Saturday, Nov 4
Start: Appalachia TH
Finish: Webster-Jackson TH
Miles: 20.0
Elevation gain/loss: 9206’/8661′
After closely watching the weather all week and a final evaluation on Friday morning, I decided to move forward with my plan for a Presi Traverse on Saturday morning. The forecast promised that while there would be 100 MPH gusts early Saturday morning, the winds should die down to 35-50 MPH by midday and continue to drop to ~25 MPH by the afternoon, with windchill between 5-15 degrees and the actual high temperature in the mid-20s. The peaks would also be completely socked in – deep in the low cloud cover. I geared up for shoulder season leaning winter, with wind- and water-proof mitten shells and my thick winter rain shell – at least water freezing wouldn’t be a problem (though I did wear 200 gram insulated hightops and was very happy with that decision).
On Friday afternoon, I found out my friend who was going to help me spot my car had been in a car accident with a deer (she was safe and sound but the car was totaled). But another hiker, Tim, volunteered to help me out in a pinch! So we met at Crawford Notch at 7:15am, and I was ready to head out from Appalachia TH at 7:45am.
In less than 2 hours, I was on the summit of Madison, buffeted by ~50 MPH winds, completely socked in. For the eternally windy Madison, it wasn’t too bad. I decided I’d rather go around the back of Adams to hide from the wind via Star Lake trail than battle the wind on Gulfside/Airline trails. Right before I left the hut, I saw people 2 and 3 of my day, tromping up Star Lake trail; I was happy to have footprints to follow through the rocks until I passed them just below the summit. I didn’t see anyone else after that for a number of hours until I passed by Monroe/Washington hikers near the cog as they descended towards the Jewell trail.
I quickly headed down windy (~40 MPH) Adams, making sure to follow the trail – it’s always hard to pick up the trail on that ridge and it’s easy to wander off course. As I dropped down, the wind lessened and became very manageable, though the visibility continued to be ~’100. My trail memory proved very good, and I only checked my GPS once when it seemed like I’d been descending too long but I was on trail.
I was very satisfied with my climb up Jefferson, proud that for the 2nd time, I managed to find/stay on the loop trail for the ascent – it’s always more to the left than I expect. Then it was down Jefferson and around Clay; it was a relief to get past the Jewell trail intersection, because suddenly there were at least half a dozen footprints marking the trail. I followed the AT along the edge of the Great Gulf, passed over the Cog, and headed up toward Agiocochook. I nearly walked into one of the summit buildings before I could see it; I took a few pictures, nodded to 3 other hikers finishing their ascent, and then headed down towards Lake of the Clouds. I checked my GPS for the only other time that day when I swore I should have arrived at the hut already – I was almost there but just couldn’t see it.
I took a 2-minute break in the lee of the hut to swap out my damp liner gloves for dry ones and eat more snacks. Then it was up Monroe and then down and over to the AT. For the first time that day, I was granted a bit more visibility, letting me see the bottom of Eisenhower in the distance – the top was swallowed by a straight line of cloud cover. I hiked on with a spring in my step, remarkably lighter with the relief of easier navigation and just being able to see where I was heading. The temperature was warmer on the south side of Monroe and the winds much lighter; I removed my fleece hat, jacket hood, and mitten shells. Soon, I was on top of Eisenhower and then heading to over to Pierce, with just a shallow saddle between them.
I was tired but I started chasing the sunset to Jackson, passing by Mizpah hut on the way. I made Jackson before sunset and quickly but carefully descended the wet and slippery slabs near the summit. The descent down Webster-Jackson seemed to take forever, but it was dark and I was ready to be done. I made it back to my car by 6:45pm, eager for food, drinks, and dry cotton clothes.
Transcending Mountains 