Up and Running

The Grand Slam is slowly killing me... we'll get to that in a later post. But for now... and one of the reasons why it is... I had to get back up on my feet and training again. So yesterday I convinced Nate Sanel to join me for a Presi-Traverse in New Hampshire's White Mountains as a way to start to hone in on Leadville, our next 100 Miler. What we were treated to was a picture perfect day above tree line, complete with gusty winds, bright beautiful sunshine and views to last a lifetime. The following is a short "story" and some photos to tell you about our day.

A Presi-Traverse

Washington (L) and Adam (R) from Madison

The climbing goes on forever, or so it seems. Over rock and root, across a few streams. Get off the Valley Way and take to Watson Path, the trees get smaller and smaller while the boys continue to laugh. Finally above the trees, mother nature too violent for their growth, we settle atop the rocks named Madison, wind whipping in our hair... just soaking in the views and cool air.

Sitting atop the rocks the poor guy can't see, his long flowing locks whip in front of his eyes. I take out a winter hat and hand it to him for comfort, it's getting a bit warmer now.. oh well buttercup.. lets go! His bum ankle twists to the left and to the right, this friggin guy sure knows how to put up a fight. Into the hut we look for hair elastics, none in sight, he's shit out of luck. We quickly walk out back into the refreshing air, hot and sticky down low.. cool and comfy up here. Up along the ridge of the King's Ravine, falling would be deadly if you know what I mean. The rocks are strewn about, yet we hit T-storm Junction; climb to the top of Adams... no aliens here!

Look at the Hair!

A view of Washington and Adams from below Madison

From the top of Adams we run down back to the T, take a left and keep running along the Gulf Side Trail. Ankle Twist Alley is what he'd like to call it, we make our way through the rock garden, climbing steadily to Jefferson. Down across Montecello Lawn the winds tickles to grass as it waves fluidly. Up and over clay, there's the new Train! No more coal spewing into the air, these trains run by coal. No more raining black rocks, no more nasty crud to breath in. We walk to the top of Washington, quite a sideshow to see. Tourons everywhere, being rude, pushing, chatting.... what a world.

The view from Adams. Washington (L) Jefferson (M) Southern Presi's (Far R)

Nate in the Lawn

Top of the Great Gulf, Jefferson, Adams and Madison in the back

I'm not waiting in line anymore... rediculous

Coke machines on the summit now and it looks like he lost his money.

Enough of this lets get the hell outta here, run away! run away! We make our move down onto Crawfords Path. From seeing no one at all... the quite the view of the masses, now we see a few sitting on their little asses. What have you eaten today little girl?? "Honey Bunches of Oats for Breakfast..." Shhh, take this and gobble it down. Pretty soon you'll feel like you could wear a crown. Take 3 more, we don't need them at all. Silly girl, no wonder you fell down. Weave in and out, hello here and there, so many people wasting this air. To the hut with the Crowds, walking in the front door... oh my god... PRETENTION! and folks willing to sleep on the floor. Eat a cookie, drink some lemonade.. did you pay? NO WAY!

Rock Hoppin' to Monroe!

Up up and away to the top of Monroe, I told you 15 minutes is how long it'd be a go. On the top we sit briefly and size up those kids, they've been chasing us since the hut... hmmmm  Over south while they go around, we catch them and pass... there is no frown. Keep on pushin, over Franklin and into the hole... eat some food, share the gummy bears with the boys.... hike to Ike. Up top, few phone calls, business does call, the boys are back, sit and chaw. Here are some cookies, those smiles are gone. You boys wanna race? Thought we were. When did you start 7. We'll... 8:30 here... better get movin'! Bye to the Masters of Bates... down the trail we do run, up and over humps to Pierce to look back on the fun. What do we do? Bail or go straight... lets go Nate!

Nate on top of Eisenhower. (From Left) Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Franklin

The View back from Pierce

Bog Bridges to Jackson

One more hut just to fill the water, over the bogs on the bridges and one last climb. On the top of the cliffs we look back with glee, the boys have made it from Presi to Presi. Pictures, SNAP! and down we go, back down into the Crawford Hole. Adventure is done, 20 miles run, Ten Thirty something and it was tons of fun. A new PR from end to end... time to drive home... my legs can hardly bend.

Nate on Jackson

Sherpa on Jackson

Saw this guy in Pinkham Notch on the way home