TR: Grandma destroys the Rockpile (Mount Washington)

**Natedogg** · 08-13-2010, 09:11 AM

Due to high demand from EC Roll Callers (thanks, guys), here are some photos from last weekend when my 91 year old grandma climbed Mount Washington. A brief background: she had climbed Mount Washington in the 1960's with my aunt (her daughter), who passed away from MS in 1999. When my grandma turned 80 ten years ago, she wanted to climb the peak in memory of her daughter, since she didn't think she'd ever get the chance to do it again. We all joked around that she was in such good shape that she would be doing it again ten years later. Sure enough...

Details: Mount Washington, NH. Elevation 6,288 feet AMSL. Highest point in the northeast US. "World's worst weather." Average August temps: high 53 F, low 42 F. Hurricane force winds: avg 110 days/year. Highest recorded temperature at summit: 72 F.

Route: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail from Cog Railway base station to Lakes of the Clouds (2,300' elevation gain over 2.6 miles). [overnight at LoC hut] Crawford Path from Lakes of Clouds to summit (1,400' elevation gain over 1.5 miles).

Crew: Family affair--Grandma, one month prior to 91st birthday. Dad (previously featured in Mount Snow TR yardsale-ing), aunt, cousin, brother (Maddog, non mag).

Armed with her giraffe walking stick from a family friend, a 'this body climbed Mount Washington' tshirt, and her WWII veteran (Navy WAVES veteran) ballcap, she set out with no doubt she'd make the top:

Gem Pool at about a mile or so in marks the point where the trail abruptly goes from relatively flat to steady steep climbing:

Unrelenting stone stairs

even some wooden ones...

Well-prepared crew--who forgot the knife?

Mr. Giraffe got testy

Started at 9 AM and just made the hut for 6 PM dinner

Treated to a superb alpine sunset

Going for the Barker look. Still have a long way to go.

Quick trip to Mount Monroe (5,372') after dinner, great cloudless view of Mount Washington and Lakes hut.

Food up, head out.

Looking back on the southern Presidentials (Mount Monroe and LoC hut in view)

Mossy reprieve amongst the felsenmeer

On the home stretch, not even needing her Budweiser jacket at this point

Pwn3d

Happy as a clam.

All she could say the whole time was she felt bad she was going so slow and that she was having a ton of fun and loved every minute of it. My old man kept joking that he was going to call all the local papers and she wanted nothing to do with it. She loved getting out there and wanted no part of any recognition. Super proud of her--hope I got her genes!

**Grape_Ape** · 08-13-2010, 09:20 AM

FKNA RIGHT! I am going to send this to my 85-year old dad.

**highanxiety** · 08-13-2010, 09:25 AM

Very awesome!.... Great story and pictures, thanks for sharing Nate.

**polarbear28** · 08-13-2010, 09:35 AM

Awesome Nate, simply awesome....Hope i'm still rollin that well at her age!!!!

**samthaman** · 08-13-2010, 09:35 AM

wow, your grandma is kicking ass!

**Elkhound Odin** · 08-13-2010, 09:36 AM

That is totally fantastic! Way to go Granny!

**fallguy** · 08-13-2010, 09:41 AM

outstanding! grandma is my new HERO.

**guermo** · 08-13-2010, 09:43 AM

so awesome, truly inspiring! Keep walking everyone, keeps you young!

**Ottime** · 08-13-2010, 09:53 AM

This is the awesome. My day has brightened up.

It is so easy to forget about the things that reallymatter and focus on those that don't. Thanks for the reminder.

**skiingsamurai** · 08-13-2010, 09:54 AM

your Grandma is fkna awesome

and that sunrise pic is honestly one of the best ive ever seen

**uppernotmaster** · 08-13-2010, 09:55 AM

Even better than i expected Nate. Your Grandma rules. Oh' & check your PM's. My friend @ the Boston Globe is interested in this.

**Anby** · 08-13-2010, 09:59 AM

Sweet TR and pics Nate. Your Grandma kicks ass!

**emr** · 08-13-2010, 10:05 AM

yyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssss

For the win... I just called my parents to show them this... I have been trying for a couple years to get my 60 year young father out for a hike. It's been difficult to get him to commit to Eisenhower. He's the reason I got into hiking and the outdoors. I let him know that if he complains in the future, I'm going to put a foot up his ass.... Thanks for the inspiration. This will be a great tool of motivation for my parents in the future.

**lynchdogger** · 08-13-2010, 10:11 AM

This is an impressive effort! She should be extremely proud of her effort and your whole family too! Does she hold the record for oldest person? Simply awesome!

**MMP** · 08-13-2010, 10:34 AM

Nice family.

Way to go Grandma.

**Woodlandclown** · 08-13-2010, 10:46 AM

Love it!

**Skirotica** · 08-13-2010, 10:48 AM

This is super awesome. My GF's dad dreams of doing this hike (albeit in winter) and I've been seriously concerned (read: judgemental). But after reading this, I must hang my head in shame and begin planning a winter/early spring hike for he and I to the summit.

**SPREAD EAGLE** · 08-13-2010, 10:51 AM

Just watched "180 South" (patagonia film) that has Yvon Choinard climbing at age 70 and he looks rough. Your Grammy killed it and as a WWII Vet - She is a badass!

**My Pet Powder Goat** · 08-13-2010, 11:19 AM

Kick-ass Grandma, great pics and TR!

LT · 08-13-2010, 11:23 AM

That is so awesome. Something all of you will remember for the rest of your lives I'd imagine. I wish I could do something remotely that cool with my parents no less have ever had the chance to with my grandparents.