A Cannon/Jackson August Grid Completion

 

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

As I woke on Monday morning, I laid in bed contemplating the day ahead. If I really wanted to complete my August Grid and my third round of the 48, I would have to get my ass into gear. Mentally the thought of hiking one mountain and coming back to my car, driving then to another mountain to hike is exhausting.

I hit the start button on my coffee maker to get motivated. I took my time drinking my coffee and getting my pack ready to go. As soon as I was up and moving the motivation just came. My legs still tired from the day before, I just reminded myself to take it easy.

Cannon is 4 miles round trip from Kinsman Ridge Trail. It's a steep 2 miles up and 2 miles back. But I knew it was doable. The forecast had showed clearing skies for the entire day. I arrived at the parking lot around 8:30am. I jumped out of the car and hit the trail.

The day before on Isolation was quite cold, windy, rainy and frankly, brisk. It felt like winter. I had enough layer but in some sense wished I had brought more just incase. So, when I woke it was chilly in my house and I just put on warmer layers for the day. This proved to be a mistake.

Within only a few minutes and a couple tenths of a mile up the trail, I was over heating. I debated on taking my long sleeve off and just wearing my sports bra, but just couldn't get myself to do it. I suffered through it the entire way up. It was still very foggy in the valley below and the summits above. 

I passed the outlook on the way up in hopes that when I came back down the clouds would have disappeared to give me a view. I made it to the summit in just over an hour. Layered up, ate a snack, took a photo of the white sky that surrounded me, then headed back down.

Stopping at the look out, sure enough there it was! A VIEW! One of the best views from any peak. From here you look directly across to Franconia Ridge. What a glorious ridge it is.

After chatting with Ranger Ray, a nice gentleman I met in passing, I headed back to the car.

I decided to go home, eat lunch, change into shorts and a tank top, and head back to hike Mount Jackson for my finish.

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After being home for a little while, I debated on hitting Jackson for sunset. However, my energy was still high and I also weighed out the consequences of "what if's". I would be hiking alone, tired, and out in the dark. I didn't want to rick getting injured in the dark, by myself. So, I decided to just go get it done.

I arrived at the trailhead for Webster-Jackson at 3:00pm. This trail again is roughly 5 miles round trip. This one being a little more generous on the vertical gain per mile. That I was thankful for. My legs actually felt pretty good. My left knee has some scar tissue from a previous surgery that was stuck in the front of my knee and starting to bother me. Otherwise, I ascended up hill as a slow and steady pace.

Not running into many people heading up, but a few heading down. I made it to the summit in just over an hour. Once up there, I sat in peace refueling, rehydrating, and taking in the views of Mount Washington. Feel incredibly accomplished.

I needed this. I didn't accomplish what I set out to do this summer, a single day hut to hut. I actually failed at my attempt. My support was weak, and some were so optimistic with my abilities which sent me spiraling into a dark hole of insecurities.

When I realized I only had 13 peaks left to grid out august and only 2 weeks to do it, I put my game face on and said, I am DOING THIS! With or without others help.

I also knew any long distance hikes/runs I need to take a step away from as I had herniated 2 discs in my lower back in June. With one pinching a nerve causing less stability in my right leg. This broke me. But, i figured any hiking is better than no hiking. So slow and steady I was.

Sometimes when life gives you rough and rugged terrain, you just have to put your head down and keep one foot in front of the other to navigate.