With their catchy name and relative proximity to Boston, it’s sort of interesting that I had never hiked the Tripyramids before today. My aversion stems from the fact that every time I read about the Tripyramids, foreboding phrases like “steep bare rock slides” are frequently evoked. But since 2 out of the 3 Tripyramid peaks are on the White Mountain 4000 Footers list, I was fated to experience Tripyramids’ rock slides.
Really, the 11-mile loop hike was easy, with the exception of the 1/3 mile spent ascending North Tripyramid via its near-vertical rock slabs. It took an hour and totally decimated my manicure.
Suffering and Sweating on the Slabs
When we finally reached the summit of North Tripyramid, we encountered a kindly middle-aged woman who was in the advanced stages of discombobulation due to the strenuous and steep ascent. She had decided to bushwack through the tough alpine shubbery rather than walk up the slabs, and was covered in scratches and pine needles. She took our picture.
We continued onto Middle Tripyramid, motivated by lunch and the promise of excellent views.
Poor Mr. P’s apple was mealy, so he decided to toss it into the woods just as a group of hikers invaded our lunch space to take in the view. To our amused horror, the apple became lodged in a tree. Hiya, folks. Yes, that tree is growing a half-eaten apple.
Here’s me at the crowded official summit of Middle Tripyramid with a group of hikers who goaded me to touch the summit cairn, lest my ascent be unofficial.
Overall, a nice hike. Nice views! But inevitably, what I’ll remember are the steep bare rock slides.
