At some point, that I don’t even remember when, I set a goal to repeat the NH48 solo. Maybe it was the feeling of satisfaction I got after doing a few that I found I was quite comfortable hiking solo and also found it very different from hiking with others. My first round of the 48 was with family (husband and son) and is very special to us. My winter round was mostly with other online friends and was rewarding each and every hike.
This quest began with a long walk up Tripoli road before the gate was open for the season to Osceola a couple years ago and ended on a long loop over Cabot that included Terrace Mtn(s), the Bulge and the Horn yesterday. Along the way I have tried to make the route different whether it be adding a peak or peaks from other lists or taking trail I hadn’t been on before or making it longer then my previous trips.
I think a lot while hiking alone but leave behind any of life’s annoyances and soak in all that is around me. Conversations with those met along the way become more interesting as opposed to walking and talking with your own group and usually just exchanging greetings with others. I tend to see and hear more while silently moving along the trail. I can speed up or slow down as I desire…so many reasons for it being quality time. But I also enjoyed it being interspersed with hiking with others as group hikes have their own pleasantries.
Yesterday’s finish on Cabot got pushed up with the notice that York Pond Rd would be undergoing work and access to trails would be a farther walk. Finding the trail head worried me more than the hike but it proved to be no problem, even the gate was open earlier than posted (which I’d forgotten about). I had wanted to save it for foliage season but berry season was nice.
Making the loop over Terrace, along with Bulge and Horn added peaks and trails I had not been on. There were plenty of ups and downs especially the drop from North Terrace to Bunnell Notch and then the 1300’ foot climb up to Cabot. No one was around on Cabot which surprised me as I poked around the cabin. I was feeling quite proud of myself as I approached the summit sign. I had had no mishaps in my solo quest which everyone warns against especially for a woman. Yes, I was pleased.
And then…that stick crawled out under a rock and tripped me without a seconds warning! Ouch the knee hurt. Mumble under my breath – or maybe out loud – I don’t remember. Brush off, check myself over, and see if I can stand. Okay, I’m standing, okay, I can walk. But now it looks like two knees on one leg. Clean up the wound and move on as I have a long way ahead of me. Walking along or ascending didn’t bother too much but descending kept up the ache. Then I noticed my ring finger was hurting to bend and was swelling. I must have bent it in the fall but didn’t notice because of the knee. I kept it elevated as much as I could to keep the swelling down (I have rings on the finger and they wouldn’t come off).
I was able to enjoy the rest of the loop and chat with the first people I saw when I reached the Horn. I met a few more (10 all day) between the Horn and Unknown Pond and then was alone all the way back to the car. It was a very satisfying hike but with that reminder that things can happen quick and being solo one needs to be prepared.
This quest began with a long walk up Tripoli road before the gate was open for the season to Osceola a couple years ago and ended on a long loop over Cabot that included Terrace Mtn(s), the Bulge and the Horn yesterday. Along the way I have tried to make the route different whether it be adding a peak or peaks from other lists or taking trail I hadn’t been on before or making it longer then my previous trips.
I think a lot while hiking alone but leave behind any of life’s annoyances and soak in all that is around me. Conversations with those met along the way become more interesting as opposed to walking and talking with your own group and usually just exchanging greetings with others. I tend to see and hear more while silently moving along the trail. I can speed up or slow down as I desire…so many reasons for it being quality time. But I also enjoyed it being interspersed with hiking with others as group hikes have their own pleasantries.
Yesterday’s finish on Cabot got pushed up with the notice that York Pond Rd would be undergoing work and access to trails would be a farther walk. Finding the trail head worried me more than the hike but it proved to be no problem, even the gate was open earlier than posted (which I’d forgotten about). I had wanted to save it for foliage season but berry season was nice.
Making the loop over Terrace, along with Bulge and Horn added peaks and trails I had not been on. There were plenty of ups and downs especially the drop from North Terrace to Bunnell Notch and then the 1300’ foot climb up to Cabot. No one was around on Cabot which surprised me as I poked around the cabin. I was feeling quite proud of myself as I approached the summit sign. I had had no mishaps in my solo quest which everyone warns against especially for a woman. Yes, I was pleased. And then…that stick crawled out under a rock and tripped me without a seconds warning! Ouch the knee hurt. Mumble under my breath – or maybe out loud – I don’t remember. Brush off, check myself over, and see if I can stand. Okay, I’m standing, okay, I can walk. But now it looks like two knees on one leg. Clean up the wound and move on as I have a long way ahead of me. Walking along or ascending didn’t bother too much but descending kept up the ache. Then I noticed my ring finger was hurting to bend and was swelling. I must have bent it in the fall but didn’t notice because of the knee. I kept it elevated as much as I could to keep the swelling down (I have rings on the finger and they wouldn’t come off).
I was able to enjoy the rest of the loop and chat with the first people I saw when I reached the Horn. I met a few more (10 all day) between the Horn and Unknown Pond and then was alone all the way back to the car. It was a very satisfying hike but with that reminder that things can happen quick and being solo one needs to be prepared.
