bunchberry
New member
On Saturday April 1st, I took a nice mellow hike up Mt. Willard with six friends, all women who are fellow team leaders for our upcoming Wilderness Heals hike. On the whole, the day was rainy and not too cold, but just before we headed out the skies looked relatively promising. The trail started out muddy and slushy, but seemed barebootable. Very soon we had to cross a shallow but wide stream that I didn’t remember—it must have been the rain and melting snow that made it pretty memorable on Saturday. Soon enough, the slush gave way to ice and I decided to use my stabilicers--for the first time! I had bought them on sale after hearing all of the rave reviews, and I completely concur. Mt. Willard was a perfect stabilicers hike because the grade is gentle enough that the stabilicers provide perfect traction. No one else in my group was wearing any traction on their boots at all, and while they all made it up and down safely, I was the only one that never had to cling to a tree Smile
I kept noticing the water droplets on the spruce branches...they seemed to sparkle despite the grey and foggy light. In fact, I started noticing every little thing...the shapes of the leaves, the unique footprints left behind by others, and the ever-changing sky. As we approached the summit, the opening in the trees almost looked like a beach scene from far away...I'm not sure if the photos convey this or if you had to be there.
For anyone who's climbed Willard, you know that for a very modest effort you get a beautiful view. The clouds were high enough for us to see the summit of Webster, but not Jackson, and a panorama of peaks far away. I wish I knew what they all were...is it possible I saw Chocorua? One of them sure looked like it.
We hung out on the summit for a while, appreciating the views, and I took lots of summit photos--a new favorite hobby of mine. Then, we were back down before I knew it, and the rain was really coming down at that point. I got drenched from the trailhead to Shapleigh Studio! Truly, a wonderful hike with a superb group of women.
-katie
the photos:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549141880eJUmQC
I kept noticing the water droplets on the spruce branches...they seemed to sparkle despite the grey and foggy light. In fact, I started noticing every little thing...the shapes of the leaves, the unique footprints left behind by others, and the ever-changing sky. As we approached the summit, the opening in the trees almost looked like a beach scene from far away...I'm not sure if the photos convey this or if you had to be there.
For anyone who's climbed Willard, you know that for a very modest effort you get a beautiful view. The clouds were high enough for us to see the summit of Webster, but not Jackson, and a panorama of peaks far away. I wish I knew what they all were...is it possible I saw Chocorua? One of them sure looked like it.
We hung out on the summit for a while, appreciating the views, and I took lots of summit photos--a new favorite hobby of mine. Then, we were back down before I knew it, and the rain was really coming down at that point. I got drenched from the trailhead to Shapleigh Studio! Truly, a wonderful hike with a superb group of women.
-katie
the photos:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549141880eJUmQC
