So with the weather being a bit chilly I thought I’d post something that might warm everyone up. So, what does a wedding photographer do for fun? My version of fun typically involves endurance sport. I love hiking, cycling, and sea kayaking. Mount Washington in New Hampshire’s White Mountain Range is one of my favorite places. I’m not sure quite how to explain it except to say that for me it’s somewhat magical. Ironically I’d never been to the top of Mount Washington when I was growing up (I grew up in Southern, NH). After college I moved to the San Francisco/Bay Area and THAT is when I got the itch to check out Mount Washington. As it turns out my first trip up Mount Washington was on a bicycle. The Tin Mountain Conservation Center runs a bike race up Mount Washington every year and I decided that this would be the best way to get to the summit. I’ve logged quite a few miles on my bike including multiple centuries (a century if you don’t follow cycling is 100 miles in a day, my longest is 127 miles) and let me tell you… that 7.6 miles up to the summit of Mount Washington offers up the most condensed pain per mile of any road I’ve ever been on. For some reason this makes it “fun”. I actually enjoyed it so much I did it two more times (not on the same day though, once a year up Mount Washington is enough). Getting to the point, ever since cycling Mount Washington I’ve always wanted to hike up Mount Washington and I got that opportunity in September of last year along with a group of friends. It was *the* perfect day to hike Mount Washington with mild temps and perfect visibility! If anyone out there is in to hiking drop me a line! It’s kind of hard for me to get out on a weekend in the summer but if you’re up for a weekday hike… Better yet WHO WANTS TO DO AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION HIKE? If that sounds like fun to you, you MUST call me! I am definitely the photographer for you!
Unfortunately the small image size on the blog doesn't really do this justice. The moss growing around this waterfall is just amazing!
This is a little better. For the full effect though I suggest hiking Mt. Washington yourself! 
Overlooking Lakes of the Clouds near a Cairn on the way to the summit.
You can just make out the roof of the Lakes of the Clouds Hut to the left.
It's really easy to lose perspective. Initially it doesn't look like the summit is that far away but look REALLY close and you'll notice how tiny the people get as you follow the trail up. Even on a day with good visibility you really have to pay attention to what you're doing as to not lose the trail.
Victory! I suppose I don't have proof as I'm not in this shot... but I am holding the camera.
There goes the Cog Railway. That's one of the older engines. They're swithing over the Cog Railway to more environmentally friendly engines. It's a bit strange to see one of them go by with no smoke coming out of a faux stack but ultimately it's a very very very good thing.
Yep, there's actually a trail in there!
A straight shot down the tracks for the Cog Railway. This is one way to get up the mountain but IMO... it's cheating! 
You can see the parking lot from this vantage point. It's still a LONG way away. This is another great example of how easy it is to lose perspective. It doesn't look that big until you see the people in the photo.
Well, that’s all for this adventure. I’m looking forward to the warmer months. Fortunately the days are getting longer and spring isn’t too far away.
by Symphony Photography
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