John in NH
Member
The decision of what to hike: What could be said about the forecast for this past Columbus day weekend other than, holy crap! Zero percent chance of precipitation, abundant sunshine, and record high temps. Wow, that must mean that I have to hike both days. I should do an overnight into the Pemi to bag the Bonds and Twins for October or bag some of the Presi’s. What a great opportunity…another October weekend like this might not come along for years. That’s the kind of stuff I thought at first.
Wait. Since when do I “have” to do anything when hiking? The only thing I “have” to do is make it out safely. Other than that, isn’t it about having fun and enjoying wild places?
So I went for a hike that better fit what I really wanted to accomplish this weekend.
The hike: East Osceola 4156’, Mount Osceola 4340’, Upper Greeley Pond, Lower Greeley Pond
1 Tackle Steep Climbing
The trail up is persistent and rocky, you use your hands a bit.
The chimney is a 40 foot high wall/crack that is fun and intense. It’s 80 degrees in some places I swear, but has awesome holds.
2 See foliage
3 Get summit views
This one is 100% unedited--the sky was that blue (though I did use a polarizing filter on the camera)
4 Lounge at peaceful backcountry ponds in the last warmth before winter
Somehow, I was the only one at lower Greeley pond. I sat and thought and even took a nap. I enjoyed the warm breeze laced with downed leaves and the sound of the gentle waves. I stared up at the cliffs of East Osceola and Mt. Kancamangus. I felt small and in the presence of something big.
5 Save Sunday for the family, share this beautiful place in gorgeous weather with them..
In the end, this last goal was the most important and fulfilling. In the end, I was happy with the decisions I made and goals I pursued. In the end, on my deathbed, God won’t care if I finished my big hiking lists. Neither will I.
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