Where the contour lines hang out.

chocorua and I climbed a mountain. Not a small mountain like Chocorua, but a big mountain, one of the NH 4000 footers. Mt Carrigain is 4700’. The trailhead of the Signal Ridge trail was a lowly 1480’. The five miles from the road to the summit covered 3250’ of up. When reading the trail guide and map, it is always a good idea to check and see just how close together the contour lines are. We started up at 0830. By noon, I was having serious doubts if I would actually get to the summit before our turn-around time of 1400, if I could do it at all. At 1230, it started to drizzle and chocorua decided that he would go on ahead and score his last NH 4000 footer, even if I could not get there. I’m not peak-bagging, if I don’t make it, it’s not a big deal to me. Well, I did get there. At 1345, a mere 15 minutes before turn-around time. The view. Ah. the view was so worth it. But having gotten up, could I then get down? You’d think that down would be easy. But it is not so. After pushing exhausted muscles beyond the point of pain on the way up, now they have to control the descent; down back over the ice and boulders without falling. Up may be work for the heart and lungs, but down is an exercise in knee, ankle and hip stability. Yes, we made it down. Before dark even. At one point near the beginning of the downward journey, I was picking my way slowly and said to Chocorua: “I confess that I am tired.” His reply: ”I don’t think even Karl Rove could convince a Republican jury that you aren’t tired.” So now, in the comfort of our hotel room, after a hearty dinner, and a soak in the hot tub, I am exhausted. But all in all, a day well spent.