I've been tasting alot of fail lately, and it's not my favorite flavor. I've been getting close to peaks and not hiking them; depressing, frustrating, all that. On the Krypteia we had to skip Passaconaway and North Tripyramid, passing both within less then a mile. Today I hiked to Lonesome Lake, just south of Kinsman Ridge, home to 3 peaks not yet on my list. My list should be 15 not 10, going into a 2 week hiatus again with a vacation to see family in Rhode Island.
Can't blame myself. I know if I don't put em away while the weather is warm I'll go into next summer with a tall order ahead of me, even with a handfull of winter peaks. Had to turn in early today because someone in my party couldn't handle the exercise, hiking Cannon as your first real mountain isn't exactly the way to go, no animosity just disappointment. Ended up on the Dodge Cutoff to Lonesome Lake, great views of Franconia Ridge and was able to see the hut when we looped around.
Not a total waste of a day, did see a deer up close near the Lafayette place campground. Also was able to save an elderly couple from a parking trap. The lot gets crowded on summer weekends, usually overflowing with cars out onto 93, and a few jerks caged in these grandparents on all four sides. If we hadn't quit early they would've been stuck there all day, escape achieved when I moved my car out from behind them. (I should have keyed someone's door)
I've decided to ride solo for the month of October. If I'm a lone wolf on the trail I can bag a few at a time and not worry about looking behind me. Once I get home from RI I've got a solid stretch of foliage between me and Haloween, should be able to put a dent in this list. That 10 over there has hung around for too long...
Nice post. Most that hike know exactly the feeling you mean. I've a had a few peaks out of my reach due to weather and other events. It stays with you, being so close and not summiting. To date, with only a year of hiking under my belt, I think I have had to repeat three hikes due to bad circumstances the first time around. My problem is, I literally can't let it go. So if I don't make a summit, I'm back within a couple weeks...repeating what I did not accomplish! Remember, the mountains aren't going anywhere...You have plenty of time for the whole list, and then it will be on to the next list!
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