Let me tell you a story about the woman in this picture: She didn’t have a clue what she was doing. The boots were your typical bulky, insulated winter boots from an outdoor retail company. The gaiters were twelve bucks from a chain discount supply store. The pants were purchased at another outdoor retail company’s outlet stores for dirt cheap. They were lightly lined so she added a pair of fleece lined tights from the aforementioned discount supply store underneath that lightly lined layer.

She also had about 3 of everything in that 50 liter pack. It was heavy. And she couldn’t understand why it was taking so long to move such a small distance up the mountain. (Those first few solo hikes in winter are the primary reason I splurged on that fancy GPS I now carry.) 

But oh, she had never felt what she felt stirring at that very moment as she entered the Alpine Zone in Winter and gazed upon the Presidential Range from 4000 feet in the air for the first time in her life. She was recharged…renewed…she felt more alive than ever before. She cried tears of disbelief that she had accomplished so much without even knowing exactly what she had gotten into.

But she knew from that moment on that this was going to be an ongoing occurrence in her life. She wouldn’t stop until her goal was met. 

But what is that goal exactly? Is it tagging the highest peaks in New England? Is it the Long Trail? Returning out west to explore Washington or the PCT or the JMT? Or is it the 52 with a view in New Hampshire? 

It’s all of the above.

And it starts with a little bit of self care…

I had planned a self care mini vacation this February. I had started this planning over a month and a half before I left as a way to give me something to look forward to. I failed to do so last year at this time of year and quickly approached burnout. I promised myself I would pay attention to that feeling and never have that happen again. Between work, volunteering, and all other aspects of my life, I am extremely active in lots of different, awesome groups and events and I love every minute of what I do. I’m single parenting a tweenager that I love dearly and some of those days are indeed harder than others as I struggle with letting her learn and grow independently. But it is imperative to take time for ourselves so we can take care of others…and I am finally practicing what I preach. ❤️

Day 1: Mount Willard

“There’s a wicked stawm comin’ so I think I’ll drive to where it’s gonna get hammahd with snow bub.” Said no one ever…except for this crazy woman right here! And there I found myself. In Crawford Notch, NH. Where it was getting hammahd with snow (and as my parents were on their way to Hawaii without me!). 

I have been planning on adding yet another list (I know, I know, ANOTHER one?!?!), so I elected to hit up the “52 with a view” Mount Willard. There obviously wasn’t a view…who the h*ll climbs mountains in a snowstorm?! Oh, that’s right, me. It was too windy for the higher summits (and I’ve already tagged all those ones around Crawford Notch anyway). As of that moment, I’ve had the Pemi to my left and the Prezis to my right. With WTF in the middle (literally—Willey, Tom, and Field). And yes, when I did all three of them in one day, I did say WTF! Several times! 🤣

I broke my own trail all the way up after a delicious breakfast at the Highland Center, which was good because it was workout city in a storm—phew! I found my tracks were covered with fresh snow by the time I got down to the base of the mountain. The snow covering the trees made it wicked hard to see the trail markers at times. My hair was an icicle by the end, but my clothes stayed dry. It really does pay to have the right gear. 

Speaking of gear, I really (really really REALLY) love my new mountaineering snowshoes. Like I am gaga in love with them. 😍 It’s as though you’re not even wearing them at all with these new bindings! And…let me just tell you all about those televators on steep sections. Like a dream. So dreamy. 

Day 2: Mount Avalon

Today was a much more picture worthy day—went up the wicked steep Avalon trail and sure was grateful for those heel televators on my snowshoes!

The nice thing about winter hiking is that the snow covers all the god awful (I mean beautiful, giant, magnificent) rocks one has to scramble and climb over to get to the summit. It also allows one to butt slide down the wicked steep parts, which I totally did and went “weeeeeeeee” like a kid on a National Lampoon greased up sled. Mind you, the first time I butt slid it was totally on accident because I fell on my ass and decided that since I was already down there, I might as well just let go and enjoy the ride. And so I did. And then did it about 4 other times coming down the Avalon trail. 

You can’t do that in the summer down those rocks!!! And you can’t do that on a cruise ship traveling to Hawaii, mom and dad! 🤣

It was a beautifully bittersweet day to hit the 100 miles on my Taji Challenge as well. Now I guess it’s back to just the Run the Year for me (like that isn’t enough!)! 🏃🏼‍♀️ 

Did I forget to mention the highlight of using my ice axe to chisel out my car after the storm yesterday? I do believe I provided at least some form of quality entertainment to the staff and guests of the AMC Highland Center during that adventure. (I’m from Maine and I’m a Girl Scout—I know how to use my resources wisely!)

Back home tomorrow night to return for the start of many obligations in the months to come as well as to see that awesome kid of mine that I miss so much. But while I’m here, I plan to get the most out of it and do the Around the Lake trail (Ammonoosuc Lake) in the morning. And I think I’m going to stop in North Conway to shop because after all that running I’ve been doing, my pants don’t fit anymore. 🤣

Happy Trails all. Cheers!

Addendum: The above was the original post that I had intended to publish not long after I had returned home late February/early March 2020…and then everything went by the wayside as COVID-19 hit. (And it hit fast!) With that in mind, I still stand by the need for self-care—we need it now more than anything. Take care of yourselves. Be well. Keep on keeping on…and keep on hiking! ❤️