Most people would not associate caterpillars (glorified worms) with cuteness. But this one - this one is cute. Enjoy!
8.2.08
6.2.08
Mt. Washington - 1, The North Conway 13 -0
Well, we didn't make it to the top, but I feel like it was a success in that we actually made it to New Hampshire, after being stuck in the Chicago Airport for 8 hours due to snow, and then more ice and snow once we got to Manchester. 
We started the climb at about 9 a.m., with lots of wind and snow. There were thirteen of us climbing - most knew only one other person there, so we were all getting to know each other, and everyone was super nice and friendly and helpful. Things were pretty calm below the tree line, though the route was very snowed under, which made for slow going (1-2 feet of snow with every step). Avalanche danger was high, but not for the route we were travelling. Once we got to the Lion's Head Trail, things got tricky. It's very steep in parts and requires some thinking. We were forced to front-point with the crampons and actually use our ice axes to ascend some icy steep rocky parts. I was more worried about how we'd get back down. Once above of the treeline things got considerably harder. The wind was sustained at between 70 and 80, with gusts above 100 mph. It was hard enough walking in 1-2 foot of snow with every step, but then add being pushed into drifts up to your hips and being knocked back 2 steps for every one, and it adds up to taking forever to even make it to the rock outcrop, the Lion's Head. Once there a couple of guys went on reconniasance to check out above, but were quickly knocked back. The winds on Saturday topped out at 118 mph. There was lots of blowing snow and ice chunks. It was crazy. Below are just a few pics, and a video (sorry it's sideways). I'll put up some more pics once other people start exchanging them. Sue took some great ones.
We started the climb at about 9 a.m., with lots of wind and snow. There were thirteen of us climbing - most knew only one other person there, so we were all getting to know each other, and everyone was super nice and friendly and helpful. Things were pretty calm below the tree line, though the route was very snowed under, which made for slow going (1-2 feet of snow with every step). Avalanche danger was high, but not for the route we were travelling. Once we got to the Lion's Head Trail, things got tricky. It's very steep in parts and requires some thinking. We were forced to front-point with the crampons and actually use our ice axes to ascend some icy steep rocky parts. I was more worried about how we'd get back down. Once above of the treeline things got considerably harder. The wind was sustained at between 70 and 80, with gusts above 100 mph. It was hard enough walking in 1-2 foot of snow with every step, but then add being pushed into drifts up to your hips and being knocked back 2 steps for every one, and it adds up to taking forever to even make it to the rock outcrop, the Lion's Head. Once there a couple of guys went on reconniasance to check out above, but were quickly knocked back. The winds on Saturday topped out at 118 mph. There was lots of blowing snow and ice chunks. It was crazy. Below are just a few pics, and a video (sorry it's sideways). I'll put up some more pics once other people start exchanging them. Sue took some great ones.
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