February 15, 2009
Today I'm hiking a couple of my favorite peaks: Adams and Madison. It's been way to long since I've hiked them, almost two years. I was planning on hiking solo today, but as I pulled in I saw Steve Moore.
"What are you hiking today?" I asked him.
"Madison and Adams, want to join us?"
Actually I was considering Madison, Adams, and Jefferson today, but with the possibility of company, I decided that the two peaks would be enough.
"Sure," I said. "Who else is with you?"
"Bruce Pfendler."
Bruce began to walk over.
"I won't hike with Rathbun," he joked. (At least I hoped he was joking.)
"Eric, where do you find all these beautiful women to hike with?" Bruce asked.
He's been following my journal and was referring to Cath and Larisa who I've had the pleasure of hiking with a lot the last month or so.
"What do you have that I don't have?" Bruce asked.
"For one thing, he's younger than you," joked Steve.
"You guys are ready and I still need about 5 minutes. You start out and I'll catch up," I said.
I hit the trail a few minutes before 8:00. Well those guys made me work to catch up. It was at least 20 minutes before I caught up to them.
We took our first break of the day at the junction with the Watson Pat. My glasses had been steaming up so I put them in my pack. Here's a rare shot of me without glasses.
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Up, up, up we went until we finally reached treeline.
Bruce by the warning sign stating that we were entering the area with the worst weather in America.
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Madison Hut
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We left our packs at the hut and headed up to Madison. This was a new winter peak for me, so Steve and Bruce let me bag the summit first. This was #45 (any winter) and #37 for this winter.
Steve and Bruce on the summit
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Bruce by a rime covered cairn near the summit
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We got our first real view of the day as the clouds briefly cleared. That's Mount Adams, our next target.
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Heading down to the hut
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Looks like Mount Washington is in the clear
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Rime ice is so cool!
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Bruce nearing the summit of Adams
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The guys let me bag this one first as well. Here I am on Adams (#46 any winter and #38 for this winter).
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Steve on the summit.
Steve is closing on a big milestone. He just needs 6 more peaks to reach his 400th grid peak.
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We had great views as we were in and out of the clouds.
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Partial view of Washington
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For a video clip click here.
Sign on the summit coated with rime ice
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We returned the same route (Valley Way) finishing a few minutes before 3:00.
Bruce and Steve, thanks for letting me tag along!
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