Built To Roam: Hybernation

So why is it that once it starts to get cold out we all tend to stop doing any and all things outside? The mere thought of being cold or having a single snowflake touch us is enough to make most people bundle up and watch TV for 4 months. Now don't get me wrong, I've also been a habitual offender of this in the past. Hell up until last year I hadn't hiked once during the winter since I was in Boy Scouts, it wasn't even something that crossed my mind. "Oh it's cold out? Well it's been fun outside, cya in April." But that's completely and totally dead wrong, and the few people who have realized this will tell you the same thing. Winter is awesome. Remember that sweet waterfall you saw in summer? Yeah there's people Ice Climbing it right now. Remember that place you go swimming every July? There's people walking across it right now like wintertime Jesuses. And remember that mountain you hiked last year? It's still there, only in winter you can sit on your ass and slide all the way down it, cackling like a maniac. I know it's cold, but if you just wear a few layers and move around you'll be fine, I promise. It is completely possible to do most, if not all hikes in New England during the winter, weather permitting, and this season makes even the most familiar areas to you look totally different and surreal. So get out there and hike, just steer clear of any Yeti's.
On the topic of winter hiking, I had the chance to head up to the White mountains this past weekend with Patrick and Emily to enjoy some winter activities before the end of the season. We drove up to Lincoln, NH on Saturday morning with some loose plans and a room at a spectacular one star hotel. Room service never showed up but we were too full from the Woodstock Inn (Shameless plug) to even notice. Upon arriving in the cloud covered, lightly snowing Mountain atmosphere, we headed to the Flume Gorge to get a idea of what waterfalls looked like in winter. The answer, fortunately, was awesome, totally awesome. The waterfalls had frozen over and were covered in people ice climbing, it was a pretty great sight. Now if only I could have picked up an Ice Axe off of SteepandCheap I would have been good to go.
After checking out the gorge we headed over to Loon Mountain to partake in some zip lining. Fun stuff, it's only $26 and they let you go upside down. You should go. This weekend.
The "Death by Sandwich" I had for dinner caused me to slip into a food induced coma before midnight, and when I woke up on Sunday we packed up the car and headed to the Lonesome Lake trail head for a moderate hike up to Lonesome Lake, which at this point was completely hidden in thick cloud cover. After the mile and change hike up the side of the mountain we arrived at a side trail that went for about 50 feet before opening up into a white abyss before us. I honestly didn't even realize for a good 30 seconds that what I was staring at wasn't the edge of the world but actually Lonesome lake. Due to the cloud cover and snow squalls it was impossible to see farther than 75 feet, and the opposite side of the lake. We watched a Man? Woman? Or something cross the frozen lake before setting out and attempting it ourselves. After a brutal but epic trek across the lake we arrived at Lonesome Lake Hut, took our gear off, and belligerently ate some lunch in the crowded mess hall. After the break and warmth, we headed back out across the lake and down the mountain to the parking lot. After a second trip to the Woodstock Inn, we waddled out to the car and drove home. In two words: "Perfect Weekend" pretty much sums up the experience. With one days notice we set out on a trip and ended up accomplish everything we wanted to. Can't much complain about that. What are you doing this weekend? Have no plans and thinking about doing the same thing? I bet you could do it and keep it under $100. In fact I think you should, and let me know if you need any pointers. Thanks for reading guys, I really do appreciate it. Cheers!

Mileage: 5 Miles