Winter Mt Watatic

January 1st.

I wanted to be somewhere. I wanted to set my intent for the year. I have been out of the woods, real woods for a long time. The Holidays and the stumble in my Winter hiking confidence I guess. 

After gathering my gear and weather report on where to find snow I headed back to Ashburnham. 

Why not? I have hiked it before so I know what I am doing so it would make a great first real Winter hike.

In my life you learn to roll with the punches so I have a complete back pack with microspikes and snow shoes to cover whatever the conditions are and to just practice carrying the load and OF COURSE I leave my lunch bag on the stove. 

Surprisingly, I am able to hook myself up just fine at a gas station store with yogurt, hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks and nuts. 

I'll let you scroll through the photos but I mean really?? The day was incredible. I was an epic geek master and excited to use all the equipment.

Hey, Guess what? You don't fall on your ass when you wear Microspikes!! If you recall my post over a year ago on Rattlesnake Mt I crashed and burned about 5 times. I was also wearing jeans. Oh the lessons I have learned. 

I any case I have a great and easy trek to both summits and then decided to take the side trek .4 miles to NH. Really just because I could.

Shortly down the trail I see 2 woman walking towards me, slogging along in the snow when I think Hey, I have more geek equipment on my back. I stopped at a conveniently placed log and traded my spikes for snow shoes and happily moved along. 

I no longer feel like a geek when I pass women with a bottle of water and a granola bar and I have my pack on.

Gear can be cool bitches!