Mount Washington 3.22.05

I don't usually spend much time south of I-90, but I was looking for something close and something I hadn't climbed. I had a bit of trouble finding my jump of point and wasted a bit of time that would have been most useful later. The Trail/Road was in good shape and I merely followed some fresh tracks from those who had gone before me. I have been feeling quite ill again lately, so I was downing coughdrops like they were going out of style. I was quite sure that I would have plenty of daylight even with a late 2:30 start. I was thankful to have someone in front of me showing the way. I left the road and climbed one of the sister peaks of Mt Washington. I had hoped that it was the actual summit, I mean how much further could it be? My thought with it only being 3400ft of climb it would only take around 2 hours. I didn't count on the very LONG traverse that barely climbs any elevation at all. I had already passed my turn around time, but I have been falling a bit short lately, I wasn't about to turn around now. I managed to make the summit just at 5:15. I knew even if I hustled I had a good hour of hiking in the dark. I managed to bumble and stumble my way in the dark, only rolling my ankle 3 times. It would have been helpful to check my battery level in my headlamp prior to leaving. I guess I could have just changed them with the fresh ones in my pack, what challenge would that be.... to actually see were you are going!

Jolly Mt. 3.15.05

I had hoped to be able to drive to the trailhead, but wasn't really expecting to. Of course the first part of the road was glare ice, I gave myself a 50/50 chance of making it. Since it was such a nice day and I had plenty of time I decided to walk to 7 or so miles to the trailhead. The rest of the road was for the most part was quite passable. Around 3 hours later I made it to the trailhead, The first was a bit hard to follow but upon reaching the ridgeline it became more apparent. I followed the ridge to a nice point just past the junction to West Teanaway, were I was quite content to have lunch on a nice sun soaked spot. I shaved quite a bit of time on the descent by cutting some of the swichbacks. Although the day was quite long (around 16 miles) and I really didn't climb anything it was a quite satisfying day.

Mailbox Peak 3.1.05

I was looking forward all week to a rematch with Mailbox. I was quite pleased that the overnight rain had passed and left some hazy sunshine. Today I had plenty of time so I didn't really press the issue on the way up. There was almost no snow at all on the trail, so the upper portions went quicker. I found the going much easier than last week. I reached the summit in a little more than 2 hours and was greeted with some howling winds. I put every article of clothing on that I had but is was no match for the biting wind. I didn't even think of going on the West Defiance. The wind was strong enough to move me, at every ounce of 235 lbs that is saying something. I quickly downclimbed to get out of the wind and made it back to the truck without any mishaps.

Mailbox Peak 2.22.05

With another spectacular day and only a short time for a hike, I chose Mailbox. I figured I could be back home in around 4 hours. My plan was to do both Mailbox and the short ridge traverse to West Defiance (pt 4926). I had tried this once before only to be shut down by intense fog. I would have no such problems today. The bottom of Mailbox is quite dry and as steep as ever. I was troubled on my time on the way up, I have been sick for the last week. I have been feeling better but I still felt pretty sapped as I slowly made my way up. I was a bit concerned about the trail being a bit slick on some of the upper portions, so I brought a 3/4 pack since I was alone and didn't expect to see anyone. I felt with the steep grade a very real possiblity of a fall, it would be best to be prepared. At about 3000ft I passsed a mother and her two young ones. I was quite impressed to see pre-teens on such a demanding climb. It spurred me on to see this as I pressed on. At around 3400ft the trail became intermittent with some glare ice. It was suprisingly passable. I dropped my pack around 3800ft on a great sun soaked spot. I gave some thought to just staying there, but decided to stick it out a bit longer. I reached the rock slide that was mostly melted out and seemed the easiest way to go on. I climbed 2/3 of the way up to notice that the beagle wasn't quite interested in the rockslide. I did not have enough time to reach the summit as it was, so I decided that the only option was to return to my pack. I sometimes forget to take some time to enjoy the areas I love so much. So much time and effort goes into the ""getting there"" . It felt really nice just to take 15 minutes to soak up the sun and scenery. I carefully made my way down the slick portions and made some good time on the remainder. I noticed alot of the trees are worn smooth from people using them to pull themselves up as well as slowing themselves down. I can always tell a steep trail when my legs seem to have to work harder on the way down than on the way up. I did pass two seperate solo climbers on the way down.