Hiking the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont has been such an intense experience with so many extremes, superlatives, learnings and peak experiences.
I have never lived in the middle. I've been out there on the periphery most of my life in one way or another. Not the outer perimeter where extreme athletes live, mind you, but often testing my own outer fringe. Climbing mountains has nudged me closer to my limits than I have ever been before. Sometimes it has been uncomfortable, sometimes joyous. But the experience has always been one of profound self-discovery.
Never in my life have I:
Been so focused on a goal - We hiked our first 4,000-footers, Whiteface and Passaconaway, on May 6, 2006 and finished the 48 4,000-footers in New Hampshire on July 22, 2007 - less than 15 months! Another 15 months after that we finished the 67 4,000 footers in New England!
Laughed so hard - I can't even list all the mountains where I almost peed my pants laughing uncontrollably. There are way too many! But let me just tell you that after our very first hike, driving home in the car, we pulled over at a rest stop and I had to stand outside, holding onto a litter basket with my legs crossed, straining to get control and to stop laughing. I made it to the bathroom…barely.
Slid so fast -- On Carter Dome I went screaming down the snow-covered mountain on my frictionless wind pants at literally breakneck speed, totally out of control, digging my elbows and snowshoes into the snow to slow my suicidal slide down the Carter Moriah Trail.
Felt such bliss - Eating lunch on a large flat rock in the sun, watching the wind make patterns on the high grasses around us on the summit of Moosilauke, then dipping our sizzling, over-done feet into the freezing-cold brook at the end of the hike.
Experienced such camaraderie - On Isolation we celebrated two hikers who were summiting their 48th peak and met many other peak baggers. We were bonded together by our common goal.
Sweat so much - Summer, winter; it doesn't matter. I had sweatsicles in my hair and on my eyelids on Waumbek in February! On every mountain I leave drops of sweat.
Been so tired - I barely made it up Tecumseh after a full week of double exercise each day.
Smelled so badly - After our 20-mile hike up Zealand and over the Bonds, I leaned over to take my shoes off and my nose inadvertently went just barely inside my shirt - Oh my GOD!
Felt so fully alive - On each summit, when I see the blues of the distant mountains fading into the horizon, I breathe deep and know I am incredibly lucky to be on the top and amazed that, once again, my body got me there. Standing on the summit is a miracle, each time.
Been so bruised - I fell off a ledge on our Jefferson attempt and thankfully landed on a lower ledge instead of falling all the way down. I was very lucky and incredibly sore.
Seen such beauty - I was mesmerized and enchanted seeing the Franconia Ridge for the first time when we climbed Lincoln and Lafayette. It blew me away. Seeing Madison in January and the views from Carrigain in December were postcard pictures of a winter wonderland that most people never get the chance to see.
Been so cold - On our first winter hike, I was still wearing my light-hiking boots and my feet nearly froze on Mansfield. It was the first time we had to turn around. During the winter, changing out of sweaty clothes in the wind and below-zero temps can make for a very frigid experience!
Worked so hard - We attempted Waumbek in February just after a huge snowstorm. We broke trail for three miles, through 30 inches of new snow, building up good hiking karma and a big appetite. We were exhausted.
Walked so far - Boy that 19-mile walk into and out of Owl's Head goes on FOREVER!
Been so happy - Don joined Pat and I hiking Camel's Hump and Mansfield. It was awesome having my two favorite people with me at the same time.
Felt so low - nearing the summit of Adams, the monster mountain that had thwarted our previous hiking attempts, physically exhausted and emotionally spent, I broke down kneeling on a snowfield and cried.
Been so supported - My husband, Don, recognizes hiking is a healing journey for me and has encouraged and supported me every step of the way.
Felt so special - All the other hikers on Jefferson made me feel so incredibly wonderful as they clapped and cheered us on our 48th NH peak.
Been up so early - I hate early mornings! I get up a 4 a.m. to leave with Pat at 5 a.m. so we get to the trailhead around 8:30. Now I’ve perfected the process and I set the alarm for 4:30 a.m.
Been in such pain – My toes were incredibly sore from slamming into the tow box of my boots after hiking Coe, and South and North Brother. My dogs were barking and I was truly DUN!
Enjoyed food so much – On top of Washington we had a steaming hot bowl of Italian Wedding soup that was to die for. We stopped in the Mountain Bean in Twin Mountain on the way to many of our Presidential hikes and picked up a Lost Pilgrim (fresh roast turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing in a whole wheat wrap) to enjoy on the trail – there is NOTHING better. The meatloaf and mashed potatoes we had at the Four Season’s Diner after climbing Saddleback and Horn in Maine hit the bliss spot. After climbing our 66th and 67th peaks, the Bigelow’s, we had an Apple Pie we had brought with us from Kristen’s Bakery. We heated it up in the microwave in our room – absolutely the best apple pie I have ever had.
Been so out of my comfort zone - On our first attempt of Adams and Madison we got above tree line and were greeted by howling 45-55 mph wind gusts and freezing temps. After 45 minutes above tree line, we turned around. Hiking Katahdin's Knife Edge in swirling clouds took us 2 hours and 10 minutes to go 1.1 mile and required every ounce of courage I had!
Felt such trust - After falling on Jefferson, Pat helped me down the mountain, on Mansfield Pat warmed my feet, on Whiteface when I couldn't find a foothold, Pat gave me a hand - she is always there.
continued
I have never lived in the middle. I've been out there on the periphery most of my life in one way or another. Not the outer perimeter where extreme athletes live, mind you, but often testing my own outer fringe. Climbing mountains has nudged me closer to my limits than I have ever been before. Sometimes it has been uncomfortable, sometimes joyous. But the experience has always been one of profound self-discovery.
Never in my life have I:
Been so focused on a goal - We hiked our first 4,000-footers, Whiteface and Passaconaway, on May 6, 2006 and finished the 48 4,000-footers in New Hampshire on July 22, 2007 - less than 15 months! Another 15 months after that we finished the 67 4,000 footers in New England!
Laughed so hard - I can't even list all the mountains where I almost peed my pants laughing uncontrollably. There are way too many! But let me just tell you that after our very first hike, driving home in the car, we pulled over at a rest stop and I had to stand outside, holding onto a litter basket with my legs crossed, straining to get control and to stop laughing. I made it to the bathroom…barely.
Slid so fast -- On Carter Dome I went screaming down the snow-covered mountain on my frictionless wind pants at literally breakneck speed, totally out of control, digging my elbows and snowshoes into the snow to slow my suicidal slide down the Carter Moriah Trail.
Felt such bliss - Eating lunch on a large flat rock in the sun, watching the wind make patterns on the high grasses around us on the summit of Moosilauke, then dipping our sizzling, over-done feet into the freezing-cold brook at the end of the hike.
Experienced such camaraderie - On Isolation we celebrated two hikers who were summiting their 48th peak and met many other peak baggers. We were bonded together by our common goal.
Sweat so much - Summer, winter; it doesn't matter. I had sweatsicles in my hair and on my eyelids on Waumbek in February! On every mountain I leave drops of sweat.
Been so tired - I barely made it up Tecumseh after a full week of double exercise each day.
Smelled so badly - After our 20-mile hike up Zealand and over the Bonds, I leaned over to take my shoes off and my nose inadvertently went just barely inside my shirt - Oh my GOD!
Felt so fully alive - On each summit, when I see the blues of the distant mountains fading into the horizon, I breathe deep and know I am incredibly lucky to be on the top and amazed that, once again, my body got me there. Standing on the summit is a miracle, each time.
Been so bruised - I fell off a ledge on our Jefferson attempt and thankfully landed on a lower ledge instead of falling all the way down. I was very lucky and incredibly sore.
Seen such beauty - I was mesmerized and enchanted seeing the Franconia Ridge for the first time when we climbed Lincoln and Lafayette. It blew me away. Seeing Madison in January and the views from Carrigain in December were postcard pictures of a winter wonderland that most people never get the chance to see.
Been so cold - On our first winter hike, I was still wearing my light-hiking boots and my feet nearly froze on Mansfield. It was the first time we had to turn around. During the winter, changing out of sweaty clothes in the wind and below-zero temps can make for a very frigid experience!
Worked so hard - We attempted Waumbek in February just after a huge snowstorm. We broke trail for three miles, through 30 inches of new snow, building up good hiking karma and a big appetite. We were exhausted.
Walked so far - Boy that 19-mile walk into and out of Owl's Head goes on FOREVER!
Been so happy - Don joined Pat and I hiking Camel's Hump and Mansfield. It was awesome having my two favorite people with me at the same time.
Felt so low - nearing the summit of Adams, the monster mountain that had thwarted our previous hiking attempts, physically exhausted and emotionally spent, I broke down kneeling on a snowfield and cried.
Been so supported - My husband, Don, recognizes hiking is a healing journey for me and has encouraged and supported me every step of the way.
Felt so special - All the other hikers on Jefferson made me feel so incredibly wonderful as they clapped and cheered us on our 48th NH peak.
Been up so early - I hate early mornings! I get up a 4 a.m. to leave with Pat at 5 a.m. so we get to the trailhead around 8:30. Now I’ve perfected the process and I set the alarm for 4:30 a.m.
Been in such pain – My toes were incredibly sore from slamming into the tow box of my boots after hiking Coe, and South and North Brother. My dogs were barking and I was truly DUN!
Enjoyed food so much – On top of Washington we had a steaming hot bowl of Italian Wedding soup that was to die for. We stopped in the Mountain Bean in Twin Mountain on the way to many of our Presidential hikes and picked up a Lost Pilgrim (fresh roast turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing in a whole wheat wrap) to enjoy on the trail – there is NOTHING better. The meatloaf and mashed potatoes we had at the Four Season’s Diner after climbing Saddleback and Horn in Maine hit the bliss spot. After climbing our 66th and 67th peaks, the Bigelow’s, we had an Apple Pie we had brought with us from Kristen’s Bakery. We heated it up in the microwave in our room – absolutely the best apple pie I have ever had.
Been so out of my comfort zone - On our first attempt of Adams and Madison we got above tree line and were greeted by howling 45-55 mph wind gusts and freezing temps. After 45 minutes above tree line, we turned around. Hiking Katahdin's Knife Edge in swirling clouds took us 2 hours and 10 minutes to go 1.1 mile and required every ounce of courage I had!
Felt such trust - After falling on Jefferson, Pat helped me down the mountain, on Mansfield Pat warmed my feet, on Whiteface when I couldn't find a foothold, Pat gave me a hand - she is always there.
continued
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