Osceola

As is my habit, I used the middle day of the long weekend for a hike. I went back and forth about where to go - back to Smarts to try again, to Meader and Eagle Crag which I've been thinking about since last summer or a 4000 footer - Osceola or Moosilauke. I couldn't decide, and downloaded all the maps. This morning, though, I overslept a bit and decided that with the shortened time Osceola made the most sense. Also, they just opened the gate at Oscoela this week, so I thought there might be less traffic on the mountain. It was a good day and a good hike! It was in the clouds at the top, so no view, and it was freezing up there, so I only stayed for like 15 minutes, but the hike made up for it.

When I say I overslept, I mean I woke up at about 9 and got out the door at like 945 ish. The sun is setting pretty late now, and Osceola is a shorter hike, so I wasn't worried. I got to the mountain right around noon and actually got a spot in the parking lot. I got myself organized and headed off.

I think all this rowing has really helped with my fitness level. I felt good pretty much the whole way up the mountain. The last 30 or so minutes I was definitely ready for a break and a sandwich, but otherwise I didn't even really have any Dark Trail Thoughts. It's been super rainy and cold out, so the trail was pretty wet, but it wasn't muddy until the top. One thing that was awesome was no bugs - I guess the rain and cold drove them off... I enjoyed my hiking, and all the great switchbacks, and it took me just a little over 2 hours to get up. When I was close to the top I ran into this woman who was in my swim class at MIT, which was kind of fun! Of course I didn't recognize her without a bathing suit and cap on, but some people have better face recognition software, so she recognized me.

I got to the top and there was absolutely no view and it was so cold. I was wearing my ninja hoodie, a patagonia long sleeve shirt and then I added a smartwool shirt and little puff, plus gloves and a hat. I was still too cold to peel an orange, so I wound up carrying it back down. I did enjoy my avocado and cheese sandwich!

On the way down I was in the zone and was moving pretty fast (for me). All the switchbacks really help, as does the fact that it's a pretty steady climb, but none of it is killer. And, my knees weren't really bothering me. I've been trying to do some of the PT exercises that I learned, and I think it's helping. I finished the hike and enjoyed using the bathrooms for changing. On the drive home I got so hungry that I stopped at The Common Man for a veggie burger, and it was delicious! I'd been feeling a little bit in a funk, and I feel so much better after my hike. There's nothing like getting out in the woods, maybe suffering just a little, to help clear the head.