Mount Washington — Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017

Trail noted as in good condition, but trail is indistinct in a few places and is very steep in many places. At about 5200', a large talus field is reached. Here you want to veer to climbers right following some indistinct cairns then up a gully leading left to get above the talus field. I think this is the least difficult choice for getting above the talus but is a bit steep. Farther along, the trail uses an exposed ledge to lead to a saddle with good view of Mt. Olympus. The trail continues below the ridge (trail never crosses to the NW side of the ridge in its route to the summit), and another section of ledge. Yet another tedious section of steep loose dirt and gravel to negotiate, then a short aesthetic scramble on the final block to the summit. I spent an extremely short time on the summit because of 1000's of swarming flying ants and ladybugs. I have seen these summit swarms before but this was the worst. Perhaps due to the heat. I spent just enough time on the summit to give praise to God for reaching it and sign my name into a register kept in a shiny steel box placed in spot between blocks of bedrock.