I still have a decent amount of peaks to hit (19 to be exact) on the New Hampshire 4000 footers list, but I have a few planned and a backpacking trip, which will really pare my list down. I'd like to give some thought as to what my last peak will be since so much thought has gone into the experience.
To me, the list has been a project, a creative outlet, a challenge, an adventure, and a social opportunity. I started the list as a therapy of sorts. Something that would keep me occupied, interested, and feeling good about my progress. The project had to involve a challenging and adventurous activity to be enjoyable and hiking certainly fulfills those requirements for me. My decision to work on the list resulted in a great social opportunity though as well; joining the AMC young members group. While searching for info on the 4000 footers I came across a webpage somewhere that mentioned the young members group. This sounded like an ideal opportunity and indeed it was. I've met a lot of really cool people in the group during various activities and events and on all my 4000 footers hikes I've done with members I haven't had a hiking partner that didn't enrich the experience. As a result, working on the list has been even more beneficial than I expected.
Part of the challenge was to finish the list in a year. This allowed me to think creatively in terms of how I would complete the list and how I would climb each peak. My results might not have been "innovative" but I did put a lot of thought in. I planned out how the hikes could best be done in order to meet my goal (not necessarily the order, but which ones would be done together and by what trails). Once my network of hiking partners flourished though, my plan quickly deteriorated since it didn't always mesh with the plans of others. Along the way I chose to do non-4k trips too, like a visit to Acadia National Park, which I'm glad I didn't miss. I'm glad I incorporated the time part of the equation, even though I didn't meet my goal, because in the end, it got me out a lot, and if I wasn't hiking it was because I was doing something else worthwhile.
I want to choose a final hike that will personify what the list has meant to me.
The mountains I have left are: The bonds, The twins, the Hancocks, the Kinsmans, the Carters, Carter Dome, Moriah, Isolation, Zealand, Hale, Garfield, Galehead, and Carrigain.
Carrigain is planned for this weekend. My backpacking trip will definitely include the Bonds, South Twin, and Zealand and possibly Garfield, Galehead, North Twin, and/or Hale. It probably won't include both Garfield and North Twin, so one of my options could be Garfield or North Twin (whichever one I haven't done).
One possibility is Hale, which would be an easy enough hike for some non-hiker people (like my parents) to join. I'm not sure that really personifies my quest though.
Not looking for an answer, just thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks!
To me, the list has been a project, a creative outlet, a challenge, an adventure, and a social opportunity. I started the list as a therapy of sorts. Something that would keep me occupied, interested, and feeling good about my progress. The project had to involve a challenging and adventurous activity to be enjoyable and hiking certainly fulfills those requirements for me. My decision to work on the list resulted in a great social opportunity though as well; joining the AMC young members group. While searching for info on the 4000 footers I came across a webpage somewhere that mentioned the young members group. This sounded like an ideal opportunity and indeed it was. I've met a lot of really cool people in the group during various activities and events and on all my 4000 footers hikes I've done with members I haven't had a hiking partner that didn't enrich the experience. As a result, working on the list has been even more beneficial than I expected.
Part of the challenge was to finish the list in a year. This allowed me to think creatively in terms of how I would complete the list and how I would climb each peak. My results might not have been "innovative" but I did put a lot of thought in. I planned out how the hikes could best be done in order to meet my goal (not necessarily the order, but which ones would be done together and by what trails). Once my network of hiking partners flourished though, my plan quickly deteriorated since it didn't always mesh with the plans of others. Along the way I chose to do non-4k trips too, like a visit to Acadia National Park, which I'm glad I didn't miss. I'm glad I incorporated the time part of the equation, even though I didn't meet my goal, because in the end, it got me out a lot, and if I wasn't hiking it was because I was doing something else worthwhile.
I want to choose a final hike that will personify what the list has meant to me.
The mountains I have left are: The bonds, The twins, the Hancocks, the Kinsmans, the Carters, Carter Dome, Moriah, Isolation, Zealand, Hale, Garfield, Galehead, and Carrigain.
Carrigain is planned for this weekend. My backpacking trip will definitely include the Bonds, South Twin, and Zealand and possibly Garfield, Galehead, North Twin, and/or Hale. It probably won't include both Garfield and North Twin, so one of my options could be Garfield or North Twin (whichever one I haven't done).
One possibility is Hale, which would be an easy enough hike for some non-hiker people (like my parents) to join. I'm not sure that really personifies my quest though.
Not looking for an answer, just thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks!
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