Despite taking a few trips over the border into New Hampshire growing up, I never actually hiked there. This weekend, I finally made it up to the elusive White Mountains. Fear-mongering runs rampant in these parts, touting the world’s worst weather and most rugged/technical terrain on the East Coast; don’t underestimate the Whites. Not to say these warning words are unjustified, but maybe pick a different slogan for the postcards. Even still, thousands of locals and flat-landers alike wander into the WMNF each year for peak-bagging, backpacking, skiing, and general tom-foolery. After waiting out the grace period from being sick and receiving the first shot, I finally got my COVID vaccine’s second dose two days ago. I was told to take it easy, but I’d planned this trip weeks ago and I’ve never been one to take the rules as anything other than mere suggestions.
My partner made the 7 hour trip up with me last night and this morning around 9 we stepped foot on the Mount Osceola Trail from Tripoli Rd. Overall, the way up was challenging, but nothing I felt the VT5 hadn’t prepared me well for. Even nearing the top, the trail seemed to flatten out some before popping us out onto the huge summit overlook of the main peak. It was a bit crowded, but still had the most gorgeous views down into Waterville Valley Ski Area. Unfortunately, last night’s dinner from the Pemi Pub was also making it’s way up for my partner, so he opted to turn around and head back to the truck for a nap while I continued on to East Peak to check it off my list.
A section of trail I’d been looking forward to after I’d done some research was a steep, narrow rock scramble nicknamed ‘the Chimney’ between the two peaks. It was a fun challenge going down, but as a (former) rock climber, I was looking forward to what it took to get back up. East Peak was a steep drop and climb back up to a tree-covered summit with a large rock cairn. From the opposite direction, a group of hikers emerged to the summit. One of the guys, a photographer, offered to take my picture next to the cairn as proof I’d made it to the top. We all got to talking and they seemed like a fun group, so I was sort of absorbed into the rest of their hike since we were going the same way anyway. Just as I’d suspected, the Chimney was even more fun clambering back up with friends. Shortly after, I’d re-summited Main Peak and sat down for lunch and a celebratory summit White Claw with my new friends. We took a group photo and started back down a little more tipsy than when we started to the Tripoli Rd lot where they had one of their car-spots. We all exchanged Facebook information and upon seeing the edited photos, I’ve decided we just have to drop an album with our group picture as the cover. I hope to hike with them again very soon.
NH 1 and 2/48
New England 6 and 7/67
New England 7 and 8/100 Highest
Northeast 7 and 8/115
