disney4dan 68 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Some of you will remember that Matt and I went on a hike last August to get used to backpacking in all the gear we would need for an overnight stay in the wilderness. Matt is in Boy Scouts and I have had the pleasure of getting to learn a lot by hanging out with these guys and Matt. Well, last years trip was a learning experience where we discovered that a comfortable pack was important. The pack he was carrying did not fit right and he was uncomfortable shortly after we started. On that trip we did get to the shelter, put on a lot of miles on the trail and overnighted in a really nice place. BUT…, we never made the summit. Two weeks later we returned to the area with the Boy Scout troop and climbed the same mountain (not a very challenging mountain either). Matt was still not a happy camper after the prior attempt and stayed near the base working on orienteering skills with another group while I went with the rest of the kids and other adults to climb to the summit. We made a rookie mistake of not verifying that each kid had enough water for the hike. Lesson to other adults out there, simply asking the kids if they have enough water is not enough. Two of the kids that were in our group only had one small water bottle with them on a hot sunny day, and we had to turn around at about half a mile from the summit because the group was running low on water. So, over the winter we were complaining about our failures and decided we would have to give this a third try. Matt is now a year older and growing like a weed. One of his friends in the troop and his Dad (both were on the second attempt to summit) and the troop leader agreed that this would have to be planned. So, starting in mid-February, we all put together our calendars and lined up a date to get the job done. Our plan was to take the Piper Trail up to Penacook Shelter again, just a three mile hike, and set up camp mid day. Then we would take off for the summit with just water and maybe a few other items and finish the last 1.5 miles without the 30 pounds on our backs. We started from central MA at 7:00 on Sunday morning for the three hour drive up to the parking lot. The weather was great on the way up and we were really stoked for this trip. Matt and I had picked up two more modern packs through the scout shop last year during a fantastic clearance sale that our local scout outfitter told us about (two customizable Osprey packs that can be adjusted to different sizes over the years for less than a cost of a single pack at the local outfitters). Some signs at the trail head: Think the Fort will ever go to self service pay stations? In case you are wondering, they do check and anyone who does not pay will get a hefty ticket or towed out of the parking lot. As you can probably tell, the weather was great. Temperatures in the high 70’s, partly cloudy with a little bit of a breeze. After having three weeks of 90+ degree humid days, we were enjoying this change. The trail starts out fairly well maintained with a gradual incline for the first mile or so. We cross over brooks several times or near them on the climb. Another reason why this hike is good for the first few pack trips – if you bring a filter you don’t need to carry a lot of water to drink. And then we start to climb, gradually at first: And then the real dreaded switchbacks as the trail gets steeper: And higher we go, like stair climbing on rocks: At last we reach the 3.1 mile mark where the junction to the spur trail takes off toward the shelter. That is such a welcome relief to know we can drop 30 pounds at the shelter and finish with nothing but a water bottle! But they don’t give up the shelter that easily, you have about a half mile scramble over little used or maintained trail to get there: following little signs like the yellow paint on the tree (above photo) or small signs like this which are hard to notice if you aren’t looking for them: Matt knows we are close, and is a lot happier on this trip: Finally we get a break and take some time to eat lunch: It was about this time that we notice clouds beginning to roll in, so we decide to head for the summit. The radar (this side of the mountain also has spotty cell phone coverage and we could check the radar on our phones) shows some good rain heading east, but near the border of NH and VT, so we feel confident we can make it in time. A pause along the ridge headed to the summit: Then the clouds really roll in. Matt pretending to be the character on the advertisement for the video game “Assassin’s Creed”: And finally we find the highest point while wandering around in the clouds. Sort of creepy but cool to have “fog” rolling around and partially obscuring your line of sight. The peak of Chocorua seems very steep and very unusual for northeast mountains which tend to be round tops or not so steep. Then we headed back down to start dinner before the rains come. I grabbed a few more shots along the trails that run the ridge between Middle Sister Mountain and Chocorua: I didn’t get any photos of dinner, but it was another one pot meal cooked over the alcohol stove followed by granola bars for desert hunkered down in the shelter while the rains pounded the metal roof. One of the adults also brought out a surprise flask so that the adults could have a small celebratory toast of Jameson! That hit the spot. An added bonus of sleeping on a wood floor with very thin sleeping pads – the kids said none of us really snored that bad! We typically snore so bad that the trees shake, but not this night! It rained hard all night but we stayed dry in the shelter. We had draped our rain fly tarps over the entrance to keep the blowing mist out and we were very comfortable. I woke in time for sunrise the next morning and grabbed this shot while waiting for the coffee: and the shelter: Coffee above the clouds – can you smell the aroma? Wish you were there? I do. We finished breakfast, grabbed our gear and some extra trash others left at the shelter and off we went to the base. We always find a great local spot along the trip home to tank up after our camping trips and we stopped at a 50’s style diner for a brunch at noon. And what would a trip report be without pood forn? Useless in my mind, so here is the long awaited obligatory shot of Matt’s small little nosh called the Cadillac special. He finished. I paid J It’s not a fort trip, but I needed to prove we could summit that mountain. Now we can choose our next peak adventure and climb even higher and gain more experience. ftwildernessguy and Katman1356...Jason 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy and Grandma 739 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Hat's off to all. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Wow, that trail looks rugged. Great memories for the two of you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Very awesome hike!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Memphis 105 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Very cool us flatlanders in Florida don't get to see any hills let alone mountains. Thanks for posting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 I'm so happy you got the chance for a do-over! And judging by the menu of that diner....you must have been real close to Mo. Katman1356...Jason 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Congrats on completing the summit! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Millermouseketeers MaryAnn 150 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ImDownWithDisney 342 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Love the scenery! That looks like a nice hike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Thanks for the report! I'd like hiking better if there were bathrooms :) reading a TR about other people hiking is more my speed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PureTcrazy...rita 380 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Awesome! Determination pays off! It looks like a gorgeous area! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disney4dan 68 Posted August 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Hat's off to all. Thanks for sharing. Thanks - we aren't the fastest hikers, but we are persistent! Wow, that trail looks rugged. Great memories for the two of you! It was fun Very awesome hike!!! Very cool us flatlanders in Florida don't get to see any hills let alone mountains. Thanks for posting There will be more soon, I hope. The boy scout troop is headed up to the Whtie Mountains on Labor Day weekend and we will try to summit Wildcat and get views of the Presidential Range I'm so happy you got the chance for a do-over! And judging by the menu of that diner....you must have been real close to Mo. I think we were close to Mo. The place is actually called the Tilt'n Diner and I think the owner has a few places. This one is just outside of Laconia I think. Congrats on completing the summit! Awesome! Love the scenery! That looks like a nice hike. Thanks for the report! I'd like hiking better if there were bathrooms :) reading a TR about other people hiking is more my speed. Awesome! Determination pays off! It looks like a gorgeous area! Thanks everyone - I think it won't be long and I won't be able to keep up with Matt on the trails, so I'm enjoying the hikes while we can. Headed out later today for Lake George, NY! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ftwildernessguy 778 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Thanks for the report, Dan. There isn't much better, in my mind, than a good overnight hiking trip. Although my backpacking days are over, your report brought back more than a few memories of my time as a scout and later as a leader in my son's troop. Glad you finally beat that mountain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Oh I love Lake George!!! So beautiful there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mommy rainbo.....Bo 41 Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Congratulations on the climb. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Great job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Wow! Great report. Congratulations on getting to the top! The great thing is that your son and the other scouts will likely remember this achievement for the rest of their lives. Good job. And thanks for sharing the photos. What a beautiful place. The last few days in central Florida have been particularly muggy. I wish there was a mountain nearby that I could climb. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Great pictures! I'm hungry after looking at the victory breakfast! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AC in A2......Aaron 693 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 This was a great TR! The scenery looks majestic. Congrats to all of you on a successful climb! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Seals 111 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Looks like a great adventure. Made even better by being successful (if at first you don't succeed...) My 3 boys are scouts and my oldest son went backpacking at Philmont this summer and had a fantastic time. We got a great deal on his backpack ($65 for a pack that lists for $148 on Amazon) through scoutdirect.com. Do you know that site? It's for scouts only and has great sales. [i have no affiliation with them and hope this is ok to post here]. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted August 17, 2013 Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 We want lake George pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disney4dan 68 Posted August 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 We want lake George pics! Looks like I better get busy and post some photos ! Wonder If I can link to video? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Looks like I better get busy and post some photos ! Wonder If I can link to video?I uploaded a video to photobucket and I think it worked out, if not YouTube does. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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