Climbing Mt. Washington

Posted on Sep 29, 2011

Posted by Bridget, Citizens’ Advocacy Representative

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by work, as though no matter how much effort you put in there is no end in sight? In my role as a Tom’s of Maine Citizens’ Advocacy Representative I spend my days answering consumer questions through email, mail, phone calls, Facebook and even Twitter. I love my position, but it is an ongoing responsibility. And with no real end in sight, it is easy to forget to recognize small achievements along the way. I have learned that the best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed, is the tackle a project with a clear end, and celebrate the feeling of accomplishment that comes with doing so.

This past Saturday I did just that when I joined a large group of friends to hike Mt. Washington. For those of you not familiar, Mt. Washington isn’t exactly a walk in the woods. It’s the highest peak in the Northeast, and the round trip up and back down the mountain takes a full day to complete. Many visitors make the trek in a car, and there are plenty of vehicles in our corner of the country whose bumpers boast, “This car climbed Mt. Washington!” When our group of thirteen arrived in New Hampshire Saturday morning, we left our cars at the base, and set off on foot.

We ascended the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, known best for its steep section of stone steps, and its path by the Lakes of the Clouds. We descended on the Jewell Trail, a narrow winding path of rocks through low brush that thankfully broke the tree line before it broke our spirits. Our total loop length was 9.6 miles, with an elevation gain of 3,800 feet.

The thing about hiking Mt. Washington is that as difficult as points of the trek can be, every challenge is surmountable. This is especially true when you go with friends. Our group would quickly spread while hiking, but we regrouped at each resting point, sharing apples and granola bars, and passing the few coveted hiking poles onto whomever felt they could use the extra stability.

By the time we reached the final ascent, my thighs were literally shaking with each step and my gear was soaked. Knees were bothering other members of our crew, and chafing backpack straps went from a slight annoyance, to just plain irritating. On the other hand, our adrenaline had never been higher. The closer we got, the faster we climbed, until we triumphantly reached the summit, caked in clouds and complete with crowds of gawking car-travelers.

This was my second year hiking Mt. Washington, and I plan to make the trip annually for many years to come. There will always be another email to answer, another voicemail to return. Likewise there will always be another house project to tackle, another bill to pay, and any other number of responsibilities to fulfill. The concrete feeling of accomplishment that hiking Mt. Washington provides for me is not only satisfying; it also energizes me to complete my more regular day to day tasks. And that, to me, is absolutely worth the sweat and sore muscles!