I took some recovery from training following my big day in Franconia and was feeling quite super-compensated in terms of fitness. Studying the map and planing the next trip I felt that it was high time I start exploring the Presidential Range. The remoteness and size of the terrain would be a new challenge, but that’s what I was looking for.

Mt. Washington via Crawford Path – 11.8 hrs, 17.5 mi, 6000 ft ascent

I would start from the AMC Highland Center and follow Crawford Path along the summits of the Southern Presidentials, eventually reaching the summit of Mt. Washington before returning back down the vast rib. The Mizpah Spring and Lake of The Clouds huts would give opportunities to refill water and take food breaks.

Conditions were wet and overcast with sun forecast for the afternoon. I knew by the numbers that I wasn’t ready to ultra run something like this, so I opted for a 40 L pack and mountain boots. In addition to the standard kit I had both a hard shell and down jacket in case the forecast sun failed to appear.

Moving Through the Green Tunnel, Low on the Presidential Ridge

Getting an early start, I found the Crawford Path trailhead and headed off towards the Mizpah Hut. The climb was moderate but complicated by the wet rock slab that underlays a carpet of soil and moss.

At the hut I took a moment of rest before setting off again, taking on a steep angled slab just below one of the minor summits.

Getting Slippy With it

Higher up on the ridge, approaching the summit of Mt. Eisenhower, wet fog hung in the air and temps began to drop. I popped on my hard shell and continued up the trail. At one point I looked across to the next high point on the ridge and caught sight of another lone adventurer. I gave them a wave and got a hearty “whoo!” in return.

This is truly what it’s all about.

Looking Back Across the Southern Presidentials

I made the scramble over Eisenhower and was making good time but the effort was starting to wear on my legs. Looking back at where I had just come from and into the epic gulfs of the Dry River Wilderness below, I got the distinct feeling that these were the “real” mountains. Big, beautiful, and unforgiving.

Pushing on, I eventually gained the summit of Monroe and overall this scramble was my favorite part of the route. Engaging enough that on the return I would opt for the bypass trail and not repeat the climb.

The Lake of the Clouds

At the Lake of the Clouds hut I refilled my water and had a good snack. As corny as it may sound, being at the Lake of the Clouds in those conditions was something I will never forget. I had a transformative experience there; in that moment, I knew that I was going to make it.

The Timeless Summit of Mt. Washington

I soon joined the talus slopes of Mt. Washington and after what felt like quite a trudge the radio tower came into view. Making the final few steps on to the summit I felt a bit like an alien, a gore-tex gremlin from another world temporarily joining this small bubble of civilization on top of the peak.

Digging the stove out of my pack and setting up on a flat rock, I boiled some water for coffee and a freeze dried meal. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as shuttle busses ferried tourists 100 ft from where I sat.

It wasn’t so much about where I was, but more about how I got there and that I was committed to retracing my route back down to Crawford Notch.