northern Presidentials

After four visits, the Whites are starting to feel like home. The huge vistas, the endless rocks, the sore toes at the end of every day have become familiar, appropriate, ordered. This time I was pleased to have some company, and Jonathan and I found an awfully pleasant route among the three northernmost Presidentials. We packed in to the RMC's huts (first Gray Knob, then Crag Camp) and spent our time above treeline walking without packs, a welcome change. In what turned out to be a very long day, we topped Mts. Adams (5744 ft.), Sam Adams (5584), Madison (5367), and Jefferson (5712). The weather was perfect, dipping into the 30s at night (even in August), staying 60ish during the day, with no rain and little wind. Good times and great views. (Just wish I'd remembered sooner that my car keys were still in the outhouse!)

Check out more photos at Jonathan's flickr stream.

A sincere and enthusiastic plug for the Randolph Mountain Club: this little club has been around since 1890, and their huts provide shelter and bunks just below treeline at a small fraction of the cost of the nearby AMC huts. Leave your tent, pad, and that extra $100 a night at home! Just bring dinner and stay with the RMC.