Dates: 1/20/13
Trails: Tecumseh Trail
Companions: Dorothy
The Hike:
Dorothy and I decided to shoot up to tag a peak or two this weekend. Originally I had delusions of Lafayette and Lincoln but then the high summit forecast came in with winds gusting over 95 and windchill at 65-75 below. I'm stupid so I was all for it but Dorothy has a couple of rational brain cells to rub together so she talked me out of it. Ended up going with Tecumseh because we were using a rental car, got a late start, and wanted to make sure we'd have it back in time.
The parking lot was a disaster, packed with people skiing, but somehow we looped around only once and snagged a spot right in front of the trailhead. Started out with micros and yak trax, respectively, though one of my micros is starting to tear at one of the eyelets, so I took it off and hiked with just one so that I can repair it before it busts completely. Nothing really of note on the way up other than I dropped my hat when I wasn't paying attention and the wind dusted me with snow a couple of times. Dorothy can't get used to the east coast trail style and what I deem efficiency, going straight up the mountain, so there was mild complaining. A huckleberry hammer gel later she seemed fine. After the switchback near the ski slope I noticed that the trail seemed to be packed out widely, as if someone had been sledding down it. More on that later. Nothing else to note on the ascent - made it to the peak in exactly two hours, snapped a pic, and turned around to go grab a snack away from the wind.
Had some pepperoni slices, babydell cheese, and irish soda bread leftovers for a snack, then took off the remaining micro and busted out some butt sleds I had purchased in giddy anticipation of the downhill. Last hike on Passaconaway and Whiteface I just kept thinking how incredibly fun the downhill would be if I was coasting on a sled. There was slight apprehension about the idea given the possibility of coasting into a tree since Ted had already broken a leg that way long ago. Thought that a sled with the handle brakes would be the perfect solution but search as I might I could not find one. Checked Costco, Toys R Us, Target, Walmart, City Sports, LL Bean, Lowes, and a few other local hardware stores and nothing. Kids these days are apparently riding these boogie board-type sleds with not apparent turning capabilities and no brakes. Anybody know where to find one? Anyways, finally settled for some little plastic sheet butt sled (the kind that look like you're riding a shovel with the handle sawed off). Brakes or not, man was it fun. Scooted about 75% of the way down with no incident other than a sore-ish butt by the bottom. Not a chance in hell I'm ever winter hiking without one again.
45 minutes after leaving the peak snack area, we were back down.
Snow was packed very well and hard. Full covering the whole way except a couple stream crossings. One blow down but not even enough to make me crawl. Boots would have been possible but any kind of traction and/or poles would be a good idea.
The parking lot was a disaster, packed with people skiing, but somehow we looped around only once and snagged a spot right in front of the trailhead. Started out with micros and yak trax, respectively, though one of my micros is starting to tear at one of the eyelets, so I took it off and hiked with just one so that I can repair it before it busts completely. Nothing really of note on the way up other than I dropped my hat when I wasn't paying attention and the wind dusted me with snow a couple of times. Dorothy can't get used to the east coast trail style and what I deem efficiency, going straight up the mountain, so there was mild complaining. A huckleberry hammer gel later she seemed fine. After the switchback near the ski slope I noticed that the trail seemed to be packed out widely, as if someone had been sledding down it. More on that later. Nothing else to note on the ascent - made it to the peak in exactly two hours, snapped a pic, and turned around to go grab a snack away from the wind.
Had some pepperoni slices, babydell cheese, and irish soda bread leftovers for a snack, then took off the remaining micro and busted out some butt sleds I had purchased in giddy anticipation of the downhill. Last hike on Passaconaway and Whiteface I just kept thinking how incredibly fun the downhill would be if I was coasting on a sled. There was slight apprehension about the idea given the possibility of coasting into a tree since Ted had already broken a leg that way long ago. Thought that a sled with the handle brakes would be the perfect solution but search as I might I could not find one. Checked Costco, Toys R Us, Target, Walmart, City Sports, LL Bean, Lowes, and a few other local hardware stores and nothing. Kids these days are apparently riding these boogie board-type sleds with not apparent turning capabilities and no brakes. Anybody know where to find one? Anyways, finally settled for some little plastic sheet butt sled (the kind that look like you're riding a shovel with the handle sawed off). Brakes or not, man was it fun. Scooted about 75% of the way down with no incident other than a sore-ish butt by the bottom. Not a chance in hell I'm ever winter hiking without one again.
45 minutes after leaving the peak snack area, we were back down.
Snow was packed very well and hard. Full covering the whole way except a couple stream crossings. One blow down but not even enough to make me crawl. Boots would have been possible but any kind of traction and/or poles would be a good idea.
What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: sled with brakes
What I Brought But Didn't Need: nothing
Lesson Learned: sledding is just as fun when you're 28 as when you're 8
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