Date: 2018-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It seemed impossible to pass up the chance to be outside with the great weather we had in NH this past weekend and I was thinking late in the week about how I could carve out the time and what activity I'd prefer in the predicted mid 40's weather, complete with a glowing golden globe in the sky. So on Friday when my Niece Laura asked me if I would like to take a hike with her over the weekend...it was an invitation I couldn't refuse. Knowing what the weather had been here recently (raining ice for days) I made a trip to the EMS store on Saturday after my last appointment to pick up the Smartwool base layer I couldn't bring myself to buy the last time I was there (I just wasn't sure I could get over the sticker shock) and a pair of Micro Spikes. I tucked the receipt in the box, thinking that it might be overkill on the purchase of spikes and if I didn't use them I would simply return them. I've always managed with my Yaktrax. On Sunday morning I slipped into my Smartwool and resisted the urge to crawl back in bed. At least now I am 100% certain of my sleepwear on the trail and I can justify every penny I spent on them! They might be the most comfortable things my skin has ever felt.So while Brian stayed behind dehydrating some homemade shepherd's pie and packaging the meals up for me, Laura and I packed our gear and lunch (PB & J) and headed out to Holderness for a hike up both East and West Rattlesnake. We arrived at the trail head and there were 3 or 4 other cars there, and several more across the street at the parking area for Mt Percival and Morgan, one of our favorite hikes! The parking area was an incredibly thick blanket of ice. With Laura's urging I promptly tossed aside the Yaktrax in favor of the Micro Spikes and found them immediately to be an almost luxurious feeling of confidence and security underfoot. Another justified purchase. I was so excited to get hiking that I threw on my pack and without even stretching we started out toward the trail, stopping to say hello to 2 beautiful dogs who were completely happy to be out for their Sunday journey. They reminded me a bit of our late dog Snickers, who would exhibit such excitement when we stopped at a trail head that she would often be bouncing around in the back of the SUV before we could let her out to go sprinting down the trail, looking back as if urging us to hurry up and follow. She was a great hiker, even if she resented carrying her own little pack. I don't know how she knew a trail head from any other place, but she certainly did.The day was as promised, in the mid 40's but breezy and an overcast that filtered the sun quite nicely to prevent becoming snow blind. The trail was often as thick a blanket of ice as the parking area, but I had 100% confidence in my footing. We enjoyed a great hike, stopped for a snack and later for lunch on the return overlooking the frozen Squam Lake below. It was a different perspective, since I've only taken this hike in warmer months. It was so tranquil below it seemed. Cabins and lake homes completely shielded in the summer now visible thru bare trees. Ice skaters, ice fishing, snow mobiles and the occasional vehicle on the ice below. Far different from the boats and general business of the lake in the summer. It was wonderful to see it this way. If it weren't for the cold wind, I could have stayed much longer enjoying the peace.I absolutely love hiking with Laura. She's a wonderful person and one of my favorite hiking companions. Easy and quiet, never rushed and we have a similar pace but never hesitate to hike a bit apart for solitude either. Always great company and conversation on the rides to and from the trails as well. I'm pleased that she's always willing to hike with me, a very lucky Aunt. On the ride home we settled on our next 2 hikes. Mount Monadnock, which tried to kill me in 2016 (okay, so that's just how it felt to me at the time) and an overnight on the Squam Range Traverse where we'll summit 7 peaks in about 14 miles and backcountry camp for a night. We'll save this one for April and it will be my shakedown hike and last of my gear testing before I leave for Harper's Ferry. Laura will join me on some sections in New England and it will be great to have her company and to catch up. For now, I will just continue to think spring!