JohnL
New member
The Sunday 2:00PM NASCAR race started on Rte 93 well before the checkered flag was dropped. By the time I got on I-93 at about 6:20AM, it felt like I was merging into Turn 1 at the end of the pit apron. I was sucked along in the slipstream of the NASCAR train of fans as they whizzed by me at 80 to 85 mph. Even the radar shooting NH State Trooper just south of Exit 4 did not slow them down and when they exited the highway in Concord, I was cast back into the quiet calm of a Sunday morning ride north into the mountains.
I picked Giff up at 7:45 and with the short ride over to Depot Camp, we grabbed our packs and were on the Livermore Rd at 8:00 sharp. It was 68 degrees as we started and the bugs were already out in force. We picked up the pace to get away from the bugs, were mostly successful and 55 minutes later we were at the trailhead to the North Slide. Slipping into the forest was a bit cooler but even buggier than out on the road. We made our way along the blowdown strewn trail and soon the fun part began.
The lower part of the slide was very mossy, greasy and slippery. We took extra care here and took some necessary detours around the slimier areas. A couple short slips were all it took for me to make sure I paid close attention to my footing on these slabs. Soon we worked our way into the open, the rocks dried out and we were on our way. The North Slide has some of the most fun spots to climb on and every time we are on it, we revel in the wonderful feeling we get there. A bothersome horse fly timed his dive bombs into my face at particular dicey spots and once almost knocked me off balance. Except for the very top of the slide, you are mostly on large slabs and the footing is excellent. I tried to get as many photos of Giff as I could for perspective and some fast scrambling up the slabs to catch up to him left me sucking wind a couple times.
We entered the relative coolness of the woods and at 10:00 we stood on top of the North peak. We were both looking forward to the ridge walk as it is one of the prettiest in the Whites. A few yards off the summit I grabbed a tree for support and was on my down a steep little section when my right foot slipped on a damp root. My left leg instinctively braced to stop my quick descent and as a consequence, wrenched one of the muscles in my quad. At first it felt like the muscle had been torn in two but the pain quickly dissipated. A couple of Advil probably helped.
I eased my across the ridge and happily found out that the leg only hurt in specific positions (yes, I found them all.) The very loose South Slide was even more of a footing challenge and I yelped several times, more out of frustration than in real pain. Soon we were into the woods and Giff said “I bet you’re glad to get that behind you.” You betcha! With the good footing and the swarms of bugs chasing us, we cruised out the rest of the trail, stopping only to dunk my hat in a couple cool streams.
At 11:40 we reached the road, lowered the bug deflection shields and scampered home, ending the hike 40 minutes later. The timing was just right. I would easily beat the NASCAR crowd (phew!) and be home by mid-afternoon.
Photos from this hike and a previous hike are up for those who are unfamiliar with the slide.
JohnL
I picked Giff up at 7:45 and with the short ride over to Depot Camp, we grabbed our packs and were on the Livermore Rd at 8:00 sharp. It was 68 degrees as we started and the bugs were already out in force. We picked up the pace to get away from the bugs, were mostly successful and 55 minutes later we were at the trailhead to the North Slide. Slipping into the forest was a bit cooler but even buggier than out on the road. We made our way along the blowdown strewn trail and soon the fun part began.
The lower part of the slide was very mossy, greasy and slippery. We took extra care here and took some necessary detours around the slimier areas. A couple short slips were all it took for me to make sure I paid close attention to my footing on these slabs. Soon we worked our way into the open, the rocks dried out and we were on our way. The North Slide has some of the most fun spots to climb on and every time we are on it, we revel in the wonderful feeling we get there. A bothersome horse fly timed his dive bombs into my face at particular dicey spots and once almost knocked me off balance. Except for the very top of the slide, you are mostly on large slabs and the footing is excellent. I tried to get as many photos of Giff as I could for perspective and some fast scrambling up the slabs to catch up to him left me sucking wind a couple times.
We entered the relative coolness of the woods and at 10:00 we stood on top of the North peak. We were both looking forward to the ridge walk as it is one of the prettiest in the Whites. A few yards off the summit I grabbed a tree for support and was on my down a steep little section when my right foot slipped on a damp root. My left leg instinctively braced to stop my quick descent and as a consequence, wrenched one of the muscles in my quad. At first it felt like the muscle had been torn in two but the pain quickly dissipated. A couple of Advil probably helped.
I eased my across the ridge and happily found out that the leg only hurt in specific positions (yes, I found them all.) The very loose South Slide was even more of a footing challenge and I yelped several times, more out of frustration than in real pain. Soon we were into the woods and Giff said “I bet you’re glad to get that behind you.” You betcha! With the good footing and the swarms of bugs chasing us, we cruised out the rest of the trail, stopping only to dunk my hat in a couple cool streams.
At 11:40 we reached the road, lowered the bug deflection shields and scampered home, ending the hike 40 minutes later. The timing was just right. I would easily beat the NASCAR crowd (phew!) and be home by mid-afternoon.
Photos from this hike and a previous hike are up for those who are unfamiliar with the slide.
JohnL
