Hancock/Monadnock Weekend with Dr. Wu - Views From The Top

dr_wu002 · 03-06-2005, 08:39 PM

The weekend started in an auspicious fashion. I left my Boston apartment at 5:00am to find the sideview mirror knocked off my car (3rd time in 15 months, thanks Citizens of Boston) and then was delayed 45 minutes due to detours caused by Rt 93 AND Rt 90 closures through Boston (!? Thanks City of Boston !?). But it got much, much better -- I promise you.

Arrived at Hancock Trailhead now 45 minutes late, met Donna at the trailhead, and basically hauled to catch Bob & Geri whom I knew would be slugging it out in unbroken snow. Managed to chase then down just short of the North Hancock Summit where I took over some trailbreaking.

Views from North Hancock are extra special this time of year -- thick snowpack gives you additional views, especially to Carrigan (from N. Hancock) as well as deeper looks into the Pemi and the Sandwich Range. Really beautiful! Bob and Geri and Donna are also real nice people and I enjoyed chatting with them very much. Also met two truck drivers from RI (hi) and Jeff (?).

After slogging over to South Hancock (and spending too much time taking pictures in blistering winds) I decided to pull out my swiss bobsled that I'm always talking about and well, sled the slide. What a blast!! I was down about 1000' in just about 5 minutes. And these things are really easy to control too -- no fooling; easy to turn and you just pull up to slow down or stop. I got completely covered in snow though -- everywhere. Someone thought I was a Yeti but I pointed out that I was too small.

This was my third time on Hancock in 5 months (2nd time this winter!) and not only has it been worth it every time -- it's only gotten better.

http://community.webshots.com/album/289355577dUhJmG
http://community.webshots.com/album/289368124IqkyvC

Sunday was a little different: Late Start (I'll leave out the administrative details) and snow for the forecast. I headed over to Grand Monadnock for my first climb of this famous little peak. What a nice time! The snow held off and actually, the clouds were high enough that views turned out to be pretty nice. Best view of the day was to that pretty, rocky summit!

http://community.webshots.com/album/289385883xGQLrj

Great weekend! Two nice little hikes with some good people (Bob, Geri, Donna -- Hi!) and some great weather. It's been a great winter so far & there's still more to go. Enjoy the snow!

-Dr. Wu

bobandgeri · 03-07-2005, 06:13 AM

What a great surprise to finally meet and hike with the mysterious 'Dr Wu' Saturday! Although we would have been even happier meeting up with you and Donna about 1 hour earlier...

These were very hard-earned peaks but well worth it. Our last trip here was rainy with no vis - what a difference with the incredible winter views!

Thanks for some great company and your trail-breaking skills.

We've got some photos posted here too:
Hancocks March 5

dr_wu002 · 03-07-2005, 07:08 AM

Well, even though you had no idea that I was coming I still felt bad for being late because I wanted to help with the trailbreaking. It's my fault too -- I know that 93 & 90 are closed Saturday & Sunday Mornings but I thought it was Friday! Doh! It was a gorgeous hike.

If you're interested in doing the Trailwrights list, (now you know how I feel about lists!

) since you're almost done with the 100highest, Northwest Hancock one of the required peaks. I'm totally up for that if you're planning on going.

-Dr. Wu

03-06-2005, 08:39 PM	#1
dr_wu002 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Boontaka, MA Posts: 2,628	Hancock/Monadnock Weekend with Dr. Wu The weekend started in an auspicious fashion. I left my Boston apartment at 5:00am to find the sideview mirror knocked off my car (3rd time in 15 months, thanks Citizens of Boston) and then was delayed 45 minutes due to detours caused by Rt 93 AND Rt 90 closures through Boston (!? Thanks City of Boston !?). But it got much, much better -- I promise you. Arrived at Hancock Trailhead now 45 minutes late, met Donna at the trailhead, and basically hauled to catch Bob & Geri whom I knew would be slugging it out in unbroken snow. Managed to chase then down just short of the North Hancock Summit where I took over some trailbreaking. Views from North Hancock are extra special this time of year -- thick snowpack gives you additional views, especially to Carrigan (from N. Hancock) as well as deeper looks into the Pemi and the Sandwich Range. Really beautiful! Bob and Geri and Donna are also real nice people and I enjoyed chatting with them very much. Also met two truck drivers from RI (hi) and Jeff (?). After slogging over to South Hancock (and spending too much time taking pictures in blistering winds) I decided to pull out my swiss bobsled that I'm always talking about and well, sled the slide. What a blast!! I was down about 1000' in just about 5 minutes. And these things are really easy to control too -- no fooling; easy to turn and you just pull up to slow down or stop. I got completely covered in snow though -- everywhere. Someone thought I was a Yeti but I pointed out that I was too small. This was my third time on Hancock in 5 months (2nd time this winter!) and not only has it been worth it every time -- it's only gotten better. http://community.webshots.com/album/289355577dUhJmG http://community.webshots.com/album/289368124IqkyvC Sunday was a little different: Late Start (I'll leave out the administrative details) and snow for the forecast. I headed over to Grand Monadnock for my first climb of this famous little peak. What a nice time! The snow held off and actually, the clouds were high enough that views turned out to be pretty nice. Best view of the day was to that pretty, rocky summit! http://community.webshots.com/album/289385883xGQLrj Great weekend! Two nice little hikes with some good people (Bob, Geri, Donna -- Hi!) and some great weather. It's been a great winter so far & there's still more to go. Enjoy the snow! -Dr. Wu __________________ To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -Thomas Paine Last edited by dr_wu002; 03-06-2005 at 10:33 PM.

03-07-2005, 06:13 AM	#2
bobandgeri Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Merrimack NH... Avatar: Mt Washington January 2008 Posts: 1,484	What a great surprise to finally meet and hike with the mysterious 'Dr Wu' Saturday! Although we would have been even happier meeting up with you and Donna about 1 hour earlier... These were very hard-earned peaks but well worth it. Our last trip here was rainy with no vis - what a difference with the incredible winter views! Thanks for some great company and your trail-breaking skills. We've got some photos posted here too: Hancocks March 5 __________________ Bob & Geri bobandgeri@rbhayes.net http://www.facebook.com/bobandgeri http://rbhayes.net/recent.htm

03-07-2005, 07:08 AM	#3
dr_wu002 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Boontaka, MA Posts: 2,628	Well, even though you had no idea that I was coming I still felt bad for being late because I wanted to help with the trailbreaking. It's my fault too -- I know that 93 & 90 are closed Saturday & Sunday Mornings but I thought it was Friday! Doh! It was a gorgeous hike. If you're interested in doing the Trailwrights list, (now you know how I feel about lists! ) since you're almost done with the 100highest, Northwest Hancock one of the required peaks. I'm totally up for that if you're planning on going. -Dr. Wu __________________ To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -Thomas Paine

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode