It's currently January 10th, and I haven't been out in the woods at all this year! That's equal parts a bummer, but okay. Between a busy start to the year, weird weather, and the good ol' 4:30pm sunsets, I haven't been able to find much time (that should change this weekend thankfully). I wrote some 2024 hiking goals down in a physical journal, but I wanted to take a moment to reflect more deeply on this past year.
Patches (in order)
1. Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge (Bronze) - completed on January 4th accidentally on Whipple Hill in Lexington. I didn't receive a patch for this, as it appears that the owner has discontinued the challenge. I've flirted with reaching out to him and offer to take it over, but we'll see... I'm still slowly working towards the silver and gold patches, though!
2. Sunset Six - completed on April 3rd, and I have the Blue Hills to thank for this one! The one good thing about earlier sunsets is that I can do a hike, watch the sunset, and still be home by 6:00pm. The next one I need in this series is the Sunrise Six, which is just harder to do since bed is warm and cozy.
3. Wachusett Trail Tracer - completed April 9th. This was a repeat from last year's Wachusett Redliner. The creator changed the name and made a different patch, so I had to do it again of course! I really like this mountain. I might go for it again this spring with or without a patch. Completed in three hikes, 20.35 miles total, and 4,675 feet total.
4. Old Rag Mountain - completed April 20th. This is a commemorative patch for a VERY fun and difficult hike in Shenandoah National Park. Never have I ever scrambled as much as I had on this mountain!
5. Summit Beer Society - completed August 28th. A silly, fun one. My biggest patch to date!
6. Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge - completed September 4th. Really proud of this one! I realy enjoyed the journey through these very different mountains - some much more enjoyable than others! Completed in 19 hikes, 78.59 miles total, and 22,063 feet total.
7. Monadnock Redliner - completed September 14th. Also very proud of this one! I love this mountain so much, and I feel a deep sense of belonging when hiking on the trails - kind of like hiking with an old friend even when I'm alone? It's hard to describe. I also just love knowing that I've hiked all of the trails. I will DEFINITELY be repeating this one! Completed in 10 hikes (with a few repeats), 68.02 miles total, and 20,376 feet total.
8. 52 Hike Challenge 2023 - completed December 29th. My annual accountability patch - try to hike four times each month to keep it consistent. Yay!
Other Progresses
1. 52 With a View: I added 14(!) peaks to this list in 2023! I only have 10 more peaks, and I need to decide if I want to really go full steam ahead to complete the list, or turn my focus to the 48 so I can get fancy and finish both lists in one hike (if I go this route, it'll be Moriah-Shelburne Moriah). Time will tell!
2. New Hampshire 48 4000-Footers: I added 11(!) peaks to this list in 2023 - including my first solo 4000-footers (Field, Willey, and Tom)! I'm halfway through my list and am really hoping to add a bunch more in 2024 - including a first winter ascent??
3. Vermont 5 4000-Footers: A short list I recently started! Emma moved up near Burlington, so when she was working I hiked Abraham and Ellen (great hike, a bit long for an out-and-back, but that's okay), and we hiked Mansfield. Only need Killington and Camel's Hump! I think if I get the chance to hike any this winter, I'll go for a repeat to informally work on the winter 5 list, since it is very attainable.
4. The Blue Hills! I'm very close to finishing my second round of the 125-Mile Club and the Winter Trace - both should likely be done by the end of February. Informally, I've been working on a series of unofficial challenges that I keep acting like I'm going to make patches for: The Blue Hills Grid, 500 and 1,000 milers, and Great Blue Hill Summits (Bronze-50, Silver-100, Gold-250). I decided to make the Grid for when I was bored of doing a tracing challenge (aka avoiding the Quarries), the Great Blue Summits for when I just needed to get a workout in and wanted to be rewarded even if I already hit the specific trail(s) in question, and the 500/1000 just to commemmorate achievement (I'm just a few miles away from 500!).
Goals for 2024
1. Hike 100 hikes, 500 miles, 100,000 feet.
2. Continue progress on NH48 and 52WAV - let's say 10 hikes devoted to these lists.
3. Complete the VT5.
4. Complete Blue Hills 500-Miles, 125-Mile Club round two, and Winter Trace.
5. 52 Hike Challeng 2024.
6. Complete the Sunrise Six Challenge (only three sunrises I can do that!).
7. Hike Mt. Monadnock at least one time.
7. Complete the Castle in the Clouds Explorer Patch (only one more hike, exclusing the closed trails).
8. Commit to some summer challenge when in NJ - TBD.
In summary...
I am very proud of my self!!! I am stronger, healthier, and in love with mountains. I also love patches, but they are truly just a bonus (even if a really fun bonus...). I have never regretted going on a hike, even in the worst of conditions, so I am happy I have these seperate goals to help me stay motivated even when the couch beckons my name. As always, I'm sure my list of goals will evolve and change throughout the year, but I am excited for what's in store!
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