Solo Adventure

It’s amazing how unmotivated one can get when it’s cold and cloudy and there’s no one to hike with.  I honestly just wanted to stay home and make cookies or something.  But after accomplishing some schoolwork, I ramped myself up and eventually got out the door.  All I had left for the September Grid was Whiteface.  I needed to wrap this up while I had the chance!  

Once momentum set in, I was good.  

There were several people hiking Whiteface today, surprising for a Monday.  While I basically had the trail to myself on the way up, only passing one couple descending (who said I was the first person they’d seen all day; more the norm), and with a small group lagging a ways behind me, that’s still busier than we traditionally encounter!  

As usual, the trail was a deceptive workout (mainly because there’s no warmup), although I found it much less draining in the cooler temps than I had this summer.  Not that I didn’t at a couple points contemplate stripping down to the sports bra… and putting on gloves.  True to form, my hands were cold even though I was kicking up a sweat.  Just because it was under 60 degrees.  (I don’t really think I have Reynaud’s syndrome, as Hawk sometimes wonders, but my hands definitely have some functional/circulation issues.  Who knows?)

Other than a few tiny skids on loose gravel and acorns, the ascent was uneventful.  I enjoyed the early autumn sights, as well as discovered practically no standing water on Whiteface’s ATV trail.  Unheard of!  (Quick, go now while it’s dry!  Haha!)  There was still remaining mud, but even some of that had dried up.  Most importantly, all of it was easily avoidable.  

Viewpoint just before the official summit

When I reached the summit, I decided to look for the cliff trail I’d recently heard about.  Seeing something new would be exciting.  After one false start, I found it pretty much where it was supposed to be.  I can’t believe I had never noticed it!  It blends in, but the herd path is quite well established.  I’m not sure where it leads, though I presume it’s the old trail down the Gilmanton side of Whiteface.  Or perhaps it ends at the cliffs.  I didn’t venture quite that far today (though looking at the map later it appears they were probably right around the corner from where I turned back).  

I questioned if it was a smart idea to explore this at all hiking solo.  I also questioned if it’d be worth having to climb back up afterwards!  But I had to check out at least a little piece of it, particularly after finding an open viewpoint just a minute or two in.  I proceeded cautiously down the relatively steep trail, wondering if I should have brought my poles after all.  About five minutes later I found another smaller viewpoint.  It looked like the trail might open up not far ahead (which again, it probably did at the apparently nearby cliffs), but I had already promised myself I would turn around when I reached the second viewpoint.  The trail also shifted and looked like it might get steeper, so truthfully it was a personal safety decision.  I will return another day with a hiking partner to explore further.  

Open vantage point a minute down the cliff trail 

Continuing on

Another unique view probably just before the cliffs

Climbing back up the cliff trail, my body grumbled a bit (or was that me?), as it was prepared to just descend, and not suddenly hike another 200 feet of elevation gain in 1/3 of a mile.  It wasn’t entirely unreasonable, but I was ready for a little breather.  Upon returning to the summit, I found the group of other hikers resting and talking.  I joined them on a nearby rock where I sat to rest myself and have water and a snack.  There was a couple (fellow gridders) who I knew from the Belknap hikers fb group.  They soon left to continue their hike.  I continued chatting with an amazing lady who said she was going to be 80 years old (and you’d never guess it!), and she is still active in all sorts of sports beyond just hiking, as well as other adventures, living life to the fullest.  Older people like that are so inspiring.  (She also made me muse if Hawk & I should add windsurfing to our list of things to try.)  We spent quite a bit of time on the summit talking before simultaneously beginning our descent.  We ended up hiking together all the way down!  It was nice to have company, and I enjoyed the pleasant conversation.  So I guess it turns out I only half soloed this one!

Belknap Grid 128/144

Whiteface Mt. + cliff trail, 4.12 mi, 1004 ft