Return of the King

Mt Adams 5794' via King Ravine

There and back again. On a whim 3 friends were thinking mountains so I of course tagged along for another epic dayhike adventure.

The northern slopes of Mt Adams cradle the godforsaken rock pile known as King Ravine. On July 4th we had hiked thru this boulder/cave crazy cirque during a hurricane, trudged over Madison and ended up near Dolly Copp, sad and wet in the dark.

This time me and a little daybag cranked out the Subway, the Ice Caves and the Gateway by noontime. Summited Mt Adams for my 2nd time and strolled past some waterfalls after a quiet lunch at the hut. Clear day in the Northern Presidentials and I didn't even have to drive. Erick +1

(PS Madison Spring Hut has an excellent bowl of vegetable soup going right now $2)

Zealand Traverse

Crawford Depot to Zealand Rd; up and over Mt Tom 4051'
Maybe 9 miles total we camped near Zealand Pond

Four adventurers conquered Mt Tom this past weekend, easy overnight hike with a few new friends.

Planned an easy overnight trek to accommodate two rookies, Zealand Falls has a way of making a great first impression. No problems from this crowd, well maintained trails and good weather.

Feeding Gray Jays atop Mt Tom was probably the highlight of the weekend. I know there's a nest on Field and I've fed them before but never like this, they were dive bombing our hands as we raised them into the air. White mountain magic...

Franconia Ridge

Classic 9 mile loop; Up Falling Waters down Old Bridle path

Amusement Park. Where is my tshirt cannon when I really need one. Felt like 3 or 4 international field trips combined into a swarm of slow rookies on trail, India and French Canadia need to get their own mountains. I passed maybe 30 people (beast) but ended up waiting in line to summit Haystack.

Someone let there dog take a dump right on the trail. Then some poor soul stepped in it and tracked little turd remnants for another 1/4 mile. So awesome grabbing a handhold and realizing thats not mud.

I passed right through the Lafayette summit and the hut. Greenleaf is nice but I didnt bring cash and with about a liter of water left I just cruised past. Just way more people then I was used too, struggled to find alone time on a solo hike.

Ended up with perfect hiking weather no rain all day. Quest complete! Another great weekend.
I've been stalling on my 48 completion, the Carters and Isolation deserve hours I dont have right now.  Big things coming in the fall.