Forum Index > Trip Reports > Waddling through a winter wonderland (Nov 29, 2019)
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GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics
Location: Pittsburgh
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostSun Dec 01, 2019 8:56 pm 
Waddling through a winter wonderland Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire (Nov 29, 2019) Stuffed to the gills with Thanksgiving turkey, a rotund GaliWalker waddled up and over Mount Monadnock the next day to try and work off some of the previous night's gluttony. This was my 4th consecutive year of selecting this particular hike as my post-Thanksgiving 'turkey-burn'. Route: Take the White Dot Trail to the summit - retrace my steps to pick up the Smith Connecting Trail - continue down the Cliff Walk - a left on the Lost Farm Trail - finish the loop via the Parker Trail. Hiking/Photography stats: 5mi, 2000ft elevation gain, 4.5hrs Mount Monadnock is so beautiful at this time of the year: ice and snow decorate the granite slabs that comprise the mountain’s summit plateau. Unfortunately, it's also invariably windy up there, so one needs to be prepared for the elements. This time around the wind on the summit was the fiercest I've encountered on any hike I've ever done: by my estimate it was 60mph, constant. Coupled with a temperature of 20°F the wind-chill would have clocked in at around -5°F. Bundled up in my heaviest cap and balaclava, with only a narrow slit left open for my eyes, and being careful to keep my ski gloves on, even if that made photography a cumbersome proposition, I was able to withstand the punishing wind and cold in good order.
1- Breaking out into the open
1- Breaking out into the open
2- Dangerous ice (spikes mandatory)
2- Dangerous ice (spikes mandatory)
3- First sight of the summit, wreathed in mist and spindrift
3- First sight of the summit, wreathed in mist and spindrift
4
4
5
5
6- Summit (I was being buffeted by a 60mph wind)
6- Summit (I was being buffeted by a 60mph wind)
7- Summit and a hint of sun
7- Summit and a hint of sun
8- Summit
8- Summit
9
9
10
10
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11
12
12
13- Narnia
13- Narnia
14- Looking down at Bald Rock (my exit route)
14- Looking down at Bald Rock (my exit route)
15- Summit from Bald Rock
15- Summit from Bald Rock
16
16
17- A hiker admires the views (selfie)
17- A hiker admires the views (selfie)

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
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Nancyann
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Joined: 28 Jul 2013
Posts: 2314 | TRs | Pics
Location: Sultan Basin
Nancyann
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PostSun Dec 01, 2019 9:22 pm 
Thanks for your efforts, Gali. I can’t imagine trying to take pictures in such brutal weather!

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GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics
Location: Pittsburgh
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostMon Dec 02, 2019 8:39 am 
The last three Thanksgivings I found it extremely difficult to take pictures here because of the cold weather and because I used my tripod each time. This trip, the wind was so brutal that there was no way the tripod (plus camera) would not have been blown off the mountain if I'd tried to use it. Hence, every photo above is handheld - which made picture taking so much easier - except for the very last one (the selfie), because I was out of the worst of the wind by then.

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
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Alpine Pedestrian
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Joined: 24 May 2007
Posts: 188 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stevens Pass
Alpine Pedestrian
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PostMon Dec 02, 2019 9:07 am 
We benefit from your efforts. I always look forward to your trip reports and photos.

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GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics
Location: Pittsburgh
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostMon Dec 02, 2019 11:23 am 
Thanks AP.

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
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