Mt. Jefferson 7/29/04

[dirt_girl]

Date(s) Hiked: Mt. Jefferson 7/29/04

Trails(s) Hiked: The Caps Ridge Trail

Total Distance: 5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions: Heavy overcast

Special Required Equipment: None

Trip Report: I was trying to give Mother Nature a chance to clear up some of the heavy clouds sitting low on every mountain as I drove north and in doing so I left the trail head a bit later than I would have liked. The lower portion of the trail, up to the granite outcropping was muddy with good crossings, thick with trees, no breeze and plenty of those pesky, carnivorous, winged demons. From the outcropping I had the most excellent views of “white” that I have had since Mt. Jackson. However, the Caps were the most fun I have had on any trail so far!! As much as I hate the uphill I had a great time scaling the caps. I could see about as far as I could throw a rock and was excited to see another cap come into view after finishing the one before it. I snickered as the mixed image of Zena and a mountain goat entered my head. The caps were dry making it that much more enjoyable. I met four, not as enthusiastic, hikers just below the second cap, the only people I would see until the summit. Well, needless to say after the fun of the caps past... it was hiking and cursing as usual, sort of… visibility was now much less and a cool steady wind started to pick up. I could now throw a rock further than I could see. It was a little creepy having to stop, look ahead and wait for the opportunity to see the cairns. After hiking one and sometimes two cairns at a time and being fairly certain that the decimal point indicating it was only .4 miles to the summit was in the wrong place I finally, after 2 hrs. and 15 mins., reach the summit. I heard two more hikers long before I could see them at the top. They were hiking over to Mt. Washington. I wanted desperately to add Mt. Adams to my hike today but given the inability to see, my inexperience with weather at higher altitudes and unconfirmed map and compass skills, I decided to have lunch and call it a day. I descended on the same trail and met 22 other hikers. I had my first view (I could see my car) just before reaching the top cap. The clouds lifted the sun shone and had I been later at the trailhead or more patient at the summit I probably could have added Adams to this trip. But I learned some things about myself today boys and girls. I won’t quit when the hiking gets difficult if left to make that decision on my own and I can make a safe and sound decision based on my abilities without embarrassment. Very important things to know about one’s self. Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison will give me something to do on another day.

dirt_girl

 

[MichaelJ]

I agree - this was a FUN trail! I will definitely be revisiting Jefferson on this route sometime either in late fall or next summer, since I was also fogged in at the top (though I had great views below; see my trip report for a photo link).

I still haven't been in thick conditions above treeline, but the fog was enough so that like you I learned about my own abilities and just what kind of conditions are still okay. One of these days, though, I'm sure I will learn what kind of conditions *aren't*.

You've been hiking a ton lately. This is not fair to those of us stuck in offices during the week!

 

[dirt_girl]

I so enjoyed the report and photos you and Amy posted on Owl’s Head. Good job!! Kudos to you both. :beer:
I have always thought this would be one of the most exciting hikes, your pictures and your words proved just that. :flag:

The Caps…..definitely the most fun of all the trails I’ve hiked!! I will go back up this trail before the snow falls and maybe even bag Mt. Adams. (Madison also if I get ambitious) It would sure be nice to have a view; they have got to be incredible!
I know it is somewhat irresponsible and dangerous to hike alone and I can’t promise this will be my last solo hike however; I purposely took this hike solo to challenge myself. I knew I could turn around at any time and no one would be the wiser but I needed to know if I had it in me to push when it got tough and no one else was around. Having less than good conditions forced me to make choices I wouldn’t have had to make if I had other hikers with me. I have a new confidence and a restored respect for altitude and Mother Nature’s unpredictable ways. Next stop for the learning train is mapping and compassing.
I have been hiking a way lot and having enough fun for ten people. I am surprised to find that I have climbed 15 of the 4000 footers since the middle of May. I am fortunate enough to have the summers off and decided to make good use of my time this year. I have put lots of miles on my car this summer and if gas prices were lower I would be putting on even more. Next year, I will have all the equipment I need and plan on camping out for weeks at a time on and off the trails, rather than drive home each day. I hope eventually to make the White Mountain region my home.............. then everyone south of the border will have a place to stay.

dirt_girl

 

[suzymcq]

dirt girl
If you had an experienced (New Hampshire mountain hiker) with you; Adams and Madison would have been yours, but you know that.
Susan

 

[MichaelJ]

somewhat irresponsible and dangerous to hike alone

While the risk is higher, it's not necessarily a bad idea to solo hike. Many from this board do it all the time, and I've done a lot as well. In fact, this is the first summer that I've had the chance to do so many hikes with other people, and only do a few solo hikes, such as Caps Ridge. The past two years I've done a lot of solo trips, even one where I almost dangerously heatstroked myself (in 90-degree weather I'd stopped sweating).

Then I started out this year with a complete lack of self-confidence. An example is that last year I came up the Sabbaday Brook Trail planning to grab the Tripyramids, camp in the Downes Brook area, then Whiteface and Passaconaway. An incredibly ambitious trip to do solo, especially in November, but I had no hesitation. But I didn't get there due to slippery conditions. Had anyone been with me, it wouldn't have been a problem; however, by myself, I didn't have the nerve to risk it. So I turned back, and this spring when Amy was looking for people to hike with, I jumped at the opportunity to get back on the Tripyramids. Now that I've done them, I would easily return anytime, solo or with a group.

After that it was the Whiteface-Passaconaway loop in the pouring rain (see my trip report) that really taught me my limits for hiking alone. It gave me an understanding of my comfort and safety levels, that with the right judgement and experience the Whites aren't going to eat me alive, and that sometimes I'm a little bit stupid.

We won't talk about being by myself on top of Nye in the ADK's at -26F without map or knowledge of the trails. :roll:

Anyway, my whole point is that hiking solo is a greater, riskier challenge, but one that needn't be shied from as long as you work up to it, as you've started doing, to really be able to judge the difference between what might make you uncomfortable and what's actually unsafe.

Adams & Madison will still be there tomorrow. At least, they'd better be, because I'm grabbing them in 3 weeks.

 

[dirt_girl]

This is good information Michael; I was leery of admitting that I had hiked alone for fear of admonishment. I can't tell you because you already know the sense of confidence that comes with trusting your skills in the wild. This was literally my first hike ever solo and the few places I stopped along the way… the peace was unbelievable. Now that you brought it up, you will one day have to tell the story of "-26 degrees with no map".

Susan, I don't believe you came here in peace. I’ve never seen you here before and hope you didn’t sign up just to harass me some more? Perhaps you should hike with nh_mtn_hiker and leave me out of it? Perhaps you would like to share on the board the e-mail you sent me? Perhaps you will just go away until you have something positive to add?

dirt_girl

 

[Greg]

Susan, I don't believe you came here in peace. I’ve never seen you here before and hope you didn’t sign up just to harass me some more? Perhaps you should hike with nh_mtn_hiker and leave me out of it? Perhaps you would like to share on the board the e-mail you sent me? Perhaps you will just go away until you have something positive to add?

dirt_girl and suzymcq - you are new here so I'll give you both the benefit of the doubt. We try to stick to mature on-topic discussion here and harassment, flames, personal attacks, or antagonism will not be tolerated. I already deleted one thread which seemed to be a taunt. This is not a place for drama so let's end whatever it is between you too now. Nobody here is interested in reading it.

 

[dirt_girl]

I humbly apologize, I was just defending myself. It won't come from my side again. I understand your position and couldn’t agree more. I appreciate the benefit of the doubt as well.

A grateful
dirt_girl

 

[Greg]

No problem. Just don't feed into any antagonistic posts. It's best to simply ignore them. Thanks for your cooperation.

 

[SilentCal]

Hiking Solo is nothing to be wary of. As long as you know your personal limits and when to turn back. The peaks, waterfalls, scenic vistas, will always be there another day. Hiking solo is a perfect way to clear the cobwebs out of your mind and truly relax.

Those Caps are fantastic. One of these days I'm going to do a loop with Caps Ridge and the Castles and the Link. That's a nice trip.