February 25, 2009
Three peaks. Just three peaks. That's all I need and my 48 in 1 winter season will be finished. The weather looked awesome for today, so I decided to take a day off and get my last remaining peak that was above treeline. Cath Goodwin helped me organize this hike. She suggested we go up the Glencliff Trail. She had checked out a snowmobile trail website that reported that that side of the mountain had gotten less snow from our latest whopping snowstorm.
I had only been on this trail once before back in 2006 when I first climbed Mount Moosilauke. I decided to take a quick trip down memory lane and read my journal entry from that day. As I scrolled through the pictures from that day, I came across a photo of two people performing trail maintenance. I took a closer look at the photo. It was Cath. I couldn't believe it. I thought I had only known her for the last 10 months or so. Turns out, I bumped into her 2 and a half years ago. How cool!
Here's the picture from that day where she jokes and takes a supervisory role over the other trail maintainer, Steven Martin.
OK, now for today's hike. Four of us or should I say five of us, met at the Glencliff Trail. Besides myself and Cath, we had the pleasure of the company of Jonatha Wey and Tim Seaver. And oh yeah, my Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Madison. I usually only take her when I'm hiking solo, but seeing I was hiking with fellow dog lovers, Cath suggested that I bring her. Madison gladly accepted.
I've never hiked with Jonatha, but I'm looking forward to it. Before I go any further, I'd like to point out that that is not a typo. Jonatha is a woman's name. I did not mistype Jonathan. Turns out, she has a Swissy too. His name is a Major. Unlike Madison who is a mix, he's a purebreed, all 125 pounds of him.
We left the trailhead about 9:15. I thought for sure we would be breaking trail today so I wore my Tubbs. The Tubbs turned out to be overkill. We were once again given the gift of a broken out trail. Awesome!
First trail junction
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Up, up, up we went. Here's Jonatha, Cath, and Tim.
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"I've never heard the name 'Jonatha' before," I said. "It's pretty," I added.
"Thank you," said Jonatha.
"I imagine that people who don't know you are constantly trying to correct the 'typo' and put an 'n' on the end."
"Yes they are. In fact, after having my third child, I was listed as Jonathan in the maternity ward."
"What a riot!"
Jonatha took this picture of Cath and I (and Madison at Cath's feet).
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Madison waits for her two legged friends to catch up.
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Now we are getting up there.
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Maddie loves the snow!
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It was such a nice day, we decided to hit the south summit of Moosilauke first.
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Great, a bonus peak. I'd never been there. It's only about a tenth of a mile. We pushed through the snow covered trees until the trail opened up. Tim, Jonatha, and Cath approach the south summit.
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Madison refused to cooperate for a summit photo.
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Here I am with Madison on the 4523' summit of South Peak with Moosilauke in the background.
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Tim, who is way too creative, insisted we have a tapdancing contest.
To see part of the clip click here.
I think Cath (in the middle) was the clear winner, but you can vote here if you wish.
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Next we had our eyes on today's real prize, Mount Moosilauke.
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South Peak was nice, but it didn't 'count' toward anyting.
"You know, Eric," said Cath, "You are still at 45."
"Yeah, I know."
We headed back to where we had left our packs and headed up to Moosilauke.
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For a clip of Madison running in the snow click here
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Nearing Moosilauke with South Peak behind us.
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What a gorgeous day! And no wind.
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Cool snow drift
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As I mentioned at the beginning of the hike, Cath helps maintain this trail. She told us she helped build several 6 foot cairns.
I found a two foot cairn and decided to tease her.
"Is this one of the cairns you've been bragging about," I kidded.
"Yes it is," she said.
"What?"
"It's buried in the snow."
Here's a side by side comparison of the cairn in winter and summer.
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Here's Cath by one of the fully visible cairns.
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More cool snowdrifts.
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Next up we reached the 4802' summit of Moosilauke. Cath told me to give a big woo-hoo which I did. It wasn't like one of Larisa's woo-hoos, but I did my best. That's #46 for this winter. It was great to have such a nice day. We were really able to enjoy the summit.
Looking over to Mount Washington
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Jonatha took this picture of me and my 48 in 1 winter mentor, Cath.
Although I have two peaks left (Hale and Cannon), this marks the completion of all major peaks in my 48 in 1 winter season. Having Cath there today meant a lot. Cath has a hiked planned which I insisted she keep, so she won't be able to join me for my finish on Sunday. So this is sort of my unofficial end to my 48 in 1 winter season.
If I do indeed finish on Sunday that will mean that it took me 60 days to complete this goal.
I joked with Cath and Tim who hold the winter speed records, "If I could have shaved a mere 50 days and some odd hours off my time, I could have broken your record."
"There's always next year," said Cath.
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This was a new 4000 footer for Madison (#27).
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Cath helps identify some mountains
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It was time to get back, so we returned over the same route.
We reached the parking lot about 4:15 where Jonatha took this picture of Madison.
Thanks for a great hike everyone! It was nice to meet you Jonatha!
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