Ritzhikes

Where: Mt. Monadnock, NH When: 11/23/2022 With: Solo While the ground was still bare, I took the opportunity for another test drive of my new trail runners. Today's destination was Mt. Monadnock, and the Marlboro Trail. It climbs from the west, and last year about this time I hiked the other western route , the Dublin Trail. Like the Dublin, access to the Marlboro Trail was via a rough dirt road (Shaker Road), which had a sign posted saying the road was not maintained for winter travel. As I made my way carefully along its bumps and ruts I was thinking it wasn't especially maintained for travel in ANY season, but my ground-hugging Accord made it to the parking area relatively unscathed. I arrived right at 9AM, sharing the lot with two other vehicles. After a quick pack-up, I hit the trail. Frankly, I packed a bit heavy. I'd hoped I could bring my small day pack, but I wasn't sure of the conditions, so I opted for a bigger bag and filled it with my emergency bag, microsp...

Where: Mt. Monadnock, NH When: 1 December 2021 With: Solo I was thinking of a hike for this day, and it came down to two destinations - the Osceolas, off the Kanc in the White Mountains, or Mt. Monadnock. The Osceolas would give me two more 4K peaks for my list (#s 27 & 28), but would require an early rise, a 2.5 hour drive and a 3.8 mile hike. Plus, I'd have to summit East Osceola twice (on the way to Osceola and on the return). Monadnock was a shorter drive (1.5 hours), and a shorter hike (2.2 miles) on a trail I've had on my wish list for some time, the Dublin Trail. As I thought about Monadnock, I realized I was actually looking forward to it. Unusual for me.  So I woke at my usual time, took Wilma for a walk, made coffee for Jane, packed a lunch and a backpack, left Jane a note, and I was off. I pulled out of the garage at 7:25. I landed at the trailhead a few minutes after 9. It was probably the last time before spring that my old Accord could get there. The access ro...

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: August 23, 2013 With: Andy A Friday day hike, so I must have taken the day off from work. I took Andy up this peak for his first mountain hike  in 1998. He was now heading into his final year at UConn, and I guess I figured it was time for a return visit. I don't recall too many details. I think we took the same route as last time, Lost Farm to Cliff Walk to White Arrow for the ascent. As always on Monadnock, there were lots of other folks on the mountain with us, but it wasn't a problem. We made our way to the summit without any trouble, took the usual photos, then returned via one of the main trails (probably White Dot). More photos

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: October 25, 2008 With: Chip I don't remember anything about this hike, but there are pictures !

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: November 26, 2006 With: Chip I don't remember anything about this hike, but there are pictures !

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: 1/31/99 With: Solo Super Bowl Sunday, and I decided to go for a hike. A stretch out, gear check walk more than anything. I had some new things I wanted to try (instep crampons, boots, wicking shirt) and some old things I wanted to reacquaint myself with, so I threw a day pack together and headed to Mt. Monadnock. I had a good time on the Pumbelly trail the last time I soloed this hill, so I decided to try it again. Easily my favorite route. It's off the beaten path and longer than most approaches, so it doesn't get much traffic. Despite the length though, it's not a hard trail. The first couple of miles are relatively flat walking through woods...good for working out the kinks and warming up before the real climbing begins. I'd gotten a late start out of the house, so I wanted to get going pretty quickly once I'd parked. A couple of guys arrived around the same time and set off before me though, so I wound up giving them a little h...

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: 7/3/98 With: Andy Andy's first real mountain climb. It was the start of a 10 day vacation for us and I thought I'd kick it off with a hike. Jane took the opportunity to visit with friends while Andy & I packed up a few supplies and headed to New Hampshire. We missed one turn and wound up taking a rather scenic back road into Jaffrey. We emerged from the woods onto the main road with the mountain looming directly ahead of us. Cool. It was a beautiful sunny day as we pulled into the parking area, paid our fee, and found a spot for the car. It had only taken us about an hour and a half to get there, so we had a nice early start for our hike. We smeared on sunscreen/bug repellent, checked the pack and the maps and were on our way. I had intended that we take the White Cross or White Dot trails to the summit, since they were the most direct paths. We left the parking lot and headed toward where I thought they started, skirting the end of the re...

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: 11/23/96 With: Solo It was a beautiful day on Mt. Monadnock. The late fall air was cool enough to keep the crowds away and make the hiking comfortable. Visibility was virtually unlimited, except for a slight haze that settled in as the day progressed. Mt. Washington's snow-covered mass was clearly evident to the northeast, as was Boston's skyline to the southeast. To the west and north, the ski slopes of Vermont presented their trails like advertisements, already covered with early season snow. I'd climbed for a number of reasons. First, it was a nice day and I had no other obligations. The chores were done and the family was otherwise occupied. Second, this climb had been on my to-do list for some time. The last time I'd climbed had probably been 10 years ago, when I journeyed up from Boston with a car full of friends and a lot of youthful male enthusiasm. After climbing to the top, we ran down, terrorizing others on the heavily travele...

Where: Mt. Monadnock When: 1983 (maybe 1984) With: The Stupids? A spur of the moment road trip, probably in the old Bombermobile. Someone was hungover I think. Maybe Seth? Somehow we found our way to the mountain and climbed it. I've got a fleeting memory of scrambling up some rocks near the top, well off any trail. My most distinct memory is of running - literally - down the mountain. We just started picking up speed and before long we were bouncing from rock to rock down the trail. A few fellow hikers chided us for our reckless behavior as we passed but we had a great time. The next morning I went for a run around Jamaica Pond and that helped greatly to keep my legs from tightening up. Later that evening I joined the guys and their girlfriends at a concert at the Hatch Shell (the Fat City Band, I think) and one of the women remarked on my still-mobile condition versus her guy's pain.