Mt. Monadnock* (3165 ft.)


via The White Arrow Trail.

*The Second most climbed mountain in the world.


 

 

This day, my friends Katie and Rudy joined me for a rather cold trek. Temp was around 30° in the parking lot, but I was armed for bear and much more. Good thing. Once we got above the treeline, the temperature was a balmy 14° with a 25 MPH wind. Trail conditions were pretty good, though there was a fair amount of ice. Below treeline there was 2-4 inches of snow in most places. Above the treeline, snow cover was 1-5 inches, with much ice. We joked below the treeline about my over equipmentalization, but above the treeline, crampons would've been nice. About 70 percent of the way up, we stopped for a late breakfast of apricots, and impossible cheeseburger pie for Rudy. Rudy has a prodigious appetite, and earned my respect with his consumption on this hike. He has made my short list of the ultimate all-you-can-eat-buffet party. (Others are Jake, my wife's nephew Joshua, her brother Andy, and myself.)
 
We summited before noon, dining on my now legendary black bean hummus. We managed to huddle behind a rock to eat lunch, and without the wind, it didn't seem nearly as cold as it was. On the way down the two gazelles made me feel my age as I played Chester Turtle. We encountered, all told, about 20 other hikers, which for Mt. Monandock is about as low as it gets. Due to the cold, I was able to take only a limited amount of photos, which have yet to be developed. Total time of this hike was just under 4 hours.


 

 

Mt. Monadnock, White Mountains, New Hampshire
View of the Mount Monadnock from the base.

 

 
Mt. Monadnock, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Looking North towards The Presidentials.

 

 
Mt. Monadnock, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Katie and Rudy bundling to keep warm in the horrific wind. Good thing we had those Snickers bars for desert, eh guys?

 

 
Mt. Monadnock, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Kate and Rudy braving the winds to yuck it up for the camera.

 

 
Mt. Monadnock, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Self-portrait not necessary when hiking with companions. Kind of like the surreal quality of this one.