The map below is a fully-interactive google-based map, with the location of our hike highlighted and the actual GPS tracklog shown in red. If you double-click on the map, you will get a full-size popup that includes the GPS track in 10x higher detail, clickable icons for each picture taken on the hike, and the ability to view all of this on a highway, satellite, or USGS topographic map.
courtesy GAshford
courtesy GAshford
courtesy GAshford
courtesy GAshford
We put Caroline's car at the Entrance gate of Underhill State Park (the park was closed for the season so we had to park at the gate). We then drove around to park at Smuggler's Notch - the start of our hike. As it turned out, the state had closed the top part of Smuggler's Notch road (VT108) for the winter, and so we had to start a little ways down from the pass at a road-closed barrier. No big deal, since the hike wasn't that long anyway.
The upper mountain awaits
courtesy GAshford
Graham captures the scene
We reached the scenic narrow notch in short order. It is a great place, with nice craggy cliffs and with a neat road winding between huge boulders. Now, these boulders have become very popular with climbers, and today, this meant something: Graham was along, and, being the avid Boulderer that he is, he brought his climbing shoes and chalk. There was a particular bouldering problem on a particular boulder that had been occupying his mind for some time, and we stopped to let him take a crack at it. The boulder itself was right next to a parking lot across the road - the access to it was very easy. The name of the problem was 'Nemesis', and Graham was psyched to conquer it!
courtesy GAshford
courtesy PChen
courtesy PChen
courtesy PChen
It was pretty neat to see Graham go for this problem. I think the jury is out - he seemed to me to finish the problem on one attempt, but Graham thinks he didn't make it. hmm... maybe that's an excuse to come back and do it again!!
courtesy PChen
courtesy PChen
courtesy PChen
