March 1, 2009
Well, my 48 in 1 winter season is complete, but there's no need to put those snowshoes away yet. There is still plenty of winter left. I decided to join Ed Hawkins for a hike of the northern Presies. I was unsure if I could join him today because of a possible hike to Owl's Head that I had semi-commited too, so I told him I wasn't sure if I would see him. With this in mind, I didn't feel obligated to make the 7:00 a.m. rendezvous at the Appalachia Parking Lot. I had a little trouble getting going this morning, perhaps I was getting tired from the 48 four thousand footers I climbed in 59 days, perhaps it was because I reached two hiking milestones yesterday and wouldn't be reaching one today, and perhaps I just plain wanted to sleep in a little.
As a result I was 20 minutes late to the trailhead. I saw Ed's truck and new he was on the trail. I set a good pace and figured I could catch him. Up, up, up I went. I passed a hiker, but it wasn't Ed. I passed another and then another.
I finally asked the third hiker, "Have you seen a man in a green hat, carrying just a fanny pack." (Because of Ed's shoulder he's still not carrying a full pack).
"No," the hiker replied.
"What time did you start?" I asked
"Seven"
Hmmm? Sounds like Ed started out before seven.
I continued to head up to the hut. It was definitely a Presi day.
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I reached Madison Hut in just over 2 hours.
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I thought for sure I would have caught Ed by now. Then I spotted his fanny/waist pack.
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Many hikers, myself including, drop their packs at Madison Hut since bagging Madison requires a short up and back from there. Well, I must be closing in on Ed. A little over halfway up Madison, I saw Ed coming down.
"You're a tough man to catch," I said.
"I keep moving," he replied.
I knew he started before 7:00 so I asked, "When did you start?"
His reply, "6:29"
No wonder I had trouble catching him! He had nearly an hour head start. And I still really didn't catch him. I was heading up Madison, and he was coming down. He continued on his way, hopefully I would catch him soon.
A few minutes later I was on the 5367' summit of Madison. This was a new month. March is currently by far my weakest 'Grid' month. I've only completed 4 peaks, so I was glad to add Madison to my March list.
Here's a 360° clip from the summit.
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There's my next target, Mount Adams
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First I need to head back down to the hut. I saw Ed beginning his assault on Adams.
He was probably still 15 minutes ahead of me.
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I headed down to the hut where I took my first break of the day. Then headed after Adams (and Ed)
Looking back to Madison
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I saw Ed reach the 5775' summit of Adams where he waited about 10 minutes for me to catch up.
Eric on Mount Adams with Mount Washington in the background.
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Ed on Mount Adams with Mount Washington in the background.
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Next we were headed to Mount Jefferson. Ed had high hopes of going all the way to Washington. He wanted to get there, go down to Marshfield Station, and hitch a ride back to Appalachia. I told him that he was more than welcome too, but I wasn't about to try such a bold move. We decided to just go to Jefferson. Here's a view of Washington, almost within reach today . . .
. . . but it was still 5 miles to the summit. I'd go for it had we spotted a car.
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Cairn near the 5712' summit of Jefferson.
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Looking back to Adams
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It had been a great day for the northern Presies. Although we didn't have blue sky, we were in the clear, had very little wind, and had views the whole time. I had never done these three peaks together in winter so I was curious what Ed's plan was for getting out of here.
"We'll head down the Randolph Path and then Lowe's Path to Route 2," he said.
"But that's not where our vehicles are," I said.
"We'll thumb a ride," said Ed.
"And you think we will get one?"
"Yes," he said.
Looks like Ed is determined to hitchhike today no matter what. We headed down Randolph Path which was a new trail for me. Here's the view.
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We then took Lowe's Path, another new trail for me. We took a break at 'The Log Cabin'.
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After descending a couple short, steep sections, Ed who usually goes at a slower pace the last couple of miles in order to preserve his knees said, "Why don't you go ahead of me. You can get to the road, thumb a ride, and come back for me."
"Oh sure. Make me do the hitchhiking. I've got horrible luck with such things."
"I bet you'll get a ride within 5 minutes."
"And I bet I'll still be standing there when you come out."
Well, I figured I didn't have anything to lose so I gave it a try. I reached the road ahead of Ed. I stuck my thumb out there, tried to look tired, pathetic, and in need (all of which did not require much acting).
Ten minutes later Ed showed up and I was still there.
"I told you that I'd still be here." Having counted the number of vehicles that passed I added, "I had 24 chances, but no luck."
"I guess you need to look old and tired like me," Ed joked.
It was only a two mile walk so I started walking. Ed followed behind but we spread out. It's easier to get a ride for one than two.
At least the weather was nice for this 2 mile road walk.
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As I suspected, I had to walk all the way back to the parking lot where I saw Drew Peterson.
"Congratulation on the completion of your single season," he said. Then he added, "You just had to come back for more."
Drew will be right behind me. He only has three peaks left for 48 in 1 winter season, and he's doing them all SOLO!
I got in my car and headed back for Ed. I saw him by the side of the road sitting on the guardrail.
"I figured by this point, I might as well wait for you to come back for me," he said.
I was sure glad we didn't climb Washington and try to find a ride out of Marshfield Station. With my luck, we'd still be there hoping for a ride. I just can't take those type of chances.
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