Mu: Catharsis

Yesterday was the first real hike of the spring. (Technically, C and I ascended Moosilauke in March, but that was still winter weather) The Summit was Mt. Madison. About 4K elevation. I'm sore, my heals hurt, and I'm feeling old -- perfect weekend :) The trip was a precursor for a 20 mile, multi-day, multi-summit trip colloquially known as the 'Presidential Traverse'. The route is basically to ascend Mt. Madison, and continue along to Adams (perhaps adding other subordinate peaks), Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower, Perice, Jackson, and Webster, then finally descending into Crawford Notch. This map gives one an idea of the route. There are actually people who prefer to do this trip in one day -- normally the summer solstice, or a full-moon. While I had considered the idea, I thought better of it. Instead opting to book bunks at the Lake Of the Clouds AMC hut for one night. This gives us a nice half-way break just after Mt. Washington. It also has the nice feature of making the seconday day shorter, and easier.