Mount Washington Round 2

We started at night hiking up to Tuckerman's Ravine, my first actual night hike. I was a bit slow moving. Luckily it was only a 2.2 mile to our first shelter. The stars were out bright, and it was actually warm to start off. We made it to our first shelter and there was two guys taking time lapsed pictures, kinda neat. Tucks itself was not icey or slippery. It was a really enjoyable walk not very stressful. We unpacked, had some dinner and then hit bed for an early rise. (Note, from my hiking comrades, I snore now)

Next morning we got up at a respectable 8 am ish, had some snacks and headed up tucks, It was a very warm start, after we hit the pumps.  Tucks wasn't so bad going up till we reached mid point, the temp started to drop and we could see ice formed on the falls. Pretty neat can't wait till I get up there during the winter. I was a bit moving slow going up, not really pain just slow moving today, had a full pack is much different than going with a day pack. 

Boulder field was super slow moving, with ice and snow, but we still made decent time to the peak. Lot of people out mid afternoon hiking, which was suprising to me since it was kinda cold. More automile drivers wanting to get a sign picture but this go around, they were much more respectable for the hikers who put in the effort to get up there. Peak was cold, maybe 20's/30s tops but there was warm food and I had been looking for breakfest. This path I had taken before, so not to much new except slower movement to be safe. We were going over Mount Clay after lunch which was totally new, so i was excited.

Doot,Nicky,Ian (Back row) Neil, Chris (Front row)

Let me be upforward, I really enjoy hiking with this crew, Nicky is the happy go lucky singing person, Ian is the "Keep going one more hill", Chris is the first scout out ahead make sure we are going where we are going, and Neil is one of those this is the greatest ever days. Even though I lagged behind massively, I never felt Hey I'm hurting these guys. Mount Clay was amazing, well worth climbing up some massive rocks to get to, the view while not as Mount Washington amazing, had a pond sitting in the middle of the valley, some gliders rocking out in the sky. We were burning daylight but Neil/ Chris and Nicky headed ahead of us to get out before the sky fell dark, Ian stuck behind with me and we moved at the turtles pace i was going. While my body wasn't hurting to much going down Grey was intense, rock slippery (Yes I fell on my face), Ice covered, darkness lost. This section was tough, and I mean at the end after walking in darkness over some of the most crazy rocks I have ever seen, I was very happy to put feet on pavement. I hurt for two days after, lots of step downs, very very slippery. I can't imagine doing that in the later winter, I forsee snails pace and some spikes.

Flags on the 48 2014 Carter Dome Sept 13th

"The hiking community continues to honor the deceased with a tribute: flying the American flag atop all 48 four-thousand foot and higher mountains in New Hampshire on the weekend closest to September 11 each year. By demonstrating our steadfast unity in this challenging endeavor, we also hope to express our unwavering support to the families, friends and communities whose losses are beyond comprehension and whose suffering we remember in our hearts.

This year, my team decided to hike to Carter Dome (4,833 ft) by going over Mt. Hight. The hike was 10.4 miles long (which included a side trip to the Carter Notch Hut). We camped the night before in frigid temperatures (35 F!). The weather was overcast and by the time we got to Mt. Hight, the clouds were starting to roll in, however, we were still afforded amazing views of Mt. Washington, the Northern Presidential Mountains, the White Mountain National Forest to the west, Maine to the east, Carter Dome and the Wildcats to the south and Mt. Moriah to the north. We pressed on toward Carter Dome and helped to raise the ginormous American Flag that Shawn P. McLaughlin had brought along once again. We heard the Air National Guard helicopter fly over twice, however, the clouds had rolled in and we couldn't see them. Hopefully they saw us! Several other hikes stopped to say hello, including quite a few thru-hikers and even a nice couple who brought us all candy as a thank you! After a group picture and a moment of silence, we took the flag down and started the descent. On the way down, we were all caught in a little rain storm, but that didn't dampen our spirits! " Quoted by Carrie-Ann Labrecque.