Catch Up!

Since it is now March, I have missed a few adventures that I would have posted if I had started this blog earlier! I hope you enjoy them :)

1. The first is Sean and I's hike of Mt. Jackson and Mt. Pierce, both of which are 4000 footers! We did this hike on 1/7/12, the first hike of the new year!! The forecast looked good so we decided to go for it. We had done a few winter hikes before but nothing this high in mileage!

 











 

The beginning of the Webster- Jackson Trail

We began the hike at Crawford Notch without our crampons on. They were on in about 20 minutes into the hike because hiking in the snow without crampons is like walking in sand uphill. Its do-able but not very much fun and very slowww. I don't remember the exact time (which is why I wanted to start blogging!), we reached Mt. Jackson (4,052 ft.). Immediatly, we needed to put our winter gear on because it was windy and cold! Glad I packed extra clothing, you never know what you are going to need in the Whites because the weather can change instantly.  

Sean and I at the top of Mt. Jackson

Canadian Jay! They are so friendly they will eat right out of your hand

We debated going further to Mt. Pierce because the weather didn't look promising. We didn't want to take any chances, but another group of hikers came along behind us who were continuing to the next peak. Knowing there would be other people on the trail with us made us feel better about the decision. I'm glad we decided to keep on going because the weather never did anything. We passed Mizpah Hut and continued to Mt. Pierce (4,310 ft.). We even got to walk through an "Alpine Zone" where the trees are 8 feet tall or less. They are very fragile areas and need to be respected!

Sean in knee deep snow!

Top of Mt. Pierce!

I was really excited to hike from Mt. Jackson to Mt. Pierce because it follows the Appalachian Trail! I plan to hike the entire AT from Georgia to Maine in a few years, but I need to save up a lot of money because the 4-6 month journey is not cheap! Also, being on the top of Mt. Pierce was nostalgic to me because my dad took me hiking on the Presidential's as a 5th grade graduation present and right as we made it to the top of Mt. Pierce, a huge thunder and lightening storm hit. Up until that point, I was petrified of lightening! I got to face my fear first hand, outside, on the top of a mountain... I'm not afraid of lightening anymore! This trip was the first time I was back on the AT since that trip with my dad so many years ago. This summer, Sean and I are planning an extended hike of the Presidential's... details to follow!

Overall, the round trip mileage was 7.6 miles and probably took around 5 hours including rest stops.

2. Next, is Sean and I's day trip skiing Wildcat Mountain, which was yesterday! We had breakfast at Bagels Plus which is like bagel world... so good! Not sure which one I like better! The weather was perfect, absolutely no wind which is unusual for Wildcat. Also, it wasn't too crowded which is why we ski at Wildcat! I hate waiting forever in lift lines! 

Our first run of the day to warm up was on Pole Cat, and even though its a green, its one of my favorite trails at 2 & 3/4 miles long. Our second run was on Wildcat and I was sooo disappointed because it is one of my favorite trails on the mountain but they haven't groomed it at all this season. I think its absolutely fine to leave a trail ungroomed especially after a huge snow storm, but groom it a week or so later because it just turns into lopsided, uneven crusted over bumps which are not fun. I made sure to avoid that trail for the rest of the day. 

I got to test the limits of my new Patagonia hi- loft down sweater which worked great! ( I will write about this jacket in "Gear Reviews") Overall, we had a perfect day on the mountain and I can't wait to get back!

Silly.. I know! At the top of Wildcat

 

Now since I have spend all this time making this blog and not studying for my final tomorrow.. I should probably hit the books! Next weekend starts my spring break and Sean and I are headed up for a 4 day long weekend!! I will have more stories for you then I'm sure :)