Sage Turns 13, and the Girls Will Take It From Here

Sage is 13!  When I started documenting her first hikes, she was only 3 years old.  It's been ten years of hiking...wow.  What a great life we've had; I have ten years filled with great memories hiking with my kids up the wild mountains of New Hampshire and on beautiful trails around the country and in different parts of the world.  I am a fortunate woman.

Alex and Sage in August 2009, the day Alex finished her first round of the NH4Ks at 6 years old (on Moosilauke),
 and just before Sage started hiking 4Ks
 (she is 4 years old in the photo and was partially carried up on the day this photo was taken).

The girls on Moosilauke last December (2017).  They each now have accomplished hundreds of NH4K ascents,
 close to two hundred non4K peaks (NH and across the country), 46 state highpoints, and a handful of thru-hikes
(John Muir Trail, Cohos Trail, Camino de Santiago, and the Laugavegur Trek).  They are also responsible for the creation of the Terrifying 25 list, which they both now fully manage (and they moderate the Facebook page),
and, last year, they began the GraniteGals podcast.
A lot can happen in ten years!

When I first started documenting our hikes, the girls were of course not old enough to have blogs or their own online presences.  There is a minimum age of 13 in our house for participating directly in/with social media.  When Alex turned 13, she was allowed to start her own blog so she could be the one keeping track of her own hiking -- that blog is Alex in the White Mountains.  She's been documenting her hiking (and Sage's) since January 2016.  Now that Sage is 13, she too has her own blog in which she documents her own hiking (and Alex's).  That blog is Sage's White Mountain Treks.  From here on out, the girls will take turns writing the trip reports for their hikes...except, of course, when each hikes solo, and then that particular solo hiker will write her own trip report of her experiences.

This blog will continue to exist mainly as a way of keeping track of the Grid peaks, and as a way of having a published record of all the girls' hikes dating back to 2008.

Another transition is public speeches -- Alex joined me on our talks earlier this year at the AMC (Sage was supposed to as well, but she caught pneumonia and was out of commission for most of February).  Now that they are teenagers, it is appropriate both Alex and Sage speak for themselves about their childhood adventures.  I have been the spokesperson for years, but now they are the appropriate ages to have their own public voices.

Thanks to everyone who has followed us over the years, and thanks to those who read UP and then kept track of all our subsequent journeys.  We have always appreciated your support, and I am glad we have had an influence on some parents who want to facilitate their children's love of the outdoors.

Alex in the White Mountains
Sage's White Mountain Treks
GraniteGals podcast
Terrifying 25

Tuesday Trip Report: Goodrich Rock. July 15, 2012

First, a huge thank you to The Galaxy Bookshop in Harwick, Vermont for hosting our book signing event this evening.  Another huge thank you to Matt Dickstein and his family for treating us to a wonderful homecooked meal beforehand.  We are much obliged.

Goodrich Rock

We chose to hike something small last Sunday; The Flying Monkey in Plymouth, NH was showing The Princess Bride on the big screen at 1pm and we wanted to see it.  Goodrich Rock Trail seemed an ideal pick for the day.  The total length is just over 4 miles, elevation gain is trivial (less than 1000 feet), and the trail is on the elective portion of The Terrifying 25.

We arrived at Livermore Trail around 9am...

...walked a flat 0.3 miles...

...and arrived at Greeley Ponds Trail.

Greeley Ponds Trail was decimated by Tropical Storm Irene last year.  Part of the trail is still closed...

...but, thankfully, not the part we needed for our hike.

The following photos show how Greeley Ponds Trail goes from normal to incredibly damaged (south to north -- from the intersection with Livermore Trail to the intersection with Goodrich Rock Trail).

Goodrich Rock Trail...

Immediately, we began to go up (the grade is moderately steep).

Half a mile later, we arrived at the Davis Boulders.

This one looks like it might topple over...

Goodrich Rock is a few tenths of a mile beyond Davis Boulders.

The trail winds down and around the left side of this glacial erratic and leads the hiker to a ladder which ascends the rear portion of this massive boulder.

This ladder's the reason this trail is on The Terrifying 25 list (the hike itself is tame).  The wood is solid and the bolts are sturdy, so we didn't find the ascent difficult.

Alex climbs the ladder...

Sage climbs the ladder...

It was fairly easy to get little Max up there.  I stuck him under one arm and made my way up.

Views of Waterville Valley from the top of Goodrich Rock...

Tecumseh...

The girls...

We ate our "summit" munchies...

...then began our descent of the ladder.

Ascending this thing wasn't that big of a deal, but DESCENDING it was a different story.  I threw my pack down to the rocks below, then began the hair-raising process of getting my feet onto the first rung and turning myself around so I was facing the right way for the descent.  It took a few tries and a giant leap of faith, but I did eventually manage.  Next, Alex backed Max to the ladder.  I held on with one hand and got Max securely under one arm with the other.  I then made my way slowly down the rungs until I reached the bottom.  Phew!  After tying Max to a tree, I went back up and spotted each of the girls as they came down.  Was this the most terrifying thing I've ever negotiated?  Not exactly.  Still, it wasn't easy and a fall here could kill you.

Once back on the ground, the four of us beat feet to the parking lot.  We had a movie to catch!

In sum, Goodrich Rock's a quick and easy hike and the ladder provides a bit of excitement.  Nice views from the top.  Thumbs up.

On the next Tuesday Trip Report: Seek the Peak!

Alex Summits Washington (Winter)

On March 10, 2012, nine-year-old Alexandra Herr successfully completed a winter ascent of Mt. Washington. 

This was an important hike for many reasons.

I'll post the trip report by Wednesday evening.