How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Preparing this post felt like a flashback to my elementary school days when I was required to complete a homework assignment titled, "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" 

Have you ever hiked up Mount Washington? Have you ever wanted to? Have you ever wondered what it was like? Let me share with you my adventure and spare you the long walk over a very rocky trail.

My DH and I spend the 4th of July in North Conway, New Hampshire where we did a bit of shopping and climbed a portion of Mount Washington.

2014 Mount Washington 

from Hermit Lake Shelter

We were hoping to climb to the summit, something that I did once before when I was in my early 20's but unsure if I could accomplish it again 30 years later. When we arrive at the mountain we were told that, thanks to tropical storm/hurricane Arthur, the winds at the summit were 65-75 MPH!  We decided we would hike up Tuckerman Ravine and go as far as our bodies would allow. 

The trail was much rockier than I remembered:

so we walked cautiously, enjoying large waterfalls:

small waterfalls:

and hikers hauling ski gear up the trail. All of them anxiously anticipating their arrival at the top, excited about the opportunity to ski in July.

The pace at which that group stormed past us, weighted down with all that gear, made my head spin.

I, on the other hand took the leisurely hike carrying nothing but my camera and posing for pictures.

DH carried all of our "stuff" and occasionally posed for a picture.  No, he is not bracing for a fall he is pretending to prepare for a dive.

Just 0.7 miles short of the floor of the Ravine we stopped collapsed at a shelter for a quick break and a snack.  From this point the climb became more challenging and much steeper.  We proceeded upward but it did not take long for us to decide that we had gone far enough would never make it down if we continues on this path. The trail got narrower, rockier, and much steeper.  DH and I are small town walkers not large mountain hikers.  We had been on the trail for 3 1/2 hours (good enough for me!) so we made an "about face" and began the descent. We made it to the bottom 3 hours later and very happy have made it without stumbling on the rocky terrain. Our 6 1/2 hour walk was over.  We did not make it to the summit, we fell short of making it to Tuckerman Ravine Bowl, but we genuinely enjoyed the day and hope to return to climb again. We will probably head up Boott Spur next time. It is a bit longer but not as steep.

  

It was nice to return to the Bed and Breakfast:

to rest on the porch:

 to walk the grounds and view the barn:

as well as the beautiful horses:

And to finally collapse in bed:

happy to have hiked Mt Washington but wondering if my legs would function in the morning!

 Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next time ~ remember:

"Striving for success without hard work 
is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted"

David Bly