AT Day 131: Up and Over Mt Washington

Daily Miles: 17.9, Total Miles: 1,880.8

With earplugs, I actually slept pretty good in my bottom bunk although I was wide awake at 4:30am. I enjoyed a big breakfast of oatmeal, sausage and eggs while viewing Mt Washington from the dining hall. The forecast for clearing skies was correct – good day for a summit bid!

Today just happened to be the Mt Washington Road Race and the summit was already packed with people by the time I arrived. I had a quick look into the Visitors Center and walked out. I fortunately had been there before on a less crowded day. Outside, gusty winds, probably close to the predicted 50 mph, was blowing heavy mist across the summit. After a few pics, I met up again with Lance and Jennifer and we started down off the summit along and then crossing the Cog Railway. Apparently the thru-hiker tradition is to moon the railway passengers as the train passes. The mist was so heavy it wasn’t worth the effort.

Down and then up, I passed near the summits of Mt Jefferson and Mt Adams. I had a quick lunch at the Mt Madison Spring Hut and with Lance and Jennifer, climbed to the summit of Mt Madison getting buffeted by the strong winds the whole way.

At the summit, we said our goodbyes and I continued down the rocky ridge and Osgood Trail with magnificent views of the Presidential Range. I must have said “good gracious” and “you gotta be kidding me” a hundred times. Half the time for the impressive panoramas but the other half for almost getting knocked down by the crazy wind.

The grueling descent finally lessened far below treeline and my knees were screaming by the time I reached Pinkham Notch. I crossed the highway and was really beat up by one more steep climb partially up Wildcat Mountain.

Enough already – an estimated 5,900′ of ascent and almost 7,000′ of descent – not doing that again! Almost too tired to eat, but I forced myself.