48 of 48
4003 feet
It's been just over 12 years since I hiked Tecumseh. It's the mountain where Mel fell off the path and caught her chin on a tree or something.
I got up fairly early, forgetting my AMC guide and baggies for sandwiches. Oops. I ended up just making peanut butter sandwiches and throwing them back in the bread bag, meaning I had to carry the whole thing.
Anyway, I got to the Waterville Valley Ski Area, where I drove around confused looking for both the trailhead and a place to park (this is why I needed my guide!). I ended up calling my dad, who assured me I could park anywhere since it was off-season, and that the trailhead was to the right of the main lodge.
I didn't go quite enough to the right however, and ended up hiking halfway up a ski slope before turning back. The trailhead was sort of hidden off the road with no real signs that pointed it out obviously. I found it though (the Tecumseh trail, 2.5 miles to the summit).
On the way up, I didn't see a single person coming down. Halfway, there was an open ski slope or logging road or something (where the old Tecumseh trail used to run) and I saw a mother turkey with her four babies walking in line behind her.
The rest of the trail from here was steep and unrelenting, but I made it. The view from the top was a small window in the trees that afforded a nice view, from what I could see.
There were lots of enormous flies on the summit, which were loud and annoying, so I listened to music to drown them out and ate lunch.
Two guys reached the summit as I was leaving. They had come from the other, longer route. On the way down I saw maybe three dozen people coming up, so I definitely made it before the crowds.
< Some weird fungus
Summary: My ass got kicked, but I did over-pack and push myself a little, so I'm somewhat happy with how I did.
