With nothing better to do, and a lack of inspiration I decided to give Mount
Equinox a rematch. Mount Equinox is the tallest of the Taconics, weighing in at
a hefty ~3860' As if that was not impressive enough, it also ranks in as one of
the most prominent peaks in New England (#8 I think) Meaning that from base to
top for instance Stratton although taller is shorter from base to top (2200 base
3930 top). Equinox is 600 base 3860 top. The trailhead is around 960 feet so it
is quite a climb. In fact, there is no larger climb for almost 100 miles.
There were a good few other hikers out that day, but most of the people I met
at the top were chubby people who had driven to the top. I reached the summit in
almost exactly 90 minutes, which I believe to be pretty good time. I calculated
the average grade at 17.66% The run was 3.11 miles and rise I put at 2900 (its
slightly more). I climbed at a rate of approximately 966 feet every 30 minutes.
This is better than my much treasured Monadnock rate of 866ft/half hour. However
the grade is not the same so comparisons get trickier after that. A fun hike if
not fairly grueling.
