First Hike of the Year in February?!

6 more weeks of winter my ass!

And with that, it's supposed to snow 5 inches tomorrow and not go above the low 40s over the next few weeks. But for a week or so, it started to look a lot like spring, and not just because of the complete lack of snow. It was warmer, it was sunny, and the air just had that special feeling of spring. I started to feel alive again. So, I decided to get an early start on hiking this year by going for my first hike in February.

I did Blue Job, which is small enough that it doesn't even really count as a hike to most people, but I'm counting it. The severe hatred my lungs have for cold, dry air means that I usually don't do anything outside until April, so anything uphill at this point was very good.

I got out there, reminded my legs what it felt like to go uphill, and reminded my lungs what it felt like to breathe hard after a few months of not doing a whole lot. Last summer, my goal was to hike 4 4,000 footers and I only did 2. I went on more hikes than I ever have, but I started late and out of shape, so I wasn't ready for anything serious until probably around August. I've set a much higher goal for this summer. I won't say it for now so Kevin won't make fun of me, but it's written down, and I believe I can do it. This year, not only am I getting my legs ready earlier, but I now have the experience of last summer and remembering/realizing how much I like hiking to keep me going.

The trail started out as pure mud, and I felt sorry for the ground that I was further destroying. Half way up, it became a mix of ice, snow, and pine needles,

which looked pretty.

Towards the top of the small climb, right before the only real elevation gain of the mountain, things got real wintery, real fast. 

It was quite odd to leave spring and go out in the woods to a trail that I figured would have gotten so much use/exposure that it wouldn't have an ounce of snow on it, and see this:

This was looking down- I had to go up and down this, and almost ate it a few times. This was glare ice. 

I survived though, and made it up the "hard" part feeling good. I honestly felt very happy to be out there doing it again. My legs burned a little, I breathed hard, and it was a solid 10 degrees colder at the top (not to mention ridiculous winds), but I was smiling the whole way. Maybe the fact that I was listening to Immanu El (absurdly over the top beautiful post rock stuff with a guy whisper singing over it- perfect for majestic views) helped, but most of it was just me happy to be outside doing something I loved again.

ahhh... the trail

I took an awkward picture of myself at the top while my hands froze to death, 

took some cool artsy shots for instagram, 

saw a pretty gorgeous sunset, 

attempted a 360 panorama with a program that never works, 

(this one kind of worked, click it for the huge version)

and headed down. 

It was great to be out there again, and I look forward to many hikes this summer, including doing the entire Belknap Range, and knocking a small chunk of the 4,000 footers off the list. Just seeing stuff like this again felt right:

Afterwards, I parked my car down the road and ran through the woods to try and get a shot of what was left of the sunset from the view of a swamp I'd always wanted to take pictures by. My left foot went completely underwater, but I like the pictures, so I guess it was worth it. 

Blue Job is a tiny hill to most people, but it was where I hiked first last summer, where I hiked last this November, and where I am starting my 2012 hiking journey. Psyched to start it so early. Bring on spring!

currently listening to: Gantz- "La Chambre Des Morts"