T
"Thirsty"
Guest
Northern Presidential Traverse
Sunday May 25th, 2008
"Thirsty" aka Jeremy Chapman
What a beautiful day to be in the mountains!
Left Appalachia Trailhead at 4:45am as the sun rose, no need for headlamp light as i floated up Valley way. This was my first ascent of all the peaks except for Washington. Valley way is a excellent well graded trail with frequent flat sections that make for a fairly easy ascent. Encountered spring snow "monorail" from about the valley way tentsite trail. Was quite slippery as i was wearing running shoes (New Balance 873, worked nice!) without traction.
Got to Madison Hut in a little under 3 hours. After a break and hearing the loud radio in the closed hut saying it was a perfect day, I left my pack and got up Madison in about 30 min. Looking at my route ahead and how snowy and icey things looked towards Jefferson, Clay, and Washington I wondered how the day would end up. I do love it when the challenge before me is something that i don't know if i can conquer.
Enjoyed talking with a Ranger looking for above treeline campers and up Adams and got some money pics on summit. So clear out the whole day made for great pics! I made my way past Thunderstorm junction, another landmark i was really excited to be at, and refilled water at Edmonds col, without filtering. Large sidehill snowfield that i was worried about was shovelled into a sidewalk with steps thanks to a excellent trail maintainer. Thanks!
The rest of the hike became really grueling but summited each peak and got to Washington with the Memorial day crowds shivering in their summer attire. After a hot dog, chili, and hot chocolate, i made my way down Lions Head trail and to Pinkham notch. I was able to hook up a ride back to my truck at Appalachia parking lot by some really nice people (thanks!) hanging out at the bag scale at Pinkham.
14 hours including about 2.5-3 hours of breaks. Great day in great mountains in great weather!
NH 48: now 11/48
Sunday May 25th, 2008
"Thirsty" aka Jeremy Chapman
What a beautiful day to be in the mountains!
Left Appalachia Trailhead at 4:45am as the sun rose, no need for headlamp light as i floated up Valley way. This was my first ascent of all the peaks except for Washington. Valley way is a excellent well graded trail with frequent flat sections that make for a fairly easy ascent. Encountered spring snow "monorail" from about the valley way tentsite trail. Was quite slippery as i was wearing running shoes (New Balance 873, worked nice!) without traction.
Got to Madison Hut in a little under 3 hours. After a break and hearing the loud radio in the closed hut saying it was a perfect day, I left my pack and got up Madison in about 30 min. Looking at my route ahead and how snowy and icey things looked towards Jefferson, Clay, and Washington I wondered how the day would end up. I do love it when the challenge before me is something that i don't know if i can conquer.
Enjoyed talking with a Ranger looking for above treeline campers and up Adams and got some money pics on summit. So clear out the whole day made for great pics! I made my way past Thunderstorm junction, another landmark i was really excited to be at, and refilled water at Edmonds col, without filtering. Large sidehill snowfield that i was worried about was shovelled into a sidewalk with steps thanks to a excellent trail maintainer. Thanks!
The rest of the hike became really grueling but summited each peak and got to Washington with the Memorial day crowds shivering in their summer attire. After a hot dog, chili, and hot chocolate, i made my way down Lions Head trail and to Pinkham notch. I was able to hook up a ride back to my truck at Appalachia parking lot by some really nice people (thanks!) hanging out at the bag scale at Pinkham.
14 hours including about 2.5-3 hours of breaks. Great day in great mountains in great weather!
NH 48: now 11/48