sapblatt
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Many years ago, I attempted Chocorua via Champney Falls – when Gail stopped liking, it a little above the Piper Trail we stopped and had lunch and I decided not to go up to the summit. I finally returned. My initial plan was to out and back via Liberty, as I am still working on getting into shape and I knew this was a fairly moderate route. A late night e-mail from LarryD suggested going up the Brook Trail and descending the Liberty Trail. I guess I should read the WMG a little more closely before the hike – not after the hike!
I was on the Brook Trail at 6:10am after a foggy ride up from the Boston area – it was 40 degrees – this would change. A couple of last minute adjustments and I decided not to bring Stabilicers (smart) and my water filter (dumb) – you can see where this is heading.
The Brook Trail is absolutely beautiful in its lower couple of miles (this is before the last mile where the trail tries real hard to kill you! Late spring along a cascading brook – does not get much better than this. It is getting hotter every ten minutes! After the brook is crossed – a little over two miles out the trail starts to really go up. In this area I saw a beautiful woodpecker – and I even got a picture!) At first it is normal then it turns to gigantic slabs and ledges. My big issue here is that where it matters the most, the trail was not marked. When I am in dicey areas, I find that if I am following cairns and blazes I am reasonably assured in my head that the route is doable. When I am unsure of the markings and I am freelancing, I am not as sure…
The first major slab had no marks at all. After wandering around a bit hugging every tree I found a lot of scraped rocks from poles or crampons – I pressed onward. Upon reentering the forest I found a faint yellow blaze – my efforts were not in vain. I have already hit a point of steepness that made me say I am only pushing forward – I do not want to descend this stuff. A little further on I hit more stuff that scared me a bit…a huge slab with a cairn on it that I could see, but I could not see how to get up to it (the curse of being only 5’ 8”). My first choice go me half way up it, perched on a very small shelf suddenly realizing that I could not make the next step – too far. So I carefully had to try to turn around and get back down. I went over to the left and scraped up both knees while I hugged the trees onward.
Eventually I broke out to the slabs under the summit and joined the Liberty Trail and eventually the Piper Trail for the final summit push. The last part I thought was poorly marked as well, but it was not too tough to figure out as there was only one way to go. I actually had this summit to myself for about 20 minutes, which I would imagine is quite rare. Another solo hiker joined me and I soon descended. I ran into about twenty others during the day on the descent via the Liberty Trail. Most that summitted after me, passed me on the way down.
I found it slow going for the first bit until it moderates a bit after the ledges. I eventually made my way to the Jim Liberty Cabin and looked around. Once again, the only sign was for the toilet – no yellow blaze. I was getting so tired I just did not want to make a mistake and have to backtrack. After investigating a clearance to the southeast of the cabin I decided the “Toilet” route had to be correct and proceeded. By this point I knew I was in trouble water wise – I had about ½ a liter left and at least two hours of sweltering heat to go. When I reached the brook I was really mad about not having my filter. I had my Potable Aqua, but knew by the time they kicked in I would be back to the car – I pushed on – rationing the water the entire way.
Next digression – dogs. As anyone who knows me I totally love dogs – but I also totally hate irresponsible dog owners. I was charged by two black labs whose elderly owner had nothing to say to them or two me as it was happening. Did not ask them to stop, come back, etc. The dogs charged me barking up a storm and they both rammed me as I readied my trekking poles (weapons) and tried to calm them. As the owner walked by he said “they usually just make a lot of noise.” I told him next time they would be hurt – he should control his animals. Ugh…
My thirst continued, I was a bit concerned. I was still sweating (but not as much) and I was saving my last 3-4 ounces of water. I was worried about cramping up and really slowing down. Finally, at long last I spotted the oasis – a row of shiny cars thru the trees at the lot – I made it.
All in all a difficult and trying day – but I would add a very rewarding day. It was the most solid hike I have completed in over two months since my ankle injury. I am heading to Colorado in a couple of weeks and I feel pretty good about the hikes I have planned. The heat almost did me in – back to bringing the filter and using Gatorade in the warmer weather.
Pictures:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CauGbVozaNwW
I was on the Brook Trail at 6:10am after a foggy ride up from the Boston area – it was 40 degrees – this would change. A couple of last minute adjustments and I decided not to bring Stabilicers (smart) and my water filter (dumb) – you can see where this is heading.
The Brook Trail is absolutely beautiful in its lower couple of miles (this is before the last mile where the trail tries real hard to kill you! Late spring along a cascading brook – does not get much better than this. It is getting hotter every ten minutes! After the brook is crossed – a little over two miles out the trail starts to really go up. In this area I saw a beautiful woodpecker – and I even got a picture!) At first it is normal then it turns to gigantic slabs and ledges. My big issue here is that where it matters the most, the trail was not marked. When I am in dicey areas, I find that if I am following cairns and blazes I am reasonably assured in my head that the route is doable. When I am unsure of the markings and I am freelancing, I am not as sure…
The first major slab had no marks at all. After wandering around a bit hugging every tree I found a lot of scraped rocks from poles or crampons – I pressed onward. Upon reentering the forest I found a faint yellow blaze – my efforts were not in vain. I have already hit a point of steepness that made me say I am only pushing forward – I do not want to descend this stuff. A little further on I hit more stuff that scared me a bit…a huge slab with a cairn on it that I could see, but I could not see how to get up to it (the curse of being only 5’ 8”). My first choice go me half way up it, perched on a very small shelf suddenly realizing that I could not make the next step – too far. So I carefully had to try to turn around and get back down. I went over to the left and scraped up both knees while I hugged the trees onward.
Eventually I broke out to the slabs under the summit and joined the Liberty Trail and eventually the Piper Trail for the final summit push. The last part I thought was poorly marked as well, but it was not too tough to figure out as there was only one way to go. I actually had this summit to myself for about 20 minutes, which I would imagine is quite rare. Another solo hiker joined me and I soon descended. I ran into about twenty others during the day on the descent via the Liberty Trail. Most that summitted after me, passed me on the way down.
I found it slow going for the first bit until it moderates a bit after the ledges. I eventually made my way to the Jim Liberty Cabin and looked around. Once again, the only sign was for the toilet – no yellow blaze. I was getting so tired I just did not want to make a mistake and have to backtrack. After investigating a clearance to the southeast of the cabin I decided the “Toilet” route had to be correct and proceeded. By this point I knew I was in trouble water wise – I had about ½ a liter left and at least two hours of sweltering heat to go. When I reached the brook I was really mad about not having my filter. I had my Potable Aqua, but knew by the time they kicked in I would be back to the car – I pushed on – rationing the water the entire way.
Next digression – dogs. As anyone who knows me I totally love dogs – but I also totally hate irresponsible dog owners. I was charged by two black labs whose elderly owner had nothing to say to them or two me as it was happening. Did not ask them to stop, come back, etc. The dogs charged me barking up a storm and they both rammed me as I readied my trekking poles (weapons) and tried to calm them. As the owner walked by he said “they usually just make a lot of noise.” I told him next time they would be hurt – he should control his animals. Ugh…
My thirst continued, I was a bit concerned. I was still sweating (but not as much) and I was saving my last 3-4 ounces of water. I was worried about cramping up and really slowing down. Finally, at long last I spotted the oasis – a row of shiny cars thru the trees at the lot – I made it.
All in all a difficult and trying day – but I would add a very rewarding day. It was the most solid hike I have completed in over two months since my ankle injury. I am heading to Colorado in a couple of weeks and I feel pretty good about the hikes I have planned. The heat almost did me in – back to bringing the filter and using Gatorade in the warmer weather.
Pictures:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CauGbVozaNwW
