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Ascent of Mount Flume on 2007-08-04

Climber: Paul Rago

Others in Party:	Rick Kilkins
Date:	Saturday, August 4, 2007
Ascent Type:	Successful Summit Attained
Peak:	Mount Flume
Location:	USA-New Hampshire
Elevation:	4328 ft / 1319 m
Ascent Trip Report Overnight backpacking trip with Rick and Kilkins. First day, we climbed the Flume Slide, a very steep and challenging trail, to attain Mount Flume. Almost all our water was gone by the summit. We then continued, parched, on the Franconia Ridge Trail over Mt. Liberty, then on to Liberty Springs Trail, which we descended about 700 feet to the Liberty Springs Campsite (3800ft). Here, we filtered and guzzled water, then found there were no available sites left. The cool caretaker showed us to a spot that was somewhat level, on which we could sleep outside. Turned out to be right next to a friend from school. On day two, Kilkins and Rick were slow to rise, so I went up to Mt. Liberty for breakfast; the views stunning, and the weather beautiful. When I returned to the campsite, they were almost ready to go, and we departed shortly. Through the forest for about an hour until some steep climbing, then a false peak of Little Haystack bearing cool Krummholz and awesome perspective views of our recently acquired Flume and Liberty. We then proceeded along the ridge over Little Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette. The sun was quite strong, but the wind and temperature extremely pleasant. Incredible views all around. By Lafayette, everyone was out of water and very thirsty and hungry. We rushed down to the Greenleaf hut praying that they had more pancakes. They did, and we ate them all, as well as the rest of the baked goods. We were all quite exhausted, but finally nourished, so we continued down Old Bridle to the bottom. Quite painfully, we walked the bike path for several miles back to our car. Conclusion: Amazing first backpacking trip. Climbing five big mountains in two days with a heavy pack is very strenuous! Next time, bring 3L of water, a few more Cliffbars, and allow more time to hike.