15, 16, 17: Santanoni, Couchsachraga, Panther
I have been considering our limitations ever since we started our 46er journey. One of those limitations is the fact that anything over 12 miles is probably too difficult to do as a day hike. This hike is about 17 miles with three summits (four if you count the climb back up to Times Square from Couch), so I knew we'd want to camp. It's not just the elevation changes really, but the hike back to the car that kills me. In previous hikes, Sunny has rallied at the end and dragged me back to the car. Not so much this time. This hike solidifies my 12 mile-per-day limitation for not just me, but Sunny as well. On the way to the trailhead, a road was washed out by the recent rain, so we had to be diverted. Fortunately, on the way home the next evening, the damage was already repaired (a herculean feat of civic operations). Then, we got to the trailhead and started the long march up Santanoni Road. This road is closed to vehicular traffic and is just a part of the trail now. There ...