Shallow Pond Conservation

Today we headed to Shallow Pond to get out and move. The weather was finally better. There is so much to talk about going on in this world but for now I only want to stay small. 

I was listening to the peeps sing and watching where Lily's focus went as a friend of mine spotted a deer out here just a few days ago. 

I also felt inspired to move and think about getting ready for future plans. 

This can't last forever and we can't stay depressed and scared.

I was happy to feel free outside without worry about breathing or touching or distance.

I am surprised to see my last 4000 footer was 2018. It seems like a millions years ago. I have been back up Pierce in Winter, completed the Belknap range and started to tick off a few 52 with a views.
Now I staying local.

Moraine Trail

First I would like to say how "easy" Blogger makes moving photos around. I loaded these from my phone in the order I took them so i could tell you about my cool hike today. Now I get to fight and rearrange them back in the correct order. Stand by......

I take pictures as a time stamp of my adventures so sometimes my trip start and end with a parking lot photo. Sounds a little unorthodox but when people have asked my how long until the top or bottom I can look back and say 20 minutes.
This photo has 2 points.
1. Started my journey at 7:21
2. Why are people such assholes and throw their tires in the woods? There were probably like a dozen in the beginning of the trail. 

I was surprised to get home and see the color of this photo but it was in fact a bit early and pretty overcast. I don't recall this blue hue.
I was a little tired but I had packed my bag, made my lunch and had my clothes all ready so I pushed through the morning blah. I know it will go away once I get out there.
This hike took a bit longer to shake the uncomfortable feeling because I am close to roads and people and the trash makes me think about not good people but I just kept moving.
This is probably the longest and loudest section from Rt 151 to Thomas Landers Rd. I crossed the road and headed into the Tech park for a short road walk and some food at about 8:42. I wanted to keep better track of the time for sections but in reality it is more important to forget all that stuff sometimes.

 

Although there is a bit of road walk I think they did a good job of marking it with paint and arrows if you have a map and keep your eyes out.

Are we there yet?

This is the final road crossing at Brick Kiln Rd. I do this section from this entrance pretty often and love the pine woods here. I would really like to do it on snowshoes if Mother Nature can make it happen. 

The final stats were 9.66 miles for 3.5 hours. I just checked the GAIA App and it says I only stopped for 6:40 minutes. Phew, no wonder I was so hungry when I got home.
I should be doing it all again in a few weeks with Cape Cod Moves as part of our Winter Warrior so we will see how the weather behaves for us.

Holiday Challenge

Touching base on my Outdoor Doings. This top photo is obviously what I would like to do on a more regular basis but there are things on my plate like children, job, dog, laundry so I must be content with where I am.
I have been participating in the Winter Warrior for a couple years. I stick to the basic 1 mile outside from January 1st until January 31st. Last year I added the extended version and kept at it until March 31st. You can miss 2 days but the third strike you are out. I can't recall missing a day during that time.
This year I decided to jump into the Holiday Challenge which means I need to be moving at least 1 mile a day from Thanksgiving until New year's Eve.
Phew! Did you follow all that? Basically I will be walking outside everyday until forever and I'm happy with that.
I have included a few photos of my views. I try to find joy whether I am on a Main Street or a mountain because really it's there if you look.

Here is my 2 week status check. I'm really hoping the miles continue as they have. I am joining a few woman for a couple evening strolls a week and if I'm lucky I will be logging some more snow shoe miles.
Happy Moving!

Mt Pemigewasset

I've been thinking about where I can keep hiking for Winter that is not a 4000 footer. This should be easy, just pick a place but really I am overwhelmed with ideas. I need a cruise director to manage this shit for me.

I want to hike all the places!!!

So maybe I can tick off some 52 with a view peaks. I have a few but there are almost 50 left to see. This being one of them. It is also right around the corner from the Notch Hostel where I stayed so I scored my normal hash and eggs breakfast and headed out. 

To the wrong lot of course. 

After loading up and hiking about 50 feet in, I finally think Nah this isn't it you fool. I jump back in my car drive back to the previous lot for the Flume Gorge and " wah-lah".

Fun little fact-I rarely get lost in the woods but I frequently roam around looking for the start of a trail. I mean I have maps and all but I need the "look behind the red shed " directions which you need to locate on the internet. 

And away I go, with the big yellow arrow for the blind girl with the bifocals. 1.5 miles to go at 9:15am.

A really cool part-I think it is all cool honestly- but you must walk under the roads and that included 3 tunnels. This brings me to something that it always on my mind when I am up North. When people drive these roads and highways in and around the White Mountains I am sure they think look at that mountain, foliage, snow, ect.
I think about the people. I am in love with the idea of tiny people traveling on these incredible mountains. I see them walking along the roadside and I know they are starting or finishing a journey. I see the cars parked with frosted windows and I know they are camped out there somewhere. Living on only what they carried in on their back. They may have bikes or skis or tents with them and I smile. These people are doing incredibly huge things and I am excited to be part of that. We might be traveling solo but we are together in our love of the outdoors.

Once I walked through the tunnels I was happily deposited into these woods. There was water bubbling all around for most of the hike. I crossed or walked along it many times but it was minimal and easy to cross this time of year.  I was slightly conscious of my breathing, number of stops and heat management. It is the coolest thing to look over your shoulder and see steam.The reminder I needed to drink more water. Today was much more manageable than yesterday. In the 30's I went down to my base layer and took off the neck gaiter. The gloves and hat were a lighter version and I took the hat off often to vent. If only it could stay 25-30 all Winter I would be fine.
I was told to walk around to the front of the mountain once I reached the cliff and I would say this is a cliff. Stunning! Once I walked around I caught a little glimpse of Franconia Ridge over the top of the trees.

I wanted to make it a loop so just after you leave the Summit there is a fork in the trail and I took the left. The trail was definitely less used and looked to be bare boots and dog paws only. I ascended in micro spikes but decided to put on snow shoes for the descent. The beginning turned out to be on the narrow side but it was good practice in balance and swearing under my breathe. 

Once I made it through that it was a gradual and peaceful walk in the woods. The trail widened and was sprinkled with gold leaves.

I bumped into a family making their way up so I knew I was getting closer to the end. What I didn't expect was this little gem. See the tunnels on the Pemigewasset trail were almost as wide as a car so as I walked towards this I was thinking-I MUST be going the wrong way but the footsteps all come this way. To my left is a wire fence to keep me off private property and from walking onto the highway and to my right is a riverbed so straight is all I can do.

Nope, this is it. I'm under the highway. Weird isn't it?

A short time later I step into the parking lot for the Indian Head trail and unstrap the snow shoes. I have a 1 mile uphill road walk. I think there is supposed to be a bike path or trail across the street but I just stuck to the road. The view wasn't too bad and although I forgot some advice I was given about doing this in the opposite direction it was a great hike. 

Even the parking lot views were great. 

Back to the Subaru by 1pm.

Lets go Snow Shoein'

I left my house at 3:32 am which was just what I had planned to have time for gas, coffee, breakfast at Peg's and make it to the Highland Center by 8am. The ride was smooth with little traffic and a great view of the giant Full Beaver Moon. It really got interesting as the sun rose and the moon started to dip behind the mountains as I got farther north. Wish I could have got some photos of it but I am only using an iPhone at this point. While driving on 302 just before arriving at our meeting place this was my view. This gorgeous sky with the rainbow reflection. There is a name for it but none of us could remember.

We started out with Brenda emptying her pack and explaining what she carried and why. We talked about layering and de-layering to regulate your heat, water and how to keep it from freezing, footwear and everything in between. She had 2 friends come along as well so there were only 5 of us. A good amount of experience for Rachel and I to draw from.

After everyone got loaded up we headed across the street to Crawford Path . It is an over 100 year old path that was involved in the start of this whole crazy thing where people like to walk up mountains.
Our journey started at about 9:45am.
The thing about learning is there has to be stops while everyone figures stuff out and what better to do when you stop but look around, especially up.

Now I am not sure if it is because there was so much white everywhere but I don't have a better explanation for how blue the sky seemed. It was just jaw dropping.

After almost 3 miles we came out of the woods and into the wind and colder temperatures but the view.....
It was as if someone has just dropped piles of frosting on everything. Trees were heavy with it and it was the most pristine white I have ever seen.

When I left the Cape it was 15 degrees. It was maybe 10 at the trail head and I heard 0 at the Pierce summit. I need to add a thermometer to my pack. As I get better gear I am sure there is some gadget that can tell me all I need to know but gear is a process.

After a final stop to cover all skin and add any additional layers you might need we started the trek around the back side of Mt Pierce towards the summit. I am grateful to the others who took some really incredible photos showing the tougher parts. Not that it was tough hiking but the trees afforded us a lot of protection and now we were exposed for the short trip to the Summit.

I also got to ask someone else to take my picture with Mt Eisenhower and Washington in the background. That person was kind enough to also snap my picture as I tripped over my own snowshoe and fell squarely on my ass. I am okay with that, laughing is the best part. 

 


It was hard not to stay looking at this and all around for that matter for a very long time. In warmer weather this would have been my lunch spot and I definitely want to walk this ridge to Eisenhower again but for today as a group we decided to turn around and head back down. In a group you make the best decision for all involved and you stick together.
The photo below is obviously the Summit Selfie that is required plus a creepy photo bomb guy.
The photo to the side is the view from the Summit when we turned around.

Our fantastic leader for the day Brenda next to the Summit Cairn.

The descent and one of my favorite pictures of the day below.  The trip down was pretty quick. We made great time getting back to the lot at about 3:15. We traveled about 6.5 miles in about 5.5 hours. I'm pretty proud of that. We made many stops which took a little longer and still killed it. One of the greatest pieces of knowledge I found was "The only way to be a better Winter hiker is to keep hiking." This covers all hiking I would say.
Oh and throw your give a shit out the window. Don't compare your journeys to others. It will kill you and you will miss out on the greatest of what you are doing.