Potash

Square Ledge with Chocorua in the distance

After getting an early start to the Osceolas, I still had plenty of afternoon left.  Instead of heading to the Hancocks, I set out to Potash Mountain.  It's just over 2,500 feet with supposedly some great views.

I parked near a forest road, since the lot for Potash was completely full.  This also cut some of the mileage, though not by much.  Between yesterday and earlier today, I put some serious mileage with a considerable amount of elevation gained (30+ miles and about 8,000+ feet).  I felt all of this on the way up.  I stopped a few times to take a rest.  I kept flip-flopping with a couple young girls on the way up.

It hurt going up this

Coyote scat

Violets

More spring flowers

Near the summit, there were a couple ledges with some great views toward Square Ledge, Passaconway, and Mt Whiteface.  There would be one last steep ascent to the summit on a mini-slide.  This also provided some great views.  Once on the summit, the views opened up to the north and west.  The Hancocks and Carrigain were the most dominant.  In the distance Lafayette and Lincoln still showed some signs of snow.

Carrigain

Mt Washington

Passaconway and Mt Whiteface

On the summit I met a guy who knew quite about the Whites.  He was partially blind.  He kept quizzing me about mountaineering.  He pointed out one of my all time favorite (though tragic) mountaineering stats: 1/3rd of those who reach the summit of K2 die on the way down.  This now is at about 10%.  We had a great talk on the way down the mountain.  He happened to be 68 with two kids that I assumed to be his grandkids, but were instead his children.  Not sure if I'd be able to handle a pair of teenagers at that age, but they appeared to be great kids.

Potash to the left