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We made a bold move and decided to hike five peaks in one day, bagging four 4000 footers. I don't think I've been more exhausted in my life. But for those who are more able bodied than myself, I recommend hiking Lafayette through the Flume. That's a 10 hour day of mountain magic.
A wonderful friend June participated in her first ever triathlon! I couldn't be more excited and proud. This girl has grown into such an astounding young lady through the years I have known her.
I had a long talk with her father during the race and it turns out that mom and dad are both athletic, but June seemed to have missed to genetic boat. Last year she ran a couple of road races with me and seemed to be having a rough time. I didn't think it would stick. But this year she had moved away to Boston and decided that she could and would be athletic too. She's just not a quitter!
June participated in a local triathlon in our area that consisted of 1/3mi swim, 3mi run, and 2mi kayak around the pond. We joked that next year we'd do a relay and I could run for her. :P
My aunt actually participated as well so there was twice as much reason to come. She really kicked some serious butt. After the race I had to ditch the camera for a bit because I ran the trail with my aunt and we picked some wild chanterelles. It was so much fun!
We tried to squeeze a hike in Friday before I had to go to work so we chose Mt Cannon because of the relative shortness. Man, did I learn a lot of lessons on that hike.
I don't tend you read ahead about the trails I'm thinking of hiking. I can already feel everyone shaking their head. Lesson one; Read ahead. We encountered a latter on the trail and I had to carry my pup up and then later down the latter. He took it gracefully, but I wouldn't consider it a safe hiking practice.
Lesson 2; Read ahead. When we reached the obseravtion tower we were pretty excited... Until we were flooded by tourists decked out in the most inappropriate hiking attire. It turns out that there's an ariel tram that comes up the other side of the mountain.
Lesson 3; My dog is afraid of people. Yes he is. When we were hit with a wave of strangers, my pup had no idea what to do and started to get a bit frantic. We only got a moment to check out the Franconia ridgeline before we had to get the dog out of there.
Lesson 4; Don't hike on a work day. I don't think I have ever been so painfully tired at the end of a day in my life. Just don't do it. Ever.
Lesson 5; Some Shot Blox just aren't all that yummy. I'm looking at you cherry flavors.
All in all, I loved this hike. It was a fun challenge and the view was amazing. I can't wait to be on the other side of the highway on Monday. Look out, Lafayette!!
We haven't been having much luck here for hiking. We've had to call off most of our hiking in the past couple of weeks because of overwhelming humidity and thunder storms. We're still pretty reluctant. Kelsey and I think we can finish all of the 4000 footers by the end of the season. But the thing that gets me is how people talk about hiking as if it's only worth it on those rare, pristine, high visibility days. Let me tell you, there are plenty of wonderful, magical things to find.
I'm looking forward to the things we've planned for the hours we can't go hiking. We just invested in a small slackline and I'm looking into getting another crash pad for bouldering. Who knew you didn't have to drive all the way north just to climb some rocks? It's time to get out of the gym and back to nature. And I can't be more thankful for the pioneers before me who were smart and kind enough to start and share something fun like Mountainproject.com. I can boulder right down the street!!
Have you been able to get out and explore your own back yard?
