Failure is not an option...those words, spoken 47 years ago during the Apollo 13 crisis, never hold more importance to me then when I am clinging precariously to some rocks, high up on a mountain Slide.
For those of you who are not familiar with Slides, think Landslides. It's where a section of a mountain has, through excess rain or earthquake, let go and crashed down the side of a mountain, leaving a barren scar of broken trees and destruction.
The day started, as they typically do, with my Fitbit gently vibrating on my wrist, waking me up. It was 4:30 AM, and the early morning September day was already hot and heavy with humidity. It was an Indian Summer. It would get much hotter later, since the slide is very exposed to the Sun.
Any of you who have read my blog before will know, I am a hiker. When I originally started hiking 10 years ago, I was obsessed with hiking list. New Hampshire 48 4Ks, 52 With A View, Terrifying 25 to name a few. Now, I prefer the challenge of finding my own way "bushwhacking" up a steep, rugged, trail-less slide. I will admit the added element of danger is part of the thrill.
I have gained a lot of experience Solo hiking the last couple of years and I'm now very confident and comfortable on trail by myself. Some days I actually prefer it. This particular day, I decided to solo hike the Arrow Slide on North Hancock in New Hampshire.
While I normally would not solo hike a Slide without a sanctioned trail, I had hiked this previously and felt very confident in my potential for success.
I arrived at the parking lot at 6:30, and as usual, found myself the first vehicle in the lot. I quickly changed in to my trail runners and donned my backpack, put on my ball cap, set my Tracking App and headed off. The walk in to the start of the Slide is a pleasant, flat walk (mostly) through hardwood forest. It is a great approach that allows you sufficient time to warm up before beginning the climb.
The walk in was dark at first, requiring I use a headlamp. I always feel a tad unsettled when hiking solo in the dark. I always imagine dangers are lurking just beyond the protection of my light!
When I am solo I tend to push myself, and I made it to the beginning of the bushwhack in quick time. The bushwhack is very short and easy to follow. I soon found the beginning of the Slide, donned my leather work gloves I use for climbing and started up.
I was a little nervous since this was my first Solo hike on a steep, non-official trail. Nervousness soon turned to excitement as I began to feel that familiar adrenaline rush of anticipation. Part of this was knowing that if something were to go wrong, it would most likely be a long time until a SAR Team came to my aide. With that in mind, I was very alert and super focused.
The bottom of the Slide is rather narrow with different size boulders to navigate over or around. Some of the rocks are a bit loose and will move on you so great care must be taken.
After about 300 yards or so, the Slide opens up much wider, with less big boulders. At this point it is mostly slab rock and loose scree (small, loose stones). I do not particularly like walking on scree, so I chose the slab section to ascend this part of the Slide.
The bottom of the Slide is rather narrow with different size boulders to navigate over or around. Some of the rocks are a bit loose and will move on you so great care must be taken.
After about 300 yards or so, the Slide opens up much wider, with less big boulders. At this point it is mostly slab rock and loose scree (small, loose stones). I do not particularly like walking on scree, so I chose the slab section to ascend this part of the Slide. That was wrong choice number one.
The section of slab that I was ascending was considerably steep. I could clearly see that it was wet and slimy in sections, but figured I could navigate around those sections.
Before heading up, I stood at the bottom of the slab and plotted my route. I knew the way I would choose would be difficult, but I had confidence in my abilities.
I started up. There is a saying in Special Forces that says "Slow is fast, and fast is smooth". This is especially true when climbing steep, tricky Slides.
The section of slab that I was ascending was considerably steep. I could clearly see that it was wet and slimy in sections, but figured I could navigate around those sections.
Before heading up, I stood at the bottom of the slab and plotted my route. I knew the way I would choose would be difficult, but I had confidence in my abilities.
I started up. There is a saying in Special Forces that says "Slow is fast, and fast is smooth". This is especially true when climbing steep, tricky Slides.
The slab pitched up steeper still.
The dry patch of rock that I was using began to narrow considerably, with wet, slime covered rocks on either side of me.
The dry patch of rock that I was using began to narrow considerably, with wet, slime covered rocks on either side of me.
The Slide got steeper.
Suddenly, there was no more dry rock. I was not going up from this way any more.
While stood there on the steep section contemplating my options, I shifted my weight and readjusted my stance.
Mistake number two.
My left foot hit the slime and with agonizing slowness, I could feel that foot slowly losing grip and start to slide. This caused me to try to move away from that section and inadvertently stepped in slime with my right foot.
Now I was seriously screwed. My slow slide suddenly began to pickup speed. I desperately started clawing at the rocks, looking for any kind of handhold that might help arrest my fall.
Now I was seriously screwed. My slow slide suddenly began to pickup speed. I desperately started clawing at the rocks, looking for any kind of handhold that might help arrest my fall.
No such luck.
Anything I touched seemed covered in the same green slime, giving no grip to my gloved covered hands.
As I frantically looked for a way out, all I could think was "This can't be how it ends!" This was getting very serious. Another 60 feet and there was a 25-30 foot drop. I did not want to go over that!!
Frantically, I continued to claw at the rock, to no avail. My heart was beating about 200 bpm.
I believe I screamed in anger and fear...when suddenly I came to a bone jarring stop! The very tip of my left trail-runner had miraculously hit a small bump in on the slab. I clung to the side of the mountain, chest heaving, for about 20 minutes, trying to get my heart rate to subside.
Once I did get it down to manageable levels, I took stock of my situation. I was by no means out of danger. I saw that I had to descend another 20 yards to where I could cross over to the right. It was very steep and I felt as if I could slip again at any time. Thankfully, I was able to maneuver to where I was able to cross safely over.
The remainder of the hike went smoothly enough. At the top of the Slide there is a small bushwhack to the summit of N Hancock. It was awesome to see the look of surprise on their face when I popped out of the bushes fro below them!
The moral of this story is that no matter how confident and experienced you may be, shit can and does happen. Stay safe out there my friends!
Thanks for reading. Here are some more photos and a couple of videos!
This is my I am happy I am not dead smile.
I believe I screamed in anger and fear...when suddenly I came to a bone jarring stop! The very tip of my left trail-runner had miraculously hit a small bump in on the slab. I clung to the side of the mountain, chest heaving, for about 20 minutes, trying to get my heart rate to subside.
Once I did get it down to manageable levels, I took stock of my situation. I was by no means out of danger. I saw that I had to descend another 20 yards to where I could cross over to the right. It was very steep and I felt as if I could slip again at any time. Thankfully, I was able to maneuver to where I was able to cross safely over.
The remainder of the hike went smoothly enough. At the top of the Slide there is a small bushwhack to the summit of N Hancock. It was awesome to see the look of surprise on their face when I popped out of the bushes fro below them!
The moral of this story is that no matter how confident and experienced you may be, shit can and does happen. Stay safe out there my friends!
Thanks for reading. Here are some more photos and a couple of videos!
This is my I am happy I am not dead smile.
