Morgan and Percival Trails

Submitted by Nancy

Stats
Date: September 7, 2018
Miles: 5.5
Elevation Gain: 1,522
Trails: Mt. Morgan Trail — Percival Trail

Pat and I hiked Mounts Morgan and Percival overlooking Squam Lake yesterday. The mountains are on the Terrifying 25 list because there are ladders and boulder caves. There were definitely some tight squeezes, steep pitches and at least one terrifying moment for me. We were also redlining (walking every inch of the trails in the White Mountains), so we added an extra ridge walk to Mount Squam and back and some arounds and downs and back ups to make sure we covered every inch of trail. Every hike I learn something about myself. Yesterday I could feel the fear as I side-stepped from one ladder over to another ladder. Above that I could feel sheer panic and below everything I could feel a calm. Later, upon reflection, I realized I had a choice which one I was going to feel. I felt the fear, resisted the panic, and was aware of the calm. Maybe my next Terrifying 25 experience I can allow myself to just go to the calm.