July 9, 2017
Solo
#25 Osceola (4,340 ft.)
#26 Osceola, East Peak (4,156 ft.)
My first solo hike up a 4000er, and it was hot. I was preparing for a trip to Colorado to hike Mount Elbert, the state's highest point. The scrambling section seemed much worse on the way out and up than on the return, when I spent a few long minutes on the main ledge watching the clouds. On the summit of East Osceola I met a family with younger kids who had hiked up the other direction on the imposing trail from Mad River Notch.
January 1, 2020
With Susan Mutter
#34 Tecumseh (4,003 ft.)
Conditions were nearly ideal for my first winter hike in the Whites: warm enough, decent snow with little ice, and an unintimidating trail. My snowshoes were adequate but not great, especially on the downhill, and it was cold enough on the summit to make us hurry up a bit. We met some older hikers who glissaded down on plastic discs: technically verboten on those trails, but such a great idea. Next time.
