LRiz
New member
For the past few weeks I'd been hoping to end my single season spring list with a bang - namely, a traverse of the Wildcats, Carters, and Moriah. The ever so kind (and might I add blowdown machine) MarcHowes had graciously offered to help me set up a car spot, and everything appeared to be falling smoothly into place...
...that is, until I hugely overslept. A change of plan was in order. Why not just the Cats?
I set off down the Lost Pond trail a little after 9:30. The conditions were just perfect, and I made surprisingly better time than anticipated up and across the Wildcat Ridge trail. Backtracking to D Peak and then jogging down Polecat, it struck me - even with the short roadwalk back to Pinkham, I still had ample time to attempt Moriah.
And that's what I did. Stony Brook it was.
There is something so wonderfully special about the stretch of trail between the Stony Brook junction and the summit of Moriah. It just resonates with me... and I can't explain why. The sky was filled with the oddest cloud formations, and steadily darkened as I approached the summit itself. Reaching the top, I did not linger, but quickly hurried down to avoid the onset of rain.
*****
Prior to this year, I'd never climbed a single peak in March, April, or May. When I set a goal of "single seasoning" spring, I knew I'd encounter all sorts of fun conditions along the way. Stumbling inelegantly along a monorail is not usually fun, but I like to tell myself that it "builds character." Not only that, but succeeding in the face of adverse conditions certainly makes the completion of a hike all the more sweeter.
I won't ramble on. To conclude, a few pictures from my hikes today. Here's to two weeks of freedom before my summer list interferes...
P.S. Tom & Laurie - how fantastic it was to finally meet you in person this morning. Eric - a lovely surprise, bumping into you as well. Who'd have thought we'd both be out on the Cats!
...that is, until I hugely overslept. A change of plan was in order. Why not just the Cats?
I set off down the Lost Pond trail a little after 9:30. The conditions were just perfect, and I made surprisingly better time than anticipated up and across the Wildcat Ridge trail. Backtracking to D Peak and then jogging down Polecat, it struck me - even with the short roadwalk back to Pinkham, I still had ample time to attempt Moriah.
And that's what I did. Stony Brook it was.
There is something so wonderfully special about the stretch of trail between the Stony Brook junction and the summit of Moriah. It just resonates with me... and I can't explain why. The sky was filled with the oddest cloud formations, and steadily darkened as I approached the summit itself. Reaching the top, I did not linger, but quickly hurried down to avoid the onset of rain.
*****
Prior to this year, I'd never climbed a single peak in March, April, or May. When I set a goal of "single seasoning" spring, I knew I'd encounter all sorts of fun conditions along the way. Stumbling inelegantly along a monorail is not usually fun, but I like to tell myself that it "builds character." Not only that, but succeeding in the face of adverse conditions certainly makes the completion of a hike all the more sweeter.
I won't ramble on. To conclude, a few pictures from my hikes today. Here's to two weeks of freedom before my summer list interferes...
P.S. Tom & Laurie - how fantastic it was to finally meet you in person this morning. Eric - a lovely surprise, bumping into you as well. Who'd have thought we'd both be out on the Cats!
