Conquering the Unknown: Day Two of Weekend in the White Mountains

Chief Editor is pissed that I am nearly a month late on this release.

Fire me.

My main running ultra distance running partner (Sean) & I have talked about what really gets us excited with trail running. Both of us don't have long term plans to race ultras years from now. This doesn't mean we will give up on running long distances. The most enjoyment I receive from running is on long, ultra distances, on small group epic training runs. I see my future planning my training season targeting remote runs - think New Zealand. Think Patagonia. The freedom to run without any concern of a cut-off, be dynamic with ad hoc trail selection, and even stops to soak in the views, allows me to enjoy those runs more than a well organized and structured race.

The day after our successful Mt Washington summit. I was ready to take on more. With a bit of over-confidence, I noted to Sean that I would like more of a challenge. I knew I was fortunate with conditions on our Saturday hike. Simply put, I didn't feel that I had exerted myself much, or that I had approached a personal limit. I was hungry to get closer to the edge of my capabilities. I wanted to feel uncomfortable.

After a weather check for Sunday, we agreed to make an attempt to summit Mt Madison (5,367 feet). Forecast called for snow overnight and into the morning hours. It appeared conditions at the summit could present some white out conditions - something I wanted to experience. We were cautious however. We were both ready for conditions to be too risky, and mentally prepared for an early retreat and an afternoon of local snowshoeing.

Sunday morning greeted us with nearly 8 inches of light and puffy snow, but also clear blue skies overhead. We took our time heading to the northern presidential range, and enjoyed breakfast at a local eatery. The later than normal start didn't bother either of us, as we didn't have any high expectations for the day's accomplishments. As drove up, approaching 9AM, we saw that the clouds had engulfed both Mt Madison and Mt Adams peaks.

"You are going to get what you wanted Steve", Sean noted.

From the parking lot at the base of the mountain, we could see there was plenty of clear sky overhead, just not at the summit. It was also noticeably warmer. Aware of this, we packed a little lighter, expecting summit conditions to be as high as 25 degrees (balmy compared to the day prior). Sean put on his snowshoes, while I was forced to leave mine behind (Dion racer's don't fit winter hiking boots). This proved to be a pivotable difference between how much energy each of us used during the ascent. The 4 mile hike up to the Madison Sprint hut was all single track, and started out with fairly compact snow from the recent back country skiers, snowshoers, and hikers. My boots, with Kahtoola spikes, were adequate for the first 2 miles. Shortly after the half way point however, the trail wasn't as firm, and I begun postholing. Sean, with his snowshoes, was forced to stop on several occasions to check on me and allow me to catch up. The next two miles were quite a workout. I enjoyed it, but on occasion vocalized my frustration at my inability to maintain any sort of forward progress.

As we neared Madison Spring Hut (4,800 feet), we became aware that the cloud cover was now below us. Crystal clear blue skies were around us. With very little wind, and warm temperatures (estimate 25 deg), I recognized the unbelievable fortune I had this weekend with conditions. Today's condition was an extreme rarity. Once we saw the hut, and with a little more excitement in our steps, we started to move more quickly. The snow around the hut was extremely compact, which further electrified us.

It was time to play!

Close to Madison Spring Hut. Warm out!

Sean removed his snowshoes at the hut, and as if we were in an ultra, we quickly took in nutrition and dropped off unnecessary gear. I would leave my backpack at the hut, and Sean would remove several items from his bag. With a lighter pack (or no pack in my case), we would be able to move very quickly up and down Mt Madison. Each of us expressed our interest in tapping two peaks today - Mt Adams was now on our radar, but only if we could move fast.

Fast is our thing.

View of Mount Quincy Adams

From the hut, Mt Madison is a 1 mile round trip rocky ascent/descent. Mt Adams is a 2 mile round trip, with identical terrain. Fortunately for us, the gaps between the boulders was snow packed. Our speed hike up Mt Madison was a warm-up. We couldn't hold back our excitement. We were bursting. Equate it to that first moment you walked into Disneyland - where you had a little bounce in your step and your eyes are quickly scanning the surrounds. Overstimulated. Smile exploding on your face. We were in our Disneyland. It took us 20 minutes to cover the half mile ascent (~567 feet elevation gain) to the summit. Once on the summit, we took our time and went photo crazy. Clear blue around us, with a very bright and warm sun above. Clouds below, and smashing into side of Mt Jackson and Mt Washington. Our pause at the summit was much longer than we both had anticipated, but it was well worth it.

Making up time.

As we started the descent, we both started to jog. Between us, Sean is the better downhill trail runner. One of the best that I know actually, especially on technical trail. As all my friends are aware, I am very tentative once a trail becomes rocky. I have a lengthy history of serious ankle sprains. This wasn't a spot where I'd welcome another. Sean quickly burst by, and we agreed to meet at the hut in a few minutes. This was the first time either of us really had a chance to run off road since late December/early January. My timid running approach gradually subsided, and I began to open up on the trail. Despite a few pauses on the most technical sections, I started to maintain the 50 meter separation between us. The folks at the hut, must have been quite confused at the hooting and hollering, and seeing two nuts running down the side of the Mt Madison. The 1/2 mile return took just under 10 minutes.

Mt Adams studio.

View from Mt Adams of Mt Washington

After a very brief refueling stop at the hut, we looked up Mt Adams (5,794 feet). The run sparked something. Competitive juices. Not against each other, but against the 5 souls hiking up the mountain ahead of us. How quickly can we catch them? We moved swiftly, mixing in fast explosive hiking with bursts of running the possible. One, two, three....gobbled up in minutes. We had closed nearly a 1/4 to 1/3 mile on these hikers within minutes, while climbing a snow packed covered mountain, at 5,500 feet! Bam. It wasn't long before we passed everybody ahead of us. Each of us continued to scan the terrain for the fastest descent path for our return trek. We reached the summit quickly, covering the 1 mile, 1,000 foot ascent in just over 30 minutes. High fives and a hug ensued. We were both quite proud of this weekend, having tagged three summits on a weekend we prayed we could just bag Mt Washington. Our stay at Mt Adams summit was brief, as the winds had increased, and temperatures dropped. A few photos, before our phenomenal descent all the way to our car began. The downward trek from the summit to the hut was almost exclusively running. I'll admit, Sean made it look like dancing amongst the rocks. Fluid. Smooth. Powerful. We flew past the ascending hikers, who by now knew how nuts we were and provided us encouragement. The 1 mile descent from Mt Adams summit the hut would have been quicker than our final watch reading (35 minutes), if it wasn't for my gaff and pauses for videos.

Half way down, we agreed to do a quick video shot. After we found the ideal trail section, we each went our separate ways. Sean hiked up the trail to where he wanted to start, while I went off trail to find the best vantage point to record from. Once I arrived at my perch, I dug for my camera. My heart paused when I discovered my pocket was already open. Then came the outburst of profanity as I couldn't find my camera. Heather bought the camera for me, as this year's surprise christmas gift. Panic was now rolling through me, as I checked all my pockets and found nothing. I hollered at Sean to join me, where I broke the news. Without even discussing it, he turned and started to hike back UP Mt Adams. Our excitement now purged, we ascended, scanning the trail with little hope of finding it. After a few minutes, Sean suggested we check the down jacket I wore at the summit. Initially I rejected the idea - but conceded as it wouldn't hurt. As he kneeled, I dug through his pack. First finding my down jacket, and then finding feeling the hard surface of my camera. Another cheerful moment, and another hug. Once I regrouped, it was back to our spots for an epic video shot.

From the hut, we had 4 miles of downhill ahead of us. Retracing our steps from the ascent march earlier the day. Both of us were eager to bomb this section by running the entire length. This meant postholing with some momentum. We killed it, with smiles! We averaged 13mpm, after having hiked 7 miles and nearly 7,000 feet of total elevation gain that day. My legs felt great, and this day had turned into one of those epic training days. This is what inspires me to get out the door and train regularly, so that I can do something so challenging without a moments hesitation.

Get out there and explore your limits. You will be surprised by what you find as you can do more than you expect, and experience more than most. Enjoy life and conquer the unknown.