Sunday, September 17, 2017
Empty Nest 4000 Footers: One Day Full Presi TraverseOne day - 23 miles give...
Empty Nest 4000 Footers: One Day Full Presi TraverseOne day - 23 miles give...: One Day Full Presi Traverse One day - 23 miles give or take depending on your path and summit the following peaks: Madison-Adams-Jeff...
One Day Full Presi Traverse
One day - 23 miles give or take depending on your path and summit the following peaks:
Madison-Adams-Jefferson-Clay*-Washington-Monroe-Franklin*-Eisenhower-Pierce
(*Not on 4000 footer list due to precipice rule)
The weather could not have been better lower 60s, clear with light winds. We still prepared for the worse in terms of gear but completed most of the hike in tank/short sleeve shirts. We begin at 3:30 am with headlamps and finished with headlamps on the Crawford path descent which at times seemed endless. My very patient husband waited for us at the Highland Center with champagne. We arrived at 7:30.
My hiking partner was Sarah Elia a great friend who unfortunately due to the daily commitments of life I have not spent much time with in recent years. I feel like reconnecting with friends is a big part of what this empty nest hiking quest is about - not so much about bagging peaks. Sarah pushed though the pain of blistered feet - not sure I could have pushed through like she did. I am sure her hiking boots are in the trash this am.
A great hiking partner |
Mt Adams was the only peak which was clouded in during our summit. The sun just needed a bit of time to burn off the clouds |
As we approached Jefferson the clouds began to lift... |
Amazing view from Mt Jefferson - Peak #3 |
Peak #5 - Washington - it is a little weird to see so many people and cars |
Also Mt Monroe |
The quick ascent up Monroe (#6) was a nice relief
Looking toward the hike to Eisenhower and Pierce - that peak looked larger than I wanted it to be |
Mt. Eisenhower - the hike up was not as bad as it looked from afar. Actually going up was preferable to stepping down the rocky paths as our feet and legs were screaming. |
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This was an awesome day! There were moments of pain, fatigue and frustration but the weather, views, and company made it all worth it. Thanks Sarah
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Last Week there were no 4000 footers as we were too busy enjoying ourselves with Friends at Camp Kabeyun Family Camp- the weekend was made better with a sunrise hike of Mt Major
Getting back to the 4000 footers: Today I completed my first solo 4000 footer hike - Out and back via the Liberty Springs trail checking off Liberty and Flume. I was able to complete the hike in about 5 hours and 30 minutes starting at 7:00am this morning. I did not meet anyone on the trail until about 45 minutes into hiking - quiet and very green - so rejuvenating. Although most as the ascent was sparsely populated I encountered many hikers ascending during my descent.
When I first summited Liberty it was clouded in
however one of the advantages of and out and back hike is there is an opportunity for a second look - which was amazing
Flume was clear on the summit as well - a bit of a steep drop off as well
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