When we entered "Monadnock" on this date in the ridiculously jammed summer calendar, we hoped for a nice day because we wouldn't have an opportunity for a do-over. Well "nice" ended up being a huge understatement. It was absolutely perfect. Cold enough for a fleece at the trail-head,
and no humidity or oppressive heat for the duration. Except for the scrambling-over-rocks-and-climbing-up-boulders rising body temperature. That could be described as hot.
There, behind the cairn, are fellow hikers atop the summit. So close but yet not even...
The end is nigh, and Mo can taste it. ("It" being the ice cream he's going to get as a post-hike reward.)
Victory.
The summit was packed -- when they say that this is the second most climbed mountain in the world, they aren't kidding.
I was a little worried when I read how popular it was -- is that because it's not very challenging? Well, no need for concern, it was a phenomenal hike up, and a tough, fairly technical descent. Here's me, cheerily ignorant of how difficult getting down would be...
Aaaaaaaand, the reward. Kimball Farms rules.
