Introducing a 4,000 Footer; Mount Jackson

The topic had been discussed and brought up a few times. Harper wanted to complete her first 4 thousand footer. Me being the hiker that I am I was pretty excited to take her. Harper is 8 and has never really climbed a lot of vertical gain in a day.

The first spring I had been dating Josh, we talked about bringing Harper up to Hermit Lake on Mount Washington. This was her first real big climb. There was still a trail packed with snow and traction was a requirement. She agreed to do it with us, not realizing what we were getting her into. We had given her a new pair of hiking boots, and she broke them in the entire way up. For anyone who hikes knows how much pain this can cause to your feet.

She did amazing. She made it to just a few tenths shy of Hermit Lake before we took the boots off and put some mole skin on her poor blistered feet. She sucked it up for a little while longer before Josh picked her up and tossed her on his shoulders until we got there. She did amazing. We played ABC Games to keep her mind occupied. Games I learned from my friend Trish and her girls Alex and Sage.

After reaching Hermit Lake, we knew she could accomplish one of the shorter, and easier of the 48. We made plans, I asked advice to others about taking children on their first full day hike of a 4k. Harper seemed excited, right up until the plans started to become finalized. She started to get a little nervous, which can be understandable given she had never done it before.

Josh and I packed all of the packs the night before and made sure we had everything for all three of us and then some. Harper even carried her own backpack. Her backpack was full of food, water, warm clothes, and a few other fun things. Not only was she hiking her first 4k, she was carrying all of her weight. Impressive.

We arrived at the Jackson-Webster Trailhead around 9:20am. I took a quick photo of her and Josh at the Trailhead sign and we hit the trail. I suggest she take lead. That way we didn't run up the mountain to fast with her chasing behind. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel exhausted. She took charge and headed up. We had discussion on looking for trail signs and trail markers on the trees.

Shortly into the hike, we adjusted our clothing layers, and tied our shoes tighter. Harper suggested playing more ABC games. We started with that one and it led to many other fun and interesting games. Some of which required quite the imagination, that I just am not good at having. We came to the first steep section (a little bit of a scramble up) I thought for sure it would be a little nerve wracking for her, myself and Josh. However, she handed over her trekking poles, I grabbed them, and off she went. Scrambling up as if she had done it a million times before. Confidence is a girls best friend.

The entire hike up all I could think about was, I really hope Josh and Harper have an opportunity to have an encounter with a Gray Jay. I even brought along some bird seed instead of giving them junk. We continued our trek, coming to the first junction. We stopped and took a quick break, took some photos, and then continued onward and upward.

Rounding the last corner right before the large slab of rocks you have to scramble to the summit, I advised everyone what was about to come. As soon as we came up the last few tenths to the summit, Josh and I coached Harper up these large slabs. These scrambles are pretty close to being some easy rock climbing. Harper figured it out quickly. Trusting the grip on the bottom of her shoes, had confidence in herself, and maneuvered upward towards the summit. She was a natural.

Hiking in the White's is not easy, ever. We finally hit the top, she ran over to the big cairn pile and I took her photo. She had officially summited her first 4 thousand foot mountain. It was a tad windy, and a little chilly up top. I quickly took out my down jacket and she put her layers on. We enjoyed the Lemon Bars Harper and I made the day before. As well as enjoyed some Jelly Beans on Jackson as part of the Desserts on the 48. While snacking and taking photos, there it was. A Gray Jay.

We took a few infamous photos with them and the bird seed I had, however they weren't to fond of the bird seed. They would land on our hands, peck at it and then leave it be and fly away. I guess you would say that these might be some of the most spoiled birds in the Whites.

After spending about 45 minutes on the summit enjoying all of our snacks and taking photos we decided to head back down. We were trying to make it back to the car by at least 3:00pm to get home and change for the Arts Jubilee Concert in North Conway. Again, we let Harper lead the way and she set the pace for all of us. She took her time and carefully headed back to the car. Just about half way down she started to get tired. Asking how much further, and saying she couldn't wait to be back at the car. We chatted through it. We chanted for how good of a job she did, and how big of an accomplishment it was and the thoughts of being back at the car and the feet hurting subsided for a little while.

We were nearing the end and she started to remember things she had pointed out at the very beginning of the hike. Knowing we were getting closer her energy level boosted right back up. I could see the road and yelled we are almost there! She couldn't believe it until she saw for herself. We took a photo at the trailhead sign, crossed the road, and all took our shoes off and got in the car.

It was an amazing day overall. We averaged roughly about 1mph. Which is exactly what I expected letting her lead the way and for her first 4 thousand footer. These mountains are not easy, even the easiest ones of the 48 still have their hard parts. She did absolutely amazing and conquered something she was afraid of to start with. She was so excited the entire way home. Josh and I couldn't be more proud of her.

Hike Safe & Keep on Trekking.