Friday, August 8 - Mts. Tom, Field & Willey

Friday, August 8 - Mt. Tom (4051', 39)
Mt. Field (4340', 23)
Mt. Willey (4285', 29)
Total 10 miles, 3:52, 3450' climb

The legs felt fine today, but the weather called for thunderstorms again, especially in the afternoon in the mountains. Screw it, I'm going anyway, it's too nice a day not to be on the trail. (mid-60's, windy, rainy)

I figured the Willey range would be an easy afternoon foray. It's supposed to be a pretty easy trail and you can get all three done (one of them twice) in 10 miles. And it is very sheltered - no open ridged or rocky summits - trees everywhere. Should be OK even if there is some cracklin' and boomin' along the way. Checking the map, and reading tim seamon's comments from his record breaking run (all 48 of the NH 4000 footers in 3 days, 13 hours), I figured on finishing in between four and five hours. A bit quicker if I can match seamon's times.

On the way to the trailhead at Crawford Depot, the rain picked up a little bit, and the sound of not-quite-distant thunder punctuated the entire hike. It never got too close, though, and I never did see any lightning.

Much of the trail is runnable, both low and high, but the runnability was more or less negated by the mud. This would be another great trail to run when dry. Even the steep sections have steps just the right height to make running easier than hiking. It rained much of the way, and the air was cool, so I was completely comfortable the entire way. I reached Mt. Tom (2.9 mi., 68 min., 23 min./mi.) just as I was beginning to feel good and warmed up. I ate a banana and rushed off to Mt. Field (1.5 mi., 36 min., 24 min./mi.), then to Mt. Willey (1.4 mi., 30 min., 21 min./mi.), where I ate my second banana. I'll need to get used to taking food along, as many hikes will now be over 10 miles. A downhill mile to Mt. Avalon (3442', 1 mi., 22 min.) which has very dramatic views over Crawford Notch, much better than any of the three major peaks which all have obscured peaks. That's what my guidebook says. The only thing I saw today was gray and wet. This weather is so much nicer than florida and virginia!!! Avalon had some flat rocks at the summit which were slick like marl. I ran most of the last 1.8 miles (32 min., 17 min./mi.) - the trail was almost like a cross country course. Legs felt great the whole way, no little aches at all.

Eight down, forty to go. Is there any way I can get them all done before the running school?

nfw