Anyone with an observant eye reading these posts may have noticed that all my hikes have been in good weather --- some in stunningly beautiful weather! That has been by design. Being retired, I can pick my days --- and why not pick the very best?
Yet, it happened that the only day this week I could be away was Thursday. The weather forecast for Thursday did not look good. My first thought was to can it. Really, why get wet when I don't have to?
But on the other hand ---------- why not? Life, after all, is not all sunshine. I've been out in the rain before. I've been soaked through before. I've put up with boots full of water and rain dripping off my nose before. Damn, I've been missing some real life experiences by picking only sunny days for my hikes! Book the hike for Thursday come hell or high water. So I did.
Up at 5:00 am to a steady drizzle. The drive over to Pinkham Notch in a heavier rain. Throwing the pack on my back at the Imp Trailhead in a mist. A steadier rain and wet brush along the trail through most of the hike up. Windy and cold at the summit ledge. Drier on the hike down but more rain on the short road walk between South and North Imp Trail heads and all the way home. I was wet but not soaked through nor at all uncomfortable.
The hike was a bit more challenging than some others. I spent a lot of time concerning myself with foot placement --- wet is slippery! I was reminded that Vibram soles are not magic --- their lugs need nubs to grab hold of. Smooth rubber on smooth rock, with a film of water in between is to be avoided. And especially, do not let an instep land on a sloping wet root ----- disaster on a stick!
My gear had to be organized differently compared to a sunny day too. The camera spent most of it's time tied up in a plastic bag ----- so there are fewer photos of this hike to post. That's too bad --- I would have liked to have shared more of this experience with you.
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| Madison & Adams from The Imp face |
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| Looking down on a nearly vertical Imp Brook from The Imp face. |
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| on the ridge |
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| North Carter summit |
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| Washington form South Imp Trail |
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