Sunday, August 1st, 2004

Sunday,August 1st 2004
Mount Nittany
Double Loop - Blue and White

After my shoulder surgery on March 1st, I had to take it easy on the trails, since a face plant could ruin what was left of my injured shoulder. I started re-conditioning myself by walking 'safe' trails and around the Penn State campus. The battlefields of Gettysburg and the Mall in Washington DC helped to get some strength back in my legs, and after a successful hike of a waterfall in Shenandoah National Park (June 27th) I felt ready to tackle Mount Nittany.

My best time up the hill was something like 19 minutes a few years ago, but it took an excrutiating 40 minutes to climb it this time. My legs had atrophed quite a bit during my extended down time, but this is the way to get 'em back!

Once at the top, it was pretty easy going, and I had decided to update my GPS map of the mountain, since there had been some trail re-routing and my GPS had an update to its firmware.

I have to say that I had never seen the mountain so green--ever. All the water we had the last two years really brought out the flora.

At some point I'll update my online map with the data I collected, but the differences are minor with the exception of a couple of new switchbacks as you start out on the Hal White Trail. Oh yeah, there's a nice signpost with a map at the trailhead, now. Purple Lizard did the new map . . .

Advertisements: Virginia Tech Photos | Nittany Lion Photos | Sodium Phosphate Blend | Tender Quick