Monday, August 17, 2015

Kearsarge North - Solo Hike

Shaka from the summit of Kearsarge North!

Kearsarge North (3,268 ft)
Trail: Kearsarge
Elevation Gain: 2,600 ft
Miles: 6.2 roundtrip
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 min (includes stops along the trail and at the summit for 30 minutes)
NH 52 With A View
Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous

I checked the weather report and today was the best out of the weekend for hiking. But I totally didn’t check the humidity levels! :( Having EIA (exercise-induced asthma) I really should pay close attention to the air quality index. But I was all gung-ho to get out and hike something short and easy (or so I thought) after last Saturday’s epic hike to the summit of Mt.Katahdin.

It started off easy enough but after about 35 minutes into the hike, I realized that it was more humid than I was thought it would be. I stopped to get a quick drink and thought about turning back….maybe head over to Mt. Stanton for shorter hike? But I was already here and figured so long as I kept pace, kept *nasal breathing and kept hydrated, I should be fine. On the other hand, if the humidity worsened, then I’d definitely turn back.

*I started "nasal-breathing-only" during exercise while on my Colorado trip and it does help. For starters it helps me relax and when I'm relaxed, I can keep a better breathing pace. I also find that I don't feel like I'm gasping for air or hyperventilating when nasal breathing. 1995 Study.

A couple came up behind me and we chatted for a bit. Found out we both have asthma but he forgot to bring his inhaler. I prodded along at my pace and the both of them would run past me, then stop and sit so he could catch his breath. I would walk past them as they sat resting and then they’d catch up and run past me again…then stop and sit so he could catch his breath. I passed them once more and quickened my pace and breathing as fast as I could comfortably endure. I wanted to get higher as fast as I could for cooler air. I finally made the summit in just under 2 hours and it was so much easier to breath! There were 3 other people there and tons of dragonflies! The air was still, not even a tiny breeze. But thanks to all those dragonflies, not one mosquito! Another hiker checked the temps for me…..80 degrees at the summit, it was 95 at the parking lot. I quickly took some photos, signed the log book and ate my lunch and chocolate zucchini bread. Only spent 30 minutes at the summit.

There were more folks coming up, but that couple never showed. After asking around, a couple of guys said they saw the couple headed back down to the trailhead. I hope he’s alright. Overheard the other 6 hikers that had come up behind me - it took them to 2 hours to ascend due to the humidity as well.

I’m calling this “easy to moderately strenuous” because I had a tough time breathing in this humidity.

Enjoy some photos I took on my hike!

My favorite parts of trails are slabs of granite!

More photos along the trail



Fire tower & log book

Chocolate Zucchini Bread









Monday, August 3, 2015

Carter Dome - Solo Hike

Shaka from the summit!


Carter Dome
Elevation: 4,832ft
Mt. Hight - Elevation: 4,675ft
Duration: 7 hours (includes stops along the trail and at both summits)
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook, Carter Dome, Zeta Pass, Carter-Moriah Trail/Appalachian Trail
Elevation Gain:  3,350 ft
Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip
My 4000+ Peak #33
Listed 4000+: #9
Difficulty: Easy to Moderately Strenuous

What a beautiful day to bag #33! I got to the parking lot at the Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead and it was just about filled. I had been along this trail when I hiked into the Carter Notch hut back in 2013. There was snow and the trail was easy to hike. Today it was a bit cool as I started off from the parking lot. But as I got onto the Carter Dome trail, it was warming up. At the Zeta pass it started cooling off all the way to the Carter Dome summit. 

I had originally planned to hike up to Mt. Hight first. But when talking to two couples with their 4 kids on their way down from the Carter Notch hut, they told me that they had descended the trail from the Mt. Hight summit and it was rocky and super steep. If you know me, you know that I don't have any problems with steep, rocky trails. But if you know me really well, you know that I like to make things easy on myself! ;) 

So instead of hiking the steep Carter-Moariah trail to the bare summit of Hight, I continued on the gradual Carter Dome trail to the Carter Dome summit. On the way I stopped at the Black Angel trail junction and spoke to "Camo". He was counting hikers that were on the Black Angel trail. I spent 40 minutes at the Carter Dome summit, taking photos, eating lunch and talking with some other day hikers as well as 4 AT Thru Hikers. Afterwards, I headed to the Mt. Hight summit taking the Carter-Moriah trail....this was such an easy hike in this direction! I spent 20 minutes at the Mt. Hight summit taking photos and quickly taking in water and a snack. I really found it hard to leave with the views and the cool breezes on this summit. On my way down the steep trail from the summit, I was just so snap-happy I hadn't come up this trail. If I had to ascend Hight via this steep trail, I'd say this hike was "very strenuous". On my way down I passed 10 folks making their way up. 

Once back on the Carter Dome and Nineteen Mile Brook trails, I ran when I could. Near the trailhead the temps were annoying...warmer and definitely more humid. But the humidity was bearable and didn't affect my asthma. I met more folks and dogs on the trails as well.....that made 60 people and 4 dogs for the day! Enjoyed this hike and can't wait to get back for South Carter, The Wildcats as well as a night's stay at the Carter Notch Hut!

Enjoy some photos I took along the way....

 Along the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail



Along the Carter Dome trail



"Camo" keeping count of hikers along the Black Angel trail




Just before the summit there is a little path that leads

to an outlook. Don't forget to check it out!


Here are the 4 AT Thru Hikers
Left photo: "Forward" with his Super Mario backpack!
Middle photo: A married couple from Vermont and "Georgia" check out the map
Right photo: Off they go!

Carter Dome Summit

Carter Dome Summit

Mt. Washington from the Mt. Hight summit

Carter Dome from the Mt. Hight summit

Not certain but I think that's South Carter behind me

Hiker ahead of me on the steep Carter-Moriah trail from the
Mt. Hight summit. Some sections, although vertical, are still a scramble.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

South Moat & North Doublehead - Solo Hike


South Moat Mountain (2,760ft)
Trail: Moat Mountain Trail
Elevation Gain: 2,200ft
Miles:  5.4 miles roundtrip
Duration: 3.5 hrs (includes stop along trail at the summit for 30 min)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

North Doublehead (3,053ft)
Trail: New Path
Elevation Gain: 1,600ft
Miles:  3.0 miles roundtrip
Duration: 2 hrs, 15 min (includes stop along trail at the summit for 15 min)
Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous

Checked off numbers 16 & 17 of my NH 52 With A View list! I wasn’t planning on bagging 2 peaks from the list today, but after 2,200 feet of elevation gain to the summit of South Moat, I still felt good (my knee wasn't bothering me). So I hiked to the summit of North Doublehead for another 1,600 feet of elevation gain, and that did the trick for me today. Enjoy some photos I took of my hike to the South Moat Mountain.

Along the Moat Mountain Trail

At the summit


After I got down from South Moat I felt good. My knees weren’t hurting and I wanted more cardio workout. So I headed over to the trailhead of North Doublehead. The parking lot is really small and can fit up to 5 vehicles parked closely to one another. The trail actually starts up the dirt road a bit and to the right. There is a large white sign with an arrow on it pointing in the direction of the trail. If you continue on the dirt road, there is a “private property” sign near a small bridge. There is a “No Parking” sign along the one-lane dirt road as well.

Just before the junction I met a family of 3…looked like grandparents with their grandson. They told me that it was their 2nd attempt to summit via the steep, “Old Path” trail and they turned around because it was too steep and strenuous. I asked if it was rocky and the guy said that it was all rocky ….which was bullshit. Some parts of the trail were a bit rocky but not as much as South Moat. The woman told me that I should ascend using the Doublehead Ski Trail as it would be “easier on me.” I quickly looked them over and realized that they didn’t even have a backpack or so much as a water bottle between them. Yup, I really want their advice. Not!  I quickly told them bye and headed to the junction where I took a right onto the steeper trail.  I met two more hikers descending and we chatting for a bit, and then I continued upwards. And the trail stayed steep. And I pushed on. Pacing my breathing. Staying hydrated. Until I spotted the Doublehead Cabin through the woods. Enjoy some photos of my hike to North Doublehead Mountain.

Along the trail

Not much views from the North Doublehead summit. I did get
a shot of Mount Washington through the tops of the trees.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Thin Air - Multi Pitch Rock Climb


Thin Air (5.6)
360 feet, 5 Pitches
Cathedral Ledge
North Conway, NH

We did this route in 3 instead of 5 pitches. My leader Geoff combined P1 & P2. And P4 & P5. The traverse section is my fave section of this route. On our last pitch, the area between the two flakes were really reachy for me, and on my first attempt I slipped. But I found the very top section of the flake on the right to be a bomber hold. It was plenty enough so that I could get my feet up and onto the bulgy flake on the left. I would def do this route again! Enjoy some photos I took  while on the route.

At the base of Thin Air

Anchor at a small ledge

Getting set to do the fun traverse!!!!!!
Geoff at our 2nd belay station

At our 2nd belay station
Geoff pointing out the Cranmore Ski slopes

At our 2nd belay station
Pat on "The Missing Link"

Our 2nd pitch

Gorgeous view!

Ledge

Looking down from our 3rd belay station

Geoff and I end along the same route so we 
followed Pat and his partner to finish up on our last pitch.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Genetian Pond Shelter - Solo Hike


AMC Genetian Pond Shelter
Trail: Austin Brook Trail
Elevation: 2,270 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
Miles: 7.0 miles Roundtrip
Duration: 4.5 hours (includes stops for trail photos & 30 min @ shelter)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Trailhead parking: 44°24'45"N  71°4'6"W

Originally I was set to solo a practice hike to the Hermit Lake Shelter at Tuckerman Ravine today. But when I awoke this morning and read Jeff D's email about a possible practice hike to the Genetian Pond Shelter, I decided to check it out instead. It's mileage/gain is similar to the mileage/gain we expect to backpack to the South Colony Pond on our Colorado trip. Once at the Pond, we will be setting up camp. So I did a quick search of trail/trailhead info and got on my way.


The trailhead is located on North Road of Shelburne, NH. 
Yes, that's a turnstyle!

Along the Austin Brook Trail







At mile 3.1, after crossing over the Bog on bog bridges, the trail bears left at the base of a steep slope. It's just 0.4 miles to the shelter and the Mahoosuc Trail, but it's rather steep. I ain't gonna lie, it was tough but tougher on my knee coming down this steep section. This is just one section of the steep part leading up to the shelter.








At the shelter




Genetian Pond with North Bald Cap mountain in the background
Notice all that beautiful rock for multi-pitch climbing!


As you can see in my photos, the weather was just beautiful! It was cool to start off. But towards the end of my hike, under the wooded areas, I was bait for swarms of mosquitoes...and a tick! Hopefully, I won't have to worry about those pests in Colorado! :) There were 8 other folks on the trail and I spoke to another woman solo hiker who had hiked the Colorado 14ers. She didn't have problems but did notice that she was huffing and puffing more than usual due to the thin air. She said that I shouldn't have any problems hiking but to take rests and stops along the trail if needed.

YouTube Channel - Hawaii Girl Adventures

Check out my YouTube channel at:  Hawaii Girl Adventures I will eventually be phasing out blog posts and be posting videos of my climbing, h...