I did Owl's Head because...

[Neil]

I will hike Owl's Head because so many of my VFTT friends have hiked it. I want to share and be a part of the common experience. The fact that I'm an incurable peakbagger has nothing to do with it. I also enjoy hiking, offtrail, uphill, with no views, for 12 hours at a time and when it requires 8 hours of driving to get there and back.

Don't ask me why I do this because if you have to ask I can't provide you with an answer.

 

[skiguy]

Wu, you forgot the option "Because it was winter!"

Also you forgot "Because it's there"!

Certainly a unique kind of a hike as most of us here would agree IMO I voted because I'm a peakbagger but right now more importantly to help a friend finish a list; which the latter is pending

 

[marty]

but I love slides!

I love slides, too, but it's a long way to go to get to the Owl's Head Slide. There are lots of other fun slides which are closer.

I answered that I would do it again to help friends on their list. While Owl's Head is a nice jaunt in the woods with a fun slide, it just isn't high on my priority list.

I will do any 4k hike again to help friends work on their lists. That's why I joined Ray in doing the Crockers and Redington bushwhack in a thunder and lightning storm that dumped two or more inches of wind driven rain on us. He needed them for his 67 and I was happy to join him . The same would apply to Owl's Head, of course.

Marty

 

[sapblatt]

I said I did it because I am a peakbagger - truth is, I was a peak bagger...now I am something of a redliner, and mainly just someone who loves to hike - summits, forests, ridges, it is all good...I enjoyed the slide, I loved camping at 13 Falls when I did OH - I am in no rush to go there again, but I am sure I will at some point...

 

[dr_wu002]

I'm surprised that nobody has chosen that they hiked Owl's Head by accident or were suckered into doing it. I'm thinking that those people might not be the ones posting on VFTT though. Well, wait a minute -- DMS and I suckered Jessbee into climbing Owl's Head; perhaps she just hasn't seen the thread. Oh, I think maybe she likes slides though.

-Dr. Wu

 

[albee]

Okay, here's a question to ask yourself... would you rather spend the day hiking Owl's Head or sitting at your desk at w*rk? I mean, sure it's no Franconia Ridge (although that can be included!) but even if it isn't the most appealing destination, it sure beats the alternative! I'd rather be out there - anywhere - than stuck in this cubicle for 40 hours a week. Unless it's pouring rain or gale force winds - then I'll stay inside...

 

[marchowes]

Unless it's pouring rain or gale force winds - then I'll stay inside...

As I read your response I kept thinking "not if it is pouring rain" and then of course with perfect form you add that catch at the end But I completely agree, i'm dreaming of bushwhacking right now -- it might be one of those nightmare style dreams tho "help! spruce everywhere!" im 20 feet above the ground on top of blow downs! aaaah!!!!"

 

[dr_wu002]

As I read your response I kept thinking "not if it is pouring rain" and then of course with perfect form you add that catch at the end But I completely agree, i'm dreaming of bushwhacking right now -- it might be one of those nightmare style dreams tho "help! spruce everywhere!" im 20 feet above the ground on top of blow downs! aaaah!!!!"

Yeah, in general I'd have to say yes. Although I'd rather be at work than wandering around in the Desolation section between Carrigain and the Captain again -- even in good weather.

Wait a minute, what am I saying!? I taught 8th Grade Math last year! Maybe I would rather be stuck in spruce-blowdown hell!!

-Dr. Wu

 

[skiguy]

I'm surprised that nobody has chosen that they hiked Owl's Head by accident or were suckered into doing it. I'm thinking that those people might not be the ones posting on VFTT though. Well, wait a minute -- DMS and I suckered Jessbee into climbing Owl's Head; perhaps she just hasn't seen the thread. Oh, I think maybe she likes slides though.

-Dr. Wu

I'm surprised you did'nt make a choice of "I got suckered into it but missed the slide to the summit and was a sucker enough to go back again" . Only speaking from personal experience !

 

[Mike P.]

I'm going back at least twice more but other than my kids list , if they hike & if I'm not dead yet - they are only 7 & 4, to date ADK's 2400+ ft. Baxter Mt. is their hardest highest hike, so we'll see...

Not that anyone is putting a gun to my head to be a listbagger but I'm looking forward to several years of trips to 4K+ peaks only in the Presidentials, Bonds, Franconia's, Twins + Garfield. No Passaconaway (it may be tough to do Whiteface & with Rollins & Dicey as a nice way down, well maybe Passaconaway), Cabot, (may go up via Mill brook & stop at the Horn ), Waumbek, Tecumseh, South Carter or Owl's Head.

At the end of the day I'm a view junkie!

 

[timmus]

I didn't vote because my anwser would be : I'm a peak bagger and I'll NEVER do Owl's Head again... but have to go back because I didn't actually went to the real summit.

 

[dr_wu002]

I didn't vote because my anwser would be : I'm a peak bagger and I'll NEVER do Owl's Head again... but have to go back because I didn't actually went to the real summit.

Oh whatever, you were there! Remember, that totally ambiguous spot in the woods? That was it! And all you have to do to prove it is this: on any given hike, take a picture of yourself with some trees in the background. Label the picture "Owl's Head Summit" and show it to people if they ask. If they press the issue more, kill them.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Neil]

I didn't vote because my anwser would be : I'm a peak bagger and I'll NEVER do Owl's Head again... but have to go back because I didn't actually went to the real summit.

I guess I should tell you now. That wasn't the true summit of Blake either.

 

[Jason Berard]

Owl's Head was one of my favorite trips( the "old route")! I look forward to doing it again, this time from 13 Falls. I don't think I have too much interest in doing it from Lincoln Woods, except for in the winter, perhaps.

 

[MattS]

I hiked Owls Head last Sunday from Lincoln Woods, and it was a lot of fun. From the slide, the views are better than a lot of other mountains. You can see Franconia Ridge all the way from Flume to Lafayette, and there is no view of roads or the cog. The hike was also a good challenge. It offered many stream crossings, a nice slide, and finding the summit was fun too.
All I could think about was how much fun that slide would be in winter.

 

[andrewb]

Because it is there and the slide is fun!

 

[stu]

I've done it 2x now, once in july once in jan. and I would'nt mind going back with the right people. I like the wilderness feel to it.

 

[JohnL]

These days when I do Owl's Head in non-winter conditions, I do a circumambulation of the mountain. The walk to and from 13 Falls in either direction is beautiful, quiet and relaxing.

JohnL

 

[Jim lombard]

I Love OwlsHead! Especially the view from the new summit in winter

 

[LRiz]

...because Owl's Head is super and I loooooove it. Hiked the mountain three times in the past four months. Yup.