My Return to Hiking-Hanover NH

[grouseking]

Its been awhile since I've taken a hike. Last month, I attempted South Moose Mtn, but had such a rotten time, I didn't even feel like writing up a trip report. Never in my life have I had a negative experience on a hike, till that one. I left me upset, and bummed that I didn't want to hike. But yesterday, I forced myself out on the trails again. It was a warm enough day so I didn't have to worry about being cold, so I could just go out and hike. The trails were some easy ones-Velvet Rocks (AT) and then up a local trail to the summit of Balch Hill (about 900 feet). I was a bit nervous that I'd get tired and poop out halfway through, but all went well.

I tried out a few new gadgets that I recently bought. I tried out the gaiters, which are great because I didn't have any snow running down my pants. I went off trail for awhile to "whack" down to the road which led me to Balch Hill, and I didn't get any snow in the boots. That was a pretty good thing, especially since the snow was knee and occasionally thigh deep. The other new gadget I tried out were my microspikes. Those suckers are great. I didn't slip at all throughout the hike, and there was very packed down snow and occasional ice along the trails, so these worked very nicely.

The hike was a positive experience, which made me feel much better over all. I want to get out and do a real mountain soon, to get back into the swing of things.

Time for the pictures...a lot were kind of crappy, but since I hiked close to sunset, I got some interesting sun shots.

Velvet Rocks tr


Nice shelter



On the next trail, headin up to Balch Hill


Summit-I love this tree



Hello sun



Fading light, and views




Love the rays


One of my fav pics-looks like a spotlight



http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/569991476QYHwAW

Hope you like. The hike was meaningful to me, and very relaxing. Enjoy!

grouseking

 

[1HappyHiker]

Hey Phil . . . there’s that famous quote by some unknown author that reads:
“The hardest part of any journey is taking that first step.”

Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts in your TR, and for the nice photos!

 

[TrishandAlex]

Really, really nice photos, thanks for posting them.

Congratulations on getting back out there. I'm glad you had a peaceful, enjoyable hike.

 

[NeoAkela]

Looks very peaceful. Sometimes the smaller journey allows us to appreciate what we miss on the epic adventure. Great cloudlight shots, too!

 

[spencer]

Summit-I love this tree

I've done bad things next to that very tree. Thanks for the memories...

Way to get back out there!

 

[grouseking]

I've done bad things next to that very tree. Thanks for the memories...

Way to get back out there!

Hmm....so you're more than just a tree hugger, eh?

I'll remember that next time I get right under the tree to take its pic close up, like this one below...

Same tree, same time of year, different day

 

[Tobit]

Good stuff Grouseking. A group of us will be staying at Harris Cabin in a few weeks where a summit of South Moose will need to be done. Sorry to hear about your rough time on South Moose, I talk to her about it when I get there.

 

[grouseking]

Good stuff Grouseking. A group of us will be staying at Harris Cabin in a few weeks where a summit of South Moose will need to be done. Sorry to hear about your rough time on South Moose, I talk to her about it when I get there.

Heh, I made it to the top of the mtn. I just didn't enjoy myself. Maybe it was the 36 inch snowshoes. Those things are TOUGH to walk in!

grouseking

 

[giggy]

Its been awhile since I've taken a hike. Last month, I attempted South Moose Mtn, but had such a rotten time, I didn't even feel like writing up a trip report. Never in my life have I had a negative experience on a hike, till that one. I left me upset, and bummed that I didn't want to hike.

Hey - this happens. Sometimes you just need a break for a bit, take a step back and get back out when it suits you. I have gone through this before - where I just didn't want to be hiking, climbing anywhere near the mountains.

It usually passes after a few weeks. I took a good few months hiatus in 2003. I recall it vividly - I was in the begining stages of a cold, got half-way up falling waters trail on a socked it, cloudy, cold windy, snowy day and was like - what the hell I am doing here, I really don't want to be here right now, but felt like I "should" be hiking so pushed on a bit - not having any fun. I finally did a 180 and said F this, I am not enjoying it.... drove home and didn't get back on the trail until about 6 months after. I just needed that break at that time. I blew off that winter and didn't get back in the game until summer. (maybe late spring?)

it happens - like anything (at least for me) - too much of it and I get burnt out... got to mix it up.

 

[grouseking]

Hey - this happens. Sometimes you just need a break for a bit, take a step back and get back out when it suits you. I have gone through this before - where I just didn't want to be hiking, climbing anywhere near the mountains.

It usually passes after a few weeks. I took a good few months hiatus in 2003. I recall it vividly - I was in the begining stages of a cold, got half-way up falling waters trail on a socked it, cloudy, cold windy, snowy day and was like - what the hell I am doing here, I really don't want to be here right now, but felt like I "should" be hiking so pushed on a bit - not having any fun. I finally did a 180 and said F this, I am not enjoying it.... drove home and didn't get back on the trail until about 6 months after. I just needed that break at that time. I blew off that winter and didn't get back in the game until summer. (maybe late spring?)

it happens - like anything (at least for me) - too much of it and I get burnt out... got to mix it up.

That makes sense. I think you're right. Maybe when spring rolls around I'll be more into doing some harder hikes. Right now, my heart isn't as into it as normal. But thankfully I can read all these great trip reports to get me back in the hiking mood whenever I really need it.