February 16, 2009
Since January 1st I've been watching the weather closely every day for the perfect day to climb Washington. Well, this is it. Although as I arrived at the base of the cog railway it didn't look too promising. It was "socked in". But I had checked the weather report at www.MountWashington.org. The report stated that above 5000 feet would be clear with little wind. I was optimistic that this would be a great day.
I saw Jeremy (Rocket) in the parking lot. We are hoping to hike the Bonds together this Saturday weather permiting.
"We're spotting a vehicle here and going to Valley Way for a traverse of Madison, Adams, Jefferson, and possible Washington. Are you interested?" he asked me.
"I would have been yesterday when I bagged Madison and Adams. I'm hoping for Jefferson, "George", and Monroe today. But thanks for the invite."
"Cath and Larisa hiked Jefferson, Adams, and Madison yesterday."
"Really," I said.
I knew that meant that Cath had completed another 48 in 1 winter season. Congratulations Cath!!! I believe this is her 8th season accomplishing this including a two round season. With that in mind I had a feeling that Larisa and Cath would be doing a Washington to Pierce traverse (or vice versa) so that Larisa could finish today.
I said good bye to Rocket and began heading up the Jewell trail a few minutes before 8:00.
Up, up, up I went. I passed one hiker. A couple minutes later I reached treeline. A short distance later I saw tracks heading across a snow field. Hmmm??? Must be a short cut to Jefferson. I thought briefly of taking it but it didn't look well trodden. I might need my snowshoes. I had them with me but was quite happy in microspikes. I continued on the trail. I looked back to see that the hiker I passed took the shortcut. I continued heading up. Shortly before the junction with the Appalachian Trail, I again tracks headed off to the left. This trail was more heavily used so I decided to take it.
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A few more minutes and Jefferson came into view.
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I looked ahead and saw the hiker who I had passed earlier. He was way ahead of me. That shortcut really saved him some time. The weather report for today was right on the money: above 5000 in the clear.
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Yesterday was a nice day, but today was even better.
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I can't read the sign, can you?
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Love those rime coated rocks against the blue sky
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After hiking across a flat section I dropped my pack about a quarter mile from the summit. I finally caught up to the hiker who had taken the shortcut.
"I guess I should have taken that shortcut too," I said.
"I was about to yell to you but figured you were heading to Washington," he said.
After chatting a couple minutes, he offered to let me pass.
"If you don't mind my company, I'll hike with you until the summit"
"Sure, I'm Bob on Views from the Top I post as Wolfgang."
"I'm Eric."
Wolfgang is nearing the end of his winter 4s. Ironically the summit of Jefferson was #47 for each of us. I believe he said he still needs Isolation while I need Hale. So it was #47 for any winter and #39 for this winter.
Looking over to Adams from the summit of 'Jeff'.
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Wolfgang took this picture of me with Washington in the background.
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Wolfgang on the summit of Jefferson
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My next target: Mount Washington
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Wolfgang and I headed down to Sphinx Col where he headed down and I headed up.
2.2 miles to Washington
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Mount Reagan also known as Mount Clay isn't an official 4000 footer so I opted to hike around it.
Here's a look back to Reagan after I passed it.
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One mile to the summit
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Down in the Great Gulf Wilderness the clouds were breaking up.
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The cog won't be running for a while.
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Almost there
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Just a few more feet
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There's the summit sign.
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This was not a new winter peak for me and I didn't even need it for the Grid, but it was #40 for this winter.
This was my 11th time on Washington. Never had I seen it so calm. There was absolutely no wind. I met a hiker named 'Mad Townie' who took this picture of me.
Yep, that's me in a short sleeve short on Mount Washington in February. It was that nice of a day!
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The side of the Tip Top House
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The Tip Top House from the front.
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Then just like that the clouds rolled in.
I headed down the Crawford Path. This is one of my favorite miles of the whole Appalchian Trail, but it was fogged in. That's OK. I had lots and lots of great views today.
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I came across a fairly tricky spot on the trail. A slip here and I would be going for a ride. I decided my microspikes weren't quite enough, so I switched to my crampons. While putting them on, Mad Townie caught up to me. He was on his way to bag Monroe as well so we joined forces as we cut through the clouds with very little visibility. We left our packs at the hut and headed toward Monroe.
Just after the hut I saw Drew, not Mountain Drew, but a different Drew. He's working on a 48 in 1 winter season as well. He just came down Monroe. It was #41 for him and ironically it would be #41 for me.
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Mad Townie nearing the summit of Monroe with the Lakes of the Clouds Hut in the background
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Mad Townie on the summit of Monroe
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Eric on the summit
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The weather began to clear again as we descended Monroe
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I guess it's a safe bet that no one will be getting inside the hut for a while.
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I send good-bye to Mad Townie and headed down the Ammonoosuc. I took off my crampons and enjoyed some great butt sliding down to the Gem Pool.
As I reached the parking lot I was greeted by Rick Walsh, Fred, and Mark. Ironically, I had hiked Washington and Monroe with them 2 years earlier on one of my first winter hikes. It was great to see them.
As I reached my car a little before 4:00 I looked around and thought I spotted Cath's black jeep with the Thule carrier on the top. Hmmm? I bet her and Larisa are doing the traverse I mentioned earlier. I had to drive by the Highland Center on the way home so I figured I would stop at the hiker parking lot and see if there was a large red Toyota Tacoma and there was. I left a note congratulating Cath who finished the day before and Larisa who had just finished. I later learned that Mountain Drew finished his 48 in 1 winter season that day as well. Congratulations to all 3 of you! I'm still dragging 7 peaks behind. The good news is that since there are only 48 peaks they are stuck at the number. Eventually I'll catch up to them when I reach #48.
Larisa always gives a big woo-hoo when she reaches a summit. I can only imagine how big of a woo-hoo she gave when she reached her last summit. In fact, I think I heard her as I drove home on Route 302.
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