Mount Waumbek was #8. It was April 29, 2017 and since I have only been hiking a few years I still am learning. One of the biggest lessons I have found so far is weather. Don't underestimate it ever in the White Mountains. This day it was 70. Yes, 70 degrees. The lower trails make you think it is Spring but soon you will see otherwise. I usually take a picture of the trail head as a way to measure time-Start time 7:45.
The trail I took is an out and back. As it started out of the beautiful forest and to gain some elevation the ice and snow peaked it's way in.
So now I am in shorts and a t-shirt, boots with microspikes balancing on a monorail barely wide enough for my size 11 foot.
I made it to Starr King Chimney at about 9:50 and this was the first real view. I made some lunch and took a break. At this point I am still very new. I was thinking I am not sure I really needed to cook but it was a good practice to do so. On a side note-my growth in the last year has been pretty big. I will do my best to convey feelings from then and now.
As I remember it the section of trail between Starr King and Waumbek quickly educated me about this Season where most hikers stay home. Not only was the monorail thin but it was weak. I repeatedly post holed to my knee, scraping skin along the way. I think snow shoes would have helped with the post holing but there just wasn't any room for them.
Another fun fact, you really should love hiking for various reasons because there are days that you are going to work hard only to reach a pile of rocks. No view, No balloon, No High 5.
Just you, being proud that you made it.
So this would also be the point that I decide pants are in order. Like I said
learning. I now have a nifty pair of gaiters which may have helps keep some shin skin but we will post about that in the future.
Once back in the woods I am passed by a young woman running. Shortly there after a man comes up trail running as well so I step to the side giving them right of way. As memory serves she wasn't wearing a pack or anything and he has a small bladder pack only. He stopped to ask if I was a backpacker which I responded no. He then adds well you have a pretty big pack. We stand there for a few seconds looking at each other until I just shrug. Not sure what my response should be.
Can I tell you that I wasted-WASTED- a good amount of time thinking about that after. Like I was doing it wrong, wrong equipment, just something wrong.
I wear a 46l Osprey Kestrel. I bought it on sale because it looked like it would fit my needs and I could afford it. Now I find that I like it, I like how it fits. I carry a decent amount of stuff "in case". Is it over kill? Maybe but let's focus on the important thing here-
It is none of your fucking business! I'm carrying it. I have shared water and trail mix with Thru-hikers, I have shared socks and tape to a person who's dog had bloody paws, I gave tape to a woman who lost the whole sole of her boot miles from a trail head. I can take care of myself when the shit hits the fan. I'm as safe as I can be but thanks for your 2 cents. I could comment on the fact that you have no supplies and shit happens on a mountain but I believe in-Hike your own Hike.
Lesson learned-Don't let other people take away what you get from a hike. Keep the peace and warmness in your heart. Mother nature would like it that way.
Enjoying the views on my way back to the Hostel.
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