Mt. Flume and Mt. Liberty: just the way hiking should be.

On Monday, July 7 2014 we returned to Franconia ridge. We ascended the Flume slide trail to Mt. Flume, then connected with Libery Spring trail for Mt. Liberty and the descent. On this trip, I think we encountered Andrew Thompson as he ascended Mt. Flume around 6am on his quest to break the record for fastest time climbing the 48s. 

Summit of Mt. Flume

Heading toward Mt. Liberty from Mt. Flume

Looking back at Mt. Flume from Mt. Liberty

The geological survey marker for Mt. Liberty's summit, or maybe Mt. Flume's, maybe I shouldn't wait two months before I post these pictures. 

Summit of Mt. Liberty

Ollie Ollie Osceolas

The Osceolas: East Osceola and Mt. Osceola were supposed to be the backup plan, an easy out and back rather than the ridge of Flume and Liberty. However, the Os would prove to be the most challenging climb we've had to date.   Steve, Seth and I met up at the Greeley Ponds trailhead off the Kancamangus (It's a scenic biway I like to drive in August) on Sunday, April 27. Greeley Ponds trail is very gradual for 1.3 miles before intersecting with the Mt. Osceola trail. From there it was 1.5 miles to East Osceola and another mile onto Mt. Osceola. Conditions were fairly challenging. The snow was packed in the morning, but melted and shifted for our descent.On the descent we nearly experienced our first catastrophe. All three of us slid uncontrollably down a section of trail and into the trees. But for some reason we made it out unscathed. We probably won't hike in April again. We'll wait a couple months.

Osceola

East Osceola

The site of a near catastrophic body slide.

Fried banana at Woodstock Station Brewery and Inn never tasted so good.

Thank you St. Francis of Assisi, Saint of nature, for protecting us on the Osceolas