I finished the AT! The West Virginia portion.

Keys Gap to Appalachian Trail Conservancy (I did ATC to MD two year ago). About 6 miles.

Fun with Victoria and Flat Stanley

Deepest snow was in this area.  Yes, this is WV.

Note: I wrote this on Sunday. As I drove through PA, I hit a nasty 1 inch an hour storm and made it as far as Bethelem, luckily finding a room at the inn. Left at 3am, only missed half of a class and immediately started teaching when I got there. Yeah, I'm gangster like that.

It took about two years.  Cause you know, it’s West Virginia.  It’s wild. First attempt was a derecho. I almost didn't make it out of DC.  Then I was sick.  There might have been a hurricane.  Then it was just rainy.  Today, it was icy, but you know, I hike in NH.  It wasn't that bad.  I did slide on my butt, but it was fun.  In fact, it was all sorts of fun with a great group of women.  This was the best way to spend a Saturday.

Why yes, those are snowshoes on my pack.  WHEEEEEEEE.

Thanks to the Trails Dames of Maryland (and my friends Terri and Maria), I was able to finish this part of the AT.  Don’t know the Trail Dames?  If you are a woman and you love hiking you should check them out www.traildames.com.  We laughed, we slid, we traded camping stories.  And since it was not a 4K or other tough NH terrain, no huffing or puffing or profuse sweating.  It wasn't a cakewalk, but it was an enjoyable walk in the snowy, icy woods.  

We shuttled from the ATC to Keys Gap, got our stuff together and started hiking. It was pretty icy.  We had just gotten several inches of snow at home, but the mid Atlantic had an ice storm.  It was mostly a ridge walk then there was down hill going into Harper’s Ferry.  Most of it was icy snow covered, but there was some mud.  Only a few places were completely bare.  The climb back to the ATC had a few small patches of snow and a downed tree.

It was nice to have a relaxing hike for a change.  No worries the freezing cold, sudden weather, postholing.  The pace was slower than usual for me, but that is a good thing.  I didn’t get winded after 3 steps or have to wait for my heartrate to go down.  I could actually talk and converse about all things hiking.  It was cloudy, but a nice high 20s.  With the exception of about maybe 1.5 miles, there was no crazy ice.  A few ups, but I loved how I felt.  We crossed into the National Park and the snow was a teeny bit deeper.  Then it started to get steep and the fun began.

I was lucky, I had my Hillsound Trail crampons, but some people were bare booting.  They made it, slowly, but safely.  On a few sections, some just sat and slid.  I did once, just because.  And it was steep.  Not Ammonoosuc Ravine trail steep, but WV steep.  We all made it alive, took a picture, then down some more icy steeps.  I did some bushwacking.  Made to the bridge and there wasn't a need for the spikes anymore.  Another picture and off we went.  We got a few cat calls and honks.  Hey, they were probably just jealous that we hiked the AT and they were in their cars.  

Climbing down to the Potomac.

Maria warned us about a tree going up to the ATC.  There was a small walkover here, another small walkover there, but no big tree.  Maybe it got removed and then WHAM.  Big ole tree with a small space to crawl under.  But not me.  I am from New England, we survey the situation, and decide to go the hardest way possible.  We are hardy like that.  So while people waited to go under, I went up and over.  We’re hardy like that.  We winded our way back to the ATC on a blue trail through the old Storer College and sadly, the fun hike was over.  Or was it.  Some of us went to The Anvil for burgers and then to the Bloomery Plantation Distillery for some FABULOUS limoncellos.  Great day.  

Yeah, go ahead and duck, I'm climbing over this thing.

Sadly, I must leave until next month when I tackle The Rollercoaster...the hard part.  I love my trips down here.  Yeah, the drive is a pain, especially after work.  But it is worth it.  Yes, the CRV made it.  She even got to spend the night in another National Park.  

I'm smiling because the hike was over and I was warm.

The day after, I got my patch.  Hopefully the next one will not take 2 years to get.

Mt. Pemigewasset and Flume Gorge

Mt. Pemigewasset 2/2/2014 Mt. Pemigewasset Trail

I said I wanna do the Hancocks, my body said NO NO NO.  In fact, it didn’t want to do anything.  I was wonderfully comfy in bed and 6am turned to 7, then 8, you get the idea.  Slowly, surely I made it out of bed.  The drive up was hard, made worse by the fact I had to settle an onion bagel.  Really, a DD without Everything bagels.  And the price, OUCH. Whatever, I just wish DD didn’t monopolize gas stations.  I could have used coffee too.  

Of course, I had my pre-hike “why am I doing this again” conversation.  The lot was not plowed after the snow, but I go there so late the cars and snowmobiles did it for me.  I have gotten so much better about getting ready before I leave the house.  Boots/Hillsounds on, snowshoes secured for their ride.  Gaiters, last check, etc.  Off we go, summit attempt #2.  

This must be the place.

Standing on water...kinda.

It was warmer than the last time, a whole lot warmer.  Thanks to a Rhode Island group, the new snow was packed down nicely and I could use my Hillsounds all day.  Maybe that was why it seemed easier this time.  I had the trail all to myself.  I did meet a nice couple about halfway up.  We talked about the very fickle nature of the snow this season.  One town 4 inches, next town over 10 inches.  All winter it has been like this.  To top it off, I was confused with Cheryl Strayed.  Hey, I will add it to my list.  I still like parents call me Kerry Washington though.  Not a bad mistake.  

I pushed my way up.  Lots of huffing and puffing.  I love to hike in winter.  My body, not so much.  There is the added weight on my pack, added weight on me, different trail terrain, etc.  It is a chore.  But it is always a chore for me.  I am slower than 95% of hikers out there.  I keep hearing hike your own hike, but that kinda means only if you are on your own.  I see so many awesome trips and opportunities out there, but I don’t join or chicken out if my friends don’t go.  It’s embarrassing to be slow.  I tend to see who is leading and make the decision quickly.  Sometimes I go further.  But I usually choose saving face over possibly ruining the trip for people. I work out when I’m not sick (YAY cold and flu season), I am on a bike or elliptical.  I am trying yoga, especially breathing.  I am watching my nutrition.  Yeah, not working too well, as in not at all.  No difference, no improvement.  Last summer, after my first kayak experience, someone made a snide comment that I needed more cardio.  I was beginning a lovely bout of Strep A.  Cardio can’t fix that.  I have been lucky not to have the flu, but I work with teenagers.  Random germs + stress = little hiking.  Come summer, I can churn out the peaks, slowly, but I power through them.  Winter is different.  Enjoyable, but different.

For the record, I made it to the summit in book time.  That’s my story and I am sticking to it.  I could have made it the last time, but it was too damn cold. My last 3 52s have lacked views, but there is something peaceful about having a summit to yourself.  As I entered the woods before the summit, I suddenly felt at peace.  I wanted to set up my bivvy sack and emergency blanket for the night.  I felt at home.  I don’t even feel that at home.  I was quite disappointed that I was done so quickly. If it wasn't for the chilly breeze, I would have stayed up longer. Oh well.  

I let the trail know how I felt.

The other trail.

Yeah, it might see traffic for a few months.

Got back to the car, opened it, saw some people go into the Flume Gorge. Closed car and off I went. I saw some climbers leaving too. There are signs that they have taken out the boardwalks, and they have. That doesn't stop anyone from climbing over and around the closed sign, except me, it was getting dark. It was cool though, I recommend it, but stop at the closed sign. Stopped by Elvio's, had a great time waiting for my pizza. The key, call from the trailhead. Trust me. 

I made this.

OMG they do exist.

Overall, good trip. Will have to add to the hike again list as I had no view. Great hike to introduce you to the Whites. There is so much in Franconia Notch State Park, you have to keep coming back. You have 7 4Ks (check), 2 52WAVs, (1/2 check), Old Man site (check), Flume Gorge (check), Cannon Tram (check), Lonesome Lake Hut (gotta do), the AT (working on it), Cannon ski area (nope, I hate that mountain as it is). I am missing some other stuff to. I may not get back to my mountains for two weeks. Sad, but I will be back, with new snow too.

Stinson Mountain

January 20, 2014.  Stinson Mountain Trail, Snowmobile Trail

I wasn't going to hike.   I was tired, sore, and it was snowing.  Then I made it up Lower Doetown Road and said, I came this far, so I had to hike.  And I was glad I did.  Yeah, there was no view, but the snow on the trees and the snow coming down made it a magical trip.  I have seen Stinson described as gentle.  I would agree with that statement, except I am getting over a bad cold.  I took lots of breaks.  2 days in a row in recovery mode is hard.  Granted, I did not summit yesterday, but still it was hiking in the Whites.  Stinson has a very nice trail.  I am sure that it is nice in the summer too, but the snow makes it extra special.

You really do not need snowshoes, but I like the stability they give.  (This is based on yesterday's hike.  It will dramatically change after tomorrow.)  Plus there were some icy sections and that grip of the crampons was appreciated.  There was snow falling as I hiked, but it did not amount to much.  It was pretty and I enjoyed the peace that a snowy hike can give.

As nice and snowy as it was, there was some ice that had to be dealt with.  What was a fluffy white snow thinned out to a gossamer veil over thick solid ice.  I made friends with a few trees.  After a few, "are we there yet," I made it to the top.  I couldn't tell by the view, there was none.  But there are the remains of a fire tower.  And there were two snowmobilers.  You do have to share parts of the trail with snowmobiles, but one took my picture, so I cannot complain.

52, but no view.  3rd in row.  I see a pattern.

Overall wonderful day in the woods.  I am lucky to have another day off today, so have to choose XC in Weston or hikingWachusett or Blue Hills.  But gotta get it done early.  Blizzard coming.

Best view of the hike.

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.