1HappyHiker
Well-known member
A true biathlon usually refers to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Zman & I did the cross-country bit in our trek to Mt. Eisenhower today. However, I can guarantee you we didn’t do any rifle shooting!
Our modified biathlon consisted of X-C skiing to the Edmands Path via the Mt. Clinton Road from the Crawford Path parking lot, and then hiking to the summit of Mt. Eisenhower. We returned via the same means & same route.
Before providing some commentary and photos for our “Olympic journey”, I just want to note that it was a treat to meet and talk with Silverfox in the Crawford Path parking lot just as we were starting off. Mark, hope you had a great hike to Mt. Pierce!
Then, as we were about to reach the summit of Mt. Eisenhower we were treated again with a chance meeting of a group of VFTT folks who were doing a Pierce/Eisenhower traverse. It was very cold at the spot we met and so conversation was brief. I know I’m forgetting some of the people in this group, but some of the folks included: bobandgeri, rocksnrolls, TrishandAlex (but without Alex today).
OK, now here is some brief commentary and photos of our journey. I think I need to start by saying this. WOW! What a rare clear blue-sky day in the Whites! And, it was made even more glorious by mild winds at the higher elevations.
Below is a shot of Zman on the X-C ski portion of our biathlon.
On the hiking portion of our trek, beauty abounded even before we reached any of the sweeping vistas from above tree-line. Below is a photo showing a sample of sights seen on our way up to Ike.
Then, as we approached tree-line, the eye-popping view of Mt. Washington came into view.
Shortly after reaching tree-line we put on our final layers and slipped on our balaclava and goggles. Zman elected to continue the ascent to the summit with snowshoes, whereas I felt more comfortable switching to crampons due to interspersed ice on the route to the summit.
Below is a photo of Zman just as he is about to step foot on the frozen summit.
And, here are just a few of the many photos taken from the summit.
As we were descending, we were treated to colorful westward views toward the Twins as the sun was beginning to set.
By the time we reached the Edmands Path trailhead, the sun had just set. We retrieved our X-C skis and boots that had been left behind at the trailhead for the hiking portion of our biathlon up to Mt.Eisenhower. It was cold, and so in record time, we removed our snowshoes, changed from hiking boots to X-C boots, strapped our snowshoes to our pack, broke out the head-lamps and then began our journey back to the Crawford Path trailhead.
BOTTOM LINE TO ALL THIS: It was an exceptionally good weather day in the Whites today, and Zman & I thoroughly enjoyed taking advantage of this rare day by doing our modified biathlon, i.e. X-C ski & hike to Mt. Eisenhower. And, as an extra bonus, it was a real treat to meet so many VFTT folks on our journey.
1HappyHiker
Our modified biathlon consisted of X-C skiing to the Edmands Path via the Mt. Clinton Road from the Crawford Path parking lot, and then hiking to the summit of Mt. Eisenhower. We returned via the same means & same route.
Before providing some commentary and photos for our “Olympic journey”, I just want to note that it was a treat to meet and talk with Silverfox in the Crawford Path parking lot just as we were starting off. Mark, hope you had a great hike to Mt. Pierce!
Then, as we were about to reach the summit of Mt. Eisenhower we were treated again with a chance meeting of a group of VFTT folks who were doing a Pierce/Eisenhower traverse. It was very cold at the spot we met and so conversation was brief. I know I’m forgetting some of the people in this group, but some of the folks included: bobandgeri, rocksnrolls, TrishandAlex (but without Alex today).
OK, now here is some brief commentary and photos of our journey. I think I need to start by saying this. WOW! What a rare clear blue-sky day in the Whites! And, it was made even more glorious by mild winds at the higher elevations.
Below is a shot of Zman on the X-C ski portion of our biathlon.
On the hiking portion of our trek, beauty abounded even before we reached any of the sweeping vistas from above tree-line. Below is a photo showing a sample of sights seen on our way up to Ike.
Then, as we approached tree-line, the eye-popping view of Mt. Washington came into view.
Shortly after reaching tree-line we put on our final layers and slipped on our balaclava and goggles. Zman elected to continue the ascent to the summit with snowshoes, whereas I felt more comfortable switching to crampons due to interspersed ice on the route to the summit.
Below is a photo of Zman just as he is about to step foot on the frozen summit.
And, here are just a few of the many photos taken from the summit.
Looking Northward Toward Pliny & Pilot Range
Looking Eastward Toward Mt. Isolation & beyond
Looking Eastward Toward Mt. Isolation & beyond
As we were descending, we were treated to colorful westward views toward the Twins as the sun was beginning to set.
By the time we reached the Edmands Path trailhead, the sun had just set. We retrieved our X-C skis and boots that had been left behind at the trailhead for the hiking portion of our biathlon up to Mt.Eisenhower. It was cold, and so in record time, we removed our snowshoes, changed from hiking boots to X-C boots, strapped our snowshoes to our pack, broke out the head-lamps and then began our journey back to the Crawford Path trailhead.
BOTTOM LINE TO ALL THIS: It was an exceptionally good weather day in the Whites today, and Zman & I thoroughly enjoyed taking advantage of this rare day by doing our modified biathlon, i.e. X-C ski & hike to Mt. Eisenhower. And, as an extra bonus, it was a real treat to meet so many VFTT folks on our journey.
1HappyHiker
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