When I left the trailhead for the Long Trail near Smugglers’ Notch, the temperature was -10 degrees Fahrenheit. After climbing for a while, I didn’t notice the cold and became comfortable. I reached the summit too early and had to traverse the ridge for 45 minutes in order to stay warm. I only took several photos as the temperature killed my camera battery quickly. (I keep the battery inside my jacket until I am ready to use it, but even so it can die quickly in cold environments. My thermometer read -35 Fahrenheit by the time I left the summit.) I descended the Hell Brook. I was alone on the mountain the entire time I was above treeline. Perfect.
