Kearsarge North
Submitted by Pat
Stats
Mountain: Kearsarge North (3,268)
Date: June 24, 2017
Time: 5 hours
Weather: Cloudy, humid
Miles: 6.2
Elevation Gain: 2,600
Trail: North Kearsarge Trail
Nancy and I meet at the Village Kitchen in Moultonborough at 7:30 am on a dank, humid morning. Our goal today is to bag a 52 with a View – Kearsarge North located in Chatham, NH. We drive to the trailhead and arrive early enough to find a parking spot. On with boots, gaiters, bug dope, pack and poles. The Kearsarge North hike is a 6.2 out and back on the Mount Kearsarge North Trail. I am holding a lot of anxiety because my boss has been let go at the university where I work and my own position is very precarious.
We start hiking up the trail through pine woods at 9:30 am. The trail is divided into four distinct sections. The lower section is slightly undulating through an open forest of large pines. A nice way to warm up. A stream purrs loudly to our right as we climb.
On the second section, the trail becomes narrower with more exposed roots and rocks. It’s still easy to navigate and the climb becomes more challenging. It’s challenging for me anyway, not for Nancy. I am soaked in sweat from the humidity and from working hard. My breathing is intense so I give up the lead and let Nancy hike at her own pace. I feel less stress when I’m following, especially when I’m struggling. And, yes, I am struggling…again. Does it ever get any easier? I’m nowhere near as fit as Nancy – she’s lost 25 pounds and I’ve gained 20. My legs feel heavy and tired after an hour and a half of climbing. Breathing is a labor. I know my cardio level isn’t even close to optimum, and I can feel the resistant breathing I feel when my asthma kicks in. I need to remember to use my inhaler before I start climbing because stopping on the way feels too difficult so I don’t stop.
The third section comes after a brief respite at the top of a rise, just a short flat section before the trail surges upward at a much steeper incline. It’s time to climb – steeper, rockier and there are many more roots. I’m struggling. I ask Nancy if she’s having fun. She stops, turns, looks at me and says that she is. She asks me if I’m having fun and I realize that I am not having fun. I’m breathing hard, sweating and feel anxious. I muse at how hard hiking can be when body and heart are feeling down. I am working too hard to be having “fun” and I feel pushed deeply into my negative head so that I can’t see anything around me – no beauty, no views, no sunlight or breezes. I am hiking slowly and steadily with my head down. The only thing I let in is the occasional bird song, especially the fluted tones of the hermit thrush.
The third section gives way to the fourth section of bare ledges, wet and slippery from yesterday’s rain. We are vigilant as we walk on slanted rock, some surfaces bare, dry and worn, some wet and slick with moss. My neck and shoulders are clenched from having to watch so carefully where I put my feet. As we near the summit it begins to rain lightly. The temperature falls and the wind picks up. We stop and put on rain gear before continuing on. At the top we find an old fire tower with an empty room at the top for hikers to take shelter and enjoy the view. It’s full of people because I can hear them talking and laughing. We look out at the view and see rain clouds and a lake shining in its own patch of sunlight.
Nancy is soaking wet under her rain jacket and chilled by the wind so we climb up to the top room of the tower. A group of hikers sit and stand around the room eating lunch. It’s noon when we reach the top and we’re hungry too. We find some open floor, sit down and begin eating our lunches. It feels good to sit and my body craves the calories. I eat two tangerines before my sandwich. Such blissful, sparkling taste exploding on my tongue with each bite. We stay inside for half an hour.
The rain has stopped but the wind continues. We don’t want to hike down with the group so we move down the trail at a fast pace. Both my knees begin to hurt. Not sharp pain but definitely pain. We are both conscious of our footing and outside of a couple of minor slips – I go down in slow motion, landing in a puddle and cracking my elbow — we descend without issue. As I walk, I realize the tension I have been carrying is dissipating. Wow – suddenly I’m having fun, despite my sore knees. The sun comes out. Even the bugs aren’t too bad and there’s a beautiful breeze keeping us cool. I hear the songs of the hermit thrush and the oven bird and a distant winter wren. We arrive at the car at 2:30 pm. I put on dry clothes and sit down. A cold drink in our hands and the windows open as I drive us back to her car. I feel less anxious having immersed myself in the outdoors, spending time with Nancy, and sharing from the deeper places in my heart.