Monadnock

nordic highcountry

Top-roping at Watertown

rolling hills

Fairhaven

This was supposed to be a rest day but... well things are just so nice right now I couldn't pass up another day with such awesome snow. Made up my mind to do Lionshead just after lunch, threw everything in the car and headed North.

Started up from Pinkham and was feeling slow, the spread and variability of the snow pack up the ravine trail made for a tough climb. Once at the Lionshead Trail the bootpack became a lot more firm and it was easier going, at least until it got steep. TrailGloves and microspikes aren't typical mountaineering hardware but if you kick hard enough you can turn that styrofoam snow into a nice step.

After the headwall things were pretty straight forward, just colder. A weekend's worth of climbers wore in a nice route that hasn't yet been hidden away by snow drifts. Good visibility and a little bit of daylight left helped too.

After the climb I buckled up and got ready to send it. Jazzy bebop plays in my head as the soundtrack to my descent. There's nothing elegant about my movements, but there is a rhythm. I get a little glissading in but it's not by choice. At the headwall I make a point to stay upright, there's too many stubby splintered spruce spears peaking just a few inches out of the snowpack that would end my fun real quick.

Back at the ravine trail it's a mad dash back down to Pinkham falling fast as softly as I can. At the car, I get half naked in the deserted parking lot and change into something dry. Like any normal athlete I drink a liter of water and then consume half a pound of chocolate and a bag of ghost chili pepper potato chips. I haven't been here even two hours, but it's time to go home.

Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFFa0QoHWvE

Earnestly wanted that roundtrip segment, but I didn't work hard enough for it. Next time!

Weather: Summit at 6:00 was 10F, average wind speed 38MPH (W) putting wind chill at -15. No wind below Lionshead.

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Jonathan M

(Training for) The New Gooferism

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Monadnock

nordic highcountry

Top-roping at Watertown

rolling hills

Fairhaven

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