HIB V: The Tripyramids

Dear Folks,
​I am in the process of catching people up with some early hikes and other encounters with nature that I thought people might find interesting as part of a "How It Began" (HIB) series.  Mostly this will describe specific hikes and perhaps some lessons learned along the way...if there are any.  They are meant to be short and, perhaps helpful in some way to other hikers or fellow-travelers.  I will post the dates of when I hiked a specific mountain since these are NOT posted at or near the date hiked.
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September 6, 2021

​I don't remember the views from North and Middle Tripyramid, the 3rd and 4th of my NH 48.  What I do remember is an LOTR-level pile of rocks that the trail went through.  So, so many rocks.  Also, I remember rain.  As I crawled over the rocks I reached a particularly attractive bend and thought "This is beautiful.  I will totally take a picture of it when I head down."  Instead it poured on the way down and all I could do was watch my feet.  Still...it was gorgeous.

These two mountains (4,180 feet and 4,140 feet respectively) are pretty much always done together.  There is an easier way (still hard) and a harder way.  We took the easier one; a 9.6 mile out-and-back that presented us with plenty of pretty foliage and the occasional obscured view.  The hike between the peaks was rather anticlimactic.  The worst was over once we hit North.  Then there was a relatively easy stroll to Middle--or that is how I remember it--and an acceptable view of 48's and 52's we have yet to climb. 

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Even though we took the "moderate" trail, the Tripyramids were no joke.  None of these moutnains are, actually. It was long. Also, there were a couple of steep sections, including the massive boulder-strewn switchback that I resent not having photographed. For me the rocky grade meant a lot of crawling and I inched along well behind Allison, losing her frequently.  Strangely, though, I found the challenge and the weather pleasantly distracting. It wasn't just wet and the footing wasn't merely sketchy.  It was wet and sketchy in an interesting way which actually saved the hike.  There was a problem to solve--namely forward motion--and I needed to take my time.  Frequent breaks helped.  So did snacks.  This was one of the only mountains where I found it necessary to put my poles away for an extended period and put all my limbs on the ground.

I don't think I would climb it again on purpose...but I did like it once I got into the groove.  I did this by focusing on what I could most easily see.  I could see the ground, mostly, and what was on it.  I think I managed to appreciate what I saw for the noble facets of creation they were. 

Probably, upon reflection, I would hike back up for the photograph I missed.  Then I would turn around with my Tripyramids experience complete.

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PS, On the way back Allison wanted to make sure I was OK.  I had been so slow!  But, honestly, it was--for the most part--a good time and the views, though limited, weren't that bad either.  Finally, I am almost certain we grabbed a beer and a burger after this one.  It definitely required refueling.