Nov 3rd: The Plot Thickens
It looks like the PM and I are staring at the maps. Naturally I've been on a kick to do new things and check out new trails. Sometimes there will be overlap, but here are a few trails for fun and frolic:
- Beaver Brook Trail up to Asquam Ridge (to Moosilauke) - features handholds and/or ladders I think.
- Davis Path to Mtns Crawford, Resolution & Stairs.
- Israel Ridge Path up to Edmands Col. (Up the Castellated Ridge, Down Israel Ridge?)
- Up Wildcat Ridge Trail to Carter Notch Hut, return to 2nd car at Hall's Ledge Trail by taking Wildcat River Trail south to Carter Notch Road, right on road a bit, then Hall's Ledge Trail back to Rte 16.
- Downes Brook Trail south to Kate Sleeper Trail, hit East/West Sleeper, return via Sabbaday Brook Trail (hitting South/Middle Tri and avoiding The Fool Killer).
- Sandwich Dome & Black Mountain (via Sandwich Mtn & Algonquin trails, return via Algonquin & Drake's Brook).
- Chocorua - any of it. The closest I've been is Wonalancet. Maybe up Champney Falls Tr, then across the Bee Line Tr., Lawrence Tr. and pick up the Oliverian Brook Trail in Paugus Pass?
It looks like trip #2 is the choice du jour. And for the icing on the proverbial cake, g-$$$ may be filling in for the long-lost tMail who will be taking off in a few days for the other side of the planet. The weather is looking fine, although it will likely be a chilly start to a bright, sunny day. The leaves are off most of the trees so the woods should be bright and the views tremendous with the clear, dry air. I can't wait.
[Update 11/2: Uh Oh]
Rain's a comin'. From the National Weather Service for Lincoln, NH:
AN INTENSE EXTROPICAL LOW WILL TRACK TO THE EAST OF CAPE COD
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND MOVE INTO NOVA SCOTIA CANADA SATURDAY
EVENING. GUSTY WINDS AND RAIN ARE EXPECTED SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
Two Words: Edmands Col
ReplyDeleteI think it would just be cool to go back up there see everything and try to figure out where everyone was etc etc etc...I still really want to do that someday the place is still a mystery to me.
One good session through there and you'll see it's no mystery... Only with 100yd visibility is it a mystery. We were up there in the Weirdest Weather!! I still can't get that scene out of my mind.
ReplyDeleteMutha,
ReplyDeleteSince I'l be in Portsmouth area, Chocorua would be cool and easy for me to travel to. (Selfish prick!) It's a great hike with pretty dramatic landscape and views (for a piddly little piss ant of a rock heap!)
I'd also be up for most any of the others too. I will look harder at the maps/book tomorrow.
They all look awesome but here's my vote, with comments, in order of preference...
ReplyDelete2) Davis Path to Mtns Crawford, Resolution & Stairs. - Never been on Davis Path, might be very cool with good views (if the weather is okay.)
6) Sandwich Dome & Black Mountain (via Sandwich Mtn & Algonquin trails, return via Algonquin & Drake's Brook). - Also sounds very cool in the book and off the beaten path.
7) Chocorua - any of it. The closest I've been is Wonalancet. Maybe up Champney Falls Tr, then across the Bee Line Tr., Lawrence Tr. and pick up the Oliverian Brook Trail in Paugus Pass? - Been up it a bunch and it can be CRAZY busy. Landscape is cool and views are too.
1) Beaver Brook Trail up to Asquam Ridge (to Moosilauke) - features handholds and/or ladders I think. -I may have the dog...
3) Israel Ridge Path up to Edmands Col. (Up the Castellated Ridge, Down Israel Ridge?) - Looks awesome and want to keep it on the radar for another weekend when time is of no issue.
5) Downes Brook Trail south to Kate Sleeper Trail, hit East/West Sleeper, return via Sabbaday Brook Trail (hitting South/Middle Tri and avoiding The Fool Killer). - As above.
4) Up Wildcat Ridge Trail to Carter Notch Hut, return to 2nd car at Hall's Ledge Trail by taking Wildcat River Trail south to Carter Notch Road, right on road a bit, then Hall's Ledge Trail back to Rte 16. - Wildcat Ridge to the Hut is a painful slog , the car spottting will eat time, I'm saving myself for a Sunday run of 2hrs, and what other excuses can I think of?!!
I heard on the grapevine that G$$$ may join us.
On a related note, when does T-Mail launch for India? Next week?
Crawford, Resolution & Stairs It Is! Woo Hoo. Crawford Notch General Store up the road from the trailhead is closed, so get your goodies elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThe mileage is hard to read because all the summits are off the Davis Path and weirdly marked. It looks like a total of under 12 miles.
g-$$$? Really? I've heard he's haunting the halls like Marley's ghost.
Ri-ree should have a good time of it except on "The Stairs" - whatever the fuck they are. I'd better read up on that.
right now I'm better than 50/50. mrs.-$$$ gave me the prelim "go ahead" (and the nod to go ride on Sunday morning to boot). Yet having been down this trap before, I'm waiting for her to reconfirm tomorrow when she will have awoken from the halloween chocolate trance she was in and realize what she has given agreed to...
ReplyDeleteNeed to hammer out some details...what time is the rendevous. I'm okay with the chosen route(s) but just can't afford a full day in the hills.
Yay, g-$$$. (Those chocolate-induced trances are killers. I've got one scheduled this evening.)
ReplyDeleteThe trailhead is closer to me, so you and the PM should pick the time. The earlier the better (I have a dinner party at 5-ish).
Mmmmmm, butter...
ReplyDeleteTrailhead: Large paved parking area for the Davis Path, beside US 302. Heading east from I-93 it is on the left, 5 miles south of Willey House and Crawford Notch State Park. Heading west it is on the right, just after the Notchland Inn, around 12 miles east of Route 16.
I will be in the Portsmouth area so maybe G$$$ and I can rendezvous somewhere and head up around 6am - at the trailhead around 8/8:30am? I am willing to go earlier if G$$$ is good with that too.
For the record, I am bringing a loaded bag (read winter pack.) Not to be a tough guy but to see how it carries and such - a mere test run for fun. So, I do not plan on running or flying on teh day but going at a decent clip.
I also will likely wear my boots.
And, I will bring my own Spam sandwich if MuthaZ will bring the hot pepper noise...
i'm okay with meeting the PM at 6 or earlier. PM, are you staying in Portsmouth or in Dover.....just thinking about where and when to meet. Sooner we start the sooner I get home to save the kid from mom's continued chocolate trance.
ReplyDeleteI'm out of practice so I'll be toting a normal pack. Been doing my training with a constantly moving 28lbs on the back so a lighter pack is a must for me in order to stay with you trail burners, heavy pack or not.
It won't be race day pace. I may actually have a spam sandwich with hot sauce lovingly caressing each fatty, meaty slab like a cozy comforter in front of a crackling winter fire. Or PB&J.
ReplyDeleteAll the fun I am missing SON OF A BITCH!!!
ReplyDeleteTmail launches in 120 hours! Flight from BOS to LDN...rock LDN for a two days then LDN to Banglorous.
I have had some great conversation with people I met through a Blog about stuff in India. My fitness is shot right now I am going to try to salvage something and muster out an Ultra-Marathon death sentence if you ask me.
There is also this place called the Nilgiris Mountains a playground at 7500 feet. I have a driver for 1 USD a day according to sources they take you everywhere and do everything for you like an errand boy.
I booked my flight to Delhi for the Taj Mahal I will be there the weekend after Thanksgiving.
My contact information is tim_finocchio@ssga.com any emails you guys send please include me. My blackberry number is 857-207-7471 just dial that and I will pick up I am 9.5 hours ahead. When I get back in January I will be ready to fly and destroy NH's 48. Bad Boy count me in!
When I come back I will have all Russian state of the art climbing equipment!!!
T-India
have a safe and good trip tmail. state of the art russian gear huh? their titanium stuff is supposed to be cheap and light. haven't heard raving about durability.
ReplyDeleteG$$$,
ReplyDeleteI'll call you tomorrow but I will be staying in S. Berwick, ME and heading to 16 from there. Meeting in/near Dover would be best. I looked and even up teh road near Rochester will work too (exit 9 off Rte 16N.) A 6am meeting may be good... my buddy's band doesn't go on until late.
T-Mail,
Check it out... http://www.saigan.com/heritage/gods/gods.htm
These guys will help you maintain your fitness level and ability to kick ass.
MuthaZ,
Do I need to bring baby wipes and a cold roll for Saturday? How hot is that hot sauce?!!!
It's hot, but it won't kill you. I'm big on a fresh 'peppery' flavor so this isn't a heavy, thick, well-cooked, aged sauce. It's peppery and vinegary with complex bursts in the early and late stages. It hits the tip, sides and back of the tongue dramatically and the floral, pepper and earthy tones caress and wrestle the nose. It starts simple, pops, lingers, then develops... and it'll cause a wicked Johnson burn.
ReplyDeleteI'll be at the trailhead by 8am.
The rain is coming ... the earlier the better, the later the wetter.
ReplyDeleteHa. Cold start to the day. Looking fine!