Hiking Mt. Washington
My hike up Mt Washington was a challenge and a wonderful opportunity. We began our hike, at 8:00 AM, 4.6 miles from the summit, at an elevation of 2600 feet. There the vegetation is lush forest with plenty of water fed from melting snows and rains from higher up the mountain.
We hiked through muck and mud, on rocks, alongside of a river. The early going was relatively easy. During our first two miles we gained a total of 1000 feet. This part of our ascent took about an hour and twenty minutes, the weather was warm, and I shed my long sleeve layer. The next segment of the hike was arduous.
Over the next mile we climbed 1600 feet. The trail was climbing from one rock to another. Up, up, up we went, sometimes the footing was slippery, most of the time it was like being on a stair machine that had gone haywire. I was drenched in sweat, and had to concentrate during every step to find the right rocks for my footing. We were able to find a cool expanse with some larger rocks to sit on, to catch our breath before resuming up the mountain. This second segment of our journey, brought us above the tree lineup a cabin maintained by the Appalachian trail stewards. It was called the “cabin in the clouds.” It was an absolutely beautiful location, situated along the Appalachian trail at 5050 ft. While at the cabin, we rest some more, and replenished our water bottles.
While we were resting at the cabin I met an inspiring individual. He was hiking the mountain with some friends. This guy had only 1 leg, and was hiking up the mountain using crutches. He was amazing. During the last 1.4 miles we gained another 1200 feet of elevation. About 1/10th of a mile from the cabin we came to a sign warning hikers to go back if the weather is severe, because people die due to exposure even in the summer.
So far our weather had been ideal, so we kept hiking.The first mile wasn’t too bad, we just kept walking upwards across lichen covered boulders. On our way up we passed 2 pairs of young hikers working at the “cabin in the clouds” for the Appalachian trail stewards. Each were carrying 100 pounds of provisions down from the summit to the “cabin in the clouds” Every Wednesday and Saturday they have to haul about 60 lbs. of waste to the summit and bring back with them 100 lbs. of provisions.
About the 1/2 from the cabin in the clouds to the summit, fog rolled in. It was pretty amazing. The mist just rolled across the face of the mountain, and enveloped us. As the temperature cooled down, I threw on a long sleeve layer. The last 1/2 mile to the summit was steep, but with the top getting closer and closer it became easier and easier to hike those last couple of hundred meters. Once we were at the summit a thunderstorm rolled in, but by that time I was relaxing and replenishing.
June 28, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I live around 1.5 hours south of Mt. Washington and we’ve done the drive to the summit. OMFG will I NEVER do that again!!!!!!!!!! I thought I was going to DIE.
But hiking sounds much more pleasant and less life threatening…unless the weather turns on ya.
OK, enough with my doomsday comment. I’m glad you had a great experience. I’d love to hike Mt. Washington sometime.