Heading up Mt. Washington, in winter, has been a vague goal for a long time. Last week, something snapped, and on Monday I made plans to be there by Friday. (Pictured Above: Lake of the Clouds Hut as we descended).

I booked the trip through REI, though the actual guiding was courtesy Mooney Mountain Guides and they were fantastic. Highly recommend them. They have a blog here. Saturday, our itinerary had us climb two smaller peaks (Welsh and Dickey). Sunday it was Mt. Washington.

Sunday started at 4AM to be on the road at 5AM and at the base of Mt. Washington as the sun was coming up (7:30ish). For anyone who is interested in Mt. Washington you’ve heard all the cliche’s about the weather and the wind and from my perspective is was everything I could have imagined plus some (a significant “some”). The official day’s statistics were (1/29/2012 — http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/summit.php):

Maximum Temperature: 25°F

Minimum Temperature: 8°F

Peak Wind Gust: W 122 mph

Average Wind Speed: 54.5 mph

Liquid Precipitation: 0.02″

Snowfall: 0.6″

We made it to the summit, I believe at 12;30ish. So not bad. Coming up above the tree-line is something I will never forget, and those footsteps were by far the most challenging with the wind, the cold, and the unfortunately foggy goggles. The experience reminded me of diving in cold water with so much neoprene that you can’t easily move, and such limited visibility that you’re brain desperately wants you to be somewhere else. Same effect. Attempting to change my glove liners quickly (20 seconds) showed me how fast something could go wrong cause when I spilled my water and saw that it froze instantaneously I realized that I had about 10 more seconds to get gloves back on as my fingers quickly turned numb. Really numb, not numb ha ha.

After that I really did switch to a scuba-learned mind-frame of being very deliberate and breathing and thinking. Then doing. What worked:

1. Mitts/hands

Brenig – definitely really worked well. Arrived via post the day I was leaving and am very glad we didn’t miss one another as that could have been painful. Had several glove option and even a Black Diamond mitt-option (was going to use their Access Mitt over Patagonia gloves) but wouldn’t have been the same. In picture below, I’m wearing Patagonia Liners, and Brenig mitt-liners without the over-mitt. The mitt’s with all layers are big and that takes getting used to, and unless you have really burley zipper pulls you’ll need to adjust everything first and then put on the over-mitts. Significant hassle at 10 degrees and 50 mph winds to take off your mittens to fix anything. Brenig is in the UK so ordering is a bit tricky and more expensive than say REI, but well worth it.

2. Jacket

Montane Flux Jacket was perfect. Ordered from UK as well at OutdoorGB. Have ordered a good amount of gear from them and all has been good so far — very good. So the jacket is Primaloft and was warm with an Icebreaker wool shirt as a base, and a very warm Helly Hansen Verglas Top which is one of the best pieces of kit I have. The HH top is impossibly warm. So those were the three layers and added Marmot Cervino which worked better than I thought it would above the tree-line. I never used a Montane Anti-Freeze down jacket in my pack even while stopped. Fantastic jacket, though would buy the NorthStar with the hood if I had it to do over again. Cold, other than hands just wasn’t an issue. Backpack is an old Marmot Shooting Star.

That said, I did rock a Fjallraven throwback hat and it really worked well – by this time I had two balaclava’s on — a Patagonia and a Helly Hansen ninja-style near full-face that was actually needed since I didn’t have a true face-mask.

Could have used better goggles (a requirement to have all skin covered), face-mask so breathing out doesn’t fog goggles and that’s about it. Made it. Appreciate the trip end-to-end; really good group of guides, great group of climbers from as far away as Houston (and heading on to Ranier later this year) and lots of learning about what I can accomplish, about climbing generally, and great to see people doing what they love. Why else would you climb a mountain.

]]> http://www.very.fm/mt-washington/feed 0 http://www.very.fm/short-pyramid http://www.very.fm/short-pyramid#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:58:58 +0000 John Pasmore http://www.very.fm/?p=1457

Quick hike, got out of City with good friend (@nimanyc) to Pyramid Mountain (hill). Was looking for something fast and this fit. It’s sometimes a challenge to get good info on hikes though a stop at EMS, Tent Trails or REI can add helpful human perspective. I went with the Web.

I like the App Oh Ranger that certainly shows what’s close and a couple of sites like MountainZone.com and LocalHikes.com can give some color on what to expect. In any event, the goal was/is simply to get out more. Will find the “perfect” hike at some point I’m sure. A step in that direction is to head out with the good folks at OutdoorBound.com who making getting out of the City easy, pushing the whole experience toward perfection. Yesterday we Zip-car’d it to Pyramid and that cost about the same as an Outdoor Bound day trip.

Not a big gear-fest type hike — day hike/small mis-named hill was not very demanding. Got to break in an old pair of Raichle boots (now a part of Mammut) that I don’t use much. Went out to CES and picked up the simple phone solution SmartSleeves that’s an easy way to keep your smart-phone smart and dry. But didn’t need those as we saw only very occasional flurry.

My iPhone GPS app of choice, iTopoMaps, was replaced by Google Earth for the day as their Topo quad/map for this one section of the country had a “hole” in it so was useless though not needed. Was probably in the 20’s temp-wise so we didn’t stop for lunch — did the loop in about 3 hours — probably 5-6 miles (with a few wrong turns).

For a 40 minute drive was good to get out and is one way to have extended uninterrupted conversation while replacing crowds and cabs with trees. For a few hours.

Some experiences seem to have happened in someone else’s life. Sailing across the Caribbean Sea was monotonous and I tried to put that to video with long slices of rolling waves across thirteen or so days.

That we were passing by the grace of the planet was obvious as both the propellor shaft followed by the generator broke (preceded by the Spinaker and VHF antenna). I wasn’t really happy about that at the time and I gained a much better understanding of the word “mutiny” as my faith in the leadership (there were three of us) was sorely tested.

In any case, I probably thought someday I would be sitting at some desk, like now, needing a reminder that there are other places.

Day hike is a good chance to shake-out the gear closet for the new season. We headed to Harriman on Sunday, but the NorthEast suffered through a freak snowstorm on Saturday — there was 10 inches of snow on the ground. Was in the 40’s so comfortable given the effort — but here’s what worked or didn’t:

Marmot Cervino Jacket:

Was fine — no issues — am a little down on Gore-Tex at the moment, but this was not that wet. Fine.

Garmont Vetta Light Boots

Better than fine. Gore-Tex lined but I think boots are a better spot than a rain-coat. Gore will wet-out at some point — fellow hiker had these and was pretty pleased: http://www.sealskinz.com/

OverBoard Pack

Got this for water/sailing — wasn’t sure if it would really work as a “daypack” did fine – wouldn’t ask much more from it, but have a NYC apartment and my wife doesn’t really support the level of gear in the house as is — not getting separate packs for each effort. Pack worked well.

Nothing critical missing. Above are the big things and they’re good to go. Probably 25 pieces of stuff if you count each/every thing carried or worn. Good start — looking to pry myself out and away as much as possible across the winter. Soft circled Mt Washington if I can’t get way North.

I had told myself that I wasn’t going to do any more deep dives or wreck dives. Mostly because I’m married with a four year-old, but also because the added risk did not equate to added enjoyment from my perspective.

But bowing to peer pressure like High School, when I walked into the dive shop and was given the choice of the “wreck” dive on Saturday or the “beginners reef dive” on Sunday, I opted for the wreck (the Hermes).

I knew it wasn’t going to be that deep at 80 feet and we weren’t really penetrating this ship in the classic dive sense where we’d set up a tether, but 80 feet is just deep enough where an emergency ascent without a safety stop could be a problem. I also know that these types of doubts can lead to anxiety before you even step off the boat, and anxiety is not a friend underwater. Real wreck diving gear would look something like this. Why would an ascent be a problem? Well one issue is that say if you held your breath from just 33 feet to the surface; the air in your lungs would expand to double in volume. If you didn’t breathe, the pressure that has your lungs blowing up like a balloon could rupture a blood vessel and that’s a problem on several levels. The other would be The Bends or other decompression issue. Something to think about in case of emergency; breathe or at least exhale.

At the dive site we buddied up on the boat, and there would be six of us, with me paired to the instructor. I’m always happy to have an experienced buddy. We were to be the first group in the water. And I had three mild issues with my equipment. One, I had not brought my fins, and the shop’s fins slip on/off easier than I’d like; two I had not brought my B/C with its integrated weights and so was wearing a weight belt which I wanted to make certain was secure because you don’t want to lose your weights at 80 feet or you’d be doing an unintended ascent; and three I hadn’t brought my own light — not a big deal as we weren’t really going “into” the ship.

These are the things going through my head before taking the giant step into the water, and I kind of know that I have to get them out of my head quickly as dwelling on them helps nothing. The boat captain added that there was a stiff surface current and the water was a little colder after the previous day’s weather which was not great news with me wearing a 2mm top and bathing trunks as opposed to wetsuit bottom. Okay, so I could manage being chilly, at least we were warned.

In the water we were quickly down to 5 divers when one of our group, apparently, couldn’t equalize (couldn’t clear the pressure from his ears). I had no idea what happened to him. There was some confusion on entry with more than one group getting in the water and everyone looking pretty similar in black neoprene and masks. He was simply MIA in my book when I counted we were five instead of six. I imagined that our instructor somehow knew that Mr. Six was  a-okay somewhere, as he signaled that we would continue with the dive.

Also in our group was a couple who I would guess were in their 50’s. On entry the wife had her “alternate” air in her mouth when preparing to step off the boat. We watched and attempted to tell her while bobbing up and down in the current, but she was focused on her next step — off the boat. An instructor on-board caught and corrected her and she changed to the proper mouthpiece. She then stepped off the boat hitting the ladder with a thud.

She was fine. But, once underwater I could that her mask was badly fogged and chose to swim behind her (and her husband), which put me at the opposite end of the group from my dive buddy. Separation from your buddy is not uncommon in resort diving, but it ups the ante on risk significantly (reading the morbidly titled PDF Chapter 34; Why Divers Die which tells us that 86% die alone — though there are differences of opinions on buddies – read On Your Own). I was aware of all that, but didn’t want an excited or distressed diver climbing over my back inside the wreck inadvertently or purposefully. On balance, I preferred to have that risk where I could see it.

We descended without any incident. Yes there was not only a surface current, but underwater as well. It was manageable if energetic. I had brought my mask, and it was crystal clear as the water was not and was greatly appreciative for being able to see as well as possible. Once at the wreck I was reluctant to play follow the leader through the small rooms, but went with the flow as carefully as possible meaning don’t let anyone kick your mask off in the enclosed environment and try not to scrape against the metal hull. Once acclimated to temperature, visibility and depth my breathing slowed to a reasonable level and was able to “enjoy” the dive, though probably more vigilant that most. I’ve taken enough dive training to achieve Rescue Diver certification, and have dove in the cold waters of California’s Kelp Fields, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Curacao, St Thomas, Turks, Key West, Key Largo, Orlando, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania — a reasonable amount of experience, but diving was actually more fun when I was oblivious to what could go wrong.

I did my Rescue Diver certification with Team Lifeguard. And it was like a Scared Straight episode. We learned from our instructors experience as a forensic diver all the things which could and do go wrong with recreational diving. Diving is statistically safer than parachuting and hang-gliding, though riskier than many other sports. Statistically, you’re more likely to be injured in an automobile accident, but if you look at the hours spent in cars versus diving you can see how statistics can be tricky.

Above are just some of the things that went through my head pre-dive and while diving. Call me paranoid, but you never know with a group strangers on vacation what some new-found buddy is thinking or is prepared to do to save your life if needed and given that fact am re-affirming that you’ll find me at the reef @ 30 feet.

—

The Hermes is Bermuda’s most popular shipwreck dive because it remains fully intact. Built in Pennsylvania in 1943, operated by the U.S. Navy, the little 165 feet long and 254 ton ship featured a unique configuration.

Her mast was directly in front of the wheelhouse and the cargo hold was in the forward part of the ship. Connected to the mast was a 20 ton cargo boom that allowed the ship to pick up navigation buoys and lower them into her hold.

She was bound for the Cape Verde Islands when she experienced engine trouble near Bermuda. Hermes was eventually abandoned by her crew because repairs were estimated to cost more than the ship was worth. After an anticipated sale of the vessel did not materialize, the Bermuda government awarded the ship to the Bermuda Divers Association for creation of an artificial reef. The vessel was thoroughly cleaned and made dive safe prior to her final voyage on May 15, 1985.

I’ve had fly fishing on my mind for a while. One more thing to do when I’m looking for something to do. And it’s one of those activities that takes something more than a casual amount of effort and somehow that has an appeal. Like sailing, fly fishing offers a lifetime of learning if you care to pay attention.

On a fluke I stopped through Orvis on 5th Avenue one day and they were offering “free” fly fishing lessons. In all the times I’ve stopped through Orvis it never struck me as particularly hip or really even a part of the NYC outdoor community, but just the opposite! Signed up and showed up for a lesson in Central Park.

The lesson was great, and the people greater. Pictured is casting instructor Phil Shook and he and the other instructors were fun, funny, and informative. The day in the Park was better than expected and I’m sold on Orvis and look forward to fishing upstate or in New England at some of the tours/destinations that they host. And we have one more Central Park trip to combine casting with landing some of the Central Park pond inhabitants. Another “who knew” discovery right here in the City and free. Can’t beat that.

Been somewhat chained to the desk of VoyageTV as business at times will demand, but time to interject a little dose of diversity. Need to reacquaint myself with one of the reasons I’m working so hard in the first place. So sprung for a piece of gear, Crewsaver 190N, that one hopes to never use. But looking at my 3 year-old getting ready to be 4, I figure may as well dial-up the bad-day insurance with gear that is likely more than required, but I’d thank myself should I ever need it.

The 190 stands for Newtons and has to do with the force of buoyancy the vest has. It exceeds what most have (150 is common for off-shore), and that extra lift keeps one higher in the water. One aspect of the ocean that is mesmerizing to watch is the sheer power of weather. Seeing it firsthand my one focus is to simply stay in/on the boat. But the vest has an integrated harness which is important in that respect so you can tether yourself to boat when alone up top (on watch) or in weather. It has a spray-hood attached because that’s my other observation; if it’s raining and windy with  seas even with a lifevest you’re spending a significant amount of time having water rolling across and over the top of you — that’s what it looks like would happen standing in the boat — I’ve fortunately never had to test this view.

Not sure that the vest is the whole answer but ordered it from the UK where it’s made and hope to be off-shore in the very near future. Here is the position to avoid at all costs.

Camping can be tricky. Many of us like the idea, but the execution is usually considerably more dusty and full of surprises. I wasn’t surprised that my wife wasn’t enthused with the prospect of taking our toddler out. So, when she went to Atlanta, I took the little guy for a dry-run camping at Dutch Springs, in Pennsylvania for a quick overnight. Here’s a couple of tips:

1. Don’t camp with a 3 year-old – wait till 4 or 5 I think. At least not in a tent and not without another adult. In the one-on-one scenario you’re tethered pretty close and 3 year-olds (especially NYC 3 year-olds) have very little backwoods DNA.

2. Go somewhere with other kids. Saved the day, literally.

3. Assume that the child will run off in the woods without thinking about how to find you, or just without thinking period. Time to disappear would be generally under three minutes (so tethered).

4. For some this is blasphemy, but consider car camping — like car is within 150 yards from where you camp. Given the amount of stuff that you have to bring for a toddler that they can’t carry, you might as well hold off on the harder-core camping options until you have a person who can carry at least some portion of their load.

5. See # 2

6. I put a two hour drive-time limit which evaporated before we even got thru the Holland Tunnel. Sounds like an exaggeration, and I have done this drive in close to 90 minutes, but after leaving downtown 3;30ish I thought we might miss the 8pm cutoff for campers. Made it, just, and had 20 minutes of fading light to toss up a tent with child on verge of insanity. Hit the road early or stay home.

7. Critical Equipment: large enough tent, inflatable mattress or very, very good sleeping mat (“s” – plural do not attempt to share sleeping bag and/or mat), favorite toys (goes without saying), bug spray, comfort food, wipes (lots), and you should know the rest. Again, do not attempt to share sleeping bag and/or mat – your child may be fine, you won’t.

Dutch Springs is really ideal as a destination to understand what you need for anything more ambitious — I’m sure there are other places, but having been there twice, and it’s in no way perfect, but would suggest you toss it on the list.

In the end it was definitely worth the effort. The boy had a great time. And I understand what it will take to smooth out some considerable wrinkles, and it would have been a serious, serious problem — no more camping for life problem — if my wife had been witness to those wrinkles.

I used a Helley Hansen vest (buoyancy aid) sailing a couple of weeks ago and it worked on a couple of levels. For one, it was cold and the vest was more helpful in keeping me from freezing than an auto-inflate style that drapes around your neck. And second it looked better.

There is an aspect of sailing that has a certain style to it. Some (many) sailors have refined a look that within the small circle who might appreciate it, seems cool. Honestly, I never really paid attention until the Russian Boat Leasing guy last year (who looked cool) mentioned, casually, that not only do you want to exit the marina without hitting anyone or anything, but you want to look good doing it. Hmmm.

And now that he mentioned it, I see that some serious thought goes into ones’ “look” so to speak. And there is a wide range and certainly a country-by-country variation of what that aesthetic is, but it’s definitely there. Sure some guys toss on shorts and sandals, but I’m not talking about them. No, I’m talking about the guys who are dropping $400 bucks for Dubarry boots. Boat boots.

In any case, the Helley Hansen worked for me. It’s not an off-shore vest, and I’m sure one could easily regret purchasing a black vest if one were say over-board…at night…without a light. But during the day, while on the boat, the vest looks sharp. Problem is they don’t sell it in the USA. Not even on the eagerly anticipated Helley Hansen sale on Gilt Groupe that went off back in March. I mean that was a long shot anyway, Gilt is more of a cuff links and Euro shirt kind of proposition for the most part.

But I found something similar at Rob Perry Marine in the UK and with a few Skype calls (thanks to Andy at Rob Perry) we managed to find/deliver what a simple trip to West Marine here in the States should have in stock, but don’t.

Wouldn’t recommend form over function in most critical gear, but I trust the Brits, so even if the US Coast Guard have not (yet) approved the vest (buoyancy aid) I’m confident that it floats both on its own and with me in it. Just look forward to not ever testing the latter. And chalk up another successful search in the name of the great outdoors, you can never have too much gear…

Been trying to get out on the water for weeks and finally made it. The Ker IRC 11.5 is fast and light. And the experienced crew was amazing to practice with. Will try and get a better picture now that I see how few are on the Net — had hands more than full trying to accomplish whatever I was supposed to do on the bow so my picture-taking was a little challenged.

Mostly just good to be on the water. Compared to all else wind and water seem a whole lot more permanent and for me, a connection to the planet. While work is always both a challenge and reward, but the water is a giant reset — not that one think is more rewarding than the other, kinda ying/yang, both are necessary in their own way and take diligence, require skill with no shortage of lessons to be learned. Just that I can really feel the wind and the water…