Saturday, I took a symbolic hike to the summit of Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire. Freshly charged batteries in the camera went dead after one photograph from the base of the snow-streaked mountain. The camera was left behind and the battery charger later implicated.
The park ranger suggested micro-cleats for hiking (at $60/pair, no thank you) and reminded us that whatever we hike up we have to hike down. Admittedly, I was apprehensive. This was my first ever hike of a snow covered mountain. I had no way of knowing how deep the snow was, how slick the rocks were or if we could make it to the summit. As we were trekking up we passed a young female hiker heading down, too scared to continue.
Hiking a snow and rock covered mountaintop was a different and exciting experience and that's what made it fun. I picked my way around icy boulders and trudged over packed snow. I love my packable Olympus 8x21RCI binoculars!
At the summit on this clear day, Mt Washington's snow-covered peak floated on the horizon. Boston was visible in the east. Although the temperature was in the mid 30s, I had a hard time parting with a peak that was almost mine. The real challenge of the day wasn't the hike up, it was the hike down. Walt bloodied his hand on the descent, but thankfully it was nothing serious.
As far as writing goes, I'm going to finish the book I've been reading today. Next up, I need to start formulating questions for the scientist. This is going to be a challenging week to accomplish anything so I expect to struggle for time.
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