friends, with benefits

the days: march 8 & 11. tuesday was mostly sunny but cold~ish in the teens °F with a very stiff wind: ~20mph above treeline with gusts towards the 40s. the rain on sunday made for a solid, often icy trail. friday, mostly overcast but much milder in the mid forties °F with barely a breeze blowing. the trail was about 70/30, bare/softening ice.

the adventures: d1: up cardigan, via the west ridge trail, down mostly on the ski trail. d2: up the AT, leading to smart's mtn, down the same, leading to the truck.

the memories: d1: billy and tracey were up at billy's brother's house in new london. billy, an old amc pinkham friend, always likes to get out and hike, preferably up above treeline if possible. tracey is always game for adventure--if she has the proper kit. tuesday, on cardigan, she was all set for comfort at low temps and high winds, but the creepers she borrowed did not inspire much confidence under foot. 

d2: billy and tracey came back on friday for a second trek up a section of the AT with a fantastic outlook a bit more than a mile up. with much softer and far less ice--plus a better set of microspikes under tracey's feet--the trail was far more hiker friendly. the mild temps also allowed for many few layers at times.

notes:

• good creepers/microspikes are your friend 
• such bare trails in early march are not so friendly to lovers of winter
• friends who hike together smile together--especially for selfies of a wee coorie at the summit

go outside and play!