Sleeping on Snow

My first time tenting on snow. It wasn't as scary as it I thought it would be! Actually, it was kinda cozy. But you have to be prepared to use a pee bottle. You don't want to climb out of your cocoon in the middle of the night to wander aimlessly across the snow looking for a toilet. People die that way. The adventure continues. Lafyette Campground camping Sat night, with AMC/Boston Winter Hiking Program. Hiked N Kinsman and S Kinsman on Sunday, 10 miles, 9 hours, 30 to 40 F. warm! Leaders- Paul Terenzi, Bryan Jones.

Birds Eye View

It's sparkling, sunny, crisp. No wind. I can sit leisurely on the top of Mt Tom, my third peak of the day and my half way point, and enjoy the views without the usual rush to get back to the shelter of the trees.  A birds eye view of a birds eye. A few white Jays appear and seem interested in my trail mix. I hold my gloved hand out with some nuts and berries and instantly a bird lands in it. I can't believe it! I wonder if some miracle has happened in the world to change the usual order of things. Perhaps all conflict, war and strife have ended everywhere. Nature is as one and at peace. The lions are laying down with the lambs. Or is this just one tiny little miracle, orchestrated only for me, on the top of a secluded peak in the White Mountains? I sit for a long time enjoying the feeling of the Jays landing in my hand, their talons gripping my fingers like a babies grasp. Then I hoist my heavy Winter pack and start the long hike back. Hike: Mt Willey, Mt Field, Mt Tom, via Willey House Rd, 11.2 miles, 9 hours, Temp 0 to 20F, Solo, Slept in Truck. Click on picture to see full size

My Tecumseh

Hike, Mt Tecumseh, 5 miles. Moderate hike in dense trees. Very limited views. I wanted to take it easy. View of Mt Washington from the Top of Tecumsah It seemed pretty decadent to kite on Cape Cod on Saturday and hike in the White Mountains on Sunday. Does that make me a bad person? Probably. I tried to feel sufficiently guilty about it. But not so guilty that I couldn't enjoy myself.

Take All the Sky You Need

It's snowing when I leave the house, drizzling when I pull into the Chapin parking lot. Wind is gusting to 47, sand blowing everywhere. Yeah, I can feel a little wind chill on my face. The beach is pretty empty. No problem with crowds at all. It's surprising since the weather is so nice. Gary claims his little piece of the sky Chapin, Kitesurfed, 20-35, NNW, 6M RPM/Mako150, with Kitermike, Tyler, Tom from Providence, Gary.

Highland Center Hiking Weekend

It looks like we had a successful landing on the moon. Saturday Hike- Mt Pierce and Mt Eisenhower, 8.5 miles, 6 hours, with AMC Winter Hiking Program. Sunday- Short hike up Mt Willard in the rain.  Fun weekend trip in nasty weather! Leaders- Larry Takiff, Elizabeth Ryan, Regi James.

A Conversation with my Knees

Hike- Dublin Lake and Mt Monadnock from Poole Rd parking lot. 11.5 miles, 9 hours with a full winter pack. This is the longest day hike I've done since I was in my 20's. I was wondering if my knees would have something to say about that. Yeah, they had a few choice words for me. But I didn't let that ruin my fun. I told them to shut up. You big babies. I'm not going to let myself be pushed around by my own body parts. Nobody likes to be walked on by their knees.