w7xman
Active member
Saturday morning I kept watching the skies. The forecast was for clearing, but it was slower than expected. It was a tough call between shooting more stream and closeup shots, or to go on a planned overnight to one of three chosen peaks. When my co-worker Brett showed up ready to hike, the decision was made on North Moat.
The view from north moat to washington over attitash and iron is one not to be missed...so we all the more eager by the fact that once the climb began, skies cleared quickly.
With heavy packs, and a steep climb past the two mile mark...going was slow and steady. We made it to the first ledges by about 4PM, and the view was spectacular right up to the wildcats. We couldn't see over far enough to know if washington was out yet.
By about 515 we were on the summit, and our fears were realized. The big mountain was still socked it...as forecast, but we were hopeful. Another fear was also realized though...it was REALLY windy. Sunset was rather lack luster, as we went past north moat in search of a campsite that was both on bare ledge, and sheltered. Easy enough...
Until the wind shifted around 9PM...wow was it a loud night with the wind whipping and the tent bowing to it's every command. Around midnight, I checked the Observatory's observations. Only blowing 28kts up there (and free of fog)...it had to be stronger here. Fortunately, the winds died off about an hour later to a sleepable volume.
I unzipped the tent at 6AM to a beautiful glow on the eastern horizon. I raced up to the summit, but found washington hiding again.
Chocorua was happy to play second fiddle, as a sun piller rose above the sunrise. A beautiful morning on the peaks!
Two other neat shots...
North Conway before Daybreak...
And the snow showers over the higher peaks catching some early light! Very cool colors...
The view from north moat to washington over attitash and iron is one not to be missed...so we all the more eager by the fact that once the climb began, skies cleared quickly.
With heavy packs, and a steep climb past the two mile mark...going was slow and steady. We made it to the first ledges by about 4PM, and the view was spectacular right up to the wildcats. We couldn't see over far enough to know if washington was out yet.
By about 515 we were on the summit, and our fears were realized. The big mountain was still socked it...as forecast, but we were hopeful. Another fear was also realized though...it was REALLY windy. Sunset was rather lack luster, as we went past north moat in search of a campsite that was both on bare ledge, and sheltered. Easy enough...
Until the wind shifted around 9PM...wow was it a loud night with the wind whipping and the tent bowing to it's every command. Around midnight, I checked the Observatory's observations. Only blowing 28kts up there (and free of fog)...it had to be stronger here. Fortunately, the winds died off about an hour later to a sleepable volume.
I unzipped the tent at 6AM to a beautiful glow on the eastern horizon. I raced up to the summit, but found washington hiding again.
Chocorua was happy to play second fiddle, as a sun piller rose above the sunrise. A beautiful morning on the peaks!
Two other neat shots...
North Conway before Daybreak...
And the snow showers over the higher peaks catching some early light! Very cool colors...
