BIGEarl
Well-known member
Many know the story behind my becoming active in hiking. Last May when I first started hiking, I was aware of the Four Thousand Footer Club, but that was about it. My Nephew Steve and I set out on May 14 to meet the membership requirements of the Four Thousand Footer Club, each with our own reasons – mine being mainly related to post-surgery cardiac rehabilitation. The first Four Thousand Footer either of us climbed was Tecumseh on that day. We had a plan that was created in a way to provide physical conditioning in the early hikes and finally fulfill the hike requirements of The List. We completed our hiking plan in ten weeks. While working through our plan we became aware of other “games” to pursue, such as the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game. I can honestly say the thought of participating in winter hiking was little more than daydreaming – at first.
After we completed our first pass through The List, the hiking of which also included some NEHH peaks, we continued to hike in Vermont in pursuit of the NE Four Thousand Footers and the NEHH, and re-hiked some peaks in New Hampshire. As we moved into fall our focus shifted to other outdoor interests and hiking was less of a priority. After the distraction of hunting season passed we once again focused our thoughts on hiking. I never stopped daydreaming about winter hiking.
In early December we started discussing the possibility of winter hiking. I needed to clear this through two doctors and one wife named Pat – all important but not necessarily in the order listed. I received “permission”, and encouragement to proceed. The doctors were also experienced hikers and offered guidance on how to proceed.
On December 12, I sent an e-mail to Steve asking if he was interested in pursuing the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game, and trying to complete The List in a single season. I also asked if he thought we could complete twenty by the end of January. His general response was positive. And, regarding the question of twenty by the end of January he said “I don't see much stopping us if we put our mind to it.” At this point I went to work planning the hikes and our general approach. Our planned start to complete the Winter List was December 26, 2005. Our initial focus included mountains in the Franconia Notch area and other targets that could be easily reached as home-based day hikes. Most of our hikes have been well documented and posted if there is interest in their details.
On December 26, 2005 we went “all in” and started our pursuit of a single-season completion of the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game. The week between Christmas and New Years gave us a great start and potentially a problem from which we would not recover. New Years Day, Steve fell on a hike and suffered an injury that became very serious as a result of an infection. He made a visit to his Doctor, and then the hospital where he spent a few days. The near-term hiking possibilities were very much in question.
After being released from the hospital Steve indicated it was best to ease back into the project. So, a few days later we hiked the Tripyramids on January 14. Everything went well with no problems after this hike. We were really back in the game the following weekend, a three-day period in which we hiked North Twin, South Twin, Galehead, Waumbek, Whiteface, and Passaconaway. At the end of January we had completed twenty two. We were a little ahead of plan.
Our efforts continued through good weather and bad. Some hikes actually started and ended in daylight, but many required headlights. Roughly half way into the project a specific completion target was set, which was well before the end of winter. That date passed a couple weeks ago. We wanted to beat our earlier time and were shooting for eight weeks. The weather didn’t cooperate. Last week we had the opportunity to again beat our initial time but again the weather was uncooperative.
So here we are with one mountain left, Moosilauke. Completing it today met the objective of beating our initial time by a couple days and gives Steve a nice Birthday present (tomorrow, Sunday - 3/5, another reason for the early finish – perhaps THE reason).
The final hike - Moosilauke…..
We decided to meet at the Glencliff Trail parking at 6:30am. Our hope was for a relatively quick hike to the summit, as much time to enjoy the views as conditions would allow, and an early return. Then, a celebratory lunch at Woodstock Station with a couple women that are important to both of us; my first wife and her sister-in-law. In other words, my wife Pat and Steve’s Mother Danielle.
We started out at 7:00am, as planned, on three to five inches of fresh powder over the ice below. The traction was generally quite good and we were able to bare boot the first part of the hike. At approximately 2,500 feet the footing became unpredictable and we pulled out the crampons. These worked well, for a while. Three to five inches became six to 12 with significant drifts. At approximately 4,000 feet the drifts required a change to snow shoes, which we used for the remainder of the hike. We arrived at the South Peak spur path at 10:30am and stopped for refreshments and to layer up for the final exposed section. We were aware of the forecasted high winds and came prepared. Properly prepared for the extremely high wind and cold we set off for the summit. Visibility was generally under 100 feet making it difficult to locate cairns at times. We moved as quickly as possible being careful to stay on trail and finally arrived at the summit at approximately 11:15am. We quickly grabbed some pictures, made a u-turn, and headed back toward the shelter of the spruce. The visibility and drifting snow made it very difficult to retrace our steps but we managed to find the trail cutting into the spruce. We found a place where the drifts were approximately eight feet on each side of the trail and stopped in this shelter for a brief rest. Then, we were off for the South Peak spur path, more water and Gatorade, and finally down to the start.
Along the way out we came upon a pair of hikers, a large group of possibly ten hikers, and a solo hiker all headed for a meeting with Mother Nature, and she was in a mood!
We made it back to the trailhead parking at 1:00pm, quickly packed our things away, and headed off to meet our lunch dates at Woodstock Station.
We made it, again. We have now completed the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game in a little under ten months from the date we hiked our first 4K mountain – Tecumseh and the start of our hiking the “three season” White Mountain Four Thousand Footers, and – our entry to this great activity.
Raw Statistics in completing the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game:
Total Hikes: 24
Distance Hiked: 276.6 Miles
Elevation Gained: 87,850 Feet
What’s next? We have the New England Four Thousand Footers and the New England Hundred Highest to finish. After these are done, we’ll see. There’s probably another list somewhere.
I know Steve also has some things he wants to do. Additionally, I have over half of the White Mountain Four Thousand Footers hiked a third time as a result of late summer and fall hiking. Perhaps there’s enough time to complete a three-peat in my first year. I’ll think about it over the next couple days.
Suggestions?
After we completed our first pass through The List, the hiking of which also included some NEHH peaks, we continued to hike in Vermont in pursuit of the NE Four Thousand Footers and the NEHH, and re-hiked some peaks in New Hampshire. As we moved into fall our focus shifted to other outdoor interests and hiking was less of a priority. After the distraction of hunting season passed we once again focused our thoughts on hiking. I never stopped daydreaming about winter hiking.
In early December we started discussing the possibility of winter hiking. I needed to clear this through two doctors and one wife named Pat – all important but not necessarily in the order listed. I received “permission”, and encouragement to proceed. The doctors were also experienced hikers and offered guidance on how to proceed.
On December 12, I sent an e-mail to Steve asking if he was interested in pursuing the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game, and trying to complete The List in a single season. I also asked if he thought we could complete twenty by the end of January. His general response was positive. And, regarding the question of twenty by the end of January he said “I don't see much stopping us if we put our mind to it.” At this point I went to work planning the hikes and our general approach. Our planned start to complete the Winter List was December 26, 2005. Our initial focus included mountains in the Franconia Notch area and other targets that could be easily reached as home-based day hikes. Most of our hikes have been well documented and posted if there is interest in their details.
On December 26, 2005 we went “all in” and started our pursuit of a single-season completion of the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game. The week between Christmas and New Years gave us a great start and potentially a problem from which we would not recover. New Years Day, Steve fell on a hike and suffered an injury that became very serious as a result of an infection. He made a visit to his Doctor, and then the hospital where he spent a few days. The near-term hiking possibilities were very much in question.
After being released from the hospital Steve indicated it was best to ease back into the project. So, a few days later we hiked the Tripyramids on January 14. Everything went well with no problems after this hike. We were really back in the game the following weekend, a three-day period in which we hiked North Twin, South Twin, Galehead, Waumbek, Whiteface, and Passaconaway. At the end of January we had completed twenty two. We were a little ahead of plan.
Our efforts continued through good weather and bad. Some hikes actually started and ended in daylight, but many required headlights. Roughly half way into the project a specific completion target was set, which was well before the end of winter. That date passed a couple weeks ago. We wanted to beat our earlier time and were shooting for eight weeks. The weather didn’t cooperate. Last week we had the opportunity to again beat our initial time but again the weather was uncooperative.
So here we are with one mountain left, Moosilauke. Completing it today met the objective of beating our initial time by a couple days and gives Steve a nice Birthday present (tomorrow, Sunday - 3/5, another reason for the early finish – perhaps THE reason).
The final hike - Moosilauke…..
We decided to meet at the Glencliff Trail parking at 6:30am. Our hope was for a relatively quick hike to the summit, as much time to enjoy the views as conditions would allow, and an early return. Then, a celebratory lunch at Woodstock Station with a couple women that are important to both of us; my first wife and her sister-in-law. In other words, my wife Pat and Steve’s Mother Danielle.
We started out at 7:00am, as planned, on three to five inches of fresh powder over the ice below. The traction was generally quite good and we were able to bare boot the first part of the hike. At approximately 2,500 feet the footing became unpredictable and we pulled out the crampons. These worked well, for a while. Three to five inches became six to 12 with significant drifts. At approximately 4,000 feet the drifts required a change to snow shoes, which we used for the remainder of the hike. We arrived at the South Peak spur path at 10:30am and stopped for refreshments and to layer up for the final exposed section. We were aware of the forecasted high winds and came prepared. Properly prepared for the extremely high wind and cold we set off for the summit. Visibility was generally under 100 feet making it difficult to locate cairns at times. We moved as quickly as possible being careful to stay on trail and finally arrived at the summit at approximately 11:15am. We quickly grabbed some pictures, made a u-turn, and headed back toward the shelter of the spruce. The visibility and drifting snow made it very difficult to retrace our steps but we managed to find the trail cutting into the spruce. We found a place where the drifts were approximately eight feet on each side of the trail and stopped in this shelter for a brief rest. Then, we were off for the South Peak spur path, more water and Gatorade, and finally down to the start.
Along the way out we came upon a pair of hikers, a large group of possibly ten hikers, and a solo hiker all headed for a meeting with Mother Nature, and she was in a mood!
We made it back to the trailhead parking at 1:00pm, quickly packed our things away, and headed off to meet our lunch dates at Woodstock Station.
We made it, again. We have now completed the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game in a little under ten months from the date we hiked our first 4K mountain – Tecumseh and the start of our hiking the “three season” White Mountain Four Thousand Footers, and – our entry to this great activity.
Raw Statistics in completing the Winter Four-Thousand-Footer Game:
Total Hikes: 24
Distance Hiked: 276.6 Miles
Elevation Gained: 87,850 Feet
What’s next? We have the New England Four Thousand Footers and the New England Hundred Highest to finish. After these are done, we’ll see. There’s probably another list somewhere.
I know Steve also has some things he wants to do. Additionally, I have over half of the White Mountain Four Thousand Footers hiked a third time as a result of late summer and fall hiking. Perhaps there’s enough time to complete a three-peat in my first year. I’ll think about it over the next couple days.
Suggestions?
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