Runners put on Hiking Shoes

This summer, several Rochester Runners laced up their hiking boots and ventured to the summits of a few peaks throughout NH’s white mountains.  Who says that runners are always running?  The 1^st trip was to Mt Moosilauke.  On the 5-mile trek up the hill, the weather was pleasant with party cloudy skies and temperatures in the 50’s, but at the summit, things changed.  The winds approached 30 mph, so the group hunkered down inside a man-made rock circle (not like Stonehenge).  One fearless hiker tried to fly, but was unsuccessful.  Maybe he should have worn his flats.  Just as we headed from the summit, Paul Lindsey imitated Ben Johnson as he recorded the fastest speed of any hiker that day as he sprinted after his hat.

The 2^nd hike took us to the Franconia Ridge.  This day was another beauty.  In the first hour of the hike, we passed a nice waterfall.  A bit farther along on the trail, I suggested to a more seasoned hiker that he was “old,” but all that did was light his internal competitive fire.  He says he does not race anymore, but what he meant was that he does not race on the roads anymore.  Who says that old men can’t hike?  As we crested the summit of the first peak, Little Haystack, and headed off to Lafayette, the views of the surrounding countryside from along the ridge became more and more impressive.  We were able to stay at the top for at least 30 minutes, and then descended to the Greenleaf hut.  On the way home, we stopped by the Common Man restaurant in Lincoln for a nourishing meal.

The most recent hike brought a group of about 7 to Carter Dome and Mt Hight.  Starting on Rt 16, we hiked the falling waters trail to the rock-faced summit of Mt Hight with 360° views.  While eating lunch, we saw some metallic purple bugs that were taking a liking to us.  Were they this friendly toward all hikers?  We then strolled along the tree-covered ridge to the summit of Mt Carter and down to the Carter hut.  At the hut, a volunteer there was chatting with a lady who was related to one of the original trail-builders in the white mountains.  The conversation was very interesting as the hut guy, an avid historian himself, was explaining about women hikers in the early 20^th century.  Just as we left the hut, the group came to a nearby pond where a fellow hiker from another group was cooling his feet in the pond, leaving for a memorable hike for a lady in the group.  On the way home, a few of us stopped by the Lindsay’s timeshare in Conway to enjoy the hot tub before stopping by Café Noche in Conway for dinner, ending another enjoyable day of hiking.

-Craig Stephan