Check out my solo climb

“check it out at http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/yzzh76ft.php

AWESOME TIME!!!! What more can I say....

CaptainJim”

“Nice one, ballsy hike Captain.”

“I see your crampons, did you use snowshoes up to hermit ? or crampons the whole way ??

Congrats.”

“Nice, congrats!”

“Wow, great pictures!
80mph winds? must have been quite cold!”

“Wow! I didn't think Mount Washington ever got blue sky above it.
last edited: 12/16/04 12:25:55 PM”

“cool!! nice pics too.”

“Boots and my trusty Leki trekking poles only (no snowshoes) up to the Hermit shelter... crampons from there up and then all the way back down cuz I literally ran down.

Yes, it was quite cold once over the headwall. Before that though wasn't bad at all... I was actually sweating quite a bit. I learned a lot... I overdressed for the lower portions. Fortunately I was able to change at the shelter into dry under/wicking layers that I had brought... or I wouldn't have continued on. I also learned you gotta keep sipping from a hydration system every 5 minutes to keep it from freezing.

I was supposed to go a week earlier (to celebrate my 50th birthday), but my wife told me the night before I couldn't go because she had a surprize party planned. This actually turned out to be a good thing because I'd much rather hike in zero degree snow/wind than the 38 degree wind driven rain/monsoons we had the day I had planned for. The river was quite swollen and the slopes very slick that day, and trekking all day in the rain isn't exactly what I wanted to do.

And yes Lumberzac, there is occasionally blue sky up there!

Peace Out...
CaptainJim
last edited: 12/16/04 12:59:20 PM”

“Did you see any orcs while up in the mountains..I understand that they inhabit that area.”

“How far up Mt. washington did you get?”

“

Methinks I'll not be going there.”

“Congrats, Capn.

Doug”

““How far up Mt. washington did you get?”
Bearmagnet
1:10:04 PM
12/16/04


Summit... 6,288'. 4.2 mile trail 4,200' vertical (started @ about 2000'). 5 hours up 2.5 down. Not bad for an old man I thought...

CaptainJim”

“But your camera froze before you got to the top?


How conveeeeeeenient!

;)


I don't think I could do it in 5hrs in perfect weather!”

“I was waiting for that... I kept coming across a French couple that climbed it with a 35mm camera. Thet'll be sending me shots I'll scan and post... until that time... you'll just have to believe me (or not.. ha ha).

PS: in perfect weather it can be done in just over 2 hours if you're in shape and are really CRANKIN'... I know... I've done it in good weather too!

Peace Out,
Capt. Jim”

“Real nice report.”

“Thanks for sharing. It is making me jealous. I am glad you had a good trip and I hope to do the same in the future. Thanks again.”