Isolation and Hale, 6-24 to 6-26

[Artex]

Sapblatt and I got a few steps closer to finishing the 48 this past weekend after hiking up Isolation and Hale. Rols joined on Saturday for Isolation, and Yam Saturday night through Sunday to hike Hale. Sherpa John even made a cameo appearence! So did a marten...

Trip report and pictures are up on my website. Click here for a direct link.

 

[Abster]

Great picture of Washington from Isolation! Glad you all had a good time. Seeing a martin is pretty cool.

 

[MEB]

Nice trip report and pictures!

Way to Go Yam on your first 4000-footer

-MEB

 

[Pennsy]

Great trip report and pics, Artex. Good show y'all.

and a big congrats to you Miss Yam, on your first NH 4000 footer. Did Artex forget that you nailed 2 NE 4000 footers last year, Baxter and Hamlin Peaks?

I just had to make an edit because I see that my post bumped me up to "Member" status. I don't know if I am happy though. I kinda liked seeing "Junior" next to my name. It made me feel sooo young.

 

[Rols]

Jamie,

It was a great hike...I was sorry I couldn't join you and Mike for Hale on Sunday. The picture of the martin came out much better than I had imagined...glad you had the good eyes. Nice summit shot as well. It was quite the view. It capped off a very enjoyable treck up. Warm weather with a breeze, no bugs, good trail conditions and great company. It doesn't get much better than that.

EMS came through with new poles (I didn't even have to whine)

See you on the trail,
Rols

 

[Sherpa John]

Glad you guys had a blast. Sorry for waking you Sat night... bums!

I'll see you on the 16th Tex... keep chuggin along!

SJ

PS.. the pine martin... perhaps waumbek could supply you with the number to call for the sighting?

 

[sapblatt]

PS.. the pine martin... perhaps waumbek could supply you with the number to call for the sighting?

SJ- I contacted Waumbek regarding the Pine Marten.

 

[yam]

it was a great trip, although i was hoping for more of a view on my first White Mtn hike....
great to meet ya sapblatt (and thanks for the shuttle SJ) see you on the trails!

 

[sapblatt]

A Great Trip

I only have a few things to add regarding these two great hikes with Artex, Rols and Yam.

ISOLATION

The heat was worse two weeks ago on my traverse attempt but even with the breezes it was very hot these two days. The Hale day was a lot more humid IMO.

Isolation is truly a peak to savor...the woods walk via Rocky Branch is wonderful even though it is long and the the water crossings on this day were beautiful and not to tricky or dangerous. I would replan my day if I was crossing the Rocky Branch after a deluge. Jamie and Paul (Rols) were two great guys to hike with, the pace worked well for all of us and there was a good mix of conversation (mainly about hiking, but a lot pop culture always comes up too!) and quiet times in the woods.

The recent thread regarding heat exhaution was certainly a factor for me on the Isolation trip. I drank about 6 liters during the day but really blew it on the food and electolyte areas. About ten minutes after the last crossing of the Rocky Branch on the way out I started to get a severe headache. We eventually stopped, I ate, drank and took some Advil and was quickly on my way again, feeling a little better.

We slept very well that night!

HALE

Hale is a short hike with an easy grade to the top. I was not sore from hiking Waumbek on Friday and Isolation on Saturday, but my muscles were depleted and the breathing was hard going uphill. I felt like I had to stop every 100 yards after the grade increased to rest for 60-90 seconds. This was probably driving Jamie and Amy nuts, but they were great about it. Somehow or another we ended up summiting in book time. I guess if I could walk a slower pace I would not have to stop as much and I would arrive at the same time...the downhill went well and only took about 70 minutes to get back to the lot.

A nondescript summit, especially on a hazy day. Magnetic rocks were neat.

A big congrats to Yam on her first 4k...I think she will be back!

 

[Tuco]

Nice report and trip, all.

Sorry I couldn't make it along- heck always sorry to miss a hike I was thinking the heat must have been tough that day. Was actually on Mt Washington Saturday with the family- the vehicular way.

Look forward to Isolation myself- I don't know if the name just makes me want to be there............

 

[jjo]

great pics and a great trip report. you whetted my appetite for that hike. thanks