tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67984420572351831962024-03-12T16:43:23.681-07:00RunSueRun"Every day's a holiday, every meal's a feast,"
Sassafras T, AT '94RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-20599340921561747382021-03-22T14:46:00.009-07:002021-09-30T07:13:03.008-07:00Winter Long Trail End to End<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnugPXPwR5xZ5aPIUmR0LqpTtMgKDat8cnYiKmDsQ_o_JG7o9581jFqI_Ajjv-5LkULBUNfW6xHON7TCV17AQs_pM5JG0JNaIDWZJlO-1IcvH59eUAtyvhtf80UM1EaPL-fDUlKhHA5w6/s2048/1AE1EC74-2D8D-4E4B-9F42-810DD6FFD05A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnugPXPwR5xZ5aPIUmR0LqpTtMgKDat8cnYiKmDsQ_o_JG7o9581jFqI_Ajjv-5LkULBUNfW6xHON7TCV17AQs_pM5JG0JNaIDWZJlO-1IcvH59eUAtyvhtf80UM1EaPL-fDUlKhHA5w6/s320/1AE1EC74-2D8D-4E4B-9F42-810DD6FFD05A.jpeg" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">On March 8, the
25<sup>th</sup> nonconsecutive day of hiking (no overnights) over 3 winters, I
completed the last section of my Winter Long Trail E2E quest by snowshoeing from
Route 9 to Kelley Stand Road. This goal was a long time in the works and
entailed a handful of false starts. With 4 summer LT E2E’s and 30+ years of New
England winter hiking, peakbagging, skiing, and mountaineering under my belt, in
December 2013 I set off from Journey’s End Road with high hopes. By day’s end,
with heightened humility, I’d made it to somewhere south of Shooting Star
Shelter before wisely retreating, finding the trail mostly non-discernible in
the deep snow. Snow-plastered tree trunks, saplings, and branches made the
usually faint white blazes nearly impossible to detect. Twice more, in 2014, I
attempted to connect North Jay Pass with Jay Pass, both times with more or less
the same foiled result. Clearly the Long Trail in Winter was not a gimme!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">I put the Winter LT on
the back burner and spent 2015 and 2016 pursuing somewhat more attainable
goals: skiing the Catamount Trail E2E and completing the first Calendar Year
Grid, hiking each of the 48 New Hampshire 4000 footers in every month of the
year, January to December. But the Winter Long Trail seed was planted. In the years following
my failed starts I’d gotten smarter about GPS, and over the summer of 2017 I decided
to traverse the LT once again with the goal of GPS’ing the entire route. I
think I did not realize at the time that this technology could be purchased! Anyway,
it was a good excuse to hike the length of my beloved state for a 5</span><sup style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">th</sup><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">
time!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Armed now with my
very own GPS track of the entire Trail, I once again set off from Journey’s End
Road on my 53<sup>rd</sup> birthday, December 23, 2018, and snowshoed a little
over 4 miles to North Jay Pass. Two days later, on Christmas, I finally made it
from North Jay Pass to Jay Pass convinced that maybe, just maybe, this was
doable after all! Did I wander off
trail? Yes, many times! But now - with map & compass backup always - I was
armed with the technology and know-how to get myself back on trail. A
breakthrough! Progress was thwarted in 2019 by my mother’s Stage 4 cancer
diagnosis and ultimate passing and also by my husband’s own pursuit of the New
Hampshire Grid, but by early 2020 I was refocused and committed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Between March 5
and 18, 2020, I snowshoed and microspiked from West Settlement Road in Johnson
to Lincoln Gap over 8 days and was sad to see Calendar Winter come to an end.
Picking up where I’d left off, I hiked from the east side of Lincoln Gap to
Middlebury Gap on New Year’s Day 2021. By January 13 I had made it to Mad Tom
Notch over 5 more days of hiking. Heavier snows complicated solo travel for the
latter part of January and into February. Wearing my husband’s longer Tubbs snowshoes
due to deeper snowpack, on February 12 I did a short “reconnaissance” trek over
Bromley Mountain but didn’t tackle the final 55 miles until March. It took 4
more days of snowshoeing in order to finish. After proceeding southbound “in
order” most of the way from Canada, I switched the last few hikes around for
logistical reasons, finally finishing with the almost 23-mile Route 9 to Kelley
Stand trek. After a 3 am start and a
full day of searching for the Trail, I was whipped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">As these things
often are for me, the finish was bittersweet, but I am filled with the
contentment of successfully executing a difficult “thing.” According to Kristin
McLane, who previously worked for the Green Mountain Club, I am the 11<sup>th</sup>
known person to complete a Winter Long Trail end-to-end. (Previous finishers
include George Pearlstein in the 1960s, Tom & Diane Sawyer in the 1980s,
Tom Stone, Pat Moriarty, and “Wolf” in the 1990s [these 3 all <u>thru</u>-hiked!],
and more recently Mary Lou Recor, Chris Holmes, Brad Butler, and Joplin James.
There may be more though.) Including
approach trails and unplowed roads, I hiked approximately 304 miles (the LT’s
272 miles, plus an extra 32). Of the LT miles, 247 (over 90%) were solo; I had
company – my husband, who would hike back some days to
meet me, and friend Paul who joined for one section – for only 25 miles of the LT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">In the first 90
miles of Trail, I met only 3 hikers. Aside from Camel’s Hump on a Saturday and
App Gap to Lincoln Gap in the beginning of the Covid pandemic, I met less than 20 hikers on the entire Trail. I saw the most animal tracks between Lincoln Gap
and Middlebury Gap, the most moose sign on Mt. Mayo, and an incredible deer yard on... I'm not saying! Benefits of winter hiking
include no bugs, no mud, and much better views. One definite downside is a narrow
margin for error; that margin gets even skinnier when solo. I carried enough
safety gear and layers to hopefully survive an uncomfortable night out,
including a huge puffy jacket, insulated pants, bivy bag, small foam pad, extra
food, extra mittens and hat, map & compass, small emergency kit, small
stove & pot. I am very comfortable out there on my own and always had a
bailout plan. I tried very hard to stay
on trail but didn’t panic when I lost it. And I lost it a lot! My husband knew
where I was and has personal knowledge of the Trail having hiked E2E in 2019.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Speaking of my
husband… traversing the Long Trail in this manner – point to point and mostly
solo – would not have been possible
without the assistance of my husband, Chris Scott, and I am deeply grateful for
his unwavering support and command of (seamless!) logistics. Along with the Catamount Trail, I have now traversed the length of Vermont 7 times. Would/will I do it again? YES! I still want to do a southbound
thru-hike in the fall following the changing of the leaves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">A few of my favorite photos followed by the day-by-day account:</span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4puG6AyJbtaZ6jn6SDBkyHHVq2JPMyr-eK5Jb2Bx0Po4KoC2BjvtY-n3BJRFqzbfpmix5IlEutTKMA9AMQe-DgMM4wLQqkGEh7S9TK-IwPQ6-E0NGaxMZIchjSrP62tUuuXhH-no1bYXl/s2048/4EC505F0-CE83-4E9C-9C3C-8401AF77BF1F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4puG6AyJbtaZ6jn6SDBkyHHVq2JPMyr-eK5Jb2Bx0Po4KoC2BjvtY-n3BJRFqzbfpmix5IlEutTKMA9AMQe-DgMM4wLQqkGEh7S9TK-IwPQ6-E0NGaxMZIchjSrP62tUuuXhH-no1bYXl/s320/4EC505F0-CE83-4E9C-9C3C-8401AF77BF1F.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Southern Terminus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXo7qx_2WHGt0Hiloh8hyY3Xq-_VLwknC__BJsjTiCvBIiA6i_hVQBfhzbMQCBV-lQVBY9hGgugui7pqTVRCmdevDuK3WfBOWjvYQ-aoDNuSwNwwAJQqZpIdbxeD6x7ovjeEsmFD-1ME7/s2048/9B6A53F4-FBC8-4FCB-8FD2-DF3601AB7AFD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXo7qx_2WHGt0Hiloh8hyY3Xq-_VLwknC__BJsjTiCvBIiA6i_hVQBfhzbMQCBV-lQVBY9hGgugui7pqTVRCmdevDuK3WfBOWjvYQ-aoDNuSwNwwAJQqZpIdbxeD6x7ovjeEsmFD-1ME7/s320/9B6A53F4-FBC8-4FCB-8FD2-DF3601AB7AFD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Northern Terminus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGaXhWxWx0bK7j7_GXup489vpY7YE_X3kiGcJ0WfcZYVRQORgg1fRs6H44pMgRxa1wrXHUwFRNUSIcrgjbTfpKZ1NYQGKeojM9L6PrfFZqDI7Kxbu7N_QFKP4rVvM7gCPFymQMesmpO6v/s2048/9D071631-2FB6-45F4-95BC-53832C2F4FB5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGaXhWxWx0bK7j7_GXup489vpY7YE_X3kiGcJ0WfcZYVRQORgg1fRs6H44pMgRxa1wrXHUwFRNUSIcrgjbTfpKZ1NYQGKeojM9L6PrfFZqDI7Kxbu7N_QFKP4rVvM7gCPFymQMesmpO6v/s320/9D071631-2FB6-45F4-95BC-53832C2F4FB5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The light was so pretty this morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1Bjbt78f9eYtmb4VxNJpB3MwHxhmpNW-G0EqPWTnjZmUf7CJUyuHKRkSOWIHlj-TiF3HaRKhRio6-BLCMOYjUXtZNEES9sVpU2F5niVkcfqs6WUqMMGdNFHzfhUJxTV5yB_bzbOkOtY-/s2048/9EF357BA-482B-4A07-A082-CF54DE82EEAB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1Bjbt78f9eYtmb4VxNJpB3MwHxhmpNW-G0EqPWTnjZmUf7CJUyuHKRkSOWIHlj-TiF3HaRKhRio6-BLCMOYjUXtZNEES9sVpU2F5niVkcfqs6WUqMMGdNFHzfhUJxTV5yB_bzbOkOtY-/s320/9EF357BA-482B-4A07-A082-CF54DE82EEAB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ladder Ravine! Half the ladder is buried.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_pO2xM24R8OpBa3w57LSdnxwYH38h-UkPEiFMV8qRfG8jvRVdeacskeJry88kj-TuuYmDpapgo8f_-uHG6um0XiMpP-pw1ePcDoRdaNzYqpz2Yuf7XB9gvWbTRJ9Ax7H7LeJ8_hiLCv5/s2048/48B713CC-5338-4DA1-90D6-780FAED97780.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_pO2xM24R8OpBa3w57LSdnxwYH38h-UkPEiFMV8qRfG8jvRVdeacskeJry88kj-TuuYmDpapgo8f_-uHG6um0XiMpP-pw1ePcDoRdaNzYqpz2Yuf7XB9gvWbTRJ9Ax7H7LeJ8_hiLCv5/s320/48B713CC-5338-4DA1-90D6-780FAED97780.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">App Gap to Lincoln Gap day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AXP3j9B1G17LKGFVbrKiYBbNRuP-m1su-6QH0ZkzGxacy-LpOO7CFoXIa9mwx6VVtb0EwGja938dWeljikhvdGdGPMW2JkdSVwjOW_4at9MW9MPvyn4HS6kgg3aHpayqjn4iFW4Ss-_G/s2048/81A0AFF5-E310-4454-91A6-57BE60C8922D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AXP3j9B1G17LKGFVbrKiYBbNRuP-m1su-6QH0ZkzGxacy-LpOO7CFoXIa9mwx6VVtb0EwGja938dWeljikhvdGdGPMW2JkdSVwjOW_4at9MW9MPvyn4HS6kgg3aHpayqjn4iFW4Ss-_G/s320/81A0AFF5-E310-4454-91A6-57BE60C8922D.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bromley Peak</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZb8N6jWa8NuhAgpg81KAwG5w0l5QJOdBM913CvkYWiRaEU-db-beDOZnocEnZq7AZrkfcORczf-UhFgqxGOFHo8OK4YOrjUUpe5kdn-pQ1wlxkvMH9LXguQl6dH8ikcdohRibuXlDxlx/s2048/639F0CB4-2E50-4E03-93C2-0DE50D44F0F0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZb8N6jWa8NuhAgpg81KAwG5w0l5QJOdBM913CvkYWiRaEU-db-beDOZnocEnZq7AZrkfcORczf-UhFgqxGOFHo8OK4YOrjUUpe5kdn-pQ1wlxkvMH9LXguQl6dH8ikcdohRibuXlDxlx/s320/639F0CB4-2E50-4E03-93C2-0DE50D44F0F0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Snow was deep, but at least there was a visible blaze here. Many were faded beyond recognition.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEY-ptU8cZkRjq9xmNOWJ3Y38W2ZIHd1cpFPy19QnHyqRm_RphNvMZ_v5RLxfyCkhye0gewEBcyZd0JoQFLuhnPqCuYFI55NtvhAJ0-_H-qy2N3DVAegW942z41Ay001V7Gt2jvEYOxY-/s2048/1816AA8A-407E-4C95-B0AB-08FFEBA1B9E4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEY-ptU8cZkRjq9xmNOWJ3Y38W2ZIHd1cpFPy19QnHyqRm_RphNvMZ_v5RLxfyCkhye0gewEBcyZd0JoQFLuhnPqCuYFI55NtvhAJ0-_H-qy2N3DVAegW942z41Ay001V7Gt2jvEYOxY-/s320/1816AA8A-407E-4C95-B0AB-08FFEBA1B9E4.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moose evidence on Mt. Mayo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbxB-qY8Co7ckSRMwtzwVeaTp3IDjXqo2GbhL7pKoE-OXc721JlOoq54ZAvGtSfrs5knvF6ohhDg_GG46dw9dsIWGF3oOF6vkOviNDcSv2NJafuJk8dOUVid2xJWytJ4llhdrMe6ffxYr/s2048/4326C76A-5C0E-4454-8279-D9A46FC87951.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbxB-qY8Co7ckSRMwtzwVeaTp3IDjXqo2GbhL7pKoE-OXc721JlOoq54ZAvGtSfrs5knvF6ohhDg_GG46dw9dsIWGF3oOF6vkOviNDcSv2NJafuJk8dOUVid2xJWytJ4llhdrMe6ffxYr/s320/4326C76A-5C0E-4454-8279-D9A46FC87951.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Find the white blazes - hahaha</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1a5yx7WTQEcqn96bPqtaGG920UWmbOj-G8d_DT1UMz-vg2Z-ojoHF7wGqVmyhhx1ejnh5RLdSa1vrFOt-7z2aNwYzFC9mhq2EYyJug_0Wx0WLGY_6zMef-UmHWCVeWbIVdOo3X47irTp/s2048/367813BC-0E34-4CE2-AF21-C1C2D00E9456.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1a5yx7WTQEcqn96bPqtaGG920UWmbOj-G8d_DT1UMz-vg2Z-ojoHF7wGqVmyhhx1ejnh5RLdSa1vrFOt-7z2aNwYzFC9mhq2EYyJug_0Wx0WLGY_6zMef-UmHWCVeWbIVdOo3X47irTp/s320/367813BC-0E34-4CE2-AF21-C1C2D00E9456.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Color where least expected</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItjLp1DLWGEqQUz7GScLRj0jEsWWoq9CHm42nIbKWAvsuF8uBz7YSKMHhMyqkZB0Ekcv3d6qqLnwUkqamg4McLRUxhzBQJBSSSYibiI-dWsi8btR8tt0hLdPwZYs6dFZLifpkU6T-zpLX/s2048/A4A98EC1-EF47-46CF-96E9-221D743E7216.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItjLp1DLWGEqQUz7GScLRj0jEsWWoq9CHm42nIbKWAvsuF8uBz7YSKMHhMyqkZB0Ekcv3d6qqLnwUkqamg4McLRUxhzBQJBSSSYibiI-dWsi8btR8tt0hLdPwZYs6dFZLifpkU6T-zpLX/s320/A4A98EC1-EF47-46CF-96E9-221D743E7216.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dawn, final day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKWGBI2jKsMS_IL0II6ggX7YJWuaib4nMbdkfNI03F1uPy28htpWOaf3EYvPe3sc61O7mTsi-PITGRmH2OlQaBJ7al1G_YgdUjKN4kokELl9KtA-BNOPFNoZpiLjeJRVe0ByH8i7CZ6h_/s2048/AA770BAF-935B-44EA-A1E5-8EBF3158C32F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKWGBI2jKsMS_IL0II6ggX7YJWuaib4nMbdkfNI03F1uPy28htpWOaf3EYvPe3sc61O7mTsi-PITGRmH2OlQaBJ7al1G_YgdUjKN4kokELl9KtA-BNOPFNoZpiLjeJRVe0ByH8i7CZ6h_/s320/AA770BAF-935B-44EA-A1E5-8EBF3158C32F.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chris at the incredible ice formations on Laraway Mtn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl5_hAfNQTKF-nMN_s2Bk5Lu-XCPW-w9FbByZCXMZ35gqGffWVPM0QoVgdK0msFKH144XyC3SagZ5qf7v_F1M3HiK3ai1CWIofX-hq9tBGKgaDQuIJzjDkmH6KC4WYmZ7mje6U7CLjup8/s2048/AACE6EDC-FDC4-4215-B64D-2DD32C390053.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl5_hAfNQTKF-nMN_s2Bk5Lu-XCPW-w9FbByZCXMZ35gqGffWVPM0QoVgdK0msFKH144XyC3SagZ5qf7v_F1M3HiK3ai1CWIofX-hq9tBGKgaDQuIJzjDkmH6KC4WYmZ7mje6U7CLjup8/s320/AACE6EDC-FDC4-4215-B64D-2DD32C390053.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Impossible without this guy :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwiyspl9h9rMhv48CMHgXiRWyGYqsxO0cjNHwgEUsf-wO5aQ7V5HcxCeIqyPhVd4GZfa3a5oiDHnIYzI4K2_YmpU-aPAtYGwDsECA3fRhR2_t1o1y7bDpkaiexjkjwZLaIf-0Ij5zfTax/s960/F90E9A6E-2760-422C-AB08-86D9565BB3D7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwiyspl9h9rMhv48CMHgXiRWyGYqsxO0cjNHwgEUsf-wO5aQ7V5HcxCeIqyPhVd4GZfa3a5oiDHnIYzI4K2_YmpU-aPAtYGwDsECA3fRhR2_t1o1y7bDpkaiexjkjwZLaIf-0Ij5zfTax/s320/F90E9A6E-2760-422C-AB08-86D9565BB3D7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taft Lodge!</div><div><br /></div><div>*************<span style="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"> </span></div><div>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Sunday, December 23, 2018
– 4.3 miles (2.6 LT, 1.7 side trail
& road)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Journey’s
End Road to Rt. 105/North Jay Pass<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Happy
53<sup>rd</sup> birthday to me! We parked about ½ mile before the summer lot
due to the road being icy. It WAS plowed to the last house, which is just
before the summer TH. The one stream crossing of concern, on Journey’s End
Trail, wasn’t too bad given the amount of rain that fell 12/21-22. Open
hardwoods made staying on trail difficult. I walked right up to Journey’s End
Camp instead of taking the spur trail, for example. Then I lost the trail
shortly afterward & ended up walking the US-Canada border swath for about
1/3 mile to Line Post 592. Haha - interesting! Once on the LT, staying on trail
was a bit easier. I’d intended to make it all the way to Jay Pass; however,
arriving at 105/North Jay Pass at 10:20, realized I probably did not have
enough time to make it before nightfall. Knowing that the next section was
exceedingly difficult to follow (three tries previously, in December 2013!), I
resolved that discretion was the better part of valor. We finished the day with
a hike up Mt. Norris, which is another adventure story…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday, December 25, 2018
– 9.4 miles (all LT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Rt.
105/North Jay Pass to Rt. 242/Jay Pass<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Merry
Christmas! Colder day, single digits to teens & slightly breezy. Started
around 7 am full of energy & conviction! With the aid of my GPS track from
hiking the LT in summer 2017, I was able to finally make it all the way through
to Jay Pass! Constant vigilance was required in order to stay on trail, but I
ended up off course 10-12 times total. Impossible to follow white blazes in the
open hardwoods covered with snow (2-3” fresh powder today). Additionally, the
“white” blazes were of various ages, & there was usually no distinguishable
footbed. From Burnt Mtn. to North Jay Peak col they looked to be fresh;
everywhere else they were older and/or of the nailed on, peeling scrap wood
variety of blaze which, when it peels, turns into a brown blaze! The woods were
a spectacular winter wonderland, however, & I felt very happy. Around North Jay col I encountered an old set
of snowshoe tracks from possibly the day before. Oddly, they disappeared around
Doll Peak, never to be encountered again. On one of my “barely off-the-trail
excursions,” I somehow completely missed Laura Woodward Shelter & found
myself starting the climb up Jay Peak when I realized it. (So much for getting photos
of all the shelters!) The section of LT between ski trails was its usual crazy
steep & completely unbroken. Chris met me inside the tram station, I warmed
up for about ½ hour, & we hiked down to Jay Pass together. Chris lost his Santa
hat on the way down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Thursday, December 27,
2018 – 7.8 miles (6.8 LT, 1 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Route
242/Jay Pass to Rt. 58/Hazen’s Notch & down to winter parking<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Chris’s
Santa hat was hanging at the trailhead! 4-5” powder overnight made for a lovely
snowshoe with Chris up to Domey’s Dome. He turned back there. Usual challenge
following trail but not too bad until Buchanan Mtn. to Hazen’s Notch Camp area.
I say “area” because, again, I never saw the spur sign to the shelter amongst
the miles of open hardwoods covered in fresh snow. A real adventure staying on
trail which would have been impossible without my GPS track. Lots of tracks,
including moose tracks in the Buchanan Mtn. area +/- 1-2 miles. Wandered off trail many,
many times, but the woods are so open & beautiful it didn’t matter. Wow! At
the Notch, I took a left & walked exactly a mile to the winter parking area
where Chris was waiting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">4.
Thursday, December 26, 2019 – 11 miles (10 LT, 1 road)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Hazen’s Notch to Route 118<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Chris
dropped me off at Hazen’s Notch end of plowing, Lowell side around 7 am. Saw bear prints near the height of land &
another couple of times this day. Had trouble following trail here and there;
GPS to the rescue. Beautiful woods. Did not have the desire (or energy) to climb
the extra 0.3 to Belvidere.Thankfully, trail from B down was broken out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">5.
Monday February 3, 2020 – 11.1 miles (9.6 LT, 1.5 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Route
118 to Davis Neighborhood Trail<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Love
this section of trail! Encountered some ski tracks high on the ridge &
again closer to Corliss Camp, where Chris met me. Descended Davis Neighborhood
Trail. Found out he parked in the wrong spot because landowner left a note on
the car. Left reply of apology.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">6.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 - 14 miles
(12.5 LT, 1.5 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Davis
Neighborhood to West Settlement Road</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Enjoyed
this day very much. The woods are gorgeous, albeit with some tricky route
finding. Backcountry ski tracks here & there. Descending Laraway, I met
Chris & we took a funny “Lilliputian” photo (he looked so tiny!) at the
incredible, towering icicles. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">J</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">7.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 – 12 miles (8 LT, 3.5 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">West Settlement
Road to Chilcoot Pass to Beaver Meadow parking.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">First couple of miles were an easy warmup:
West Settlement Road is plowed as there is active logging going on, although I
did not see any of it save for a parked logging truck. LT then follows a
groomed VAST snowmobile trail for another 1/2 to 3/4 mile or so, more easy
walking. Barebooted.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">LT makes an unsigned, abrupt right hand
turn off the VAST trail that is easy to miss - I just happened to look up &
see a white blaze off to my right. Snowshoes went on here & remained on
until the car. The snowshoeing was *perfect* & I floated along barely making
a dent in the solid but grippy surface. There were some older ski tracks along
this section as far as Bear Hollow Camp. The hardwoods were spectacular here!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Bear Hollow to Whiteface to Morse Mtn.,
about “4.5” difficult miles, did not look to have seen any traffic. (Last
sign-in at Whiteface Shelter was in November.) The climb & descent of
Whiteface get very steep, but snowshoeing conditions were absolutely stellar
this day so the going was not difficult. I lost the trail about a half dozen
times & resorted to GPS to get back on track. After Whiteface (aka Sterling) Mtn., staying on the LT
proper was a bit more challenging, but I eventually made it to Whiteface
Shelter, where Chris was waiting having come up from Beaver Meadow &
Whiteface Trail (“steep!!!”).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">We continued on to Chilcoot Pass over some
sketchy, steep terrain & more challenging trail finding... “1.5 miles” my
ass!! Chilcoot Trail is very steep but fun & the footing was good this day.
A few more inches of powder would have made for an exciting butt slide! Nearing
Beaver Meadow Lodge we lost the trail, but the woods were open so we
bushwhacked the final quarter mile.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">On
the way out, we checked out the large Beaver Meadow which required a short BW.
Views of the Meadow, which is situated in a bowl, & surrounding ridges were
very fine. An easy couple of miles brought us back to the car. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">8. Saturday,
March 7, 2020 - 7.8 miles (5.9 LT, 1.9 Smuggler’s ski trail)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Chilcoot Pass to
Rt. 108 via Smugglers Notch ski area</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><span style="background: whitesmoke;">Paul Sulva joined me for the
day. We started off at Madonna II lift,
Smugglers Notch Resort, which has a very gracious uphill policy (6-8 am on
specific trails & no charge - thank you!!). Lower Chilcoot, Waterfall, &
Upper Chilcoot Trails brought us to Chilcoot Pass in about a mile. Easy going
with snowshoe televators!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">The fun started here, with the LT hiding in
the woods & paralleling ski trails much of the first couple miles. Was
quite chilly & blustery atop Madonna Peak. Took a much appreciated break in
the heated ski patrol hut on top before continuing on. Next section to Sterling
Pond had more challenging trail finding & a steep, exaggerated side hill to
contend with. (Had I not been intent on the LT proper, paralleling ski trails
would have been tempting.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Views from Sterling Pond were fantastic,
with the Mansfield Ridge sparkling in all her glory. From the Pond down to Rt.
108 is definitely not my favorite section: ongoing GPSing, crisscrossing skier
tracks, much tedious side hilling, & lots of up on the way down. Lower down
we finally encountered some welcomed snowshoe tracks & Chris, welcomed
because it meant we didn’t have to “think” anymore. Ha!</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">We did the Barnes Camp Loop to finish the
section. Stopped by The Alchemist for some beverages, then Green Mountain
Club’s Winter Trails Day, where all 3 of us walked away with raffle prizes
(microspikes, lift tickets, & a T shirt)!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">9. Monday, March
9, 2020 – 11 miles (9.4 LT, 1.6 side)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Rt. 108 to Nebraska Notch & down to
Lake Mansfield</span><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Having done the LT 5 times in non snow
months, I assumed this section would be the most technically challenging. Therefore, I brought
everything: snowshoes, spikes, crampons, ice axe, poles, & even a rope!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Taft Lodge had snow packed halfway up the front
door & completely covering the front deck. I did not go inside! Barebooted
to just below treeline, at which point there were a few diverging paths through
the spruce. Put snowshoes on after sinking into a spruce trap up to my hips.
Televators & ice axe came in handy on the very steep slope going up The
Chin, potentially quite a scary spot, but thankfully the slope was softer snow
and not ice.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Winds on the ridge were
brisk & chilly, but the scenery was stellar! Lots of ski tracks up there.
Couple of confusing spots heading to The Forehead, GPS helpful. The Forehead
was spectacular but route finding was a bit tricky before taking the plunge
down to The Needles Eye.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">This is the section I worried about
beforehand. There are 5 ladders & some tricky moves w/ big dropoffs. (There
is a “bad weather bypass,” but that is not the LT.) I switched from snowshoes
to spikes & gingerly made my way down. Some ice to negotiate, but crampons
& rope we’re not used. Much quicker than expected - & after seeing only
2 of the 5 ladders (the other 3 being buried in snow)!! - I was almost
disappointed to arrive at Needles Eye.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">The next 3.5 miles to Taylor Lodge was a
lovely snowshoe through open hardwoods. An extra treat was the fact that this
section had been snowshoed over the weekend such that I did not have to do any
navigation. Yay! Chris met me at Taylor Lodge, & from there it was an easy
2.5 down to the car. There were a few bare, snow-free spots, but we opted to
keep snowshoes on until reaching the road.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Somewhat surprisingly, even though temps
hit the 50s, the snow was not overly sticky in our snowshoes. It was WARM... I
heard geese flying north, spied a couple of chipmunks who’d emerged from
hibernation, & saw fresh bear tracks! Happy to have finally done the full
Mansfield traverse in winter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">10.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 – 11.6 miles
(9.1 LT, 2.6 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Lake Mansfield Trail
to Taylor Lodge to Duck Brook Trail to Bolton Notch Road</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">LMT was spikeable, but snowshoes went on
shortly after leaving Taylor Lodge when I started postholing every 10th step or
so. After a melt/rain/freeze, the surface is hard, uneven, sometimes ice
glazed, crunchy, & LOUD w/ plastic MSR snowshoes!! There is a lot of snow
up high, with blazes just peeking out above the snow near Bolton Mtn. Snowshoes
are necessary & will be so for a few more weeks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Bolton Mtn. had a stretch of maybe 3/4 mile
that was badly postholed & difficult to maneuver around. Thankfully the
culprits descended one of the connectors to Bolton Valley ski area.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">LT was the usual GPS-aided search for white
blazes but was a little bit easier to follow than previous sections... but
still not easy. Some beautiful woods & interesting “nooks & crannies” up
there, especially in the Clark-Mayo area. Tons of moose tracks &
nuggets around Mt. Mayo! Duck Brook Trail got muddy towards the bottom, with
lots of rotting snow. Finally removed the snowshoes in the last half mile.</span>
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Didn’t see another soul all day, true of
most days on the LT in winter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="display: none; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hide: all;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">11.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 – 8.6 miles (7.7 LT, .9 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Duck Brook Trail
to LT south across Oxbow Ridge, across Winooski River, to Bamforth
Ridge trailhead</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Today was an extra treat because the crust
was firm enough to support my weight. Carried snowshoes but never needed them.
I reclimbed Duck Brook Trail, yesterday’s descent/exit for a mile, then headed
south on the LT. This section of trail is a relatively new (2015) relo & is
a truly beautiful 4-5 mile ridgewalk through a forest of open hardwoods. It is now
one of my favorite sections of the LT. Some interesting blazing up on the ridge
- lots of dripping, “weeping” (drippy paint) blazes. Trail was MUCH easier to follow than
expected. Used GPS track only a couple of times today! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">As I descended in elevation - from ~2000 to ~400
feet on a predominately south-facing slope, the snowmelt was pronounced. The
last 4 miles included crossing the Winooski, a road walk, a smaller river ford,
& a flat walk through farm fields complete with stiles. There was so little
snow that it felt like cheating to call it a winter hike. Preston Brook
required an invigorating ford, & my feet got soaked. Water was ankle to mid
shin deep. There is a high water bypass, but I had only a mile to go &
wanted to stay on the official LT. </span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Actually
met 2 humans & 4 dogs during today’s hike, only the 2nd & 3rd hikers I
have met in 90 miles of the LT in winter.</span><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">12. Saturday,
March 14, 2020 – 9.8 miles (8.1 LT, 1.7 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Bamforth Ridge TH
to Montclair Glen & down Forest City Trail</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Carried snowshoes but lucked out and was
able to microspike the entire hike today without postholing. A little bit of
tricky route finding through open hardwoods about 1/2 mile above Bamforth Ridge
Shelter. Some loose "ice balls" coming off the south side of the Hump
required careful foot placement.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">From
Canada to Duxbury Road I have met 3 hikers. On a Saturday on Camel's Hump, I encountered 16.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">13. Sunday, March
15, 2020 – 12.3 miles (10.6 LT, 1.7 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Forest City Trail
to Montclair Glen to Appalachian Gap</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Hiked back up yesterday's descent trail,
Forest City, & headed south. Faint, old tracks were helpful for the first
mile of the LT, to Mt. Ethan Allen. From this point to Birch Glen Camp, about 8
miles, route finding required constant vigilance & frequent GPS & map
referencing in order to stay on trail.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">The
section between Ethan Allen & Burnt Rock Mountain is difficult, with many
little steep & potentially sketchy ups & downs, challenging route
finding, & "3 miles that hike like 6." There is a long sidehill
from hell going around Mt. Ira Allen that I won't soon forget. (Thankfully I
was not snowshoeing this day.) In spots an ice axe would not have been
overkill.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Ladder Ravine was somewhat anticlimactic
because the lower half of the aluminum ladder was completely buried in snow
such that only the top 7 (icy!) rungs needed climbing. At the top of the
ladder, there was a leaning tree that must be crawled under, an awkward move to
say the least.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Actually met 3 hikers
on spectacular Burnt Rock Mountain, they having ascended Hedgehog Brook Trail
(one of my potential bailout routes!), & for 1/2 mile I didn't have to look
for the trail. Many beautiful exposed, dry ledges here!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Despite my whining about route finding,
this entire LT section is absolutely gorgeous in winter - much open hardwoods,
downright gentle terrain between Hedgehog Brook Trail & Birch Glen, &
with almost boilerplate conditions, I was able to microspike the entire day! I
still carried snowshoes, however, because there is a lot of snow that could get
reeeal soft this time of year.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">After
Birch Glen Camp was a 1000 foot climb of Molly Stark; then a smaller climb of
Baby Stark followed, unfortunately, by deep, frozen, awkward postholes in the
last mile to App Gap.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">14. Wednesday,
March 18, 2020 – 13 miles (11.6 LT, 1.4 road)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Appalachian Gap
to Lincoln Gap Road & down East side</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Escaped the Covid craziness to my happy
place for a lovely stroll on the Long Trail from App Gap to Lincoln
Gap.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">With consolidated, crusty snow
& lots of prior snowshoe & ski traffic, I was able to spike the entire
route this day. Almost felt like cheating to call this a winter hike, but as
Miriam Underhill proclaimed so many years ago, “winter” is defined solely by
the calendar & not by conditions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">After the first couple of miles with its
intermittent very steep scrambles, the rest of this traverse is rather gentle
undulations with frequent viewpoints & ski trail crossings of Mad River
Glen, Sugarbush, & Sugarbush North. The ski areas were closed due to the
pandemic; however, a couple of trails were groomed this day - one near the
summit of Ellen, the other by Castlerock.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Met
5 skiers & 18 hikers today, everyone looking happy & keeping appropriate
distances. Saw a few dogs, including one naughty spaniel whom we guided back down
Mt. Abe to his person after calling the phone number on his collar. </span>
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">This is my last LT section for this winter.
I am at mile 120 with 150 to go next winter, god willing & the creek don’t
rise... </span><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">15.
Friday, January 1, 2021 – 18.7 (17.3 LT, 1.4 road)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Lincoln Gap to
Middlebury Gap<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Vermont version
of a Presi Traverse. Picked up where I left off before end of Calendar Winter last
March. Lucked out with minimal snow depths.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">~1.5 mile/1000 foot climb to Lincoln Gap went quickly.
Lots of foot traffic & only an inch or two of snow. LT South was well
travelled to Sunset Ledge, & there was one old set of human prints to
Cooley Glen Shelter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">From CG Shelter to Clark Brook Trail it was
just critter tracks - coyote, bobcat, moose, partridge, vole, squirrel, &
rabbits... SO many rabbits! I learned to trust the coyotes - they apparently
really like the LT, & I resorted to checking my GPS in only two
questionable spots this day, definitely a rarity for the extremely
hard-to-follow LT in winter. Because of so little snow, I also was able to
discern the trail depression which was very helpful in the many open hardwood
sections.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Barebooted the first 3-4 miles, but ice
underfoot was well hidden so I finally threw on the spikes & wore them the
rest of the day. A few tricky ice bulges here & there but nothing too
crazy. Only spot snowshoes may have helped a little bit was going over Mt.
Wilson, which held the deepest snow of the day & some drifts, but it would
not have been worth schlepping them that far for so little benefit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Two people had come up Clark Brook Trail
for Wilson; one other guy had hiked north from Middlebury Gap to Roosevelt.
This made me happy since I could merely follow his footsteps & no longer had
to think about where the trail was!</span><br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: whitesmoke;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">16. Monday,
January 4, 2021 – 9.9 miles (all LT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Middlebury Gap to
Brandon Gap</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Some bareboot traffic through Middlebury
Snow Bowl to Worth Mtn., then just wildlife tracks. With a few inches of fresh
snow, I found it easier to wear snowshoes; plus I like leaving nice tracks. A
bit of tricky & challenging route finding in the extensive hardwoods. Used
GPS maybe 10 times. Also followed coyote & fox tracks - they like staying
on the LT.</span> Chris hiked back to meet me a couple of miles from the end. <span style="background: whitesmoke;">After Mt. Horrid it was too bony for snowshoes,
so I switched to spikes. Visited the awesome Great Cliffs of Mt. Horrid on the
way out. No peregrines in winter so they were accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">17. Wednesday,
January 6, 2021 – 19.9 miles (all LT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Brandon Gap to
Route 4/Sherburne Pass</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">First 4 miles, to Bloodroot Gap, were broken
out by backcountry skiers. From Bloodroot Gap to Tucker Johnson Shelter, almost
15 miles, I broke trail through 4-5” which turned out to be a perfect
depth/effort for this solo effort.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Paint
blazes (white - haha) are much more frequent than they were to the north. Still
I resorted to GPS maybe a dozen times due to extensive snow-plastered open
hardwoods. The LT in winter is a challenge for sure! In this section the LT
goes over no actual summits but traverses around them, sometimes on a pretty
tricky sidehill. Ankles got a workout. It is a beautiful section, with more
views in the winter months.There is once again a shelter at Tucker Johnson (old
one burned down a few years ago). A thrill to reach Maine Junction today but
saddened to hear shocking news of the capitol insurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">18. Friday,
January 8, 2021 – 14.2 miles (all LT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Route 4 to
Keiffer Road</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Snowshoes car to car. Route 4 to Cooper
Lodge had been alternately barebooted or skied. Snow depth up high on the ridge
- Jungle Junction/Pico to Killington to Little Killington - provided perfect
snowshoe conditions. No one had been past Killington Spur. Winter wonderland up
there! Some searching for the trail here & there. White blazes on
snow-plastered trees again: joy! GPS to the rescue.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Approaching Governor Clement Shelter, I
encountered a bareboot track for maybe a mile which made route finding easy. From
Governor Clement to Keiffer Road was lower elevation & had just enough snow
to snowshoe although they were not absolutely necessary. Some beautiful hemlock
forests & big pines in there!</span> Saw an amazing otter track next to an
old cellar hole. <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Other than 3 skiers at
Cooper Lodge, I had the entire 14 miles to myself.</span><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">19. Sunday,
January 10, 2021 – 15.5 miles (14.7 LT, .8 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Wallingford Pond
Trailhead to Keiffer Road</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">I wanted to make this next section a bit
longer than the obvious road-to-road 10 miles. Studying the map, it appeared
that one could get very close to the LT/AT by utilizing a snowmobile (VAST)
trail & a short bushwhack from Wallingford Pond Trailhead. This was,
indeed, the case. I clocked .83 mile. Yay.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">While there are no big mountains in this
section, there were some stiff little climbs: Beacon Hill, the climb out of
Clarendon Gorge, Bear Mtn., & White Rocks. Some of the section was
untouched snow, some had been traveled by 1-2 people, & some short sections
(Clarendon Gorge, White Rocks) were a packed super highway. Section up/over
Bear Mtn. was full of bent-over, snow-encased saplings & branches for maybe
a mile. That was the main route-finding challenge of the day, but it helped
that one person had gone through a day or two before.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">I mostly wore spikes but did about 3 miles in
snowshoes & carried ‘em the rest of the day. SO many animal tracks on this
gorgeous day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">20. Wednesday,
January 13, 2021 – 17.3 miles (15.9 LT, 1.4 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Wallingford Pond
to Mad Tom Notch</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Started off in spikes for the 0.4 mile
snowmobile trail & 0.4 mile easy bushwhack to the LT, coming out at the
exact point as 3 days prior. Stayed in spikes until Big Branch, where the snow
was a bit deeper & slightly postholed. Switched to snowshoes at that point
& kept them on to the end; they were not absolutely necessary, but they
usually allowed for easier walking & better grip, & I’d rather wear
them than carry them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Trail is much, much easier to follow than
most LT sections north of here. Still, even though I have end-to-ended the LT 5
times, I spaced out & went the wrong way coming off Baker Peak, via the
more traveled Baker Peak Trail. After losing a couple hundred vertical feet
& maybe 0.3 mile, I looked up & thought “Why is that blaze blue &
not white?” Hahaha! I turned around & reclimbed to the LT/AT junction
laughing at my dumb mistake.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Little Rock Pond & Griffith Lake are
lovely in wintertime! Snow was noticeably deeper on Peru & Styles Peaks, as
expected (elevation 3400 feet), & I was very happy for my snowshoes. I
encountered many critter tracks but exactly zero humans in 18 miles which made
me happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">21. Friday,
February 12, 2021 – 6.5 miles (5.5 LT, 1 road)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Mad Tom Notch to
Rt. 11/30<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">After a month off
the LT & a couple feet of snow accumulation, I used my next section of the
LT southbound as a sort of reconnaissance hike to determine snow depths in the
southern part of the state. Because I knew I’d be breaking trail, Chris let me
wear his bigger Tubbs snowshoes which floated marvelously.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Last time I finished my hike
at Mad Tom Notch, we were able to drive all the way to the Trail crossing. Not
so this day. Had to park at the winter lot about a mile east & walk up the
snowmobiled road. Once on the LT, I followed an old snowshoe track now &
then, but there was a lot of wandering & I preferred to find my own trail.
There were A LOT of bent over, snow-laden saplings & branches, a few
blowdowns, & old faded blazes making staying on trail a challenge. GPS
track to the rescue once again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Happy to reach the summit of Bromley &
lots of skiers, and shortly thereafter Chris, who hiked up to meet me. The 3
miles from Bromley to the finish were more traveled, with a few barebooter
holes (boo). We smoothed it out to a beautiful snowshoe track.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">22. Wednesday,
March 3, 2021 – 14.4 miles (10.8 LT, 3.6 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Kelly Stand Road
to North Brookwood Road & Rt. 11/30 to Old Rootville Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Spiked up to
summit of Stratton via LT northbound. Trail heavily traveled & firmly
packed. Switched to snowshoes on summit. Lots of bent over branches &
snow/ice encased trees at higher elevations, a couple of which required
hands-and-knees crawl unders.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Coming off summit there was an old,
infrequently discernible, meandering snowshoe track, & footing was over a
surface of hard frozen ice chunks. Tubbs snowshoe dropped a cotter pin &
ring which attaches the snowshoe claw to the plastic bed. MacGyvered a fix with
a key ring, alas the fix got me only a couple miles to the IP road/ VAST Trail
7. Fuuuuck!! One bar on my phone & Chris to the rescue – yay! Trail 7 to
7A to a local trail that leads to North Brookwood Road which I remembered from
skiing the Catamount Trail.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Chris picked me up & shuttled me around
to the LT/AT crossing on 11/30. In order to make the most of the day, I
traversed the 5-mile Spruce Peak section (spikes to the shelter spur, easy
trail breaking in spare snowshoes from there to Prospect Rock), down Old
Rootville Road, which is snowmobiled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">23. Friday, March
5, 2021 – 10.4 miles (6.8 LT, 3.6 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">North Brookwood –
Stratton Pond – Old Rootville Road</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Connected to Long
Trail via the local trail off North Brookwood Road and VAST Snowmobile Trails
7A and 7. Snowshoes once on the LT. Looked like no one had been on LT north of
Stratton Pond for a long time. This whole section could actually have been skied. Trail breaking was easy peasy - I sank in only
2-4” the entire solitary ~7 miles to the William B. Douglas Shelter junction,
where Chris met me. We continued on the LT, which is also a groomed snowmobile
trail here, to Prospect Rock & down Old Rootville Road.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Sections of LT in open
hardwoods are hard to follow. GPS used a few times in order to stay on trail. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">24. Saturday,
March 6, 2021 – 16.5 miles (14.3 LT, 4.2 side)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Rt. 9 to the MA
border, AT to Route 2 in North Adams.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Spiked steeply up Harmon Hill at O’dark
thirty. Trail was rather treacherous - hardpacked, icy, postholed, & in the
dark to “boot.” Extra care was taken to not trip here because the slope was
very steep & glazed w/ ice. On Harmon Hill in time for sunrise, I switched
to snowshoes. Trail breaking was not difficult; I sank 3-4” usually, more
occasionally.</span> <span style="background: whitesmoke;">Followed a meandering
track on & off 2 miles to Congdon Shelter, then was thankfully on my own.
Consulted GPS 15-20 times when trail was hard to follow in open hardwoods. (The
entire 18+ miles is open hardwoods!!) Actually met a northbounder near
Consultation Peak but ended up rarely following his tracks because he was off
trail more than on it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Happy to finally reach the Massachusetts
State Line, where Chris had hiked to meet me, up from the AT in North Adams. :)
We switched back to spikes at Pine Cobble Junction - trail was pocked with
frozen postholes - & descended the AT to North Adams. I didn’t remember all
that mountain laurel there, but it was gorgeous!! For something different, we
took the bad weather bypass. Designated parking area on Route 2 in North Adams
was much appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">25. Monday, March
8, 2021 – 22.6 miles (all LT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: whitesmoke; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">Route 9 to Kelly
Stand Road</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Didn’t want to spend the night out so opted
to bite off this entire 23-mile section in a day with a 3 am start in the
Glastenbury Triangle(!). Spiked it steeply up to Melville Nauheim Shelter spur.
Snowshoes from that point on for the rest of the day. The snowshoeing was
great, sinkage only 3-4” usually. (When soloing, it pays to be patient & wait
for the deep snow to consolidate.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">Beyond Maple Hill there was one set of
tracks from the same guy I met 2 days before south of here. He wandered off
trail a lot; I tried to stay on the trail & utilized my GPS A LOT. Trail is
very difficult to follow as it is through mostly open hardwoods, & the
white blazes are inconsistent. Some are newer; most are old & faded. Not to
complain but to warn. “The LT is not designed for winter travel” says the
guidebook. I can confirm. Trail is especially hard to discern from Little Pond
Mtn., over Glastenbury, to Kid Gore Shelter, but oh, what beautiful hardwoods!</span>
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">I took off my snowshoes in order to climb
Glastenbury’s fire tower. Unbeknownst to me, there is a snowmobile trail that
goes right to the summit, & I crossed 3 or 4 more snowmobile trails over
the course of the section. Was a bit more foot traffic in the last 3.5 miles,
from Story Spring Shelter to Kelly Stand Road, but I kept snowshoes on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: whitesmoke;">This was my final section to complete the
Long Trail end-to-end in winter, per GMC contact (Kristin McLane) the 11th
known person to do so. It took 25 separate day hikes (no overnights), 90% solo,
over the past 3 winters & is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div> <p></p>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-45999012901073257132017-01-01T11:47:00.000-08:002019-04-24T12:54:11.116-07:00Calendar-Year GRID Upon completion of any big project, I often have a hard time summarizing the experience or articulating my answers to the general question "How was it?" Surely this instance will be no different -- writing does not come easily to me -- but here goes.<br />
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In White Mountain parlance, "the Grid" refers to hiking each of the 48 New Hampshire 4000 footers in every month, usually over many years. People who pursue the Grid are referred to as Gridiots. In November 2003 I became finisher #3, the first woman -- what I like to call a Gridiette -- to do so. That Grid took about 15 years of relatively casually picking away at the monthly lists. When I started to pursue this game, only one person was known to have finished. I referred to it simply as "the 48 in every month," the Grid term coming along a few years later.</div>
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As far as a single-year Grid, that seed was planted a few years ago on one of the local hiking forums when I jokingly (mostly) entertained the possibility. My immediate thought was that it could be done but that the candidate would need to have a rather unique lifestyle that permitted such a... well... such a lifestyle! Someone who loves to hike, is focused, driven, fit, healthy, retired/unemployed/unusually employed, childfree, and with a supportive partner or spouse. Hey, I thought, that candidate would be me! :)</div>
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So in late 2015 we decided to give it a go, Chris committing to the crucial support role for an entire year. (Yes, I am a lucky woman. 2017 is HIS.) It was important to me that it be a CALENDAR year Grid, done entirely within 2016, from the short days of January to the short days of December, the ending not known until the very end! Knowing that stuff happens -- sickness, injury, weather issues, family stuff, reasons why success was definitely not a sure thing -- I did not make a big announcement... just started hiking. New Year's Day we climbed Moosilauke via Glencliff followed by Tecumseh. At the end of each month I posted my itinerary, mileages and feet climbed. Those who are interested in those numbers can scroll down this blog. January and February I did more doubling up than later months -- squeezing more miles into a day -- partly due to the fact that where we lived added a whole hour to our round-trip commute time. January was completed in 15 days of hiking, February in 16. In March we overcame an added complication: that of selling our house, packing up and moving to a place 1/2 hour closer to the Whites. Being a mere 15 minutes from Franconia Notch was huge! (Our house had been on the market a year. Contrary to what some folks assumed, we did not "sell our house in order to do the CYG!") </div>
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The winter was easy in terms of snow depth with just a handful of times on snowshoes, but it was the winter and spring of ICE in the White Mountains -- holy moly! - with treacherous ice lasting well into May. Walking in microspikes became second nature! The summer months brought blessed warmth, long days, light packs and trail runners, and a few 30+ milers. I spiced up July and August by doing a Direttissima and the Trailwrights Six-Pack respectively (scroll down for those posts). We also fit in the Maine 4000 footers, including a trip to Baxter. September and October meant less midweek crowds, crisp air, and spectacular foliage, although October was a bit of a challenge due to an almost two-week trip to New Mexico. (Being the 10th month, no way was I giving up now!) November and especially December turned out to be the hardest months due to the ever shortening days, colder temperatures, and uncooperative weather for being above treeline. I joked to Chris that I should have started in November of last year since the weather was so mild then, but then it would not have been a Calendar-Year Grid of course.</div>
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The entire year was a JOY. I never got tired of hiking, it never ever felt like a job, and except for a couple of rainy hikes, I was always excited to spend the day walking in the woods and climbing mountains. :)<br />
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In May or June I happened upon the blog of a runner who was training for the Hardrock 100, who focused not only on mileage but also total vertical climbed. Thus was the impetus for my secondary goal of the year -- that of climbing at least a million vertical feet -- funny, since I have never really kept track of vertical before. For the most part, I got my numbers from the White Mountain Guide but did occasionally use a GPS app, for example, if bushwhacking. Surely my numbers are not totally, completely accurate to the foot or tenth of a mile, but I think they are pretty close. The last few days of December were spent ensuring that I got over that million-foot mark!</div>
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Now for a few stats:<br />
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- Miles hiked: 3,181</div>
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- Vertical feet climbed: 1,001,820</div>
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- Days hiked over 4000 feet: 206/366 (includes other, non NH48 hikes)</div>
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- GRID peaks soloed: 289/576<br />
- Total peaks summitted over 4k: ~620 or so<br />
- Highest elevation: 12,632 ft. - Santa Fe Baldy, New Mexico (not a GRID peak!)<br />
- Days over 20 miles: 44<br />
- Days w/over 10k in climb: 3 <br />
- 6/18 - Presi Traverse w/Isolation 10,050 ft.<br />
- 7/5 - Franconia Ridge, Owls Head, Garfield, Galehead, Twins - 11,250 ft.<br />
- 8/23 - Cabot, Waumbek, Moriah, Wildcats - 12,050 ft.</div>
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- Mornings getting up waaaay before dawn: Almost all (Chris even earlier)<br />
- Evenings going to bed after 8 pm: Very Few</div>
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- Days I didn't feel like hiking: 0</div>
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- Highest mileage month: September - 294.6 miles</div>
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- Lowest mileage month: October - 210 miles</div>
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- Times on Lincoln Woods Trail: at least 20<br />
- Favorite peaks: Moosilauke, Bonds, Lafayette, Northern Presidentials<br />
- Least favorite peaks: Cannon, Osceolas ('cuz the steep ice scared the crap outa me last winter)</div>
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- Do I really like Owls Head: Yes<br />
- Did I carry a SPOT/PLB: No (but did carry enough emergency gear to spend an uncomfortable night out, did carry an iPhone, and someone always knew my itinerary)</div>
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- # Sandwiches made by Chris: 400? 500?<br />
- # Times running, biking, and skiing: half dozen, one, and zero respectively!<br />
- Wildlife sightings: Moose, bear, deer, fox, one attack spruce grouse, dozens of gray jays, bunnies, porcupine, and tracks of just about every NH mammal</div>
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- Stuff broken: 3 poles, 1 pair snowshoes, 2 spikes, lots of shoelaces, and killed a few pair trail shoes</div>
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- Injuries: Pulled back muscle while front-pointing up ice on North Carter in April. </div>
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Tripped on crampon points twice, falling ass-over-teakettle on Adams in December. Got owies.</div>
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- Chris/Fancypant's "Not Doing the Grid" progress: 280/576 (yes, I'm keeping track)<br />
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I will close with a quote from Eugene Daniell III, the first finisher of the 4k's in every month, and someone with whom I had the pleasure of hiking a couple of times back in the early 1990s:<br />
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"I had undertaken the project with the idea that not only would it help satisfy the obsessive-compulsive urges that all of us whom Guy Waterman called 'ultimate peak baggers' harbor; it also had a certain delightful whimsicality to it -- doing something that others would consider crazy and enjoying it. But mostly I looked forward to seeing my beloved mountains in the full panoply of beauty they assume as the seasons pass around. I have always said that for me and most other peakbaggers I know, the List is an itinerary rather than a goal -- on completing a list most of us experience a certain bittersweet exultation, knowing that a beloved old friend will never be with us in the same way again."</div>
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I'm not sure yet What's Next?! but I have a few thoughts... ;p<br />
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RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-48436573975401352032016-12-27T12:13:00.000-08:002017-01-04T11:10:00.466-08:00December...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #073763;">"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir</span><br />
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1. Tecumseh - 4.2 miles, 2200 ft.<br />
2. Carrigain - 10 miles, 3350 ft.<br />
3. North Twin, South Twin, Galehead, Garfield - 15.5 miles, 5100 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28628">report</a><br />
4. Owls Head - 16.5 miles, 2900 ft.<br />
5. North Kinsman, South Kinsman - 10 miles, 3900 ft.<br />
6. Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower - 12.4 miles, 3750 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28685">report</a><br />
7. Waumbek - 8 miles, 2800 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28686">report</a><br />
8. North Tripyramid, South Tripyramid, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 16 miles, 5400 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28699">report</a><br />
9. Cabot - 7.8 miles, 2750 ft.<br />
11. Wildcat D, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter - 14.5 miles, 5900 ft.<br />
13. Bondcliff, Bond, West Bond, Zealand - 23 miles, 4550 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28761">report</a><br />
14. Moriah - 8 miles, 2800 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28773">report</a><br />
15. Cannon - 3.5 miles, 2200 ft.<br />
16. East Osceola, Osceola - 7.6 miles, 3120 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28783">report</a><br />
17. Hale - 9 miles, 2400 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28787">report</a><br />
19. Moosilauke - 10.6 miles, 2900 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28801">report</a><br />
20. Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison - 15.3 miles, 6050 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28845">report</a><br />
21. Field, Willey, Tom - 10 miles, 3450 ft.<br />
23. Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette - 13 miles, 5650 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28874">report</a><br />
24. North Hancock, South Hancock - 9.8 miles, 2700 ft.<br />
26. Isolation - 12.5 miles, 3400 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28927">report</a><br />
28. [Old Speck - 7.6 miles, 3000 ft.] <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/me/viewreport.php?entryid=28959">report</a><br />
29. [Parker Mtn. - 4.5 miles, 950 ft.]<br />
30. [Mt. Martha - 3.8 miles, 1900 ft.] <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28993">report</a><br />
31. [Bald Cap Peak Ledge - 6 miles, 2000 ft.] <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=29007">report</a><br />
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237.2 miles, 77,270 ft.<br />
[21.9 miles, 7850 ft.]<br />
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<br />RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-27479515201506075962016-11-29T08:29:00.001-08:002016-11-29T08:30:33.999-08:00November...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #741b47;">"Courage is staring into the unknown and taking that first step. Faith is the belief that you'll see it through."</span><br />
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1. Wildcat D, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter - 14.5 miles, 5900 ft.<br />
2. Moosilauke - 7.8 miles, 3300 ft.<br />
4. Cannon - 3.5 miles, 2200 ft.<br />
5. [Stone Cat race - 13 miles, 700 ft.]<br />
6. Tecumseh - 4.2 miles, 2200 ft.<br />
7. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington - 14.7 miles, 7850 ft.<br />
8. Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Monroe - 12 miles, 4750 m. [and 5.5 mile bike ride!]<br />
9. Field, Willey, Tom - 10 miles, 3450 ft.<br />
10. Carrigain - 10 miles, 3350 ft.<br />
11. Hale - 7 miles, 2200 ft.<br />
12. Bondcliff, Bond, West Bond, Zealand - 19.6 miles, 4550 ft.<br />
13. East Osceola, Osceola - 7.6 miles, 3120 ft.<br />
14. [Camel's Hump for Supermoon - 4.8 miles, 2200 ft.]<br />
16. Moriah - 8 miles, 2800 ft.<br />
17. North Hancock, South Hancock - 9.8 miles, 2700 ft.<br />
18. Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette - 15 miles, 5650 ft.<br />
19. Garfield, Galehead, South Twin, North Twin - 15.5 miles, 5550 ft.<br />
22. Owls Head - 16.5 miles, 2900 ft.<br />
23. Isolation - 12.5 miles, 3400 ft.<br />
24. North Kinsman, South Kinsman - 10 miles, 3900 ft.<br />
25. Cabot - 7.8 miles, 2750 ft.<br />
26. Waumbek - 7.2 miles, 2750 ft.<br />
28. North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 16 miles, 5400 ft.<br />
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229.2 miles, 80,670 ft.<br />
[17.8 miles, 2900 ft.] <br />
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November was eventful on two counts. First, its ending marked the beginning of my last month in the Calendar Year GRID quest. Nearing the end of this--and any--big project I have pursued, my feelings are all over the place--happily satisfied to be almost "done" but also quite sad that December will be the last time I "must" climb these mountains. I have thoroughly enjoyed pursuing this goal and am gonna miss these gnarly little peaks! Yes, I do realize they can be climbed any time I desire, but...</div>
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The second significant event was that on November 28, I became the first known woman to complete a second White Mountain GRID on Mt. Passaconaway. In November 2003, after about 15 years of picking away at it--before it was called the GRID actually--I was the first woman and third overall finisher. This second round took a little bit less time. 😊</div>
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Hoping for decent weather in December. It ain't over til it's over!RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-13019688820794312042016-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:002016-10-30T13:40:43.891-07:00October...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Other miles/elevation in [ ]. </div>
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1. Carrigain, Willey, Field, Tom - 18.5 miles, 6750 ft.</div>
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2. Moosilauke, North Hancock, South Hancock - 19 miles, 5400 ft.</div>
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4. Cabot, Wildcat D, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, Moriah - 27.1 miles, 9900 ft.</div>
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5. Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison - 22 miles, 8400 ft.</div>
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7. Owls Head, Garfield, Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume - 28.5 miles, 8300 ft.</div>
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8. Waumbek - 5.5 miles, 2200 ft.</div>
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9. East Osceola, Osceola, North Kinsman, South Kinsman - 17.6 miles, 7020 ft.</div>
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10. Isolation - 12.5 miles, 3400 ft.</div>
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13-23. [Trip to New Mexico - Pajarito, Lake, Penitente, Santa Fe Baldy Peaks, Chaco Canyon - 55.2 miles, 9900 ft.]</div>
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24. Cannon - 3.5 miles, 2200 ft.</div>
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25. North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 17.1 miles, 5200 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28160">report</a></div>
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26. Hale, Zealand, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff - 21.9 miles, 5650 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28161">report</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
27. Galehead, South Twin, North Twin - 12.1 miles, 3950 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=28162">report</a></div>
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30. Tecumseh - 5 miles, 2200 ft.</div>
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<br /></div>
210.3 miles, 70,570 ft.<br />
[55.2 miles, 9900 ft.]<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJwXnCCXenUvv9qxUYZoO5LchMEzmZxw73pb6sOg4e7ditDIWjzL-7k6Njy5gEWzi1ZLMduBzv2-DSLgKRsaxx29An5mBf5vNxWAkcY0wJ_RpYglEOU0vntZWr8g9R_p4vZ7br932agq6/s1600/IMG_6352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJwXnCCXenUvv9qxUYZoO5LchMEzmZxw73pb6sOg4e7ditDIWjzL-7k6Njy5gEWzi1ZLMduBzv2-DSLgKRsaxx29An5mBf5vNxWAkcY0wJ_RpYglEOU0vntZWr8g9R_p4vZ7br932agq6/s640/IMG_6352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osseo Trail "downlook"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXFIPnJfb8NAG2zGh1RkRiH0h7JGWNpZteezLcP-cF-uRU_9yoEH7ElvEr46f1qpu3wH2151TLW4kytbkSNV3ExV3dfEFU67HgFZyCz_ASEcCJ8ZATCnVcU1-pD1OIxVgNpDBbVhMJ7yv/s1600/IMG_6472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXFIPnJfb8NAG2zGh1RkRiH0h7JGWNpZteezLcP-cF-uRU_9yoEH7ElvEr46f1qpu3wH2151TLW4kytbkSNV3ExV3dfEFU67HgFZyCz_ASEcCJ8ZATCnVcU1-pD1OIxVgNpDBbVhMJ7yv/s640/IMG_6472.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandelier National Monument... barefoot!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktDKtq5OBIeMClzoTdzgVkfhPCHvYY5V3_z9GU5bFtB6gPsr6JbgUz7iB1vnpHvvLABu3daq1fYHEGmwiv1yAOH-wmvx-Gxl6g9E2Sxkmj-5zd7P3UVTbC8UbPfbj5S5YAMIhdNXaxJqe/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktDKtq5OBIeMClzoTdzgVkfhPCHvYY5V3_z9GU5bFtB6gPsr6JbgUz7iB1vnpHvvLABu3daq1fYHEGmwiv1yAOH-wmvx-Gxl6g9E2Sxkmj-5zd7P3UVTbC8UbPfbj5S5YAMIhdNXaxJqe/s640/IMG_6491.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaco Canyon - just WOW</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJRrzJU1z_bkT0wiRV6dlN3hhKNaTTE-FcJIny8WzCHMi19wJ1VBXAHUGDzAmLjCIDNAInY8nbRN06BqYGMMFXN_0-uk7dQQlDYnzi_jNJIYu51EgkXSUpeS4Zcs-fMBtg9yXbW0IU8MF/s1600/IMG_6493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJRrzJU1z_bkT0wiRV6dlN3hhKNaTTE-FcJIny8WzCHMi19wJ1VBXAHUGDzAmLjCIDNAInY8nbRN06BqYGMMFXN_0-uk7dQQlDYnzi_jNJIYu51EgkXSUpeS4Zcs-fMBtg9yXbW0IU8MF/s640/IMG_6493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdJSos9wUQmLSC4c6h-nSl70-XXFmZU4h7p0Km-XyIrQV4E-ZFDef_ziQqYBsuiihiE6Niwm_8VUaIV8_FhKsyNthcNEx5QYtvl3leP44UkBf7dYt9VYUKqfG3fg1SuTomn0UV_LFKzUv/s1600/IMG_6585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdJSos9wUQmLSC4c6h-nSl70-XXFmZU4h7p0Km-XyIrQV4E-ZFDef_ziQqYBsuiihiE6Niwm_8VUaIV8_FhKsyNthcNEx5QYtvl3leP44UkBf7dYt9VYUKqfG3fg1SuTomn0UV_LFKzUv/s640/IMG_6585.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris's relatives in Roswell, NM</td></tr>
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<br />RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-14320822757720844132016-09-29T11:58:00.000-07:002016-10-30T13:36:00.446-07:00September...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnH4djWm5vpFzp6gw0GiFsTxf8yP3qUi6oaFBg5gMq9SExJJj59x0Ymgc_rk0RFMlIPIJC8CovPaoDbhyphenhyphenwufQkPWrY401oGbPIwciIErnr5J1CRDha8sSTG1kdrsNl6SnKFFcnejLRBfP4/s1600/IMG_6085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnH4djWm5vpFzp6gw0GiFsTxf8yP3qUi6oaFBg5gMq9SExJJj59x0Ymgc_rk0RFMlIPIJC8CovPaoDbhyphenhyphenwufQkPWrY401oGbPIwciIErnr5J1CRDha8sSTG1kdrsNl6SnKFFcnejLRBfP4/s640/IMG_6085.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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"Mountains, according to the angle of view, the season, the time of day, the beholder's frame of mind, or any one thing, can effectively change their appearance. Thus, it is essential to recognize that we can never know more than one side, one small aspect of a mountain."<br />
Haruki Murakami<br />
<br />
Other miles/elevation in [ ]<br />
<br />
1. Moosilauke - 10.2 miles, 3415 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27648">report</a><br />
2. North Hancock, South Hancock - 9.8 miles, 2650 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27652">report</a><br />
3. Moriah, Middle Carter, South Carter, Carter Dome - 24 miles, 6450 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27653">report</a><br />
4. Adams, Madison - 10 miles, 5200 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27655">report</a><br />
5. Carrigain - 14.8 miles, 4800 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27669">report</a><br />
6. Hale, Tom, Field, Willey - 15.5 miles, 5000 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27699">report</a><br />
8. Jefferson, Washington - 17.5 miles, 6000 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27715">report</a><br />
10. North Twin, South Twin, Galehead, Garfield - 15.5 miles, 4950 ft.<br />
11. Waumbek - 7.2 miles, 2750 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27737">report</a><br />
12. North Kinsman, South Kinsman, Cannon - 15 miles, 4950 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27789">report</a><br />
13. Isolation, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce, Jackson - 20.2 miles, 6550 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27790">report</a><br />
14. Wildcat A, Wildcat D - 9.1 miles, 3550 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27791">report</a><br />
16. Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette, Owls Head - 23.5 miles, 7100 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27792">report</a><br />
17. Zealand, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff - 20.2 miles, 5200 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27794">report</a><br />
19. [Abraham - 8 miles, 2750 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/me/viewreport.php?entryid=27843">report</a>]<br />
20. [Daicey Pond - 2 miles]<br />
21. [Katahdin, Baxter and Hamlin Peaks - 16.3 miles, 5150 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/me/viewreport.php?entryid=27844">report</a>]<br />
22. [North Brother, South Brother, Coe - 11.5 miles, 4000 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/me/viewreport.php?entryid=27845">report</a>]<br />
25. Passaconaway, Whiteface, Middle Tripyramid, North Tripyramid - 20.3 miles, 5650 ft.<br />
26. Cabot - 10.6 miles, 3300 ft.<br />
28. Osceola, East Osceola, Tecumseh - 13.4 miles, 5150 ft.<br />
<br />
256.8 miles, 82,665 ft.<br />
[37.8 miles, 11,900 ft.]<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CvflpyTt1qeYcuUc51a8Q2TsIpIh6qtC-jw9P-vYfjIJ3WNHz2AbEA2NIDnuRZalA95DyTd5Q0qdsD_Aw7BPapaj5J9BHc_FzxbpmYperg1pKrt5HHVrt0yWLdodECYHb07edDQI6wCP/s1600/IMG_6079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CvflpyTt1qeYcuUc51a8Q2TsIpIh6qtC-jw9P-vYfjIJ3WNHz2AbEA2NIDnuRZalA95DyTd5Q0qdsD_Aw7BPapaj5J9BHc_FzxbpmYperg1pKrt5HHVrt0yWLdodECYHb07edDQI6wCP/s640/IMG_6079.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the secret Coyote Coaster Club</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K0Vfq3rLSDnKqDKEoxK8pLUHIw6KNAfVthpiQi-DnvJ1plHctEVizTDYhgjh0n5A8-4XXQgbPr7BLRspBlycyV3L-nEdoUT6qJdoFRxy0r0nBBYuU28nXHzGTqi0XRomCXc5TootadPx/s1600/IMG_6087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K0Vfq3rLSDnKqDKEoxK8pLUHIw6KNAfVthpiQi-DnvJ1plHctEVizTDYhgjh0n5A8-4XXQgbPr7BLRspBlycyV3L-nEdoUT6qJdoFRxy0r0nBBYuU28nXHzGTqi0XRomCXc5TootadPx/s640/IMG_6087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-84399711206961854402016-08-31T06:07:00.000-07:002016-10-30T13:34:34.834-07:00August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_5l8laxLkFfO2TrbShxnhSQlek2m1VZ9pD69_Cr3kJaCTJ9wXF5b03NFUl28tsfqMGhhPXbt1p9WxlYSbQrrWd1JlJ0-CGX60R0h3WZb4fpwrUwlO6zxzcDxYGy7QSvIc9gliPK4y3ed/s1600/IMG_5471-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_5l8laxLkFfO2TrbShxnhSQlek2m1VZ9pD69_Cr3kJaCTJ9wXF5b03NFUl28tsfqMGhhPXbt1p9WxlYSbQrrWd1JlJ0-CGX60R0h3WZb4fpwrUwlO6zxzcDxYGy7QSvIc9gliPK4y3ed/s640/IMG_5471-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the month of August, I decided to spice up the regular NH48 and include the additional 24 <a href="http://trailwrights.org/72summits.htm">Trailwrights'</a> peaks. Further--because I like numbers and am weird--I climbed them all as "6-packs" in 12 separate days. Some of these combos were pretty straight forward and made sense--Carters, Hight, and Lethe for instance. Other days did NOT make sense and required a bit more effort--Cabot, Waumbek, Moriah, and the Wildcats for example! Doing the peaks with this little twist proved to be a fun challenge. Trying to figure out whether or not I want to tackle the September or October NH48 in 8 days...<br />
<br />
Trailwrights' and other miles/elevation in [ ].<br />
<br />
1. [Kingdom Trails - 4 miles]<br />
2. [Franconia Trails - 4.5 miles, 600 ft.]<br />
3. [Abigail Adams, Sam Adams, Adams 5, John Quincy Adams], Adams, Madison - 12.6 miles, 6300 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27310">report</a><br />
4. Jefferson, [Clay], Washington, [Boott Spur, Slide Peak], Monroe - 14.4 miles, 6750 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27313">report</a><br />
6. Carter Dome, [Hight], South Carter, Middle Carter, [Lethe, North Carter] - 20.5 miles, 4850 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27315">report</a><br />
8. Tecumseh, North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, [South Tripyramid], Whiteface, Passaconaway - 23 miles, 7550 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27355">report</a><br />
9. South Hancock, North Hancock, [Northwest Hancock], Tom, Field, Willey - 21 miles, 6450 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27357">report 1</a> <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27358">report 2</a><br />
11. Bondcliff, Bond, West Bond, [Guyot], Zealand, Hale - 22 miles, 6250 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27389">report</a><br />
15. [Jim, Blue], Moosilauke, [South Moosilauke], Cannon, Carrigain - 23.2 miles, 8450 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27432">report 1</a> <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27433">report 2</a> <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27434">report 3</a><br />
18. East Osceola, Osceola, [Middle Osceola, West Osceola], North Kinsman, South Kinsman - 19.8 miles, 7250 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27451">report</a><br />
19. Lafayette, [North Lincoln], Lincoln, [Little Haystack], Liberty, Flume - 14.4 miles, 4600 ft.<br />
21. North Twin, South Twin, [Southwest Twin], Galehead, Garfield, Owls Head - 29.3 miles, 8800 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27509">report</a><br />
23. Cabot, Waumbek, Moriah, Wildcat A, Wildcat C, Wildcat D - 32.3 miles, 12050 ft.<br />
25. Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, [Franklin, North Isolation], Isolation - 23.5 miles, 6685 ft. <a href="http://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=27553">report</a><br />
29. [Kingdom Trails - 5 miles]<br />
31. [Parker Mtn. - 5 miles, 950 ft.]<br />
<br />
256 miles, 85,985 ft.<br />
[18.5 miles, 1550 ft.]<br />
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<br />RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-12201936442667074382016-07-31T13:37:00.001-07:002016-10-30T13:56:45.664-07:00July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p0dStJ6IniPaBXuVc9FYl7vg6zJC-dvyCfKC49drH1wFV-dwZS4SdgeWJWrfAFh1iZBKWvhLVlHLYL_kUHLDukeSG7Nb1IlEmB0KQPVR_DflCksnbLWzWqVbLsf2CvYs1BuW-gpNEpFP/s1600/IMG_1877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p0dStJ6IniPaBXuVc9FYl7vg6zJC-dvyCfKC49drH1wFV-dwZS4SdgeWJWrfAFh1iZBKWvhLVlHLYL_kUHLDukeSG7Nb1IlEmB0KQPVR_DflCksnbLWzWqVbLsf2CvYs1BuW-gpNEpFP/s640/IMG_1877.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">“You never climb the same mountain twice, not even in memory. Memory rebuilds the mountain, changes the weather, retells the jokes, remakes all the moves.” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="color: #404040; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">(Lito Tejada-Flores)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">July 4-17 Direttissima 48, other peaks/elevation in [ ]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. [Cannon - 3.5 miles, 2400 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. Moosilauke, South Kinsman, North Kinsman, Cannon - 24.4 miles, 8800 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume, Owls Head, Garfield, Galehead, South Twin, North Twin - 30 miles, 11,250 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">6. Hale, Zealand, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff, South Hancock, North Hancock - 30 miles, 8650 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">7. East Osceola, Osceola, Tecumseh - 15.4 miles, 5100 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">8. North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 25.3 miles, 5350 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">11. Carrigain, Willey, Field, Tom - 22 miles, 6750 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">12. Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Monroe, Washington, Isolation - 21.8 miles, 8400 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">14. Wildcat D, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, Moriah - 21.8 miles, 7150 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">16. Madison, Adams, Jefferson - 16.6 miles, 6100 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">17. Waumbek, Cabot - 27 miles, 6750 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">22. [Parker Mtn. - 4 miles, 500 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">23. [Parker Mtn. - 7 miles, 950 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">24. [Saddleback, Saddleback Horn - 6.8 miles, 2900 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">25. [South Crocker, North Crocker, Redington - 11.3 miles, 3500 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">28. [North Percy Peak - 4.4 miles, 2200 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">29. [Bigelows: West Peak, Avery Peak - 11 miles, 2300 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">30. [Sugarloaf, Spaulding - 10.5 miles, 2500 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">234.3 miles, 74,300 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">[58.5 miles, 17,250 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-18486427633377053282016-07-20T07:33:00.003-07:002016-07-20T08:53:25.779-07:00White Mountain Direttissima<span style="font-size: small;">For July’s installment of the New Hampshire 4000 footers, I decided to cross another item off my bucket list and tackle the 48 peaks Direttissima style. “Direttissima” is an Italian word meaning “most direct route.” In the context of the NH 4’s, the idea was hatched by Reverend Henry T. Folsom, who in the December 1971 edition of Appalachia defined the endeavor as climbing the 4000 footers in the most direct manner using only trails and roads, starting at one end and walking all the way to the other. Rev. Henry began his quest on June 18, 1970, on Mt. Cabot and finished with Moosilauke on September 3, hiking 19 non-continuous days toward his summer’s goal. Returning home most nights, he also spent 4 nights camping out plus a night at Galehead Hut. Including off-route miles, Henry hoofed a total of 258 miles to complete his Direttissima.
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Somewhat surprisingly, the feat was not repeated until the summer of 2007 by friend and Denali ‘08 teammate Mats Roing. Mats added a twist to the challenge: He planned to stay on route for the duration and, excepting water, to carry everything with him from the start. Needless to say, Mats’ pack was huge, but he accomplished what he set out to do in 10 days, 14 hours, 2 minutes, trailhead to trailhead. There are 4 others who are known to have successfully completed the Direttissima: Taylor Radigan (first woman), Arlette Laan, and Ariel and Anna Feindel, the latter pair who own the fastest known time. Like Mats, all 4 accomplished the goal self-supported, backpacker style, more or less. A few others have attempted the feat in Mats’ style but have failed, perhaps underestimating the effects of super-heavy packs on feet and energy levels. To my knowledge no one has attempted a Direttissima in the spirit of Rev. Henry--that is by mostly “day hiking.”<br />
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My #1 goal in hiking and peakbagging is to enjoy myself and to have fun. Schlepping a huge pack over the ridiculously gnarly Whites is not my idea of a good time. Having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, John Muir Trail, High Sierra Trail, and having climbed the Colorado 14ers and US high points, I know what it means--what it FEELS like--to carry a big pack. As a means to an end, carrying a heavy pack sometimes makes sense to me--the long hauls required to really get into the remote Sierra backcountry, for example. In contrast, in summer months everything in the White Mountains is day-hikeable for me, even in the context of the White Mountain Direttissima. So carrying a huge backpack over these peaks holds absolutely zero appeal.<br />
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Pack weight aside, other factors in favor of a Rev. Henry-style Direttissima include nightly showers, real food, beer, my own bed, and getting to see my husband and kitties every day, with regular daily life not too terribly disrupted since we normally spend a lot of days hiking anyway. In reading about others’ attempts, perhaps the thing that freaked me out most was the necessity of having to ration food. I like to eat and generally eat what I want, when I want. Rationing food = MAJOR buzz kill. Ultimately, for me, the only real merit in going self-supported would be the ability to hike as far as I want on any particular day, setting up camp wherever it struck my fancy. With the Rev. Henry style, daily mileages are dictated--and sometimes constrained--by road crossings/access. It was a point I was willing to live with. I decided to do the Direttissima in the spirit of Rev. Henry… mostly: I opted to bushwhack to and from Owls Head, and, unlike Henry, I spent EVERY single night at home!<br />
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Key to being able to dayhike the Direttissima is, of course, a reliable and supportive crew, and I am most fortunate and thankful to have that in my husband Chris, who helped with 0dark30 car spots, joined me on some peaks, and made damn yummy sandwiches. He is a gem. <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span>
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My adventure began on Monday, the 4<sup>th</sup> of July. *Having Fun* was Rule #1. I vowed not to hike if the forecast was dismal--cold rain, high winds above treeline, etc. Bad weather = no fun. To that end, I hiked a total of 10 days with 4 days off when the weather did not cooperate. Striving solely to complete the Direttissima, I was not particularly interested in pushing myself to move quickly--a supported Direttissima could be done much faster--but I did make note of start and end times each day. I spent a total of ~119 hours covering ~234 miles with ~74,000 feet of elevation gain, which, including breaks, averages just 2 mph. For mileages and vertical I referred solely to the AMC White Mountain Guide and didn’t get too hung up on complete accuracy of numbers. Surely my totals are +/- a few! I did not track mileage on a hi-tech device, use Strava, Garmin, or anything like that. The only techie gear I brought was an iPhone which was used predominantly for texting Chris and a bit for GPS‘ing during the bits of bushwhacking. For the Stony Brook to DW Scout Trail and the Caps Ridge to Starr King Trailhead section, I did throw my pack in the car and run those miles, but all the rest was just walking. I ended up doing 37 peaks solo, the remaining 11 with Chris, and 2 with our buddy Al. Half of my starts were before sunrise; I have really come to love hiking between 4 and 6 am, waking up with the songbirds! <br />
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And now, the play by play…<br />
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<b><u>7/04/16</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Moosilauke, South Kinsman, North Kinsman, Cannon - 24.4 m, 8800 ft<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Trails</u>: Gorge Brook, Beaver Brook, Kinsman Ridge<br />
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*Ravine Lodge 4 a.m. I head up Gorge Brook Trail while Chris does the Asquam Ridge-Beaver Brook-Gorge Brook Loop. Moosilauke’s summit is as spectacular as ever, and the morning is a beaut. There is a couple bivying on the summit and enjoying the day’s first light. Chris and I meet near Mt. Jim. At the bottom of Beaver Brook Trail (glad I’m not carrying a big pack--haha), I use my Sawyer mini filter to load up on water for the long trek across Kinsman Ridge. The USFS sign at Kinsman Notch is old and inaccurate: “Mt. Moosilauke 3.2 miles” it says. Yeah, via the old Beaver Brook Trail which was relocated about 20 years ago! (It’s now 3.8 miles.) Kinsman Ridge Trail is also known for signs sporting inaccurate mileages, and I smile when I see that this is still the case, as it has been for the past 20+ years. Just after Mt. Wolf I pass a northbound thru hiker in a Patagonia shirt. He looks like he is not having a good time. The Eliza Brook Shelter to Harrington Pond section is gorgeous. Spotting pitcher plants near Harrington Pond is a real treat, and I enjoy the steep climb up South Kinsman. Near North Kinsman there is a family from my hometown out enjoying the day. We chat for a few minutes before I continue over the Cannonballs and steeply up Cannon. This past spring a huge boulder came crashing down the steeps of KRT settling ON the trail. A new route has been constructed to go around this boulder. I help orient 2 men, each hiking solo down this difficult trail, who came up the tram, are carrying nothing but cell phones, and have no idea where they are. Chris is waiting for me atop Cannon along with a bunch of tourists. There is a lot of litter around the tower, some of which we pick up. Grrr! We head down the remainder of KRT, both of us marveling at the utter nastiness of the severely eroded parts of this trail. Home to beer, food, shower, and bed…<br />
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<b><u>7/05/16</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><u></u>Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume, Owls Head, Garfield, Galehead, South Twin, North Twin - 30 m, 11,250 ft<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Trails</u>: Greenleaf, Franconia Ridge, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook, Owls Head Path, bushwhack, Lincoln Brook, Franconia Brook, Garfield Ridge, Frost, Twinway, North Twin Spur, North Twin<br />
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*Today is the longest day in terms of hours, partly because it involves about 3 miles of bushwhacking. I begin precisely where I stopped yesterday and head up Greenleaf Trail by headlamp, reaching the hut well before breakfast. Other than a few early hut risers, I don’t see anyone until the summit of Lafayette and just a couple others on Franconia Ridge. Chris hikes up Liberty Spring Trail to meet me for Liberty and Flume--yay. After catching my toes on a rock or root, I notice that the sole is really peeling off the forefoot of my very old Montrails and say “Maybe we’ll meet someone who has duct tape.” I am concerned about bushwhacking down to Owlie with a shoe whose sole is peeling off from the front! Chris laughs at me since there is hardly anyone else up there at this hour and chides me for being so frugal. Just as we are about to leave the summit of Flume, I spot a hiker approaching from the south. It’s Jack the Rower, whom I’ve run across on peaks 3 other times this year! What a coincidence, he has duct tape! Thanks, Jack! With the entire front of the shoe now encased in tape, we backtrack toward Flume-Liberty col and I head solo down the “Roing Route” bushwhack toward Lincoln Brook Trail with renewed confidence. Rev. Henry felt negatively toward bushwhacking: “<i>…The reason for this was because I realized that other people might want to do the same thing in a spirit of competition in which they would attempt to find a shorter route. If bushwhacking were allowed, it would be almost impossible to measure the mileage accurately, it would be pure chaos, and, worst of all, some people might get into genuine trouble in the more remote reaches of such places as the Pemi.” </i>(Appalachia Dec. 1971) Pure chaos?! Sorry, Henry… gotta respectfully disagree with ya there and make my own rule on that. And anyway, I’m doing this not for competition but for fun. <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span>
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Coincidence #2 for the day: It takes me *exactly* the same amount of time to complete this ‘whack as it did the last time, 5 years ago: 1 hour 26 min. My route is perhaps not the best, being quite scrappy for the first ½ hour, but it works. I head north on Lincoln Brook Trail about a mile, opting for the Owls Head Path since I haven’t been up the slide in awhile, preferring the Brutus route these days. There seem to be more diverging paths since last time. I even hear people coming down a paralleling path to the north, but we never see each other! I hit the summit and head NNW for a repeat of the bushwhack I’ve done off Owlie in each of the past 2 months. Still not convinced this is the most efficient way to go, I am loathe to retrace my steps south across the ridge, back down the Owls Head Path, then UP the wet and gnarly Lincoln Brook Trail, and this seems to be the shortest, easiest ‘whack off the summit, so down I go… Upon reaching the Franconia Brook crossing about 1½ hours later, I luxuriate for a few minutes with my entire body in the water. Heaven! The grind up Franconia Brook Trail goes well, but through the trees I catch glimpses of a peak resembling Everest; my, but Mt. Garfield looks imposing from this vantage point! Heading west toward the waterfall section of Garfield Ridge for the out-and-back to Mt. Garfield, I again meet the Patagonia-clad AT hiker, who asks energetically “DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE GOING?” I calmly answer “Yes, do you?” He is freaked out by the roughness of these trails, and it occurs to me that he doesn’t recognize me from the day before. <br />
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I tag Garfield and head over to Galehead Hut. As I am leaving my little pack on the hut porch, a croo member emerges for the “pre-dinner talk.” I head to Galehead Mtn. By the time I return everyone is eating dinner. I head up South Twin. It is a few short hours until sunset, but the light and views are spectacular for the walk over to North Twin. Finally I head down North Twin Trail, easily rock hop across the Little River, and for the only instance during my Direttissima, go off route a mile, continuing straight to the parking lot as the Firewarden’s Trail turns right toward Hale. I am very tired upon reaching the prespotted car but am happy to arrive just before needing to pull out the headlamp, especially given the fact that 3 of today’s miles--the bushwhack miles--were at 1 mph pace. I notice that the Lays potato chip bag--the one containing the chips I was very much looking forward to diving into--has been nibbled on by a small critter. THEN… I notice a mouse turd conspicuously deposited on a pad of Post-its on the dashboard. Ack! I must find the mouse lest it runs over my legs or lap as I am driving home causing me to swerve off the road! Ten minutes of searching the car uncovers a couple stray potato chips but no mouse, so I tentatively start the car and head on home for, you guessed it: shower, food, beer, bed (and also REAL coffee in the morning!).<br />
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Incidentally the duct tape held all day, but the shoes are retired after today’s miles. I wear cushy Hokas most of the rest of the days, and they perform marvelously. The mouse was never found.<br />
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<b><u>7/06/16</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Hale, Zealand, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff, South Hancock, North Hancock - 30 m, 8650 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Firewarden’s, Lend-A-Hand, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff, West Bond Spur, bushwhack, East Side, Cedar Brook, Hancock Loop, Hancock Notch<br />
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*Another pre-dawn start, but this is my last really long day. Firewarden’s Trail is a joy. I see many toads out enjoying the morning. Psyched to reach Zealand Falls Hut just after breakfast. I am very hungry today and inquire about leftovers. A very nice hut girl tells me to help myself and it’s on the house. Music to my ears! I load a plate with bacon and scrambled eggs w/veggies and could eat another but opt for restraint--don’t want breakfast to backfire on the climb up Zeacliff. Heading over toward Zealand, I encounter Patagonia thru-hiker guy one final time. Once again he doesn’t recognize me in my fresh clothes, just mumbles “hi” as he passes by. Too funny. Guyot and West Bond are their usual awesome, but the trek from Bond to Bondcliff is downright HOT, with temps approaching 90 in the valleys. At the old Camp 16 site, I do the short bushwhack to ford the Pemi. I carry Crocs for this purpose, and it feels great to get some air and water on my feet. Like yesterday, I lay in the river for awhile to cool off before continuing the short bushwhack to East Side and Cedar Brook Trails. From this point on, I see no other hikers besides Chris for the rest of the day. Black flies and mosquitoes are slightly annoying, but Cedar Brook Trail goes well, the climb shallow and steady, the trail nicely maintained. Nevertheless, it is a real push to get the Hancocks in at the end of this day, probably the hardest peaks in the entire Direttissima. (I may have had to make a slight exception to the “Have Fun” rule here!) Chris hikes in from the Kanc to meet me near the height of land on Cedar Brook Trail but informs me he has no desire to climb the Hancocks. Such a smart man he! To occupy my brain up the steeps, I start counting steps. From the junction to South Hancock is about 1650 steps in case anyone wants to know.<br />
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<b><u>7/07/16</u></b><u><br /></u>East Osceola, Osceola, Tecumseh - 15.4 m, 5100 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Kancamagus Highway, Greeley Ponds, Mt. Osceola, Tripoli Road, Mt. Tecumseh, Mountain Road, Pipeline Trail<br />
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*Today is a short day that commences with a stroll from the hairpin turn on the Kanc to Greeley Ponds Trailhead. The climb up East Osceola seems slow--the body is feeling the last 3 days--but I have fun scrambling up the Chimney and make it to the main summit in decent shape. On the way down, I encounter almost 40 people, half of them kids from Camp Walt Whitman. Showers are forecast, and just as I hit the Tripoli Road parking lot, the skies open up. I head for the port-a-pot. What perfect timing! The shower quickly passes and I head down Tripoli Road. Chris does Mt. Tecumseh from the backside for the first time and loves it. (“Wow, a nicely maintained White Mtn. trail with dirt instead of rocks!”) We meet near the bottom. I head up, over, and down the ski area side marveling at all the rock steps higher up. A lot of hard work there that is much appreciated! I plan to bushwhack from the ski area to Livermore Trailhead but get lucky and discover the Pipeline Nordic ski trail which pops out near the trailhead. I clean off in Osceola Brook before hopping in the car and doing a long car spot for tomorrow…<br />
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<b><u>7/08/16</u></b><u><br /></u>North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 25.3 m, 5350 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Livermore, Scaur Ridge, Pine Bend Brook, Mt. Tripyramid, Kate Sleeper, Rollins, Dicey’s Mill, Walden, Square Ledge, Passaconaway Cutoff, Oliverian Brook, Kancamagus Highway, Sawyer Pond Trail<br />
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*Day 5 is Wild Kingdom Day. We see a fox running along Tripoli Road with a gallon-sized Ziplock bag of dog kibble in its mouth--a campsite robber! Shortly after that a deer bolts across the road. Then I start hiking and spot a small bear and a bull moose on Livermore Trail! Since it has rained the night before, I scratch my plan of ascending the North Slide and its steep wet rocks and use Scaur Ridge Trail instead. It’s probably faster and anyway, what’s another mile? There is no one on the Tripyramids this early in the day, ditto for Kate Sleeper, one of my favorite trails in all of the Whites. A rare occurrence, I actually spend some time taking photographs of dew-laden spider webs and other cool things in this lovely “forest primeval.” On Rollins Trail I finally encounter another hiker, then only 3 more on Passaconaway. The short walk along the Kanc and the last 6 miles to Sawyer River Road are easy, and my feet are refreshed in the Swift River ford. Thankfully the water is low! I meet a couple with a small boy hiking back from Sawyer Pond. They are surprised and say I am the first person they’ve met all day. Sawyer Pond looks so beautiful and inviting, but I’m in git’r done mode so boogie on down to the road.<br />
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<strong><u>7/09/16</u></strong> - Rainy, cold, windy weather. Day off!<br />
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<strong><u>7/10/16</u></strong> - Ditto<br />
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<b><u>7/11/16</u></b><u><br /></u>Carrigain, Willey, Field, Tom - 22 m, 6750 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Sawyer River Road, FR85, Signal Ridge, Desolation, Carrigain Notch, Shoal Pond, Ethan Pond, Willey Range, Mt. Tom Spur, A-Z, Avalon<br />
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*It is Monday morning and I am well rested and rarin’ to go after 2 days off. I know FR85 is going to be loaded with wet grass, but it is a shortcut worth taking, so I resort to an old ultra running trick: slathering my feet in Desitin diaper rash ointment. It seems to help with the wrinkling and subsequent foot pain, but the smells emanating from my feet--good god! (For those who don’t know, Desitin smells like fish, and they don’t call me Stinkyfeet for nothing.) Chris joins me for Carrigain. It is quite brisk on Signal Ridge and feels more like September than July! We are the only ones on the mountain this early in the day, and--no surprises--we meet no one on Desolation Trail this Monday morning. At the bottom Chris takes a right and heads back through Carrigain Notch while I head left toward Stillwater Junction and Shoal Pond Trail. Having done SPT last month, I know what to expect: blowdowns, lots of blowdowns. For entertainment purposes I start counting them--every tree and large branch laying across the trail that I have to step over. By Ethan Pond Trail, I have counted about 350, all below knee height, most laying on the ground. I believe this is the WMNF’s policy on “maintenance” of wilderness-designated trails. I am not complaining, merely reporting, and warning people to get their marching muscles in shape for this trail. <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span>
There are fresh moose tracks and many beautiful wild irises on this trail, also some tricky rotting bog bridges. Upon hitting Ethan Pond Trail, I met a couple of AT hikers, then a few more hikers on the steeps of Willey. Willey, Field, and Tom are pretty unremarkable and soon I am at Crawford Depot and homeward bound. The smelly socks are chucked in the garbage while refueling at an Irving Station!<br />
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<b><u>7/12/16</u></b><u><br /></u>Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Monroe, Washington, Isolation - 21.8 m, 8400 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Route 302, Webster-Jackson, Webster Cliff, Crawford Path, Mt. Eisenhower Loop, Mt. Monroe Loop, Tuckerman Ravine, Lawn Cutoff, Davis Path, Mt. Isolation Spur, Glen Boulder<br />
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*Webster-Jackson Trail is not one of my favorites, and I lament not starting before daybreak: the less I SEE of this trail, the better! Mizpah’s post-breakfast offerings are no match to Zealand’s--plus they aren’t on the house--so I don‘t linger. The sky is most interesting this morning, with Mt. Washington totally in the clouds, which allows Mt. Monroe to stand out in all her glory without the overshadowing backdrop of her dominating neighbor. I actually take a photo! It is funny to see hardly anyone on the trail, then, predictably, like clockwork, the hut crowds marching down the trail after breakfast. Chris meets me at Lakes of the Clouds Hut after ascending Tuckerman Ravine. We climb Washington together, encountering a guy with only one leg climbing the mountain (!) and some hikers carrying a long-haired Chihuahua in a special doggie daypack, one with a hole that allows the dog’s head to stick out. Haha, so cute! We buy soup and ice cream on the summit and have fun people watching for a few minutes before heading down to Isolation. “Which one is the peak?” asks Chris. “One of those little bumps” I say. “It’s not as far as it looks.” He knows I’m lying. It feels hot going down to Isolation and back, and we almost run out of water. Jolly Ranchers and Sour Patch Kids to the rescue! Finally we are heading down Glen Boulder Trail, our new least favorite trail in the Whites. OMG, it is so rocky and steep to descend at the end of a long day! A saving grace is the spring which has good water flow and allows us to not die of dehydration.<br />
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<b><u>7/13/16</u></b> - We are wiped out from the day before, plus the weather forecast is calling for high temps. We take the day off!<br />
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<b><u>7/14/16</u></b><u><br /></u>Wildcat D, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, Moriah - 21.8 m, 7150 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Wildcat Ridge, Carter-Moriah, Carter Dome, Stony Brook, Clay Brook Road, Marion’s Way, Route 16, Pinkham “B” Road, Dolly Copp Campground Road<br />
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*Refreshed from my day of rest, I head up Wildcat Ridge Trail from Glen Ellis Falls parking lot by headlamp. It has been 2 or 3 years since I’ve made this climb, usually ascending Wildcat D via the Polecat ski trail. Holy crap, it’s steep. Weather is forecast to be hot again today, but I am over the two BIG climbs--Wildcat Ridge and Carter Dome--by 8 a.m. The rest of the Carters goes quickly, and I jump and lurch my way down North Carter before meeting Chris at the junction with Stony Brook Trail. We do the out-and-back to Moriah, meeting a few southbound AT hikers who ask about the trail ahead. “Easier than the Mahoosucs!” I try to be optimistic. We head down Stony Brook and take the cutoff to the housing development. With my GPS tracker on, I discover that the cutoff saves a whopping 0.9 miles vs. taking the official trail. It is hot in the parking area. I chug down some seltzer, eat some Fritos, throw my pack in the car, and run roads--Clay Brook Road, Marion’s Way, Route 16, Pinkham “B” Road, and through Dolly Copp Campground--3½ miles to the start of the next leg, Daniel Webster Scout Trail.<br />
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<b><u>7/15/16</u></b> - We awaken at a ridiculous hour, I check the Obs weather, and suggest another day off. Winds are 50-55 mph, temps around 50--ick. I go to yoga this morning instead. <br />
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<b><u>7/16/16</u></b><u><br /></u>Madison, Adams, Jefferson - 16.6 m, 6100 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: Daniel Webster Scout, Osgood, Gulfside, Airline, Lowe’s, Israel Ridge, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Caps Ridge, Jefferson Notch Road, Valley Road, Carter Cut<br />
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*Our friend Al pulls himself away from work and joins Chris and me for the first part of today’s hike. Daniel Webster Scout Trail starts off mellow enough but then gets very steep and crosses a talus field which reminds me of certain routes out West. At Madison Hut Chris and I scarf down leftover scrambled eggs and chocolate chip cookies. The 3 of us climb Adams, then Al descends Lowe’s Path. Chris and I soldier on through the fog toward Edmands Col and Mt. Jefferson. Visibility is 1-2 cairns from roughly Sam Adams to Jefferson, but winds are light. We meet people on the trail but don’t see them until they’re only 20-30 feet away so they appear rather ghostlike. Normally I avoid being above treeline in such conditions, but it is actually a very, very cool experience this day. We descend Caps Ridge Trail and have fun scrambling down the rocks. I finally meet fellow Gridiette Lady Grey, and we encounter a guy hiking up barefoot. In the parking lot, I switch over to lighter running shoes, leave the pack in the car, and head down Jefferson Notch Road. It is 5.3 miles to Valley Road, another 0.6 to Carter Cut, and another half mile up to the Carter-Bridgman Spring on Route 2. Traffic on Route 2 is nuts this afternoon, at least by North Country standards. I opt to stop here for the day!<br />
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<b><u>7/17/16</u></b><u><br /></u>Waumbek, Cabot - 27 m, 6750 ft<br />
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<u>Trails</u>: US Route 2, Starr King Road, Starr King, Kilkenny Ridge, Bunnell Notch, York Pond, York Pond Road to fish hatchery gate!<br />
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*Running along Route 2 at 4:30 a.m. is a surreal experience. Traffic is very light at this hour on a Sunday morning, and I am SO glad to have saved these road miles for today. Much of the time I run down the middle of the road with my light off, jumping to the side and turning on my light the few instances a vehicle passes by. It is very quiet and I hear a pack of coyotes howling and yipping in the distance. Awesome!! It is almost exactly 5 miles to the Starr King Trailhead, and, surprisingly, I am actually sad to have to stop running and start hiking. Chris meets me near the trailhead, I grab my pack and head up while Chris drives over to the fish hatchery… well, the fish hatchery gate since the gate is still locked at 6:30 a.m.<br />
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Once beyond Mt. Waumbek, the trail is much less traveled and is overgrown with beautiful thigh-high ferns. It starts to rain ever so gently… then a little less gently. I don my shell and pop open my umbrella which keeps my head and upper body pretty dry. However, the waterlogged ferns are doing a good job of soaking legs and feet. As I head east across Waumbek Ridge, both the wind and the rain pick up in intensity, and blowdowns become numerous. I count 164 blowdowns between Waumbek and Willard Notch. This time I *am* complaining. <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">L</span>
Kilkenny Ridge Trail is a GEM. It is not designated wilderness (where such blowdowns seem to be allowed, or even encouraged it seems), so it is sad to see so many of them. Last year I hiked the Cohos Trail and noted all these blowdowns, so they are apparently not cleared with any regularity. After about an hour it stops raining. I spy a deer on my way up North Weeks, then Chris waiting for me on top! We do the rest of the day’s miles together.<br />
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We continue down to Bunnell Notch and over the Terraces, where we meet a couple who are thru-hiking the Cohos Trail. I give them a heads up on a couple of spots farther north. Nice to see more folks tackling this wonderful challenging trail. The trail over the Terraces is beautiful, and there are far fewer blowdowns. The trail up Cabot is much more heavily used, and after meeting just 2 people all morning, we meet another 15 or so on the way up/down Cabot. The last summit is anticlimactic as these things often are. Mostly we just want to get down to our celebratory BEERs waiting in the cooler, especially after lower Bunnell Notch Trail drags on longer than expected; THEN we have to walk the 2+ miles on York Pond Road to the gate with lots of dive-bombing deer flies. I walk down the middle of the road so that if anyone comes from behind, they HAVE to stop and pick us up! No one drives by.<br />
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Finally, we are done. The beer tastes extra good.<br />
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<u><strong>Final thoughts</strong></u>: The Direttissima had intrigued me ever since I first read about Henry T. Folsom many years ago, then again after Mats accomplished the feat in 2007. After climbing these mountains SO many times in SO many different combinations, it was intensely satisfying and great fun to finally string the NH 4’s together in one long, continuous serpentine line… carrying a light pack! Focusing on the “fun” part vs. pushing for a fast, competitive time in unappealing weather was key in the overall experience being a complete joy… well, maybe except for the Hancocks at the end of Day 3 and the deer flies at the very end. Huge thanks and gratitude to Chris for supporting me though this, and all, endeavors! Onto the next thing…</span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-45955450422097865622016-07-02T07:32:00.000-07:002016-10-30T13:26:12.751-07:00June... HALFWAY !! :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana";">"I'm doing what I love... I get up and 'go to work' every day and I'm stoked. </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana";">That does not suck."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shane McConkey</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Other miles/elevation in [ ].</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Carrigain, Willey, Field, Tom - 21.8 miles, 6750 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26468">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Moosilauke - 8 miles, 3200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. South Kinsman, North Kinsman, Cannon - 13.1 miles, 4700 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Wildcat D, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, Moriah - 19.3 miles, 7150 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Osceola, East Osceola, Tecumseh, North Hancock, South Hancock - 24.4 miles, 8250 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Passaconaway, Whiteface, Middle Tripyramid, North Tripyramid - 18.7 miles, 5650 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Waumbek - 7.2 miles, 2750 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11. Cabot - 10 miles, 3000 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. Hale, Zealand, South Twin, North Twin - 18.2 miles, 5900 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16. Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette, Garfield, Galehead, [South Twin], West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff - 33.5 miles, 9850 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">18. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Isolation, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce - 32 miles, 10050 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26704">report</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20. [Coyote Two Moon Scrub - 9.5 miles, 2500 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">21. [Kilburn Crags - 1.8 miles, 350 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22. [Mt. Crawford - 5 miles, 1900 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">23. [Lincoln, Lafayette - 8.9 miles, 3900 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">24, 25, 26. [Coyote Scramble - 17 miles, ? ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">27. Jackson - 5.2 miles, 2150 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">30. Owls Head - 19.5 miles, 2900 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26885">report</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana";">230.9 miles, </span><span style="color: #20124d;">72,300 ft. climb</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[42.2 miles, 8650 ft.]</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-24683221213558849482016-05-31T11:35:00.002-07:002016-10-30T13:17:06.232-07:00May...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other miles/elevation in [ ].</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Cannon - 3.7 miles, 2100 ft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Waumbek - 7.2 miles, 2750 ft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. North Kinsman, South Kinsman - 10 miles, 3900 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25928"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. Carrigain - 10 miles, 3250 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25940"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Field, Willey, Tom - 10.1 miles, 3450 ft. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25941">report</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. [Kingdom Trails - 4 miles]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. Moosilauke - 7.5 miles, 2550 ft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9. Cabot - 10.6 miles, 3300 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26029"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10. Whiteface, Passaconaway - 11.8 miles, 3950 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26057"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11. Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette - 12.8 miles, 4750 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26058"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe - 21.2 miles, 8350 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26093"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. East Osceola, Osceola - 7.6 miles, 3120 ft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16. South Hancock, North Hancock - 9.8 miles, 2650 ft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">17. North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Tecumseh - 17 miles, 5200 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26204"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tri report</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26205"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tec report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">18. Garfield, Owls Head, Galehead - 24 miles, 6750 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26206"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20. Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower - 13.4 miles, 3750 ft.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">21. Wildcat A, Wildcat D - 12 miles, 3300 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26269"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">23. North Twin, South Twin, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff, Zealand, Hale - 23.6 miles, 7350 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26332"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">24. Isolation - 13.5 miles, 3600 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26333"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26. Moriah - 15.5 miles, 3600 ft. </span><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26348"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">report</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">28. Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter - 13 miles, 4650 ft. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=26396">report</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">30. [Kingdom Trails - 8 miles, ? ft.]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">254.3 miles, </span>82,320 ft. climb</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[12 miles]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-82209771080103207072016-04-29T04:08:00.001-07:002016-10-30T13:13:35.571-07:00April...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other miles/elevation in [ ].</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Cabot, Waumbek - 13.3 miles, 4950 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Osceolas and Tecumseh - 17 miles, 5700 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25374">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Moosilauke - 10.7 miles, 2700 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25378">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Isolation, Hale - 21.5 miles, 5800 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25396">Iso report</a> <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25397">Hale report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Moriah, Carters and Wildcats - 19.3 miles, 7500 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25434">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Carrigain - 14 miles, 3800 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12. [Parker Mtn. - 5 miles, 900 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13. Willey, Field and Tom - 8.5 miles, 3400 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25504">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. Garfield, Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty and Flume - 19.5 miles, 6600 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25525">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15. Cannon - 7.3 miles, 2400 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25537">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16. Kinsmans - 10 miles, 3900 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">17. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower and Pierce - 20.3 miles, 8500 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25632">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19. Jackson - 5.2 miles, 2200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20. Galehead, Twins, Zealand and Bonds - 28 miles, 7350 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25671">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">23. Tripyramids, Whiteface and Passaconaway - 18.2 miles, 5500 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25724">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">25. Hancocks - 17 miles, 2800 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25778">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">27. Owls Head - 16.5 miles, 2900 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25793">report</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">29. [Parker Mtn. - 5 miles, 950 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana";"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">246.5 miles, </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">76,000 ft. climb</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[10 miles, 1850 ft.]</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
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RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-78261438460955413372016-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:002016-08-31T06:38:32.481-07:00March...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW-KTs5AbtbBw9NIoavWi52MregPHG3TsZJA7dL3DeaDuG8uvpqAeysW2YDSTAYWQ-DN20HqpHDHyEda_oEoz4RjmvKBcM4ozIRZ6DauIB-6rSSP9nc3s7UyvKnaGsk7a8mFNKR7q3Kiy/s1600/IMG_4043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW-KTs5AbtbBw9NIoavWi52MregPHG3TsZJA7dL3DeaDuG8uvpqAeysW2YDSTAYWQ-DN20HqpHDHyEda_oEoz4RjmvKBcM4ozIRZ6DauIB-6rSSP9nc3s7UyvKnaGsk7a8mFNKR7q3Kiy/s640/IMG_4043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. Jackson - 5.2 miles, 2200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. Kinsmans, Cannon - 11.9 miles, 5100 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24877">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Field, Willey, Tom and Hale - 19 miles, 5850 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. Moosilauke and Tecumseh - 15.6 miles, 5100 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8. Garfield, Galehead, North and South Twin - 21.5 miles, 6000 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24969">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11. Waumbek - 7.2 miles, 2750 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12. Zealand, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff - 23 miles, 4200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">13. Madison, Adams, Jefferson - 12.6 miles, 6300 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">16. Moriah and Cabot - 16.8 miles, 6200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">18. Carrigain - 14 miles, 3800 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">19. North and Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 16.5 miles, 5200 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25164">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">20. Pierce, Eisenhower, Monroe, Washington - 13 miles, 5700 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25190">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">21. Wildcat D and A, Carter Dome, South and Middle Carter - 14.5 miles, 5900 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25197">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">23. Isolation - 12.5 miles, 3400 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25210">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26. Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume - 13.5 miles, 5300 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">27. Owls Head - 16.5 miles, 2900 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25281">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">30. Osceola, East Osceola - 13.5 miles, 4000 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25297">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">31. North and South Hancock - 9.8 miles, 2650 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=25306">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">256.6 miles</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">82,550 ft. climb</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-71300690768729079962016-03-01T13:31:00.000-08:002016-08-31T06:39:17.670-07:00February...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Isolation and Carrigain - 26.5 miles, 7200 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24411">Iso report</a> <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24412">Car report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. Cabot and Waumbek - 13.8 miles, 5050 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">6. Tripyramids, Whiteface, Passaconaway - 16.5 miles, 5200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">7. Willey, Field, Tom and Moosilauke - 19.4 miles, 6500 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">9. Tecumseh and Kinsmans - 15.2 miles, 5750 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24508">Kin report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10. Osceolas and Hancocks - 17.4 miles, 5770 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24509">Osc report</a> <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24510">Han report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">12. Garfield and Galehead - 16.8 miles, 4100 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24525">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">15. Owls Head - 16.5 miles, 2900 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">17. Cannon and Jackson - 9.6 miles, 4250 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24596">Can report</a> <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24597">Jack report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">19. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce - 20.3 miles, 8500 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24638">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">21. Middle and South Carter, Carter Dome, Wildcats A and D - 15 miles, 6100 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24689">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">22. Moriah - 9.5 miles, 3150 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">23. Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume - 14.5 miles, 4750 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24721">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">26. Hale - 9 miles, 2400 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24753">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms";">27. Twins - 18.2 miles, 4500 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24795">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">28. Bondcliff, Bond, West Bond, Zealand - 23 miles, 4550 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24821">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">261.2 miles</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">80,670 ft. climb</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-51031773663646513512016-02-01T08:27:00.000-08:002016-10-30T13:09:10.148-07:00January...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other miles/elevation in [ ].</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Moosilauke and Tecumseh - 12.8 miles, 5500 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> 3. Passaconaway, Whiteface, Middle and North Tripyramid - 16.9 miles, 5300 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=23982">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> 6. Bondcliff, Bond, West Bond, Zealand, Hale - 24 miles, 6100 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24023">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> 8. Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty, Flume - 13.5 miles, 5300 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> 9. Cabot and Waumbek - 15.5 miles, 5550 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12. Carrigain and Field, Willey, Tom - 24.5 miles, 7250 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24092">Car report</a> <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24093">WTF report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">14. Cannon, North and South Kinsman - 11.9 miles, 4550 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24102">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">16. East Osceola and Osceola - 7.6 miles, 3120 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24125">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">17. Isolation - 12.5 miles, 3400 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24158">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">19. North and South Hancock - 9.8 miles, 2650 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24175">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">22. Wildcats D and A, Carter Dome, South and Middle Carter, Moriah - 19.3 miles, 7150 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24214">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">24. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce - 20.3 miles, 8500 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24267">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26. Jackson - 5.6 miles, 2200 ft.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">28. North and South Twin, Galehead, Garfield - 17.7 miles, 5200 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24306">report</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">29. Owls Head - 16.5 miles, 2900 ft. <a href="http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=24318">report</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">31. [Joanne's loop - 5.5 miles</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">228.4 miles, </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">74,670 ft. climb</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">[5.5 miles]</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-79337010673040499402015-08-24T13:30:00.000-07:002015-08-26T06:02:21.408-07:00Cohos Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Hampshire’s longest long-distance hiking trail, The Cohos Trail, had been on my radar for years, but I’d put it on the back burner because I wanted to wait for the Trail to be finished as opposed to walking many miles along Rt 3 at the last-to-be-finished northern end. The CT is now officially “complete” although improvements in routing are still a bit of a work in progress, I think.<br />
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The trail is advertised as 165 miles. My GPS measured at least 10 miles more, but I turned the tracker on for only a few segments in the far north. (More on that later.) The CT runs from Notchland on Rt. 302 all the way to tiny Fourth Connecticut Lake on the Canadian Border. Except for a short segment in the beginning, the entire trail is within Coos County. In the White Mountain National Forest, the CT utilizes long-established trails, including Davis Path, Isolation Trail West, Dry River, Mt. Eisenhower, Edmands Path, Cherry Mtn, Martha’s Mile, Owl’s Head, Starr King, and Kilkenny Ridge Trails. There is also a rather bizarre walk through the Mt. Washington Hotel golf course followed by road walks of Rt. 302 and Cherry Mtn. Road. Interesting and scenic Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, along with a 3-mile road walk on Rt 115A into Jefferson Village, connect Cherry Mtn with the Kilkenny. In Pondicherry the route utilizes some pleasant trails--Presidential Rail Trail and Rampart Path--as well as some NOT nice trails--Slide Brook and Colonel Whipple “Trails.” After traversing the delightful Kilkenny Ridge, next up is the awesome Nash Stream Forest section via Bald Mountain Notch, Rowell Link, Old Summer Club, Percy Loop, Nash Stream Road, West Side, Sugarloaf Arm, East Side, Headwaters, and Gadwah Notch Trails. For me, this is where the Cohos Trail REALLY starts since it was mostly through uncharted territory. Other than redlining the WMG trails and climbing the New Hampshire 100 Highest peaks in this area many years ago, my experience in northern Coos County was embarrassingly deficient.<br />
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En route to Dixville Notch, the CT traverses Baldhead, Kelsey Notch, Dixville Bypass, Dixville Peak, Table Rock, Three Brothers, and Huntington Cascade Trails. North of the Notch is the beautiful Sanguinary Ridge and Sanguinary Summit Trails, Spruce and Diamond Ponds Trails. The next section was my least favorite because it was about 20 miles of road walking--both car and ATV roads--connecting Coleman State Park to the far (east) side of Lake Francis. However, the views of abandoned farm country atop Stewartstown Plateau were spectacular! From the Connecticut Lakes to Canada, the CT traverses mostly new trail, including Lake Francis, Minnon-Young (ATV), Prospect Mtn, Covell Mtn, Round Pond Brook, Bog Bridge, Moose Alley, Falls in the River, Idlewilde Link, Chaput, Black Cat, Sophie’s Lane, a truly icky unmarked snowmobile trail abutting Third Connecticut Lake, and finally, the Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail. There are also small connector road walks of River, Danforth and Round Pond Roads in this section.<br />
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<u>History</u>: The Cohos Trail is the brainchild of Kim Robert Nilsen, who first proposed such a long trail through the North Woods in a 1978 editorial in the Coos County Democrat and who has worked tirelessly to see his idea take root and blossom. The Cohos Trail Association was formed in 1998 and maintains a very active “Friends of the Cohos Trail” Facebook page. The Cohos Trail has come a long way since 1978! Many, many, many volunteer hours have been spent to make the Trail what it is today. THANK YOU to all who have turned Kim‘s concept into reality!!<br />
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<u>Guidebook and Maps</u>: TCTA publishes The Cohos Trail Guidebook, updated most recently in 2014. For a “just the facts-data book” type person such as myself, the wordy-folksy-anecdotal style of the guidebook almost made my head explode at times. (It actually reminded me a lot of another guidebook, that of Arkansas’s Ouachita Trail.) But I realize they can write the guidebook however they want and any issue with it is my own. And some of the stories WERE rather entertaining! What I would recommend--and what I myself failed to do--is to take a highlighter to the book before embarking on the Trail, highlighting the most pertinent information. I would say emphatically that the CT cannot really be done without the guidebook because there are quite a few confusing sections and some which are not well marked (those are mostly road sections). Buy the guidebook! As well, the maps are an indispensable general guide--buy them, too! (Incidentally, there are supposed to be new maps coming out next year produced by none other than cartographer Larry Garland.) However, there is not a lot of detail to the current maps, so I found my iHike GPS app also indispensable. As with the Catamount Trail last winter, this app worked fabulously (buy it, too, if you have a smartphone!) and certainly allowed me to venture into the unknown with a bit more confidence than map and compass alone. It also allowed me to track mileage. I wish I had the tracker turned on for the entire trip, but alas I did not. I believe the guidebook mileage to be mostly accurate; however, there were a few spots that were pretty far off, namely the Presidential Rail Trail (1.9 miles instead of 0.6), Colonel Whipple “Trail” (2.1 miles instead of 1.1), Whipple Road to Jefferson Village (3.1 miles instead of 1.6), Coleman State Park to Lake Francis Trail (20 miles instead of 12!!), River Road to Young’s Store/Happy Corner (1.6 miles instead of 0.7), and Deer Mtn Campground to US Customs (5 miles instead of 3.8). I am not saying any of this to be a whiny complainer--Hey, I love a challenge! Bring it on!--but more to give a heads up to people out there who may be contemplating a thru hike on the CT so they know what to expect.<br />
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<u>The Low Down</u>: The Cohos is not the Appalachian Trail. It is a remote “postgraduate” trail where you will likely not encounter another hiker above the Kilkenny. Towns are far apart, and resupply options are limited. There are only a few shelters--Cabot Cabin, Old Hermit, Baldhead, and Panorama Shelters, a lean-to at Coleman State Park, and a cabin available at Deer Mtn Campground. (One could also splurge at the Mt Washington Hotel, but you might want to mail ahead proper dinner attire.) The footing is a mix of regular ‘ol gnarly White Mtn trail, old logging/skid road, grassy/wet/sloppy snowmobile trail, ATV trail, and newly constructed footpath that is very kind--soft and spongy!--to the feet. (There was actually more of the latter than I’d expected and less of the overgrown slop, e.g. South Pond Link.) I would NOT recommend this trail to anyone who requires manicured trails and blazes every 20 feet, to anyone whose feet must remain dry (haha, good luck with that: they will be wet almost constantly), nor to anyone who cannot disconnect: my phone had no signal north of Dixville Notch. I WOULD recommend this trail to those adventurous souls who can appreciate the challenge and spirit of the Cohos Trail, those who crave solitude and quiet ('cept for when ATVs are buzzing by), who thrive on a pathway that is utilized far more by moose and bear than by humans. An open mind and a good sense of humor--including the ability to laugh at oneself--are very helpful!<br />
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<u>Plan/Execution</u>: I actually did the CT in 6 full and 3 partial days over 3 separate trips. From June 18-21 I backpacked from Rt. 302 to Unknown Pond, bailing down Unknown Pond Trail in the pouring rain. On June 24 I went from Mill Brook Road/Unknown Pond Trail to Percy Loop Trailhead using a bike spot. I did not get out on the CT again until August 19 and finished up the northern half over the next 4 days, slackpacked by my husband Chris. (I do not EVER pass up the opportunity to slackpack!)<br />
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Now, for the play-by-play:</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jun 18</span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">: Rt. 302/Davis Path TH to campsite at mile ~6.5<br />
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With Chris visiting family in California, Leg #1 of the CT was a 3-night backpack. My folks helped spot my car at Nash Stream Road, we stopped for a Dunky Donuts in Lancaster, and I hit the trail at 2:30 pm. M and D walked across Bemis Bridge w/me at the start. On the Saco River we saw a duck-like bird--I later looked it up and think it was a Common Golden Eye) with many babies, some riding on her back! Said goodbye to my parents and continued up the trail. Mosquitoes were pretty bad for a little while, so much so that I applied bug repellent. (I rarely use the toxic stuff.) There was one conglomeration of lady slippers--I counted 30--just beyond the Mt. Crawford Spur. I dropped to the old Resolution Shelter site to fill up on water, but this turned out to be unnecessary as there were probably a half dozen good water sources between here and Isolation Trail. I checked out the established campsite atop Giant Stairs (wow!), but with darkening skies opted to continue on the ridge to a more protected spot in the trees. About a mile after Giant Stairs I came to a confusing spot near a small stream. Foot traffic went down and to the right following the stream, but that path soon ended abruptly. I turned back and found the correct route (left und UP). Shortly thereafter was a large (space for 4-5 tents) campsite. I picked the flattest spot, set up my tent, made some tea, ate dinner and fell fast asleep.<br />
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<u>Jun 19</u>: to Mt. Martha, ~24.5 miles<br />
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Started raining in the wee hours of the morning. Found out the single-wall Black Diamond tent leaks in multiple spots. Aargh! After dabbing drips with my Pack Towel for a couple of hours, I finally made coffee, ate breakfast, packed up, and hit the trail by 5 am. Twas a wet stroll over Mts. Davis and Isolation, my umbrella helping keep my face dry at least. Fortunately it was not very cold below treeline but higher up the breeze was picking up. I opted for the original CT route: down the Isolation (west) Trail and up Mt. Eisenhower Trail. Having just done these trails less than 2 weeks ago, I knew what lay ahead: marginal post-Irene trail conditions on the former followed by a potentially hairy crossing of Dry River. The roar sounded more treacherous that reality and it ended up not being too bad; this time I went upstream a bit to find a shallower crossing before commencing up Mt. Eisenhower Trail. I made quick work of the 3/10 mile or so above treeline--it was chilly!--and began heading down Edmands Path. After having not seen another soul all morning, within the next 3 miles I would meet 17 people, on a marginal weather Friday. The CT turns right on Mt. Clinton Road, then left onto Bretton Woods B and M Trail, a path I have skied quite a few times! The summertime view of Upper Falls is dramatic, and I showed up just as some crazy guy decided to dive straight into the main pool. OMG! Mosquitoes were bad in boggy sections, but shortly I was strolling across the grounds of the Mt. Washington Hotel golf course and feeling the stares. Quite the juxtaposition! I stopped by Fabyans for coffee, a burger, and to recharge my phone. They were very nice there. Some biker people (it’s being Bike Week in NH) screamed in excitement when a small black bear sauntered by the back window. Waitstaff said it gets into the dumpster! (So, why don’t they put a lock on the dumpster??) Long slog up Cherry Mtn. Road followed by an even longer slog up Cherry Mtn. but really enjoyed these last few miles and the ridge up there is just gorgeous. Decided to bivy atop Mt. Martha on a nice grassy spot. Arrived about an hour before a spectacular sunset. Views towards the Presidentials were stellar, those south to the Franconias and Twins, and west to Vermont were pretty darn tootin’ as well. Tried to dry tent out in last bits of sunlight with moderate success.<br />
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<u>Jun 20</u>: to Cabot Cabin, 26.5 miles<br />
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Tent accumulated lots of condensation during the night on the grassy patch, so once again it was soaking wet. Lots of moose sign on Martha’s Mile. Owls Head had a great little scramble just below the summit and some nice views to the Presies again. Descent to Rt. 115 was nice at first but then got pretty muddy. Think this is the section that the RMC has had to relocate a couple of times in the past few years. Could use more bridging, rock steps, or something. CT takes a right on Rt. 115, then cuts left on the Slide Brook “Trail.” Ha ha ha! Waist high WET grass, barely a discernible footpath, ticks (3), skeeters (100s), then across a beaver dam--THAT is the “trail.” Fortunately that section lasted only only a half mile or so, then it was on to the pancake flat Presidential Rail Trail through Moorhen Marsh. This was a very beautiful section with lots of birds along with great views back to the Presies; however, the mosquitoes were of Biblical proportions!! Finally I resorted to bug repellent and a headnet which did wonders in preserving my sanity. Shore and Rampart Paths were nice, but Col Whipple was another “trail” trail. Har dee har har! It started off not too bad with some nice bog bridging covered in chicken wire so as to be more grippy, even though some of the bog bridges sank 6” into the water when stepped on, but THEN… the “trail” turned into an overgrown skidder track with hidden moose pock marks and other sinister ankle twisters. And still mosquitoes…! I was very happy to hit Whipple Road and then Rt. 115A. Since I had 3 miles of road walking, I wisely decided to switch into my Crocs. Heaven! Road walk wasn’t too bad although being midmorning on a Saturday, there was some Santa’s Village traffic. At the Corner Store I took a good long break of about an hour, dried out my tent for real, bought a few things (egg salad sandwich, Starbucks Frap, water), charged my phone, and talked with Chris. (We talked or texted regularly whenever I had phone service.)<br />
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Leaving Jefferson at noon, I had almost 15 miles to go before Cabot Cabin. Thunderstorms were predicted that night and the next day, so a real roof overhead would be much appreciated. Plus, I’d always wanted to spend a night there. TODAY was a beautiful day, however! The slog up Waumbek seemed never to have been that much of a slog before… OTOH I have never carried a full pack up it. The Saturday hiking hordes on a trail leading to a 4000 footer were out en masse, but it was a nice diversion having seen no other hikers today up to this point. (Apparently no one else was idiotic enough to traverse through Pondicherry Mosquito Refuge in mid June.) After 2 full freaking hours, I finally topped out on Waumbek and said adios to my last day hikers of the day. The ridge over to South Weeks is gorgeous, and at first the blowdown situation wasn’t too bad. The farther along I got, though, the worse the blowdowns. Ugh. It is sad that the Kilkenny Ridge Trail doesn’t see more love. It almost looks as if it’s being abandoned and is definitely in the worst shape I’ve seen it. (Aug 2015 edit: I hope the blowdowns have been cleared this summer. Anyone?) The Weekses seemed to have moved further apart since the last time I did the Kilkenny Ridge Traverse 4 years ago, but at least there was a nice stream just below North Weeks where I filled my water bottle. Many more blowdowns heading into Willard Notch, and much to my surprise I met 3 guys with their 3 sad looking dogs coming off Terrace. They said there were more blowdowns, but it wasn’t quite as bad on the Terraces. Plus the 3 Terrace peaks were closer together than the Weekses--yay. Finally I made it down to Bunnell Notch and began the final 1.5 miles to Cabot Cabin, arriving just before 8:30 pm. Good thing it was summer solstice with lots of daylight left! I was whipped. There were 4 people and a dog there, but only 2 of the people and the dog stayed the night--Hannah, John, and Josie a sweet border collie. Hannah and John live in Vermont too, have hiked the LT and AT, they offered me some wine (Bota box cab, baby!), AND they offered a ride back to my car if I decided to bail due to the impending rain… so we sort of connected.<br />
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<u>Jun 21</u>: to Mill Brook Road, 5.4 miles<br />
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Steady rain started to fall in the wee hours. We were all up and packed by 7 am and began the very wet slog down to Unknown Pond and then Unknown Pond Trail. (Yes, I bailed!) UPT to Mill Brook Road was mostly a streambed of a trail although John and Hannah reported a near bone dry surface just the day before! We made it to their Subaru in 2 hours and after a quick clothing change, we were off to Nash Stream Road.<br />
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<u>Jun 24</u>: to Nash Stream Road at Percy Loop TH, 12.5 miles biking, 21.4 miles hiking<br />
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Left car at Percy Loop TH and mountain biked to Unknown Pond TH on Mill Brook Road. The bike ride was actually quite nice and took a little over an hour, most of MBR being uphill. Stashed my bike in the woods and proceeded back up Unknown Pond Trail. (Trail was a bit drier than 3 days previous!) Saw one other hiker head out on UPT just ahead of me; other than him, no other hikers encountered all day. Once up UPT I took a left on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. This segment of KRT is also in need of some love - lots of blowdowns, mud, and encroaching ferns obscured the trailbed. View from Rogers Ledge was awesome, and from there to South Pond trail was in great shape and had received recent maintenance, both blowdown removal and drainage work. A few families enjoyed the South Pond beach this beautiful day. I took a short break before proceeding down the road for just over a mile to the South Pond Connector. Having done this muddy, overgrown snowmobile trail last year, I was sorely tempted to just stick to the pavement. OTOH I am committed to the Cohos Trail proper, so into the mud I traipsed… It was pretty gloppy. A short road walk across Rt 110 and up North Road brought me to the (unsigned) Bald Mtn. Notch Trail. I liked this trail last year and liked it again on my second visit, especially where one approaches the actual notch. Next up was Rowell Link and the Old Summer Club Trail, another that I really like. The OSCT was littered with branches and a few blowdowns but was easily passable. I did climb the side trail up North Percy and was treated to far reaching 360 degree views. All that was left was the Percy Loop Trail with a brief stop at the tent site and privy, where there is a trail register. I was only the second party to sign in this year! A great day on the CT! Driving all the way back to Unknown Pond TH was a bit of a pain, but my bike was still there! Yay. Think I am about halfway done the CT at this point but will wait awhile, for both my feet and the trail to hopefully dry out a bit. Have been having lots of rain…<br />
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<u>Aug 19</u>: to Dixville Notch/Rt. 26, 23.2 miles<br />
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Two months later I am back at it. It has been raining a lot this summer. Thru-hiked the Long Trail last month, and I survived THAT episode of trench foot so think I’m good to go on the Cohos Trail. Chris offered/agreed to slackpack me the rest of the way, the idea being that I could git r done more efficiently and comfortably with a very light daypack in supported mode rather than both of us trying to slog through the remaining miles with full packs, dealing with transportation issues, etc. We were very happy with this choice when all was said and done! We figured on 3 full days to finish the CT, but that estimate was based on the mileage in the guidebook being accurate…<br />
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The adventure began with an early morning jog along Nash Stream Road, the 2 miles from the Percy Loop trailhead to Pond Brook Falls (nice!) before heading up West Side Trail. This ATV route is followed for about a mile; the CT then diverges right onto the Sugarloaf Arm Trail, a nice stroll through hardwoods passing by the Old Hermit Shelter. I was perusing the register--as it turned out, of the 3 CT shelters, the ONLY one with a register--when Chris reached me having hiked up from Sugarloaf Mtn. Trail. Recrossing Nash Stream Road, next up was the East Side Trail, another trail I ranked in the “nice” category that paralleled Nash Bog. It even had a sort of neat geologic feature, Devil’s Jacuzzi, and the northern reaches of this trail had recently been mowed. Nash Stream Road was gated near 19 ½ Mile Road, and that is where Chris and I separated… he for the long drive south, west, north, and east(!) to Dixville Notch, me for the ~15 miles to the same point through uncharted-for-me territory. With the Cohos Trail’s reputation, I was a bit nervous!<br />
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Once I proceeded northward through beautiful Cathedral and Moran Meadows, Muise Bowl and Gadwah Notch, anxieties disappeared. The lower meadows section had been mowed to Bulldozer Flat so there was none of the nasty chest-high growth I’d read about, there was fresh moose sign everywhere, there were beautiful views that I’d never before seen, and there was utter silence save for the natural sounds of birds, wind and running water. Gadwah Notch to Baldhead Shelter stayed near 3000 feet in elevation and had a real feeling of remoteness. A couple of times the trail became lost in thick ferns, so constant vigilance was required in following the yellow blazes. Thankfully, this section was very well marked. I think the mileage was off to Baldhead Shelter because it took 2 ¾ hours to go “5 miles” and I was walking at a pretty good clip! Sad there was no register in the shelter, but the view was pretty nice. There were quite a few downed trees in the mile or so before and after the shelter, but within a couple of miles I’d hit the Kelsey Notch “Trail” which is actually a dirt road that is used by ATVs. Now I was in “Ride the Wilds” country of Coos County, with its 1000 miles of ATV trails. I was glad to be there midweek as opposed to the weekend! The CT next climbed a wide ugly access road toward the Dixville Peak wind towers (my, how this NH 100 highest peak has changed since I was last here in the early 1990s!), but before reaching the top, took a left on newly constructed Dixville Bypass Trail. Rain was not predicted this day, but rumblings in the sky soon progressed to a pretty good little soaking rain shower which actually felt refreshing at this point in the day. The good trail lasted only about a half mile before dumping out on a nasty, muddy ATV trail, one that is quickly eroding to bedrock. Fortunately the CT does not follow this ATV track for long. Unfortunately it turns onto a mucky, grassy service lane leading to the Wilderness ski area and eventually to Table Rock and more manicured trail. The CT was a bit confusing to follow at the top of the ski area but was pretty easy to figure out. Chris met me near Table Rock, where we took a nice break and gazed down into Dixville Notch and The Balsams. What a spectacular spot! We finished off the day’s hike by jumping into a pool near the foot of Huntington Falls. Heaven! The night was spent at Coleman State Park, a very nice little campground on Little Diamond Pond that had 3 particularly cool things: awesome showers (25 cents for 3 minutes), resident LOONS, and a bald eagle!! <br />
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<u>Aug 20</u>: to Cedar Stream Road, 25.5 miles<br />
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After a wonderful night’s sleep, we drove back to Dixville Notch and proceeded up misty Sanguinary Ridge. Chris walked a couple miles with me before heading back to the car. CT hikers have an option of taking either the “low route” or the “high route” in this section. Most, including me, opt for the high route because Panorama Shelter is there, plus it just sounds better. The evergreens could use some trimming in the mile or so leading to Panorama. Also, there was a very confusing turn off a dirt road that was unmarked. Basically I got lucky in finding it! As with Baldhead Shelter, there was no register in Panorama. After topping out on Mud Pond Ridge on good trail, the CT traverses very grassy cross country ski (?) trail toward Mud Pond, at which point it was back on ATV trail for a short distance. A pleasant surprise was newly constructed trail on the climb of Tumble Dick Notch. It was a very pretty stroll through the woods and even passed by a 6-8 foot waterfall! The Diamond Ponds Trail coming down the northwest side of the notch had been mowed recently--yay! Soon I was back at Coleman State Park for a lunch break. <br />
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The remaining miles for today (and into tomorrow) would all be mountain bike-able, all 20 of them! Somewhat annoyingly, the mileage for this section was way off, and even more annoyingly, I did not bring my mountain bike. I remembered someone mentioning this mileage discrepancy in their Trail Journal, so I decided to turn on my GPS tracker upon leaving Coleman State Park. I ran a bit of this section but walked most of it: down Diamond Ponds Road to Heath Road to Bear Rock Road to MacAlester Road to Creampoke to Dead Water and finally to Cedar Stream Road. What was supposed to be 9 miles turned out to be 14. Much of this section was ATV “trail” but again, I was fortunate to be here on a Thursday and not a Saturday or Sunday. I met maybe 10 or 12 ATVers. They were all friendly--two guys even stopped and asked if I was okay (which got me thinking, “Do I look that bad?!”)--but it’s not the kind of terrain/company a hiker usually seeks! A very cool spot was MacAlester Road, a pretty stiff climb leading to expansive views of farm country. This area looked more like my hometown in Vermont than “the Great North Woods” of New Hampshire. Upon reaching Cedar Stream Road and Lake Francis, I called it a day, and we drove up to Lake Francis State Park for the night. Again, the showers at this state park were wicked awesome! And I scored a free Snickers bar for correctly answering the question: “What mountain was once known as Mt. Agiochook?” Mt. Washington, duh! (The next day was Chris’s turn. He properly answered the question “How many New England States are bordered by the St. Lawrence River?” ZERO!)<br />
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<u>Aug 21</u>: to Moose Alley, 25 miles<br />
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The day began with “3 miles” on Cedar Stream Road that was actually 5.7, but my attitude today was more of “BRING IT ON, M’F’ER!” so I found this all rather humorous. Less humorous (but still quite funny really) was the 4 miles of waist-high wet weeds along the Lake Francis Trail. I met a dude training his bear dogs on this section, he (packin’ heat!) dressed appropriately in jeans and knee-high rubber boots as opposed to me in shorts and trail runners. There was a short spur to “6 Mile View” on Lake Francis. It was pretty cool. The rest of this trail was something to just get through. After 4 miles I popped out on Carr Ridge Road and a bridge across the CT River. Next up was more road and ATV trail to Happy Corner and Young’s Store, where Chris got me a sandwich just as it began to rain.<br />
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The rest of this day was thankfully mostly real trail over Prospect Mtn, Covell Mtn and around Round Pond. Chris joined me for Prospect Mtn which had a nice view of First Connecticut Lake. Probably my most confusing moment on the CT was upon reaching the Ramblewood network of trails, where there were two intersections that would’ve benefited from either double blazes or arrows. I missed both a 90 degree righthand turn, then a 130 degree hard left. My stars were apparently aligned because Mr. Ramblewood himself was out mowing trail and helped direct me toward the correct route. It rained on and off all afternoon, but with my umbrella I didn’t mind at all. Plus rain always brings out the brilliant colors of the forest floor and it wasn’t cold, so I was happy. The trail circumnavigates Round Pond, though you never actually see the pond until way later when you hit the dirt access road. There was tricky route finding here and there in this section due to diverging moose paths. The section was very well blazed, however, so I had no problems. A half mile road walk and soon I was on the new Round Pond Brook Trail which earns 2 thumbs up! The new section of trail leads directly across Rt. 3 to another new link, the “800 Foot Bog Bridge Trail.” Chris joined me for this piece. The boggy section was cool. Chris counted 87 bog bridges. Again, much sign of moose but no actual moose sightings! My final trail section for the day was Moose Alley Trail. Did I see a moose? No. But I did see two deer. I also saw my first two actual hikers on the Cohos Trail since, what… Mt. Cabot? It was none other than the Krobi’s!! We had a fun chat on the trail and actually ran across them, Damselfly and Steve later at the Happy Corner Café. Since it had been rainy all afternoon, we decided to splurge on a little cabin at Happy Corner. Fun!<br />
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<u>Aug 22</u>: to Fourth CT Lake/Finish, 14.5 miles </span></span><br />
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My final day on the Cohos Trail was the usual combo of nice trail, easy road walk and icky snowmobile trail. Falls in the River Trail is gorgeous as was Second Connecticut Lake. Next up was Idlewilde Trail, Chaput Trail, and Black Cat Trail. All were in pretty good shape, and Middle Black Cat had recently been weed whacked (thank you, thank you!). Chris joined me in the early miles and then met me at the Deer Mtn Campground access, regaling me with CT, err, “adventure stories” told by the ranger there. Sophie’s Lane was 1 ½ miles longer than advertised, but I enjoyed these last miles of easy walking. There was one final mushy ¾ mile length of snowmobile trail abutting Third Connecticut Lake before reaching the US Customs Station and the final 2-mile section up to and around Fourth Connecticut Lake. After having met only 2 hikers in the past 4 days, we met 5 hikers on this section. It seemed very crowded--hah! We drove down to Third Lake and dipped our feet in the water before showering at Lake Francis State Park (and Chris winning his free candy bar) and the long drive home.<br />
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In the end I LOVE the Cohos Trail! Upon finishing two days ago, I said I’d never do it again, but it certainly did have its charms. Hmm… Maybe I’ll bring my mountain bike for that 20+ mile road next time…<br />
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Huge thanks to Kim Robert Nilsen and all the folks of TCTA!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-88126163540847773122015-07-26T11:02:00.002-07:002015-08-11T10:53:04.248-07:00VT's Long Trail in 9 1/2 Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT an accurate depiction of Long Trail footing</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN">I spent July 15-24 slogging through mud pits, dodging thunderstorms, and scrambling up and down slimy, slick roots and rock slabs. To what did I owe this particular version of fun? Vermont's Long Trail from Massachusetts to Canada! This was my fourth End to End and second Thru-Hike, the other 2 being Section Hikes. The </span><a href="http://runsuerun.blogspot.com/2010/09/long-trail.html"><u><span style="color: blue;"><span lang="EN">last time</span></span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a><span lang="EN"> I completed the LT was 5 years ago, when I went almost totally self-supported in about 9 days not including 3 zero days in the middle. This time around I completed the Trail in about the same amount of time with no days off; however, I did it fully supported wearing just a small Nathan pack--I am evidently getting smarter (?!) with age--as Chris agreed to crew me once again for which I am infinitely grateful. Upon hearing that I was "slackpacking" the entire Trail, the common refrain was "Wow, you have a nice husband!" to which I replied, "YES, I SURE DO!" Every day Chris got up early to make coffee and breakfast, crewed me at road crossings, set up camp, got the solar shower ready (high living this), and made dinner. I was completely spoiled. This was my second traverse of the State's length this year, the first being on skis via the Catamount Trail (see 3/18/15 post). While I am a more efficient hiker vs. skier, some days I yearned for those days of smooth kick-and-glide terrain on the CT!</span><br />
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Trail conditions proved challenging and slow this year due to the excessive amounts of rain that has fallen all summer. On the Long Trail that means mud... lots of mud... very large pits of mud... DEEP pits of mud. While the southern 100 miles coincides with the Appalachian Trail and seems somewhat better maintained, the northern one third of the LT could use approximately 184,000 rock steps or bog bridges. Many of the existing bog bridges are rotting and/or floating in soupy mud. A couple of sections are in need of a good haircut. I finished off 3 pairs of running shoes--Hokas, Montrail Hardrocks, and Salomon XAs--which were almost rotting off my feet by the time I pitched them. These were all old shoes--no way would I ruin a new pair on THIS trail! In attempts to mitigate somewhat the effects of constantly wet feet (e.g. trench foot), I would apply Desitin diaper rash cream to my feet in the mornings. By the end of the day my socks would reek of fish and blue cheese, such that many socks ended up being trashed. Somewhat incredulously I ended up with just one tiny blister the entire trip--in fact, my feet were the only body part that ever really got sore--but the bottoms of my feet now look and feel somewhat like old leather, and a pedicurist would certainly recoil in disgust at the condition of my toenails. <br />
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But enough whining. In the end this was my beloved, wild, gnarly Long Trail, Vermont's "footbath in the wilderness," and I knew what I'd signed up for: along with the mud, rugged peaks, pristine ponds, lakes and streams, moose droppings, early morning and late day birdsong--white throated sparrows, thrushes, veeries, barred owls, alpine flora, achingly beautiful hardwood forests blanketed in damp mosses, lichens and mushrooms, toads and newts gently moved off trail, glistening softwoods above 3000 ft., other weary but undeniably happy thru-hikers, the peaceful serenity of the woods on a misty day, and the incredible sunbeams piercing through the early morning forest, enough to make this agnostic actually sense a spiritual presence. For the most part, I was unplugged from the bad news of the day, the latest online Noise, and the everyday chores of home. Instead, I was happily lost in my own thoughts in that place in the world that I have always felt most comfortable, the Northern Forest.<br />
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Day #1 began at O'dark 30 on County Road in Stamford, Vermont. I walked the 6.2 miles to the Mass border and back by headlamp before continuing northward over the relatively easy terrain of southern Vermont. Near Sucker Pond there was a light rain shower lasting about 15 min., but it was actually rather refreshing. Chris met me at the Rt. 9 crossing--he brought me a Dunkin Donuts coffee!--and continued up the trail as far as Maple Hill. I saw lots of hikers in this section: thru-hikers, weekenders, and Boy Scouts, probably 50 between Rt. 9 and Kelley Stand Road, my destination for the day. The spring at Goddard was gushing--there is no shortage of water anywhere on the Trail this year!--and the view from Glastenbury Fire Tower was its usual spectacular. The afternoon miles dragged on a bit, but finally I made it to USFS 71, where Chris waited. Since there was still plenty of daylight and I wanted to make the next day a bit shorter, I decided to continue 2 more miles to Kelley Stand Road and, boy, am I happy I did. It was mud pit after mud pit in that newer section of trail (~late 1980s, when the LT/AT was relocated over Stratton Mtn.), and it would have been a miserable way to start the next day. Incidentally, this was the first spot where the Catamount and Long Trails cross, out of a total of 8. We camped that night at a primitive site on USFS 71 a mile or so down the road. 40 miles total for the day.<br />
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Day #2 commenced with the climb up Stratton Mountain, always a highlight of any LT/AT excursion since it is the "birthplace" of both trails. Today I dubbed "Goober Day" because I kept meeting goofy people on the trail starting with one guy, a thru-hiker, who decided it would be a good idea to bivy RIGHT ON THE TRAIL. I almost stepped on him! At Stratton Pond another guy announced that the trail was IMPASSABLE going north! What the...??!! A brief investigation revealed a short flagged relo due to the pond flooding the trail a bit. Another guy looked like he was dressed for a winter hike (it was maybe 60 degrees), and yet another, a southbounder, asked if I was headed north. "Umm... yeeeah." I took in the nice view of Manchester Center from Prospect Rock and shortly met Chris near Spruce Peak. More coffee at the Rt. 11/30 crossing resulted in a good pace up Bromley, and I arrived at the conveniently located composting privy exactly when it was needed. Mad Tom Notch provided another crewing spot, this time a grilled cheese sandwich from JJ Hapgood's Store in Peru. Yum! The next section is one of my favorites--over Styles, Peru and Baker Peaks as well as Peru Peak Shelter and Griffith Lake. Some day we need to get back there, spend a couple of days and do all the side trails... This day ended at USFS 10, and we set up camp right in the parking lot. 35 miles for the day.<br />
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Day #3: I always hike most energetically first thing in the morning so made quick work of the next section past lovely Little Rock Pond and White Rocks to Rt. 140. From Rts. 140 to 103 is probably my favorite section of the entire LT due to the fact that the Trail is so SMOOTH. After Clarendon Gorge at Rt. 103 Chris brought me another grilled cheese, this one from the Whistle Stop Restaurant which has become quite popular with thru-hikers of late. The climb up Clarendon Lookout is always an eye opener because for about 1/2 mile you feel like you're in the White Mtns. It is STEEP! The Trail crosses many roads over the next few miles; Chris met me at the last one, Upper Cold River Road before I finished the day with the final 12 miles up and over the Killington peaks. This area was devastated by Hurricane Irene and looks quite a bit different than on my last trek through here 5 years ago! The climb up Killington went well, and on the traverse to Jungle Junction I tried to keep up with “Gangrene,” a young AT thru-hiker, so the pace was pretty fast! Chris met me above Churchill Scott Shelter, and we marveled at all the downed, uprooted hardwoods about ½ mile before Rt. 4; apparently this wind event occurred in September 2014. It is stunning in its devastation! Chris had made the executive decision that we would celebrate the 100 mile mark by scoring a room at the iconic Inn at the Long Trail. The mattress, shower, real food, and beer were most appreciated! 32.2 miles for the day.<br />
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Day #4: Since Chris wanted to head over to the Vermont 100 Miler early to see some running friends, I was on the Trail by 5 am. It had rained in the wee hours of the morning, so we were happy to have stayed at the Inn and not have to pack up a wet tent. The stretch from Rt. 4 to Rt. 73 (Sherburne Pass to Brandon Gap) is 20 miles long and one that I have come to love. This day was wet, misty, and overcast, also very peaceful and contemplative. I enjoyed it very much. The AT split off just a mile into this section, so there were far less hikers from here on. Our plan had been to reunite at Rt. 125/Middlebury Gap, so imagine my surprise when I reached Brandon Gap and saw Chris sitting there in our car! He’d had enough of ultrarunners for a day by that point--haha. The next 10 miles seemed tougher, and there was always one more peak… Horrid… Cape Lookoff… Gillespie… Romance… Worth… FINALLY Chris met me atop Worth Mtn., and we headed down to Rt. 125 across some of the Middlebury Snow Bowl trails. Much of this section of trail was severely eroded, and my feet did not appreciate the steep descent. Magic Hat #9 never tasted so good as at the end of this day! We spent this night at a primitive campsite off USFS 67, which is also where the Catamount Trail passes through. It was quite a bit warmer than the last time we were here! 29.8 miles today.<br />
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Day #5: With the realization that I was just crossing the halfway mark, this day started off a bit of a grind over many peaks: Burnt Hill, Kirby, Boyce, Battell, Breadloaf, Wilson, Roosevelt, Cleveland, Grant, and many, many ups n downs in between. There were a fair amount of mud pits and the Trail was overgrown in many spots. There was also a pretty good rain shower going over Mt. Grant and the Trail’s getting ever rougher. I was happy to reach Lincoln Gap and take a good break. Due to bridge construction, Lincoln Gap Road from the east was closed, so Chris had to detour all the way around to the west side--aargh! This did result in far less day hikers than usual for a Sunday on Mt. Abraham, however. The rest of the day, across the southern end of the Monroe Skyline, went better, and I cracked up at the crazy descent between Starks Nest and Rt. 17/Appalachian Gap (OMG!). THIS is where the LT starts to get really gnarly! Chris scored a primo campsite near App Gap… or so we thought… 28.9 miles.<br />
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Day #6: Somewhere around 2-3 am, the Mother of all Storms blew through… and I mean BLEW. Unsure what the actual wind speeds were, but they were stronger than anything I experienced on Denali. The tent poles were exactly 1 mph away from snapping. It was… well… I won’t say “epic” because I hate that overused word, so I’ll say it was rather “extreme” for July in Vermont. At one point we sort of held up the tent with our hands for fear it would completely implode, and I questioned whether we’d even be able to make it to the car, about 1/3 football field’s length away. Thankfully the storm eventually abated, our Big Agnes pads kept us, er, afloat inside the tent, and we were able to get back to sleep. Amazing how beneficial extreme physical exertion can be. Incidentally, this was the same storm that produced devastating flooding in nearby Barre and Plainfield, Vermont. Chris had an appointment in Burlington this day, so he made Trader Joe’s and laundromat run as well. My morning was rather sporty with the gymnastics required to traverse Molly Stark, Burnt Rock, the Allens, and Ladder Ravine. There were even 3 rope assists in this section! What the…?! I don’t remember this! At Montclair Glen Lodge I met 4 other LT hikers “recovering” from what we’d all just traversed. Everyone was in good spirits, however, laughing and joking about the crazy, wet terrain we’d just navigated. Camels Hump was easy in contrast, and the summit crowded with many day hikers, I booked it over the top without pause. It is 6 miles from the summit down to Duxbury Road, and it is freaking endless, the upper mile or so basically a brook bed and extremely eroded. Chris hiked partway up the ridge and had quite the baggie full of blueberries by the time I reached him (all of which I promptly inhaled). I decided to do the 3-mile road walk to Bolton Notch Road and the NEW BRIDGE over the Winooski River before calling it a day. The bridge is awesome, and as I found out the next day, the new relocation rocks!! We spent this night at Little River State Park in Waterbury, the highlight being real showers! 21.7 miles today… my mileage is getting less and less--hah!<br />
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Day #7: I looked forward to this particular day because it meant traversing the newly opened 4.65 mile section of trail across the flanks of Stimson Mtn. An additional bonus to the relo: the mileage is now 1.2 road miles less according to the Green Mtn. Club! The relo eliminates the Jonesville-to-Bolton Notch Road section and, thus, no longer passes Duck Brook Shelter, but the old section of Trail is still open as a blue blaze. However, the new section is SO MUCH NICER: smooth trail, an easy climb, and *switchbacks* which are unheard of on the Long Trail! I enjoyed it immensely. Once atop Bolton Mtn. I experienced a mild thrill to know that I was extremely close to the Catamount Trail on the popular Bolton-to-Trapp’s section. Shortly I was sitting at Puffer Lodge downing a Snickers and chatting with thru-hiker Steve from WV. Chris met me near Mt. Clark, and we took a short break at Taylor Lodge at which point, I should note, the weather was sunny and warm. We bid adieu as he hiked back out via Lake Mansfield Trail and I continued on toward Vermont’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield. We were aware that T-storms were predicted--about a 50% chance--for that afternoon, but wishful thinking… About 10 min. after leaving Taylor, the skies darkened ominously as the wind picked up. I walked faster and faster and ALMOST made it the 3+ miles to Butler Lodge before all hell broke loose. Ten minutes in the driving rain and I burst through the empty cabin door. Whew! I spent the next 90 min. drying out as best I could--fortunately there is an upstairs at Butler which was markedly warmer than the lower level. There was also a pad on which I could lie down and rest as the hard rain pummeled the cabin’s roof. Fortuitously, I had phone reception so Chris and I texted back n forth re what to do. Long story short… I waited for the rain, thunder and lightning to stop and took the Forehead Bypass up to the Visitor Center just beyond The Nose, and he drove up the Toll Road to rescue me! Of course, by then the winds had diminished and I could have continued across the ridge, but he had driven all the way up, so… (Kudos to the Toll Road attendant who was very nice and didn’t even charge Chris the normal $19 fee to drive up. We thanked him profusely for “saving my life” when we reached the toll gate.) So… I missed about 4 miles of Trail, but it is a section I have done many times so got over it pretty quickly. We spent the night at Smuggler’s Notch State Park. Chris got a lean-to this time since more rain was forecast… Only 18.4 miles today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical dinner!</td></tr>
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Day #8 started early, at 4 am, because my intent was to kill myself and get all the way to Rt. 118 (and thus finish in 8 ½ days). Halfway into the day I thought WTF am I doing this for? and opted to break the final miles into a more enjoyable 3 days. (Yay me!) From Rt. 108/Smuggler’s Notch to the descent off Whiteface Mtn., the Trail is extremely gnarly. Upon reaching a ski trail near Sterling Pond, I even lost the Trail for a bit due to sketchy blazing and had to backtrack. Chris hiked in past Bear Hollow, and we encountered the first of 5 large groups of teenagers from Camp Chateaugay over the next couple of days (between Rt. 108 and Hazen’s Notch). They were staying in the shelters apparently, which would have kind of sucked if you were a solo thru-hiker, just sayin’. At the Lamoille River I said goodbye to my trusty Montrail Hardrocks (am I the only freak who gets sentimental over trail shoes?), the soles ready to completely delaminate after Whiteface Mtn. The next few miles were pleasant, the weather beautiful. We discussed options at Codding Hollow Road and, since we were just over an hour from home and it was still early, decided to go sleep in our own beds for a change! Dean’s Beans Porter was most yummy this eve. 21.2 miles today.<br />
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Day #9: Rested and happy, I looked forward to another of my favorite sections of LT, Codding Hollow to Rt. 118. The trek over Laraway, Butternut, and Bowen Mtns. did not disappoint, and Devil’s Gulch was the same “primeval” fern-filled defile as ever. Chris enjoyed giving away some of our unwanted food to a fellow thru-hiker who we dubbed “Rabbi” (because he was studying to become one). The climb up Belvidere wasn’t too bad, but from that point to Hazen’s Notch was one of the most difficult of the entire LT for me. This section of Trail seems to have been abandoned (!). In fact, in reading the LT Guide it appears that there is no Club section responsible for it. The mud pits were intense, there were blowdowns, and the trail needed brushing. Before letting myself get too pissed off, remembering this was all self-imposed, I forced myself to SMILE and laugh in the face of adversity! Hah! Between Haystack and Tillotson Peak, I met another of the Camp Chateaugay groups headed for Tillotson Camp and am not sure they made it since some of them looked utterly exhausted. Unfortunately it was another rainy night so I hope they did make it… By the time I made Hazen’s Notch, I was SO ready to be DONE with the LT. 24.4 miles for the day.<br />
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Day #9.5: FINISH DAY!! Compared to the previous section, the walk from Hazen’s Notch to Jay Pass was a cakewalk (well, not really, but…). I took a good ½ hour at Jay Pass eating and drinking coffee before heading up to Jay Peak in the cold drizzle. SO thankful for grabbing my really good Patagucci rain jacket before heading up--it was *nasty* up there. I did not stop on the summit but doubt the café was open in this weather. Spent some time reading the registers in the last 2 shelters, Laura Woodward and Shooting Star. The mud pits were many, but who cared at this point? Chris hiked in to meet me one last time, and we enjoyed one last crew stop at Rt. 105/North Jay Pass in the midst of a downpour. I huddled on the tailgate while he admonished me to not get too comfortable and git r done! Waiting a few minutes for the rain to stop while watching construction vehicles--all the asphalt was ripped up on Rt. 105--I split around 2 and was at the border a little after 3 pm. Mileage for the day was an even 20.<br />
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We celebrated at Parker Pie in West Glover with pizza and Allagash White, a very tasty brew. Total time was just about exactly 9 ½ days. Immediately after finishing I said this might have been my last LT hike, but 2 days later I’m thinking it would be nice to do in a dry year, in September, following the foliage south… <br />
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<br />RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-27838460343184522382015-04-28T18:16:00.001-07:002015-04-28T18:17:32.446-07:00The Length of Rhode Island on The North South Trail<span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Chris and I spent April 23-27 backpacking the North South Trail through western Rhode Island. We started Thursday evening and finished Monday morning. Our daily mileages were approximately 5, 25, 22 ½, 20, and 5.</span><br />
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The North South Trail runs the length of the state, 77 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Blue Shutters Beach to the Massachusetts state line at the start of the Mid-State Trail. The route connects 8 state-owned wildlife management areas and Burlingame State Park. It is about 1/3 true trail, 1/3 dirt road, and 1/3 paved road (ouch!), but fortunately the road walks pass through mostly rural landscapes and residential areas, so traffic is light. There are tiny ups and downs, but for the most part it is pretty flat walking. Along the way, the NST passes old foundations and cellar holes and literally MILES of old stone walls. Those early settlers sure were industrious!<br />
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There is an excellent guidebook by Cliff Vanover -- I purchased mine from The Mountain Wanderer in Lincoln. The guidebook is loaded with detailed and accurate maps and sufficient route descriptions and mileages. Alternate routes are described -- sometimes these routes are more scenic and more trail-like than the actual NST. The route is very, very well marked with blue blazes and plastic NST markers -- we were impressed -- and there were no moments of confusion. The guidebook could have done a little better job as far as pointing out good water sources; there was plenty of water, but much of it did not look exactly drinkable (swamps, ponds, or otherwise yucky).<br />
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The camping situation is a little murky, but suffice it to say we never had any problem finding a place to low-impact camp for the night. The one “shelter” at Arcadia Backpackers Campsite, the one that supposedly required a permit, was a hoot: two sides of the rather large cabin had completely caved in leaving only the opposing two walls standing. We set up the tent! The NST passes about a dozen campgrounds, most of which were not yet open, on or near the trail (one was even a nude campground!), and also a one-star motel at mile 53 northbound which we might have considered had the weather been rainy. At the same road crossing, Route 6, the NST passes right through the parking lot of Shady Acres Restaurant. <u>Heaven</u>! (I polished off the 4-piece fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, corn, roll, turkey-rice soup, a salad, blueberry pie a la mode, and 3 cups of coffee. Oink!) We saw many, many Dunkin Donuts cups strewn along the roadsides but, alas, the NST does not come within reasonable walking distance of any DDs.<br />
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Speaking of litter, there was a lot of it on the road walks. By the looks of of it, a rather scary number of Rhode Island folks apparently like to drink and drive. We saw many empty bottles of every imaginable hard liquor, oodles of “miniatures”, soda cans, rubber gloves (!), fast food wrappers, cigarette packs, etc. The middle section had A LOT of road walking, and we entertained ourselves -- and took our minds off our aching feet -- by counting beer cans. Final count for the day: 339 Bud Light/Bud cans, 242 ALL others. (One street we renamed Busch Road.)<br />
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Speaking of coffee, a big shout out to the kind folks at Meadowbook Golf Club, mile 19’ish. We inquired at their restaurant about buying some coffee, and they said it was on the house! <br />
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Wildlife is scarce or very shy/smart, but we did hear coyotes the last night, barred owls twice, and we saw 6 turtles, 3 ticks (ick), and 2 deer, both of which were unfortunately dead. With all the road walking, dogs were the animals we saw the most of, and it seems every other resident of rural Rhode Island has a flock of chickens and a rooster these days! <br />
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We saw a few other people using the NST: a couple of mountain bikers, a couple of day hikers, one other thru-hiker (she southbound), and a group of 4 section hikers who videotaped and dubbed us “The Indigenous Hikers.” Hah!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Our friend Jim, who lives in northeastern Connecticut, was a godsend. He not only let us leave our car at his home but also drove us to the start… AND picked us up Monday morning at the finish. If you’re reading this, THANK YOU Jim! We owe ya big time!<br />
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This was a nice trail to thru-hike this time of year. The trees had not yet budded out, so views were farther reaching. Unlike the mountain trails in our parts, there was NO SNOW. Temps were cool, and we endured no rain. Big thanks to the trail maintainers and to those who turned the concept of the NST into reality. In my attempt to traverse a minimum of 50 trail miles in each state, this was my third-to-last state left to do. North Dakota and Hawaii remain. Guess which one I’ll finish with?!</span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-48692661916512015202015-03-18T15:39:00.001-07:002015-04-02T07:40:10.556-07:00The Madshus Wuss Skis the Catamount Trail <span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My Winter 2015 project was one I had been dreaming about for many years: to ski the length of Vermont on the Catamount Trail. That dream became reality on Monday, March 16, when after 25 days scattered within the past 2 months, I skied the final section from Camels Hump Road to Route 17. </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Catamount Trail </span></u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">is the country’s longest marked ski trail. It extends the length of Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada and while advertised as 300 miles, my GPS recorded a solid 325. This backcountry ski trail follows old logging and skid roads, hiking trails, a few groomed Nordic center trails, snowmobile (VAST) trails, and many miles of trail that were scouted and cleared specifically for the CT. According to Catamount Trail Association literature, approximately 85 miles are on Green Mountain National Forest lands, 60 miles on State lands, 10 on municipal lands, and 86 on protected/conserved lands or via trail easements. Approximately 60 miles are unprotected and exist due only to the generosity and permission of individual landowners. The trail breaks down into 31 sections, and each section has a “trail chief” or two responsible for overseeing maintenance of their particular section. Blue plastic diamonds with black catamount paw prints mark the trail. If my experience is representative, the CT finds very light use, which I find crazy because this trail is so beautiful, so awesomely cool, such a treasure! I found myself repeatedly wondering why I didn’t see throngs of skiers and snowshoers out there… yet happy they weren’t. Between the Canadian border and Stowe, a distance of about 75 miles, I saw only one person on the trail, she skiing at Craftsbury Outdoor Center! Other than 2 large groups encountered, a handful of skiers at the Nordic centers of Stowe, and a Bill Koch youth event at Mountain Top, I saw maybe a dozen skiers on the remainder of the trail. I also encountered maybe 35-40 snowmobilers total, all of whom were courteous and friendly. No crowds on this trail!</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>History and the CTA</u>: </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The CT is the brainchild of University of Vermont students Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris, and Ben Rose, who in 1984 conceived of and skied the first end-to-end tour. That same year the Catamount Trail Association was established. This small nonprofit does a stellar job of overseeing management of the CT. As of this writing, less than 80 people have skied the entire CT. Most section-ski the trail over several years, but a few hardy souls thru-ski the trail in one winter. Three individuals -- Zachary Edwards, Sam Brakeley, and Bob Ordemann -- made Winter 2015 a banner thru-ski year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Background and prep</u>: </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In December I turned 49 and decided that this -- my 50<sup>th </sup>-- year I would attempt to traverse the length of Vermont in 5 different ways. The Catamount Trail would be the first, the most logistically complicated, the longest in terms of duration, and the most physically challenging due to the fact that I am not a very good skier! Previous backcountry ski experience amounted to things like skiing into Baxter State Park, the Pemi ski-thru, and some of the longer winter approaches to New England peaks. I also skied Mt. Garfield once… badly. 99% of my skiing experience had been at Nordic centers on beautifully groomed trails and on very skinny skis. On the positive side, I have a long history of backpacking, winter hiking, long-distance running, and am confident and comfortable going solo. I’d intended to do more actual ski training early this winter but in the end managed to get out exactly once on my skis, a 3-hour jaunt on a local rail trail. On the other hand, I’d just pushed thru December in a 30-day yoga “immersion” of 90 minute classes. I believe that that, along with regular hour-long sessions on a Concept 2 rower, proved very good training for long-distance skiing. My back, arms, shoulders, and core were strong, and my hip flexors suffered none of the usual soreness so common after my first couple ski outings in earlier years.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Gear talk</span></u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">: After discussion with the helpful CTA staff, cursory internet searches, and talking with the fine folks at Burlington’s Outdoor Gear Exchange and The Ski Rack, I settled on the Madshus Eon with the Salomon xAdv6 boot and binding, happy with that choice. Enter Stage Left: Madshus Wuss! Being, well, let‘s say a conservative skier -- a snowplower -- and opting for less weight over control, I avoided a more full-on backcountry setup. As for boots, my main concern centered on warmth and comfort, and the xAdv6’s served that purpose. I did have to be watchful of the bindings icing up; for that reason I carried a pocket knife for the first time in my backcountry career and actually used it on a couple occasions. On two separate days my boot froze onto the binding, though fortunately discovered not until day’s end! I also bought Black Diamond kicker skins, again opting for weight savings over the much heavier, full length variety. (I later exchanged the first set after ripping the lashing strap on their second use and have not been particularly pleased with the second set because I cannot get the plate to lie flat, so snow bunches up dangerously under the plate.) In any event, I used kicker skins on five days only for short stretches of sustained, otherwise ungrippy climbs. My final purchase, a boot dryer, meant multi-day excursions each began with warm dry feet.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Guidebook and Maps</span></u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">: The CTA-published guidebook and the more updated online version proved indispensable. All section maps, profiles and descriptions are available on the excellent CTA website, </span></span><a href="http://www.catamounttrail.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">www.catamounttrail.org</span></span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">. My one small critique is that 75% of the time my GPS recorded section mileages anywhere from 0.3 to 4.2 miles longer than advertised, but I believe the CTA plans to address those differences (and anyway, it meant more miles to enjoy). Three National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Maps (Mt. Mansfield-Stowe, GMNF North, and GMNF South) proved equally helpful, especially for my husband Chris who crewed me. Unfortunately, there is no NG/TI map for the northern ~65 miles. Additionally, my iHike GPS app performed marvelously. (Best $6.99 I ever spent!) In the end, I was “confused” only a couple of times but quickly figured out correct directions by using the tools at hand.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><u>In my pack</u>: Except for crampons/Microspikes, my backpack contained most of the things I would normally carry for a winter hike, including a huge down jacket, insulated pants, extra hat, neck gaiter, big mitts, chemical hand warmers, a Blizzard Survival Bag, small stove and pot, food and fluids, duct tape, headlamps, etc. With most days cold enough, I usually wore wind pants and a hooded shell over a base layer or two. I did not carry a PLB device but did carry an iPhone and was surprised at the places I had phone service as well as the places I didn’t. Chris and I knew better than to rely on cell service, but when possible we enjoyed texting each other in order to gauge progress.<br />
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<u>Chris</u>: Without my husband’s help this adventure would not have been possible. HUGE thanks and gratitude for his unwavering support. Chris would drop me off at the day‘s starting point, then snowshoe in from either an access point within the section or from the end point and get some miles of his own. There are other ways of thru-skiing the Trail, of course, including joining one of the CTA-sponsored outings, skiing inn to inn ($$$… ka-ching!), skiing with others in opposite directions and exchanging car keys, or winter camping along the way, the latter of which was <u>not</u> going to happen. (I once spent 2 weeks on Denali so have been fully cured of any future desire to camp on snow.) Being able to ski the whole CT with a dependable and supportive partner: priceless! I am a lucky woman…<br />
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<u>Plan v. execution</u>: I worried there might not be enough snow this winter, but that turned out for naught. What an amazing snow year! In the warmth and comfort of my home, I’d made a rough plan to complete the trail in 15-20 days with the expectation that on most days I would complete 2 (of the 31) sections per day and relatively easily ski 20 miles a day even though I would be out there solo most of the time. Hahaha… In reality I managed 2 sections per day only 5 times, and one 7-mile section took 2 whole days to complete! My start at the Canadian border on January 18 proved rather inauspicious. Within the first 2 miles I had already missed a turn onto a new relo and skied an extra 2 miles on the older route before figuring out my mistake. Grrr…! Then for some stupid reason I decided that it might be fun to ski the next section south of Jay Pass the day after a dumpage of almost a foot of heavy, wet snow. After 3 miles of absolutely exhausting trail breaking, I wisely retreated and luckily got enough cell reception to text Chris. “Skiing” 6 miles that day took 4 ½ hours. Gulp. Oddly, over the past couple years the Jay Peak area has been a kind of kryptonite for me, but I am stubborn and focused and don’t throw in the towel that easily.<br />
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The next few outings played out much better, but for the Madshus Wuss no day came easy! The route up and over Lowell Mountain on the Revolutionary-era Bayley-Hazen Road was especially enjoyable, and reaching Craftsbury Outdoor Center on the 5<sup>th</sup> day of skiing (January 24) was a big milestone. On the 8<sup>th</sup> day of skiing (January 29) I navigated through the somewhat confusing maze of interconnected Nordic ski centers of Stowe, a total of 21 miles and 3000+ feet of climb. Boy, was I happy to reach Trapp Family Lodge at the end of that day! By February 1, I had made it to I-89, the psychological third-of-the-way milestone.<br />
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Prior obligations prevailed and we couldn’t get back out there again until February 18. Up to this point each of the outings were day trips from home in the Northeast Kingdom. Toward the end of the day my fatigued, addled brain would often have difficulty trying to decipher the guidebook backwards -- its narrative reads south to north -- so I shifted plans to do the majority of what remained in the south-to-north direction. We headed down to the Mass border on February 18 and over the next 6 days clicked off Sections 1-9, about 87 miles. Fortuitously, I started just a couple days behind a group of 20-30 skiers, the CTA’s Southern Week-Long Tour. In contrast to the northern Sections 21-31, these southern miles rolled much gentler, making the skiing generally even more enjoyable for me. On the other hand, a couple days had crazy cold wind chills and impressive newly formed 3 foot snowdrifts to plow through: I’ll not soon forget the Somerset Reservoir Drifts from Hell! Crossing the AT/LT and skiing on Stratton Pond was another significant milestone. (The CT crosses the Long Trail a total of 8 times.) We spent 2 nights in the funky Old Red Mill Inn in Wilmington, 2 at the Snowden Inn in Londonderry, and a final night in Ludlow. By Section 7 I had caught up to some of the SWLT and the next day was breaking trail for THEM… and sheesh, did I break trail out of Landgrove that day! Let’s just say that upon reaching the VAST section of trail on February 22 I fully realized my appreciation for snowmobilers. By the time we made it to Healdville on the 6<sup>th</sup> day of our southern tour, we were both ready for a few days off.<br />
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Our next outing, I skied another section southbound to Camels Hump Road, then Chris and I climbed Camels Hump via the Burrows Trail and I sledded down while Chris jogged in snowshoes behind me. (THAT was fun! My one and only 4000 footer this winter.) The entire CT passes through beautiful, mostly open hardwoods with tons of critter tracks, and the central third may have been my favorite of all. Despite some trail breaking, Section 11 near Salt Ash and Burnt mountains, and Section 12 which traversed the flanks of Shrewsbury Peak, Little Killington, and Mendon Peaks were just absolute “winter wonderland” areas. I also really enjoyed Sections 13 and 14, Route 4/Sherburne Pass to Rt. 73 just below Brandon Gap, loaded with a bundle of easy but remote VAST trail skiing! After spending the night at the Brandon Motor Lodge (2 thumbs up), climbing out of Brandon Gap the next day on an apparently lightly used 3.4 mile section proved to be a rude awakening to my day, as approximately 8 inches of fresh snow blanketed the yet unconsolidated base. However, the rest of the day unfolded as easy and fun trail through the Blueberry Hill network and beyond. <br />
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On March 12 I skied Rt. 125 to Lincoln Gap, then back down the west side, fortunate enough in that section to run across the Kroka group. Kroka Expeditions </span></span><a href="http://www.kroka.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">www.kroka.org</span></span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN">, out of Southern NH, takes some pretty amazing teens on a semester-long adventure, one leg of which is skiing parts of the CT. They really warmed up to Chris when he gave them all the remaining food we had in the car, including chips, Snickers and Lara bars (but not the beer)! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">The next day we were at it again, this time climbing Lincoln Gap from the east side. By this point in the journey, a couple thaw-freeze events created an unbreakable crust situation for the descent from Lincoln Gap to West Hill Road which made controlled skiing quite difficult for the Madshus Wuss. Consequently I ended up side stepping down a lot of what could have been really fun downhills with just a few inches of snow. This was the one and only day when I almost resorted to tears of frustration, but I would not allow that and forced myself to laugh instead! When compared to my GPS numbers, the guidebook mileage was most off in this section: the book read 3.7 miles, I got 7.0. But, my gosh, the section was gorgeous! SO many animal tracks, quiet stillness, and beautiful open hardwoods as far as the eye could see. Juxtaposed against this fairly remote backcountry stretch, the next 2 miles traversed the “wilds” of the Sugarbush Golf Course. Enough warming had occurred that I actually had to ski around a few bare patches this day!<br />
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On March 16 I skied my last section southbound from Camels Hump Road to the covered bridge of Battleground Condos on Rt. 17 in the Mad River Valley, crossing the LT (at Huntington Gap) one last time. Advertised as “very remote, requiring advanced skiing abilities” with some long sustained climbs, I approached this final section with a bit of trepidation. But with 2-3” of fresh snow over that same unbreakable crust and temps getting in the 20s and 30s, conditions were near perfect, even for a Wuss. Chris met me in Phen Basin, and we completed the last couple miles together. What a great finish to an incredible trip! While there is a satisfying sense of accomplishment, the joy is in the journey and the finish is always bittersweet for me. A big thank you to the Catamount Trail Association, the Trail Chiefs and all the volunteers for the wonderful job they’re doing. I love this Trail!<br />
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<u>A few stats</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Total miles done: 352<br />
Total CT miles done: 326<br />
Days skiing: 25<br />
Average mileage: 14.0<br />
Median mileage: 14.5<br />
Most miles in a day: 22 (Rt. 4 to Rt. 73)<br />
Least miles in a day: 5 (part of Section 20)<br />
Coldest temp: -16 in Elmore (I swore I’d never go out in temps this cold again… but there I was...)<br />
Warmest temp: high 30s - used scraper and MaxiGlide only 3x<br />
Windchill warning days: 3<br />
Dams crossed: 3 - Harriman, Chittenden, Sugar Hill<br />
Breakfast at Maplefields: Too numerous to count<br />
Pre 4 am wakeups: Too numerous to count<br />
Nights away from home: 7<br />
Miles driven: I don’t wanna know<br />
Best post-ski meal: Prime rib at Old Red Mill Inn<br />
Best souvenir: ½ moose shed, Section 27<br />
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<u>Itinerary</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Jan 18 - Canadian border to Jay Pass (14.5 m.)
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Jan 19 - Jay Pass to “Birch Knoll” and back (6 m.)<br />
Jan 21 - Hazen’s Notch Road to “Birch Knoll” and back, then to Brookside Road (12 m.)<br />
Jan 22 - Brookside Road to Wyllie Hill Road (17 m.)<br />
Jan 24 - Wyllie Hill Road to Stevens/Garfield Road (20 m.)<br />
Jan 25 - Stevens/Garfield Road to Elmore (10 m.)<br />
Jan 26 - Elmore to Mud City Loop Road (15 m.)<br />
Jan 29 - Mud City Loop Road to Trapp Family Lodge (21 m.)<br />
Jan 30 - Nebraska Valley to Route 2/I-89 (14.5 m.)<br />
Feb 1 - Nebraska Valley to Trapps and back (6 m.)<br />
Feb 4 - Duxbury Road to Camels Hump Skiers Association high point and back (10 m.)<br />
Feb 18 - MA border to Rt. 9 (18.1 m.)<br />
Feb 19 - Rt. 9 to Kelley Stand Road (16.75 m.)<br />
Feb 20 - Kelly Stand Road to Kendall Farm Road (10.4 m.)<br />
Feb 21 - Kendall Farm Road to Danby-Mt. Tabor Road (19 m.)<br />
Feb 22 - Danby-Mt. Tabor Road to Rt. 155 (16 m.)<br />
Feb 23 - Rt. 155 - Healdville (7.4 m.)<br />
Feb 25 - CHSA to Camels Hump Road (5 m.)<br />
Mar 5 - Buttermilk Falls pkg. to Tin Shanty (18 m.)<br />
Mar 6 - Tin Shanty to Rt. 4 (14.2 m.)<br />
Mar 8 - Rt. 4 to Rt. 73 (22 m.)<br />
Mar 9 - Rt. 73 to Rt. 125 (13 m.)<br />
Mar 12 - Rt. 125 to Lincoln Gap and back down west side (19.5 m.)<br />
Mar 13 - Lincoln Gap Road east side to Rt. 17 (17 m.)<br />
Mar 16 - Camels Hump Road to Rt. 17 (10.4 m.)</span></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-70045952239001382542014-12-08T07:39:00.000-08:002014-12-08T07:54:49.058-08:00Redlining Complete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O1C2aDohP_RR97rRKD3YmVXs5nSrseEvGJZfF8y8tZwdOlpqYAqiSs5ajrcGdr7LN8rg4MdZw6nROgKiRuvaNaTcBJ87V5Kkxtu5oFRBMvv0ofsZMJQXpClwX10yV4UM3QmcuGnFTDT9/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O1C2aDohP_RR97rRKD3YmVXs5nSrseEvGJZfF8y8tZwdOlpqYAqiSs5ajrcGdr7LN8rg4MdZw6nROgKiRuvaNaTcBJ87V5Kkxtu5oFRBMvv0ofsZMJQXpClwX10yV4UM3QmcuGnFTDT9/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo taken in Zion National Park, Nov '14, NOT White Mtns!</span></div>
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On November 29 I completed <a href="http://www.48x12.com/red-lining/red-lining.html">"redlining"</a> the White Mountain Guide, 29th edition, which means I have now traversed all 608 trails and 1440.4 miles covered in the guide book. Punctuated by numerous fits and starts and a 6-year hiatus while living in California, for the past 25 years or so I have been half-heartedly pursuing this list... or "keeping track" at least. This past May I finally printed off the list and decided to tackle the last ~300 miles and ~200 trails once and for all. My intention was never to finish by year's end (as evidenced by some of the goofy trails that were left for last) but somehow it got down to the last 75 miles, then 50, then 25... such that the miles got too low not to finish! For me, the joy is always in the journey, so I am kind of sad that it's over now.<br />
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Most of the trails were interesting and fun, and I really truly enjoyed every single one of them, even giggling at the absurdity of the hobblebush whack that was Three Ponds Trail and the "blazed bushwhack" that was Middle Mountain Trail in Shelburne. I enjoyed exploring the WMNF beyond the heavily trodden 4000 footers. The only thing I did not enjoy was all the driving which is why I tried to be as efficient as possible when tackling a particular area - for example, covering 25 miles on Chocorua in one day, 31 miles around Ferncroft on another, and a few overnights in the Evans Notch-Speckled Mountain area.<br />
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Once deciding to pursue finishing the list, my first hikes were Peaked Hill Pond, Stinson Mountain, and Rattlesnake Mountain (Rumney) on May 13. Between then and November 29, I covered 309 redlining miles and 196 redlining trails. Total mileage required between May 13 and Nov 29 solely for redlining purposes - not including other, nonredlining hikes- was 566 miles (and countless other trails).<br />
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Some highlights of the last 196 trails: <br />
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<u>Favorite hike</u>: Bicknell Ridge-Emerald Pool-Baldface Circle-Baldface Knob-Chandler Gorge-Slippery Brook loop on Sept. 30. Spectacular display of foliage in Wild River Valley. One of my all-time favorite hikes anywhere!<br />
<u>Least favorite trail</u>: Cold Brook Trail because it's mostly an unmarked road walk - boo.<br />
<u>Pleasant surprises</u>: (Much more enjoyable than expected) southern Pemi Trail, Red Rock Trail, Mill Brook Trail, Black Cap, lower East Branch Trail.<br />
<u>Most hobblebush</u>: Three Ponds "Trail" (bring navigational aids!)<br />
<u>Most miles hiked for least redline miles</u>: Grafton Loop (west) Trail, 17-18 miles for 0.3 campsite spur redline miles. Also opted for a Mahoosuc Traverse in order to claim Trident Col Campsite Spur, 31 miles for 0.2 redline miles.<br />
<u>Amazing ledges</u>: Iron Mountain and East Knob of Red Rock Mountain!!<br />
<u>Best via ferrata</u>: The Eyebrow<br />
<u>Wildlife sightings</u>: Large bear on Scudder Trail, June 11. Large snapping turtle, a first!, on Bickford Brook Trail, June 19. Very territorial, tail-slapping beaver at Fourth Connecticut Lake, June 29. Mama and baby moose at Mountain Pond, October 30. Many, many crazy grouse that seem to get their kicks by charging me.<br />
<u>Best blueberry pickin'</u>: Speckled Mountain on July 17 and Albany Mountain on July 22.<br />
<u>Trails I can't believe I'd never done</u>: Champney Falls, Doublehead Mountain, Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledge trails.<br />
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I'd planned to finish on Diamond Peaks Trail in honor of Jadwiga Rosenthal, the first female redliner, since that was the trail she finished on, but due to weather and logistical factors it ended up being third from last. A very good friend of mine has a 35-year-old annual tradition of hiking Mt. Washington the Saturday after Thanksgiving. With imminent winter weather, we wanted to snag The Eyebrow during the last good window (talk about getting lucky last Wed pre-storm!). Since Diamond Peaks and Magalloway River Trails were sort of in the neighborhood, we combined them w/Eyebrow and opted to do Southside Trail with the annual Mt. Washington trip. <br />
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The Mt. Washington Observatory's weather forecast for Saturday called for cold temps and some wind in the 20s but also for clear, sunny skies and that made all the difference! As our group of nine reached the Lion Head-Alpine Garden Junction, Chris and I headed for Tuckerman Junction while the others climbed to the summit. Coming off the Lion Head highway, footing on western Alpine Garden, upper Tuckerman and Southside was rather treacherous - an unpredictable combo of styrofoam, soft, and hardpacked snow with frequent postholing onto hidden rocks. Poles were a godsend but we could have also used snowshoes here! As we neared Tuckerman Junction, the wind picked up over the lip, and we headed straight into it, still traversing the ankle-twisting mine field of a trail such that it was. Finally I tagged the sign, laughingly raised my arms for a photo, turned around, and got the heck outa there!<br />
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<b>Huge thanks</b> to Chris for indulging me in this endeavor, for selflessly acting as taxi driver so that my out-and-backs were few, and for being such a good sport and trail companion. <br />
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Onto the next thing...!!RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-14593634547822737962014-10-02T18:28:00.002-07:002014-10-02T18:35:26.613-07:00Michigan and Ohio - DONE !!<span style="color: #20124d;">I am a bit tardy in getting this posted but wanted to briefly mention that I was able to successfully run/hike 50 trail miles in both Michigan and Ohio a few weeks back. This brings my 50 Project total to 47, with only North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Hawaii to go. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Since we live so far north, it made more sense for us to motor on up to Montreal and from there across Ontario (unfortunately a rather boring ride), crossing back into the US at Port Huron, Michigan. Toronto broke heat records for the day, September 5, and the day ended with an intense thunderstorm and deluge. We intended on camping out most nights but opted for a motel room in Flint this night! Chris is driven a bit batty by my tending towards serendipity (read lack of planning), but the next morning we discovered quite lovely trails at Holly Recreation Area. We did the Lakeshore and Wilderness trails, then I ran the West Loop mountain bike trail. Mountain bike trails usually make for very nice running trails, and this was the case with Holly's West Loop. All told I got in about 15 miles at Holly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We knew that the Run Woodstock event was going on in Hell, Michigan, and that was our next destination. We were able to set up our tent amongst the crowd - as far as ultraruns go, this event was a huge party with Woodstock-esque bands ("Jimi Hendrix" playing the Star Spangled Banner, yeah!) and a very loud, festive vibe - and the next day ran some of the well marked equestrian trails which were also part of the race course. As the campground cleared out Sunday afternoon, quiet descended upon us and we opted to spend a second night while enjoying another few miles on the trails for a grand total of 17 according to my Suunto.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Our final day in the Wolverine State was spent running the Potawatomi Trail which is mostly a singleterack mountain bike loop. It was pretty darn tootin'. Being a Monday, I saw only a handful of bikers. I also saw one of the funniest bumper stickers stuck to a sign: "STRAVA: Outing Cycling Douchebags Since 2008." Heh, heh!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I have to admit not being too excited about Ohio and unfortunately was of the mindset of "I have only 43 miles to do" having already run a 7-mile leg stretcher in Mohican State Forest while driving home from Hardrock back in '05 or '06. Serendipitously - that word again - my Smartphone told of a potential gem just outside of Toledo (TOLEDO!!??). The trails at Oak Openings were awesome, albeit flat, but that made for some fast'ish miles. Chris and I did the 16-mile Scout Trail on Tuesday followed by the Blue, Red, Grey and Yellow Trails on Wednesday, for a total of 26 miles and no repeated sections! Toledo. Who knew?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Next up was a visit - and a rest day - with Chris's cousin who lives just north of Columbus. I got to see the house where Chris's grandparents lived and where his mother was born and grew up and meet some of his extended family. Pretty neat... and they are all amazingly, surprisingly normal. ;p Along with Chris's cousin and her husband, we did a nice 3.5 mile walk in Highbanks Metropark. The final Ohio miles were completed in nearby Alum Creek State Park's mountain bike network, about 13.5 miles of pretty sweet singletrack. The Buckeye State was done!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We made our way back to Vermont via mostly interesting secondary highways, passing through Ohio's Amish Country, staying in a couple of state parks, and crossing the northern Adirondacks which entailed a beautiful ferry boat ride across Lake Champlain before the final couple of hours drive across Vermont. Road trips with Chris are always a lot of fun but it was good to settle in at home once again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We have been having some unseasonably warm weather the past 10 days or so, and the foliage is near peak and is just gorgeous. With all the nice weather, we've been trying to get over to the White Mtns. more and have gotten a lot of trail miles in lately, including Mts. Cabot and Waumbek, Wildcats-Carters-Moriah, Franconia Ridge - Skookumchuck to Osseo, and the Baldfaces this past Wednesday which turned out to be one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever done, anywhere. Chris has also indulged my trailbagging/redlining obsession and helped immensely with car spotting and his company on sometimes not-so-maintained "trails." (Three Ponds Trail anyone?) Ah well, it's all great fun! After starting with over 300 miles this spring, I am now down to less than 100 but probably won't finish anymore this year. We'll see. I'm thinking of throwing in the 162-mile Cohos Trail before I consider myself done. (It's a TRAIL and it's in Northern New Hampshire, right?) Of course, part of the beauty is that one is never truly "done." Until next time...</span> RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-58774939645327727932014-08-31T13:54:00.000-07:002014-08-31T14:26:32.087-07:00White Mountain Hut Traverse<span lang="EN">Early yesterday morning I headed up 19 Mile Brook Trail with the intent of completing my 5<sup>th</sup> Hut Traverse in as many attempts. It had been 9 years since my last Traverse, when I went West to East in 20:10 and 19 years (!) since my first. The previous 3 were in the East-to-West direction (1995 in ~25 hours, 1999 in 18:15, and 2000 in ~21 hours). I have not been doing much ultra-length hiking or running for the past couple of years, but after completing the Mahoosuc Traverse and 30 Wonalancet miles within the past 3 weeks - and feeling like I had something left in the tank at the end of each - decided to give the Hut Traverse another shot. <br />
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Interestingly, August 30-31 was also the 81<sup>st</sup> anniversary of another Hut Traverse. On August 30-31, 1933, Ralph Batchelder and Evarts Loomis, AMC hutmen both, walked from Carter Notch to Lonesome Lake in just under 24 hours. While they skipped Wildcat Ridge, they did include Pinkham Notch Camp in their route. (See <u>Forest and Crag</u>, pp. 518-19.) Impressive considering depression era footwear and other outdoor gear!<br />
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My preferred Hut Traverse route is as follows: [<b>Carter Notch Hut] </b>19 Mile Brook, Route 16, Great Gulf, Madison Gulf, Parapet, Star Lake, <b>[Madison] </b>Gulfside, Westside, Crawford, <b>[Lakes of the Clouds] </b>Webster Cliff, <b>[Mizpah]</b> Mizpah Cutoff, Crawford, Avalon, A-Z, Zealand, <b>[Zealand]</b> Twinway, <b>[Galehead] </b>Garfield Ridge, Greenleaf, <b>[Greenleaf]</b> Old Bridle Path, Lonesome Lake <b>[Lonesome Lake]</b>. I skip all summits except those which the trails happen to directly cross over: Pierce, South Twin, and Lafayette. Using this configuration of trails, it is about 24.2 miles and 5,600 feet of vertical (add another 3.8 miles and 1900 for the initial climb to Carter Notch Hut) to Crawford Notch, 24.8 miles and 9,200 vertical to Lonesome Lake, for a grand total of 49 miles and 14,800 (54.4 miles and 16,700 feet of vertical including 19 Mile Brook approach and Lonesome Lake descent).<br />
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Friday afternoon we spotted Car #2 at Lafayette Place (the finish) before proceeding up to Gorham and dinner at the Chinese buffet. I do not recommend this. At the very least order off the menu! However, my fortune cookie - more advice than fortune - seemed rather prophetic: “It is not the end yet. Let’s stay with it!” I decided that THAT would be my mantra for the day, no matter how sucky things got. Being 4 for 4 as far as attempts/completions, the pressure was on!<br />
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We snagged one of 4 remaining campsites at Dolly Copp for a few hours of shut eye. Its being Labor Day Weekend, the Whites were a busy place.<br />
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At 3:40 am I tagged Carter Notch Hut and was off. The early miles in the dark always seem to pass quickly, and soon I was back at the Route 16 trailhead drinking fresh hot coffee prepared by my husband Chris, who would crew me here and at Crawford Notch and also get in his own hike of Webster and Jackson in the interim. I ran the short stretch down to Great Gulf Trailhead, polished off the rest of the coffee, and headed up Great Gulf Trail. The lower part of this trail is easy and I should have been running but settled on a purposeful walk instead. Hey, it was gonna be a long day. Madison Gulf Trail had the usual tricky route finding at stream crossings - much thanks to the cairn builders - and the expected steepness, but by 7:42 I was filling my water bladder at Mad Hut as the guests dispersed after breakfast. The morning was a beauty, with both settled valley fog and the higher peaks obscured on and off by cloud. I made my way easily via Gulfside around Adams, Jefferson and Clay, then Westside around Washington and Crawford Path to Lakes of the Clouds by 10:23. Up to this point I had seen maybe a dozen hikers on the trail all morning. That was about to change! By Pierce I’d stopped counting at 100, and they just kept coming, quite a departure from the lightly traveled redlining trails I’ve been mostly doing this summer.<br />
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I reached Mizpah at 12:07 and Crawford Notch at exactly 1 pm. What a zoo! Cars and people and noise everywhere, barking dogs, screaming kids, the train blowing its whistle… Chris had snagged a parking spot at the depot and made a pot of ramen and more fresh coffee, so we had a front seat for all the entertainment. I tried to make quick work of this “aid station” but ended up staying almost half an hour. If one were going to stop, this is the logical Quitter Point, and I briefly fantasized about returning home and spending the evening sipping wine on the porch instead of slogging across the Twinway and the evil that is Garfield Ridge Trail in the dark, but there was that nagging mantra, “It is not the end yet. Let‘s stay with it!” Well, okay... LET’s! <br />
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The steady stream of humanity continued as far as Mt. Tom Spur, but I encountered just one hiker between Mt. Tom and Zealand Trail. Of note, the western end of A-Z Trail is in great shape and has some really nice new bog bridges. After Zealand Falls Hut at 3:31, the climb up Zeacliff has never been one of my favorites but is just a prelude to what lies ahead. The view from Guyot was lovely and the Twinway rather easy, but it took 3 hours to reach Galehead. Unfortunately I needed to refill my water bladder so had to walk through the front door past a very full dining room midsupper. The croo was very pleasant and accommodating when I asked for some hot water for coffee.<br />
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For me, this is where the Hut Traverse gets hard. In 1995 I hit the wall around Garfield Pond and remember curling up under a boulder in an attempt to get some sleep. A few hours later I suffered a meltdown while descending Old Bridle Path, sobbing to my friend Al Sochard "WHY is this trail TAKING so lonnnngggg…???!!!” (One of those things you know you will be laughing about the next day.) I was determined to not hit the wall or have a meltdown! Galehead to Greenleaf took over 4 hours (6:30 to 10:47 pm). The headlamp came out around Franconia Brook Trail (Oh yay, I get to climb the waterfall section in the dark!). Along the Twinway and Garfield Ridge Trail I saw many presumably thru-hikers bootleg camping along the trail. One couple even had a campfire going. Not sure if that was legal but it sure looked inviting. Being solo and in the dark, I was extremely careful on all the scrambly sections. There were a lot of scrambly sections.<br />
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At treeline on Lafayette‘s north side things got more interesting. There was a steady breeze blowing but it wasn’t knocking me around and wasn’t too cold, 50 maybe? I wore a hat and gloves but no shell, just long sleeves, and was fine. However, a bit disconcerting was the fact that visibility was barely cairn to cairn. In my depleted state, I knew I had to be very careful about staying on the trail, so this entire 2-mile above treeline section was pretty slow. Old Bridle Path was just freaking endless, but a meltdown was assuaged by the knowledge that it was just 1.6 miles and 1000 feet of climb once I hit the parking lot. I made myself walk right past my car because I knew I'd be tempted to get inside and drive away!<br />
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At long last, at 1 am, I reached Lonesome Lake Hut. I was TOAST. There was very little left in the tank. I decided to lie on the floor and put my feet up for a few minutes. Unbeknownst to me there was a thru-hiker sleeping in the communal area. Having been awakened by my light, she flicked on hers asking if I was okay, then wanted to know what I had done. I apologized for waking her and told her I just completed a hut traverse. She replied “Wow, you’re funny!” <br />
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The final hut-to-hut time was 21 hours 20 minutes. It wasn’t my fastest but at age 48 with a 19-year Hut Traverse spread and now 5 for 5, I’ll take it.</span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-41866002027871205932014-08-21T12:06:00.000-07:002014-08-22T12:06:39.416-07:0030 miles Wandering around Wonalancet (...although 'Floundering around Ferncroft' may be more accurate.)<br />
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<u>Goal</u>: Do a long day and connect the redlining “dots” to complete (almost) Section 8 of White Mountain Guide<br />
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<u>Route</u>: Bickford, Bolles, up/down Beeline, Beeline Cutoff, Bolles, Old Paugus, Whitin Brook, Cabin, Lawrence, Oliverian Brook, Square Ledge Branch, Square Ledge, Old Mast Road, Blueberry Ledge, McCrillis Path, Flat Mtn. Pond, McCrillis Trail, Blueberry Ledge, Tom Wiggins, Dicey’s Mill, East Loop, Walden, Wonalancet Range, Wonalancet Shortcut<br />
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<u>Start</u>: 0545<br />
<u>End</u>: 1830<br />
<u>Mileage</u>: 31.3 (19.0 redlining miles)<br />
<u>Vertical</u>: 10,000 feet<br />
<u>Total # trails</u>: 22<br />
<u>Weather</u>: Perfect<br />
<u>Bugs</u>: None<br />
<u>Hikers encountered</u>: 0 in first 16 miles, 2 on McCrillis Path, 1 on Flat Mtn. Pond Trail, 7 on Blueberry Ledge, 2 on Tom Wiggins, 1 on Dicey’s Mill<br />
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Was looking to do another long day in the Whites but feeling rather uninspired by some of the more commonly done loops and traverses. Needing almost 30 redlining miles in the Chocorua-Eastern Sandwich Range--and disliking the long drive from Vermont--I decided to string together a long day from Ferncroft to mop up most of my remaining miles and trails.<br />
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Tuesday afternoon was a warmup of almost 10 miles with some of the shorter Wonalancet Trails - Gordon, Red, Pasture, and Tilton Spring Paths - and also the White Ledge Loop before dinner. Spent the night at White Ledge Campground.<br />
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At 0545 Wednesday I started up Bickford Trail and proceeded to Bolles, then up and down the Paugus Branch of Beeline. Beeline was steep but not nearly as nasty as I’d expected from some trail conditions reports. I took Beeline Cutoff back down to Bolles, then crossed the river and headed up Old Paugus Trail, doing the little 0.3 m. out-and-back before proceeding across Whitin Brook Trail. At Cabin Trail, I took a right, then a left on Lawrence, a right on Oliverian Brook, left on Square Ledge Branch, left on Square Ledge Trail, and finally down Old Mast Road to Ferncroft. With all these turns (!) and unfamiliarity with this area, I was frequently referring to my map! Upon reaching Ferncroft I was at mile 15‘ish, about halfway. I took a short break and stocked up on water before continuing West on the Blueberry Ledge Trail.<br />
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Repeating a bit of trail from the day before, I then continued straight on McCrillis Path, where I met my first two hikers of the day, two pleasant gentlemen who advised me on the relo’d trail conditions ahead. The new section of trail is well blazed in blue, has frequent tiny ups and downs and passes by an impressive flume and some grassy sections near the bottom. Then it was up Flat Mountain Pond Trail, where I encountered a woman walking her two beautiful Newfoundlands who both came over to say hi. Perhaps it was because I was 20 miles into the day at this point, but McCrillis Trail proved not to be one of my favorites. The 3100 foot climb from Whiteface Intervale Road wasn’t that bad, but it went on and on and on, and my altimeter kept disappointing with exasperatingly slow progress! One bit of excitement was a huge pile of fresh looking bear scat which looked to be predominantly raspberries!<br />
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Finally I topped out on the south ledges of Whiteface and, with a quick scan of the beautiful view but without pause, continued down Blueberry Ledge Trail. In the next 0.7 mile stretch I would meet 7 hikers, with 2 more on Tom Wiggins. I’d been curious about the Wiggins Trail. Seems a trail signed with etched warnings “NOT RECOMMENDED, STEEP AND LOOSE” might be pretty bad, but I did not find this to be the case. Sure, it was steep but guess I expected a sort of talus slope, and it was really no worse than any other steep White Mtn. trail. Too impatient to look for a dry rock hop across the Wonalancet River, I just splashed through so had wet feet for the final miles. Today’s "quitter trail" was that of a right turn down Dicey’s Mill, but I headed left and back up. I “needed” just 2 short stretches of trail from this point to the end: the 0.2 mile East Loop below Passaconaway and the 0.4 mile shortcut below Wonalancet. But it would take another 6+ miles of hiking to get that 0.6. I don't need to be told just how stupid all of this is! <br />
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Compared to McCrillis Trail, Dicey’s was a lark, and soon I was looping back on the Walden Trail and down the crazy steeps of Mt. Nanamacomuck wondering how in the heck I ascended this trail last winter?? Other than the top parts being steep and rough, Wonalancet Shortcut and remainder of Wonalancet Trail were unremarkable, and I was cleaning off in the stream by 1830 before the long drive home.<br />
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I didn’t figure out the total vertical until this morning and was surprised that it came out to 10,000 feet. No wonder it took me as long as the Mahoosuc Traverse! This was an interesting convoluted “loop” and a fun way to connect redlining segments. These trails are beautiful and well taken care of, and I wish I didn’t live so far away so I could hike them more often.RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-46567568158535286162014-08-11T13:31:00.000-07:002014-08-31T13:55:00.178-07:00One-Day Mahoosuc Traverse #4<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><u>Date</u>: Sunday, 8/10/14</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was a solo venture across the length of the Mahoosucs from Grafton Notch to Hogan Road in Shelburne. I was going to title this report “Trident Col Campsite Spur via Mahoosuc Trail from Grafton Notch” because in looking over my redlining list I noted with some annoyance that I’d never done this 0.2 mile spur off the Mahoosuc Trail. It had been 3 years since my last Mahoosuc Traverse, and other than a goofy 24-mile redlining day on Chocorua (up-down-up-down-up-down, without ever touching the summit) a few weeks back, it had been some time since I’d done a really long excursion in the White Mtns. Not a lot of planning went into this; the idea popped into my head on Friday afternoon. I love, love, LOVE the Mahoosucs! They are my favorite area of the Whites and it had been too long. Chris agreed to schlep me up to Grafton Notch and was happy to climb his first Maine 4000 footer, followed by a visit to lovely Speck Pond, where he handed out extra candy to some starving thru-hikers.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /><br />A more detailed description of the one-day Mahoosuc Traverse can be found with a quick Google search. Suffice it to say the route is very rugged and slow. Although the numbers look comparable to the Pemi Loop -- 30ish miles, 9-10,000 feet elevation gain -- IMO you can plan on adding another 50% to your best Pemi time. This would be my 4th Mahoosuc Traverse in as many attempts. I have also backpacked it twice, once during an AT thru-hike (yes, when going through the Notch especially, 4-5 vs. 30-40 lbs. on the back makes for a much more enjoyable experience), so I knew what I was getting myself into.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />The weather forecast for the day looked almost perfect, calling for just a 10 percent chance of showers. My pack contained more food than was needed, a one liter collapsible water container, a light jacket, a long-sleeve lightweight wool shirt, space blanket, phone, one ibuprofen (not taken), a headlamp and a small backup flashlight w/extra batteries (not used), and a SteriPen. I carried a 24 oz. water bottle. At 6:54 am I was off!<br /><br />The climb up Old Speck went pretty well although I felt sort of groggy, slow, and not yet awake. I took it pretty easy going down to Speck Pond, up Mahoosuc Arm, DOWN Mahoosuc Arm, and through the Notch. I don’t “do” Strava, SPOT, or any of that stuff but did glance at my Timex every now and then and was pleased to make it through the Notch in just over 30 minutes. This included time spent jumping into a hole to retrieve some litter -- a water bottle, a plastic shopping bag, and a pair of disposable contact lenses -- and time spent biting my tongue as a couple of morons attempted to drag their whining, resistant dog through the Notch. (I realize that many dogs have made it through, but this one was clearly distressed.) Grr…!!<br /><br />Perhaps due to the adrenaline surge resulting from the moron encounter, my body finally seemed to wake up on the climb of Fulling Mill Mtn, and I felt great! Upon reaching Stuffed Goose Shelter, I headed down to the water supply only to discover that my stupid SteriPen seemed to be broken. Time will tell if a bandana suffices as a good enough water filter in an area teeming with oodles of backpackers this time of year…<br /><br />Over the next stretch to Goose Eye, I met many thru-hikers, probably around 30 for the day (30 times holding my breath as they passed), as well as a few other backpackers but only one other day hiker. Everything was going smoothly and I progressed at a steady pace past the Goose Eyes, Mt. Carlo, Carlo Col, and across the ME/NH state line although I was saddened to see the blue “Welcome to Maine, the Way Life Should Be” sign gone. The climb of Mt. Success was punctuated by the first of two thunderstorms. This first one lasted only 15 minutes and proved to be rather refreshing and cooling. The section of trail down and up and down and up to Gentian Pond took about a hundred years, but I breezed on by the first of the two “quitter trails” that one can use to bail out to North Road, Austin Brook Trail. The fact that the last 10 miles seem to drag on and on is one reason why I actually prefer the south-to-north direction. Sure, the footing gets rougher as you proceed north, but it makes for a more interesting, challenging finish with no easy bailout trails. But I digress.<br /><br />Somewhere between Gentian Pond and Dream Lake, the rumbling in the sky began again in earnest (10 percent my ass). By Dream Lake -- and Quitter Trail #2, aka Peabody Brook Trail -- it was raining pretty steadily. Bailing was beginning to look pretty good, BUT I still had that pesky Trident Col Campsite Spur to do, soooo... With rain, thunder and a bit of lightning continuing for the next 2 hours, I skittishly motored over Wocket Ledge - I HATE lightning! Of course, it doesn’t take much imagination to realize what the continuous rain was doing to all those slimy and sloping ledges and rocks. Somehow, surprisingly, I didn’t fall once all day! I was experimenting with my Hoka trail runners today and have to say they performed marvelously. They seemed pretty grippy on the rocks, and my feet felt fantastic by the end of the day. No blisters, pain, or any lacing adjustments, etc., required. (DirtyGirl gaiters also helped immensely in keeping crap out of my shoes.)<br /><br />Finally I reached the much anticipated Trident Col Campsite Spur (yippee). Although there is no shelter here, there IS a nice composting privy where I spent ~5 minutes luxuriating out of the rain while changing into my long-sleeve. The remaining 6+ miles up Cascade Mtn and Mt Hayes were a bit of a slog, and I went into git-r-done mode. For the route off Mt. Hayes, I prefer the Centennial Trail (AT) to the Mahoosuc, mostly just to avoid negotiating the confusing roads and trails at the southern end of the MT.<br /><br />I didn’t break any records today but was happy: (a) to finish before needing to pull out the headlamp, (b) that I accomplished 100 percent what I’d set out to do, and (c) that I felt pretty good all day, at the finish, and as of this writing the next day. The only question that remains to be answered is: Does a bandana suffice as a water filter? <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.vftt.org/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif" style="border: 0px currentColor; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom;" title="Confused" /></span>RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6798442057235183196.post-30064990105296218992014-08-06T13:53:00.000-07:002014-08-22T12:18:25.066-07:00Hello again!! <span lang="EN">Hard to believe it's been almost a year and a half since I've posted to this blog. (Edit: I predated a couple of posts for chronology.) Even though I am "retired" and childless, I never seem to be lacking for things to do and keep very, very busy. Somehow my (day-to-day and life) lists of things to do never seem to get shorter. But that's a good thing.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN">For a bit of catchup since my last post in March of 2013....</span><br />
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In late March I joined Chris for a few days back in California, where he co-directed the inaugural ‘Coyote Backbone Trail Ultra’ in the Santa Monica Mtns. The Backbone Trail is a 68-mile point-to-point trail that runs from Will Rogers State Park in LA west to Point Mugu State Park. They had a great turnout for the event, and it was nice to be back in California for a bit if only to gorge myself with great Mexican and Vietnamese food which is difficult to come by in Vermont.<br />
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The April and May calendars - both 2013 and 2014 - were filled with gardening (read: lots of weeding) and other springtime household chores as well as scouting out the route for another running event, the Coyote Scramble, this one in a local venue, the Kingdom Trails in East Burke, Vermont. We mapped out a nice 40-mile loop that drew about a dozen local runners for the first test run. The repeat run this year was over Memorial Day Weekend and drew over twice as many runners. It's a rather unique event, one in which map reading skills are pretty essential, but it's also a lot of fun running on some incredible Northeast Kingdom trails.<br />
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Memorial Day Weekend 2013 surprised everyone with a somewhat freak snowstorm! This was followed only a week later by 90 degree temps on June 1<sup>st</sup> and an extremely powerful wind event the next day, one in which our town sustained many, many downed trees and loss of power for over 24 hours. Crazy weather...<br />
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Since moving back to Vermont, I have become something of a bluebird enthusiast, with two hatchings in one birdhouse (and a family of swallows in the other) both this year and last. We were also visited by indigo buntings, purple finches, woodpeckers, blue jays, chickadees, chipping sparrows, and goldfinches… also deer, squirrels, chipmunks, coyotes, lots of turkeys, ducks, geese, a moose, our neighbor’s goats, our other neighbors cows and bull (on our lawn!), and a resident groundhog who likes to sit atop the hot tub cover (but amazingly stays out of the garden). Fillmore and Url, our indoor-only cats, are quite entertained.<br />
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The gardens are a lot of work (see “weeding“ above), and I realize how much I enjoy and appreciate farmers markets. Although I used to help my mom out a tiny bit with her garden when I was a kid, last year's was my first real vegetable garden ever. The snow peas and carrots were particularly productive. We also had good luck with swiss chard, basil, cilantro, radishes, and butternut squash. The tomatoes and kale were so-so. This year we ditched the leafy greens because they are so bug prone and I refuse to use poisons, but we planted more varieties of squash and pumpkins. The 7-foot tall snow peas are once again a HUGE success, and we are being inundated with zucchini at the moment.<br />
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The flowers at our new (although not so new anymore after almost two years) house are incredible, and all the colors right now are just gorgeous. Mostly all we have done is weed and mulch. The credit goes to the previous owners who went a bit nuts planting. There are numerous varieties of lilies, irises, hen 'n chicks, bleeding hearts, azalias, glads, echinacea, tulips, crocuses, dutchmen's breeches, lambs ears, bee balm, peonies, a bunch of flowers I don't remember the names of, and we now have the most humongous hostas I've ever seen. Maybe they need to be separated...?? I really don't have much of a green thumb but am learning.<br />
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Last summer flew by way too fast. I joined Chris for a DC work gig in late June and took advantage of the opportunity to get some trail miles in in Delaware as well as to visit my sister and her family in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, that week was typical DC summer weather, with 90+ degree temps and 100% humidity. Running in those conditions was a challenge, but I completed 50 trail miles in the District if you can believe that. Most of the miles were in Rock Creek and adjacent parks, also Roosevelt Island and the Mall (hey, it's dirt). We spent the late summer and early fall doing lots of hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Chris completed the 48 NH 4000 footers atop Mt. Carrigain - wearing snowshoes and a signature Hawaiian shirt (and a few other layers) - on a bitterly cold January 25th.<br />
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With 6 states left to go, I am still pursuing my quest to hike or run a minimum of 50 trail miles in each state before I turn 50 in just over a year. To that end, we traveled to Wisconsin and Iowa in September and were pleasantly surprised to find some very nice, well maintained trails in both states: Blue Mound and Gov. Dodge State Parks in Wisconsin, and in Iowa, Pikes Peak and Backbone State Parks, Effigy Mounds National Monument, and trails surrounding the interesting town of Decorah. In November I completed Alabama and South Carolina (see below) and in April was able to finish up Delaware at lovely White Clay Creek State Park which had some surprisingly great trails. We then took a little early spring respite in Kentucky and Illinois ("Illitucky") in order to escape Vermont's lingering snow, and I got my 50 trail miles in each state at Land Between the Lakes and Shawnee National Forest, respectively. Beautiful trails for running, and we saw nary a cornfield in scenic, rolling, forested Southern Illinois.<br />
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Chris became a Medicare patient on November 14 and wanted to celebrate, so he invited 35 or so friends to a hiking/running/camping get together in the Grand Canyon and Sedona. We flew back to LA in early November and drove our Honda Element - which had been baking in the California sun at our friend’s house all spring and summer - to Arizona, where we spent 3 days/nights in the Grand Canyon, followed by another week playing in Sedona. Not your average Medicare birthday party I suppose. We made our way home via mostly off-interstate highways across the southern states (NM, TX, AR, MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, VA, PA, NY). Highlights were visiting the amazing Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and getting my 50 miles completed in Alabama and South Carolina, on the beautiful Pinhoti and Foothills Trails.<br />
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Chris had a lot of work in Washington DC this winter, and except for one week in April I manned the home front. I ended up hiking most of the NH 4000 footers again this winter, this time with a bit of a twist: the goal was to hike the peaks via a route other than the most commonly used, broken out route. To that end, I got in some pretty groovy hikes. (See previous post dated 4/30/14.)<br />
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I haven't done an organized ultra in a long time - and don't miss it - but am still running, mountain biking and doing yoga. My latest "filler activity" has been trailbagging, or redlining, the trails of the White Mountain Guide, all 1,440 miles of them. This was a goal I had picked away at before moving to California in 2006 and one that I've picked back up just this past May. At that point I had about 300 miles left and have cut that total in half without really being very aggressive about it. Looking to finish next summer sometime most likely.<br />
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That pretty much catches me up to date. Thanks for reading. :)RunSueRunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925226086216692972noreply@blogger.com1