Monday, January 2, 2023
Miles: 9.55
Start/End: Atmospheric Science Center TH
Elevation gain/loss: 4075’/4108′
Peaks: Esther, Whiteface
After a late night wrapping up the Sewards, I was up around 7am to pack up and head out for the 30-minute drive over to Wilmington. I took my time, stopping at Stuarts for coffee, knowing my legs would be tired after such a full weekend. I got to the trailhead around 8:45am; there was space but there were at least 8 cars already there. I headed up the trail at 9am, barebooting for the first mile or so before switching to spikes for the rest of the hike. It was a comfortable mid-30s at the trailhead and I removed some layers on my ascent; I did put my shell back on after I ascended Esther and then started getting hit by the wind as I got closer to the Whiteface summit. Out towards Esther, the trees were covered in rime ice and the forest was absolutely beautiful in the mist. I caught up to a large group of maybe 8 hikers just by the turn in the toll road; I made it up the ledge section with the help of some tree branches and then found myself in the clouds as I climbed the last bit to the summit. The wind was remarkably calm, and I was delighted to find one of the summit house’s doors unlocked so I could have a quick snack and layer back up in a warm space. Then I headed back down the way I’d come, after taking photos for the 8-person hiking group. I passed on the good news of the open door to a few folks as I descended. As it so happens, two of those people were Heather and Laura, who I’d meet again in two weeks out on the trail by Marshall, Cliff, and Redfield!
Transcending Mountains 