Passaconaway: Just what I needed.

I needed a good hike.  As in I was wondering if I had it anymore.  There was a failed Osceola hike.  Ok, I was sick.  Then the really bad words on Whiteface.  I so wanted to love that mountain.  And of course, Owls head.  I don’t know if I wanted to die or was afraid to.  Don’t get me wrong, it is an awesome hike, well except those 2 miles going up and down the slidey, scree-laden slide complete with a zillion blowdowns.  On Owls and Whiteface, I dropped my pack praying it would make the trip easier.  NO, and it is not good to go without water and emergency signalling.  I counted.  From mid-August to mid-October I did 16 new peaks not including 2 that are not counted.  From Feb to now, 6 and 1 took 3 tries in 2 seasons.  That 16 was after I sprained my ankle.  See why I am concerned?  With all that is going on in my life, I needed a real victory.  I wanted to love the mountains again.  

Passaconaway blessed me with what I needed.  There are some who diss woods summits as if they are not as worthy as other summits.  Ok, some as boring as Hell, or make you work ridiculously hard for nothing.  But really, they all not bad.  Sometimes wooded walks allow you to focus on what is important.   It’s not all about the view.  It is about pushing limits and discovering who you are.  We all need time to reflect.  That’s what I got.  I took the lovely Dicey’s Mill Trail.  Wooded, great footing, not too steep, but pretty consistent ups.  Even the water crossing was a rock hop.  Meaning that I would not have to channel the gymnast me.  

I got a late start, but as you will see, it was perfectly timed.  I saw all the happy young people (and a few more mature folks) finishing up and here I am huffing, puffing, sweaty.  Plus the trail runner.  Did I really want to do this?  But I kept walking and walking and walking.  I thought about how hard it was and how it had been so much easier last year, etc.  So I sat down and thought.  Sun coming through the forest, the sound of a brook somewhere, it was perfect.  While I wanted to be mindful of all that was around me, I took some breaks to think about life.  I switched back to hiking on inclines, than back to life.  I came to some catharsis about things past, even halfheartedly did some forgiving.  You have to do what you have to do.  

It says it for a reason

I pushed on with no real idea of where I was or how much more I had to hike when I heard voices.  I had this passing thought about whether it was the nice women I met when doing Owls Head.  And guess what, it was them.  How crazy is that?  We caught up a bit, discussed the hiking forums, and gave each other trail reports.  They did the Whiteface/Passaconaway loop.  You know I might hike faster if I didn’t have so many conversations.  OK, but I would miss so much if I didn’t.  Yeah, I might not make book time, but who cares?  Why would I miss out on making new trail friends?  And if I am lucky, we might help each other, and maybe that friendship will extend beyond that hike.  The hiking community has some good people in it.  You should get to know some of them.

As it happened, I was at a junction.  No pic because I though I took on on the way up.  Oops.  They said the trails get confusing and they took another trail up.  It sounded like the trail I wanted to avoid.  I payed close attention to the signs and pushed on.  I passed a nice campsite and got a bit confused by some herdpaths, but went on instinct and pressed on.  Lots of switchbacks on this trail.  For 750ft in .7, it seemed easy.  I thanked Passaconaway, but asked what he was hiding.  Well I found the rocky, bouldery section.  I had to do some thinking.  It hurt.  It wasn’t too hard, but you have to be creative to get over some sections, again, my inner gymnast made an appearance.  I got the ledge with the AWESOME view and saw a sign that showed the way to that other trail.  i didn’t see a cairn, so I took another path and there it was.  The little piddly, obnoxious fire with the crappy ring built right next to a tree.  Read this post by Section Hiker to see why this is such a bad thing, but I think you already know why: http://sectionhiker.com/root-fires-and-leave-no-trace/ .  

These lovely Indian Pipes were spared.

After I spent some time fixing up and attempting to cover it up, I got to enjoy it.  It is a nice, peaceful wooded peak.  Kinda like Galehead.  I took a few silly selfies with the cute little cairn and then hit the ledge.  I had a snack, posted about the fire, and just took it all in.  I honestly did not want to leave.  I knew I had only about 90 minutes of daylight left, so off I went.  I made it down pretty quickly, but the darkness did hinder me.  Don’t be hardheaded like me, put the lamp on so you don’t faceplant.  But then I got slower because I could see all the faceplantable rocks just waiting to trip me.  When I got out of the woods, I turned off my lamp.  Now that was pretty cool.  The moon was not up yet, but the light colored rock made a nice path and going through that little wooded section it the dark, just pure awesome.  As I got closer to my car, I saw some flickering lights.  Lightning bugs!!!!!  It had been so long since I saw any.  There were not many, but still amazing.  I danced back to my car.

I love you cairn.

Again, don't know how this happens, but I like it.

Yummy fuel

The trip home was great too.  Found a better way there that does not involve roads with grass growing on them, but no epic frost heaves.  No interesting signage on the way, even at the gun shop.  Then I got to Meredith.  There are some strange pieces by the lake, but the moon reflecting on the lake was priceless.  It may not have been full, but it still looked awesome.  Yeah, this was what I needed. And I want to get back out there.  I just need to wait for a time when the storms will not get in my way.  Hail hurts.

No clue

Pretty

The end is near

Or as I am calling it, the Keeping me Honest post.

Yes, the end is near.  I thought Whiteface was bad, and it was because it was subcontinent, rainforest hot.  Owls Head was a wonderful walk through the Pemi Wilderness.  Then came the scree laden slide of death swarming with black flies and blowdowns.  But, it was still a walk in the Pemi, and we know how much I love the Pemi.

The hills are alive with the sound Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor.

So now there are 3.  Passaconaway.  Isolation.  And finally Cabot.  Then it will be over.  My NH48 will be complete.  Of course, I will redo some.  The Cats from Pinkham.  Franconia Ridge.  A Presi traverse, or semi Presi.  The Carters on a bluebird day.  Gridding Tecumseh and maybe Pierce.  Moosilauke is still needed for July (AT miles).  Trail magic hike.  And of course, a Pemi Loop.  I have to do a Pemi Loop.  However, I have to find 4 great days.  See the freedom finishing the 48 affords you?

And I just found out I got picked as an alternate for a colloquium on Calvin Coolidge.  You know what that means...reading a huge packet of readings. :)  But also, the LONG TRAIL.  And more AT miles.   It's conveniently located in Killington, so a VT 4K, LT/AT miles, and learning.  Trifecta.  OH and I think the Leonids are peaking then too.  August will be awesome.  No, it will be in tents. 

This last week has been good.  And I am wallowing in it for as long as I can.  The future looks hard, but I have this.  Now about those 2 mountains I have 48 hours to complete...

The mountains are calling and I must go - John Muir

Me? A tourist? Pfft.

Obligatory Mt. Washington photo.  Taken by a thru hiker.

Once you go 4K...

So I am in a teacher workshop.  I know, you are so surprised.  Of course, it is a good one, organized by the Museum of African American History in Boston.  Everyone from the director, to the Rangers, to the MLK scholars (students and recent grads from BPS), are just fantastic.  Some of the stuff I know, some is new.  They have a great exhibit on African American books.  So many great books are on display.  One of the books was Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria. Our activity was to pick a book that we felt spoke to us.  Initially, I did not pick that book to talk about, but after a few people discussed it, I did too.  I talked about being in a primarily White town and school and not really seeing myself as different until I went to a primarily Black school.  Then, I was an outsider.  I struggled with identity.  Who was I?  Was I acting the way I was “supposed” to?  Of course not, I was acting as myself, as me.  I was bullied terribly for it.  Add in the stress of Catholic School, well, you get the picture.  Throughout my life, I have had to deal with my identity.  Yes, I listen to Korn.  I can listen to rap music for about 2 minutes before I am desperately looking for some Metallica.  Yes, I still dress like a Preppy.  OK, maybe that part has changed a bit.  I fiercely defend my decisions about myself.  I have had to prove my worth as the person that I am.  I am still proving that I am worthy.  Yeah, that book speaks to me, but as someone who sat with the theater and music kids and shunned the kids who smoked pot.  

Not just did I hike up, I brought treats for thru hikers.

Then I mentioned hiking, because, well, I hike.  I love it.  It brings me joy, even if it humbles, hurts, and challenges me.  I am a different person outside.  I let nature teach me, I let it build me up.  Heck, I would get in my car and drive, hike some, and sleep in the woods right now.  It’s so me.  When I began to develop myself as a hiker, I took a hike in Acadia in Maine.  No, not Cadillac, but still some awesome hikes.  Heck, nothing is out boring in Acadia.  Someone asked me if I felt out of place.  Huh?  Ok, I had some new North Face clothes, but other than that, nothing would make me feel out of place except on thing.  

I've hiked in Wyoming and Montana...I like Montana better.

Yeah, you don’t see many People of Color (or whatever the new phrase it today) in the woods.  You don’t see many on the AT, PCT, almost anywhere.  Why?  Many people have studied this and shown that doesn’t make sense.  I have participated in the NPS African American History on the AT program.  One of the things they talk about is how many students at Storer College hiked to help them deal with their stresses.  Go back and look at the history of the Buffalo Soldiers.  But when I go out, not many other hikers look like me.  Of course, I could not care less.  The hiking community is the best community I know.  HELL, we are a family that has just not met yet.  I never feel out of place.  People even ask me for help because I guess I look like I know what I am doing.  At least a few times a year, I get the usual, “Are you a thru hiker?”  Issue with color, not that I have seen in the hiking family.  Issues with leashing dogs, postholing, trail runners vs. boots, that is another story.  

Me with the Trail Dames on Old Rag.  Now that is a hike.

I kayak (my first time too) with the Secretary of the Interior.  She was the REI CEO then.

I do it in the winter too.  And those birds are thieves.

I can even paraphrase Vanilla Ice

Am I the best hiker?  Heck no.  I still have so much to learn.  And I am slow.  Not glacial, but slothy.  Do I feel out of place?  Please.  Why aren’t all the Black kids out hiking?  I wish I knew.  I wish they knew the joy it brings.  Or how it make you realize what you can do.  There are many organizations that seek to change this.  Even some colleges have Freshman do major hikes for their orientation.  I guess there could be more.  And it’s not like their need to be any special accommodations.  Just an open mind and open heart.  

This is why you carry a map.  So you don't go 50 miles in the wrong directions toward another state.

Are there scary parts?  OH YEAH.  This one rocked.  Best part of the whole hike.

See that smile?  Does she seem out of place?  Of course not.  THE END.

Reconnecting with Monroe

June 27 Mt. Monroe
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Mt. Monroe Loop

Oh, I had plans.  But you know, stress.  So I scaled back and had an awesome time.  Somehow I always do when I let go of expectations and just enjoy the ride.  I can do that with hiking.  Feel tired, turn around.  Cloud looks stranger, grab a coffee instead.  It’s all a journey.  Wednesday I decided to do Tecumseh for June.  SO different that it was in May with no snow.  I like the snow more.  Coming down at night was scary because of all the newly exposed rocks.  However, it was nice to be all alone with nature and forced to be self-reliant.  Scary, but freeing.  It allowed me plenty of time to think about what the weekend and summer would bring.  So many choices, challenges.

At first, it was up Caps Ridge, down Ammo.  Then up Jewel (I still hate you), down Ammo.  Then up and down Ammo.  Jefferson-Washington-Monroe became Washington-Monroe, then just Monroe.  And I was fine with it. Besides think of the crowds of Tide smelling people.  In case you are wondering, those are the people who drove or took the Cog up and get their picture with the summit sign...ummm, I hiked my body up.  Washington can be a zoo.  Winter and bad weather make for peaceful summits.  Plus 1200 more feet of elevation, no thanks.  

Not today George

I have taken the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail before.  Hated it.  Of course, the bright warm sunny day and #30 pack might have had something to do with it.  Sucker is steep.  Plus there are 2 versions.  The one from the Cog lot and the other from the USFS lot.  I have a National Parks pass, so I usually use that.  I’ll tell you why no more later.  This time, I took it down a notch.  Lighter pack, no set schedule.  I just took my time and conserved my energy.  I allowed myself to stay slow.  Guess what?  I enjoyed it and had to chance to see so many wonderful wildflowers, some of which cannot be seen outside of the Whites.  I kind of like this trail now.  It is a heart pumper, you may curse a few times, but it is all worth it.  Plus after finding Waldo 100 times before you find the hut, you will be rewarded with smiling faces and the best chocolate chip cookie bar $2 can buy...I put in 5 and still think that was not enough.  Of all the huts, this one knows how to hide, unless you are downwind of it. ;)  

Do I really need to leave this lovely place?
Yes, because black flies don't care.  Black flies don't give a poop.

This is the Gem Pool.  It is 2.1 miles from the trailhead.  It is nice.
If you have any doubts about your hiking ability, stop here.

Seriously, do not go past this point.
If you are wearing flip flops. you shall not pass.

It gets way steeper than this.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

I thought I would see a friend and we would do Monroe together, but she took the Cog from George.  Can’t blame her.  Again, I hate the Jewel.  I had a nice lunch, ate too much though.  Then saw some hiking friends come down from Washington, we chatted, and I continued to look for my friend (got her text as I was leaving the hut).  Everyone who was everyone was at Lake of the Clouds hut.  As I prepared to go to Monroe, BAM, another AMC leader, then another, and a their happy group.  I guess it was too late to ask if he needed another co-leader.  We chatted about the weather and ways of getting down.  I told them about my failed traverse which involved a van ride down.  Damn 0 visibility and 60MPH winds.  I left my lb+ package of grapes for thru hikers at the hut and attended to business.  Yes, they got down OK.  Can’t wait to hear the stories.  

Token ladder.  I just scrambled on the rock next to it 

View

Now, I have done Monroe before, sadly, it did not count.  See above.  Knowing I was not going to make the 48 in two years, and then not finishing in time for the awards, pressure was off.  But I want to finish.  Just to get it off my back and hike because I love the mountains.  One thing a list does to you is force you to experience different things, have different experiences, and, well, meet new people.  There will be others for that reason, but I also just like to get out there.  This time, Monroe counted and I was happy.  It is not a long slog from the hut, one tricky area and there you are.  The views are great.  Even saw some remaining snow fields.  Yes, snow at the end of June.  I met two groups of Presi traversers, some Boy Scouts, and a few nice pups.  Well one unleashed pup decided to try to hump another one.  Please, have your dog under control, voice or leash.  Otherwise everyone will have to leash or they will not be allowed.  Dogs are dogs after all.  

I even forgot what number I gave it.

Back to the hut.  But no more food, I was still stuffed from lunch and it did not feel good.  I actually saw the lakes of the clouds.  Then down the Ammo.  Now the first part was a little hairy.  Slabby goodness with some wetness tossed in for fun.  It was, interesting.  Lots of butt sliding.  Finally made it to the taken ladder, which I slid down.  I scrambled next to it on the way up just to spite it. But once I got to treeline, I cruised down.  There are some nice rock steps.  They help keep you from falling on your face, but you may fall on your butt.  These are are the nicest I have seen.  Just when I thought I was going so slow, there was the Gem Pool.  Cool, cruise control.  I let two nice guys from CT by and enjoyed the cruise.  Easily went under downed tree, skirted rocks.  It was all good.  I decided to take the Cog route and then walk the road. The trail is so much nicer than the other one. No PUDs, just a nice walk. Even the road walk is a quick walk...with wildflowers to boot.  And I got close ups of lupines.  HEAVEN.  The guys passed me on the road and asked if I need a ride, I just said thanks cause the other trailhead was right there.  Monroe officially done.  

Yeah, got down just in time.

Lupine.

Walking and taking pics of flowers. 

Full disclosure, I took this from the view pull off on 302.

When I got back, I met some kids who were enjoying a good brew.  They asked me if I enjoyed this.  Of course I said yes.  Even the hikes that make me question my sanity bring joy.  Yeah, there have been a few.  OK hiking down with a sprained ankle in a microburst was not fun.  NOT FUN, but the rest was.  There is something about the mountains that centers you.  A guy coming down Ammo said it makes you find yourself.  And it does.  Whether is it discovering your place in nature or asking why am I doing this, you find yourself.  And you meet some awesome people.  After a while, you all know each other.  You share stories, experiences, tips.  Whether you know each other from other hikes, Facebook, or world of mouth, you are somehow all family.  We all watch out for each other.  It is a great community, even if that connection only lasts as long as the hike.

Choo Choo on the way to the hostel

Bretton Woods view.  Where are the peaks?

Now that my life will be taking an unknown path, what will I do?  Hike of course.  Maybe have a few hikes without a headlamp.  Imagine that.  I want my list done, plus I have hundreds of AT miles to do.  I look forward to waking up well before dawn and driving hours.  I will be sleeping in tents and shelters with new friends.  I will be pushing myself and staring down old challenges.  I will face new fears and old foes.  I have faith in myself, and the mountains as my background.