They will peer into the mysterious bottomless abysses, admiring what they can only imagine, and they will note and relish the frozen, ice-covered rocks and plants close and all around them. And when it’s really thick up there, some will smile at nothing, for no real reason […]
Quite a ways south and west of our location here in the Mount Washington Valley, hikers will find the 4802-foot Mt Moosilauke (pronounced moo-suh-loc-kee or moo-suh-lock, you pick). It is our most westerly of the New Hampshire 4000-footers and the first of many of the bigger mountains in the White Mountain National Forest that NoBo Appalachian Trail thru-hikers will encounter. It’s a gorgeous mountain with an barren alpine summit. It often presents its visitors with gorgeous views, while other times — like was the case on this trip — that pesky mountain weather takes over. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. A true mountain aficionado will delight as much in what they can’t see as in what they can. They will peer into the mysterious bottomless abysses, admiring what they can only imagine, and they will note and relish the frozen, ice-covered rocks and plants close and all around them. And when it’s really thick up there, some will smile at nothing, for no real reason, as their breath passes in and out their body. Nothing more being one with yourself — an inward Zen moment.
The team got a late start, but the trip was still a go, Redline Guide Ryan Mcguire in the lead. Our guest having virtually trained with Mike Cherim the day prior was fairly ready, and any missing gear she did have was taken care of with one of our Ready Packs. Ryan reported that he ensured they kept a pretty steady pace so as to get off mountain before it got dark, for safety reasons, but our guest was fit, ready, and capable. The day a success, despite a rough, delayed start. The team ascended and descended via Glencliff Trail. They prudently carried snowshoes but ended up not needing them. As consolation, they did make great training weights.
The heaviest lifting is done. Onto the summit, then back down.
On the road to the summit.
There are no real views today, yet it is still gorgeous. The alpine environment is awesome.
And on the return.
Made it. Well done!
Good job, Ryan, well done, team. Thank you for adventuring with Redline Guiding.