Pemigewasset Wilderness
(S.Hancock- 30+x, N.Hancock- 30+y, Chocorua)
Day One: Somebody asked me last night at the 2nd of two weekend gigs how many peaks I had left. I’m proud to say I did not know the answer! Somewhere around half-time I had been focusing on the numbers a bit too much for my liking, and decided that I would get more out of it if I avoid that, and just hike for a while. I’m sure at some point, probably close to the end I will go back to counting, but right now I just don’t care.
Fast forward to June 2016- I now know that this was peaks 32 and 33, and yes I am now very much counting the few I have left. Looking back on this point in the journey, I am appreciative I was able to lose track for a while. So without further ado let’s get back to that time when ignorance was bliss…
It’s November the shoulder season “All the leaves are gone (all the leaves are gone) And the sky is BLUE (and the sky is blue) …” Yes, this (modified) Mas & Pas song was playing in my head on day 2 of this trip for some reason.
…Anyway, I have some remnants of a sour taste from my last hike to erase still after a disappointing finish on an icy Mt. Colden in the ADK’s (read more here). Therese texted early in the week to let me know she was playing hooky and taking advantage of this Indian summer we’ve been having this week, and hiking Porter-Cascade the next day. With such short notice I couldn’t make it happen, but it inspired me to look forward to my next break to head up north. With the double gig weekend and 2 clear days following, I decided to take my hooky day on Monday.
My southern options are dwindling at this point, but I have started looking at the 52WAV list for some new possibilities. I remember seeing Chocorua in the distance from the summit of Osceola and it looked inviting. Since then I have read up on it and it has everything the best 4ks have minus the number: a good challenging full day hike with 360 views, rocky scrambles and scenes galore. Sounds great! Still not sure exactly what I’ll do tomorrow yet, but I stick this option in the back of my mind along with the others that are hanging around in there. 
The winning option will make itself known eventually, but not before I set up camp and tackle the Hancocks today. The good thing about arriving on a Sunday post-foliage, when all the leaf peepers are long gone, is that I am sure to get my solitude fix in. I remember last November on Tecumseh and I am expecting some snow coatings up at the higher elevations, but it should not be icy like my last hike. Still, I have the spikes just in case.
From the campground of the same name at the hairpin turn on the Kanc, I set off on the trail littered with brown leafs. The first stretch of the Hancock Notch Trail is flat alongside the Hancock Branch River’s, North Fork. 
The running water keeps me company in my left ear as I bang a left toward Cedar Brook and Hancock Loop. I encounter not a soul during that entire stretch, as I can feel the stress of the work week, the busy drama filled family happenings and the noise of a fun filled gig weekend all just float away with the cool breeze, like a dry worn brown leaf on its way to wherever the November wind carries it before it is buried in a deep white grave. I can smell the winter air on its way in. The white bark gathering of birch stand in their bare state in contrast against a backdrop of dark green fur and pine and the deep blue sky. 
A light dusting of snow is sprinkled sparsely on the forest floor, bringing memories of winters past. The sound of running water calms my soul and washes away any troubling thoughts left in my mind from the so called “real world” that will sadly be waiting for me upon my return from this truly REAL world.
As I make my way up the now steeper trail, there is a more continuous coating of the white stuff and the breeze is morphing into a wind with each step. I finally pass a few groups of hikers making their way down from South peak and they give me a heads-up on the windy environment up higher on South and the contrasting calm on North. My start was somewhat late today – around 10am – after the drive up, camp setup, and my pre-hike routine, but I think I’ll have plenty of daylight to make it through the loop and back down to at least the final flat stretch before dark. I have no fear of hiking in the dark as long as I am confident that there aren’t any junctions left I could easily miss.
I reach the wooded South Peak and make my way down to the outlook where I am shielded from the wind and am treated to a sweet 180 view.
Then I re-enter the woods to head over to the North Peak. Yet another even more beautiful 180 view awaits. I linger for a while here and enjoy the show over a bite to eat.
(click for video of North Hancock View)
According to Steve Smith’s view guide on this peak, most of what I’m seeing are non-4k’s, which reinforces my desire to explore more of these smaller peaks. The Chocorua option is looking better for tomorrow, but for now one step at a time as I step down the loose rock trail of North Hancock and back the way I came. 
As expected the last stretch is hiking by light of headlamp, reaching the trail head by 5:30 in pitch dark. Long gone are the days of having daylight well into the evening.
Prostate is the biggest sexual gland generic pharmacy cialis discover to find out more of men. Some of these http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/04/03/how-virginias-lovers-leap-got-its-name/ buying cialis from canada medicines are injected into your penis. Simply defined, alcoholism is cheapest cialis uk the addiction or dependence to alcohol. It is also effective in alleviating migraine and is known to stabilize severe buying viagra in uk types of psychiatric dysfunctions that include stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and undue agitations.
Back at the campsite the chill has settled in with the setting of the sun, giving way to a super clear cold night sky. A few cheeseburgers and beers to recover from a day of exercise, reflection and solitude. This day had been one where I was at peace throughout but had not had a profound connecting moment to the earth…
and then I looked up.
There are only a few skies I have seen in my life which held as many stars as this one. I sat there in awe for quite some time staring upward, my back facing the campfire warming my legs, with the sound of the river rushing by my campsite, and I can feel a tear roll down my cheek… and then the moment is broken by the smell of burning fabric – my pant leg had caught on fire! I stomped the small blaze out quickly- No damage done – Now where was I? – Oh yeah, stars…
Day Two: Still torn on what to do today. On one hand I am suffering my usual morning motivation shortage and stiffness and I’m not sure exactly how much I have in the tank. I have been through this time & time again and I know that once I get moving I’ll be fine and the mountain will feed me its energy. There is much to do back at the office – I could just pack up camp and be back in time to put in a half day… OR NOT!! – Lame option!! …So now the only question is “What to hike?” Carrigan is not too far from here. The peakless hikes are always out there too – Greeley Pond or one of the Falls nearby are a few of the options. I have to say I am feeling the love for Chocorua at this point – so there it is!
My drive to this 52WAV Peak takes me through a scenic stretch along the Kanc with a few roadside stops along the way at outlooks for postcard photo ops. This is a southern peak too so I’ll be a bit closer to home at the end of the day, but more importantly I’ll be on a mountain with 360 views on a bluebird day with plenty of solitude and nature, as if yesterday wasn’t enough.
I’m the first one at the Piper trailhead this morning. During my prehike ritual, a few others pull up and hit the trail ahead of me. I forgot to stop for water, so I filter a refill from the river and then onto the Piper Trail – already so glad I made the right decision. I think this next quote kinda says it all.
So true! Life is too short not to take advantage of these moments to connect with Gods great gifts. So yeah, I’ll take it and pay the price playing catchup the rest of the week. Again, I see not another soul most of the way up – just me and the mountains for another day in the woods. I know I must sound like a broken record at this point but it is what it is, and what it is, is great! Don’t take my word for it – the pics speak for themselves, although you really gotta be there to get the full picture.
Near the summit I finally exchange some greetings with a few other hikers. It was a bit of a challenge finding my way here as markings were sparse, but managed after a few scrambles and was rewarded 10-fold for my efforts.
Not everyone was so lucky I saw a guy and his pooch have to turn back after a stressful exchange with his canine companion.
(click for video of Chocorua near summit)
After a PBJ on the calmer southern ledge I make my way down Liberty Trail, by the J.L. Cabin, to Hammond Trail, and the lesser used Weetamoo which was buried with fresh fallen leaves. Thankfully the blazes were visible on the trees and I was able to cut back to Piper without issue. I pulled away in the Rav4 thankful it has lasted all these miles to take me to these amazing spots where I can walk some more miles and get inspired to walk so many more.
…and so that was it for me and the 4000 footers in 2015. I would return again once more, shortly after Thanksgiving climb a few smaller Peaks (Sandwich and Jennings), and then wrap up the shoulder season with a trip to the Bershires (Mt Everett and Race Brook Falls). Then I focused on preparing for my second winter hiking in the whites. Lets hope 2016 brings as much magic as this year did… Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my wonderful mountains, and see you next year in all of your whiteness!!