I did it! I completed the @newengland.sixpackofpeaks Challenge!

Mt. Mansfield was the most difficult climb out of the six for me. The long stretches of steep inclines blasted my glutes early on. Or maybe it was my over-stuffed pack? I’m not sure, but either way, my brother and I felt the burn.
We started trekking along the CCC road which eventually led us to the legendary Long Trail. The late autumn scenery took our breath away as we climbed towards “The Forehead” of the face of Mt. Mansfield. Limitless shades of blue mountains decorated the distant sky while red berries, burnt orange and soft pines trickled along our path. Unlike Washington, the cold air and wind slowly seeped into our route, as not to shock us unexpectedly at a turn. Gratefully, when the wind and cold finally set in, the deep groups of evergreens protected us from the blustering gusts- and at the most desired times. Muddy, narrow walkways lined by greenery quickly turned into full exposure, wide open spaces with ice covered alpine and whipping winds – only to turn back into woodland again. The summit was an endless washout of white and snow covered scenery. We quickly took photos before heading back to the junction of Long Trail and Sunset Ridge. We slipped, we slid, and we strolled down the mountain in what was probably the scariest descent I have encountered to date.
To see the mile long ridge-line views would have been incredibly memorable, but instead, the stories we have will be.