Outdoor Adventuring

I have always thought about hiking Mount Washington. I had been on so many easy hikes, like rattlesnake, but I wanted to go on a hike that would actually challenge me a little bit. Considering that this is a larger hike I would recommend going prepared, and I am very happy I listened to advice from a close friend about going to Mount Washington prepared. You need to make sure to bring all sorts of things such as food, water, extra clothes, and whatever else you think you may need. The trail that I hiked was Tuckerman’s ravine. When we got to there it was pretty hot, probably because it was the middle of the summer. From the very beginning there is a beautiful waterfall and a lot of breathtaking nature to take in.

The further we got into the hike the more beautiful the scenery around us got. The trails got steep, and at some points you would have to climb up rocks. About half way up the mountain there is a place to stop and just hangout, and there is also an old water pump so you can refill your waters. There is also a nice lake there, and if you look in the distance past the lake you can see what looks like a bowl in the mountain. As I continued up the mountain a storm started to roll in, and I could feel a chill in the air. I learned the hard way that you need to check the weather before going on a large hike like this. The higher we got and the more that the storm started to roll in the colder it got. As we got higher and crept out of the tree line we could see a thick line of fog. As I stepped through the dense fog I felt a chill down my spine, and I had to layer up to try to keep warm. I could hear my friends voices, but I couldn’t see them at all. I couldn’t see anything at all. I could put my arm straight out in front of me and I wouldn’t be able to see my fingertips. It was the most dense fog I have ever been in in my life, it was truly amazing. On the other hand it was kind of scary because we couldn’t see each other or any landmarks. As we continued trying to reach the top I began to feel the moisture of the dense fog sitting into my clothes chilling me to the bone. Not long after walking into the fog a gust of wind hit me hard enough to almost knock me back, and soon after that the gusts turned into a consistent whipping wind. The winds made the cold even worse, and every step forward was a struggle as it would push you back. When we finally reached the top the storm was getting terrible, and we couldn’t see a thing due to the fog. After about an hour we were done waiting for it to clear so we just sent it back down in the storm. The whole trip took about 5 hours, and was one of the most fun experiences of my life. I would recommend planning ahead for a trip like this and checking the weather. I would also make sure to bring plenty of clothes, food, and water. Even though it was a hot summer day when I began the hike, it was breathtakingly cold at the top. Most importantly take in as much of the hike and nature as you possibly can. It’s not all about the summit and the view, but its about the journey of getting there.