Climb to the Clouds at Moosilauke

Where do I even start? 

Okay so Friday I worked until Noon. I was a bit nervous about this trip as usual so I did very little prep. I was gathering clothing in a pile, had a bag in the kitchen to collect food items and.I had the info on the places I was staying and my hiking map. When the day came of course I had some unexpected additions like bank, drop a notebook at school and pick up the kids prescriptions so by the time I had thrown everything in the car and fought with the bike rack it was about 2 hours later. Add on a bumper to bumper trip most of the way and you would think I would be all stressed out but I really wasn't.

My hope was to see the Full moon and although this photo and most from this trip will not do it justice I at least got to travel with it on the way through the White Mountains. This photo was taken from one of the many pull-offs on the Kangamangus Highway. It was extremely beautiful and huge in the early evening along 93 as I entered NH.
I also only got to see it from the car on the way back from our hike Saturday. Sadly no time to sit, quietly enjoy it and plant any dream seeds.

I would like to say these 2 photos are clear signs of my naivety sometimes. On a plus side I have strong will and refuse to quit. I took this photo because it always amazes me to see where I am going or where I have come from. A common phrase used during this hike was "Baby Steps". It is just one after another and before you know it you have done 20,000. After looking at the map I think we summited this and Moosilauke is actually behind and taller. When we entered the trail we stopped and I took this photo below. I always try to take a picture of the trail head as a time marker. It helps me plan return time and so I can document here accurately otherwise I would forget. I basically focused on the miles not the 2nd plaque using words like Extremely tough, Experience and TRAGIC RESULTS.

We had a good mix of people. They were all happy and pretty positive but most importantly very supportive and caring. We had 2 people-a new hiker and another who had some physical issues but he was determined to come. They waited and checked on these 2 often. Almost 1.5 miles in they decided to turn back. I felt bad but at least they were together and she had her own car.
Now that I think about it we all did it for each other throughout the hike. Everyone seemed to have a point where they needed a boost and I think someone else was there to help with a hand, a snack of just words of encouragement. 
This something I lack when hiking alone. I'm not so caring in my self-talk. Usually I think it is more-Suck it up Girlfriend we need to get back to the car or Come on Berry you can go this shit!! You are not quitting.

For over a mile we hiked along this water fall so we had a coloring book page as our backdrop, the sounds of water and the smell of the leaves. Heaven?? Close besides the grunting and dripping sweat.
It was 1.9 miles of rock, water, leaves and elevation. Tough would be an understatement.

There aren't many photos of the trip up because your focus had to be on footing. There were places with blocks cut into the rock face and reebar handles as it was steep and wet. 
The Summit was breathtaking. It was busy and I wanted to abide by the request to stay on trail and not damage the vegetation but I really wanted a 360 video so bad. I wanted to bring it back to everyone. I can't even explain the feeling of awesome with words.

This was a site everyone found incredible. I was greatly stressed by it. Yes they are stunning but why were why circling the Summit so low and hovering? If I hadn't been with a group I would have left. It was causing me that much anxiety. After lunch a a million photos we worked through the numbers and decided it was time to boogie. It took almost 3.5 hours to get up and if it took 3 to get down it would be dark.
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Down was fast for about the first mile. We had lunch on board, the desire to get home and it was decent trail.

Once we got to the second half we slowed to a snails crawl. I was at the end with Bob and we were tired. At one point I slipped and fell on a flat rock about 3 feet in diameter. I was actually thinking this was the best case scenario. NH has so many jagged rocks on a trail I am more afraid of failing and landing on something that will jab me and cause injury. This fall was like a double smack on the ass, a bruise on the elbow I landed on and a twisted shoulder. My left arm went behind me. As I slowly made my way down anytime I used my arm for stability it was painful but there isn't another way out so we powered on.

See if you are a good girl and climb a fucking killer mountain you can have beer or pizza or something real bad for you like 600mg of Advil. It's called Motivation.

I usually try to also take a photo of my car or a trail sign to mark the end. See that light? That is our ride. The other are already out and waiting with the heat on at the curb. We were greeted with hoots and congrats when we came out of the trail.
Start time 11:30am End time 6:30pm  So 7.6 miles in 7 hours. 
P.S. Homemade Chicken, broccoli, tortellini with alfredo sauce and not a bit of guilt involved.