.  It tires you out quicker and you might need some summit Vitamin I.   The trail is often narrower than usual.  Rocks and branches can be lurching just ahead if the snow is not deep enough.  And let us not mention the possibility that you may have to break trail after a heavy snow.  God forbid you be a female and need to pee.  There are options to prevent you from suffering butt frost, but again PRACTICE.  There is nothing worse than an incident at 4300ft.  And don’t wait too long.  Again, don’t be that hiker in the group. That is how some people have gotten their trailnames (I got mine from where I live and teach).  There is a reason they say bring extra clothes.

Believe me, it is fun despite the challenges.   

 

Now, my car is over 300K.  She is not happy with this cold.  However, she obliges and starts.  I was at Black Mountain Burger before she got to normal temp.  Changed into a dry shirt, had a Bacon Brie burger (Sorry brie, but you are a cracker cheese, not a burger cheese).  Put on the large down jacket and headed home.  The lady at the Sanbornton rest area said the temp may have dropped 20 degrees in 2 hours.  Only 20?  I love the people at the rest areas.  They are friendly, helpful, and have some good stories to share.  Hint: driving like a jackass and crowding the plows during an ice storm is bad enough, but then don’t go in and complain about it.  Karma has a way of catching up to you.  It’s people like that who scare me more than the weather.  Great day.  Cold, didn’t summit, but I will be back.  More snow this weekend.  More adventures to come.

Cool sunset.