More details to come later…

Last weekend my girlfriend Courtney and I and hiked Mt. Adams in New Hampshire with two other friends from church (Shannon Fogwell and her boyfriend Dave). I proposed to Courtney at the top of King Ravine, a short distance below the summit, and she said yes! I had given Shannon and Dave a heads-up about the proposal, so after we took a break at a nice scenic point at the top of King Ravine, Shannon and Dave packed up their packs and I suggested they go on to the summit and Courtney and I would catch up. We both had to go to the bathroom. When Courtney and I were ready to go, I pulled out the ring and we enjoyed several precious minutes together watching the clouds clear over this beautiful landscape:

I chose to propose on a hike because we first met on a hike and we we both love the outdoors. I chose Mt. Adams because I figured Courtney was probably expecting the proposal to come on our upcoming trip this August to the Sierra Nevadas. I figured she especially wasn’t expecting a proposal on a trip with other friends.

Courtney and I first met hiking nearby Mt. Washington, the tallest mountain in the northeast, more than a year ago. Although Mt. Washington has sentimental value for both of us, we like to joke about the autoroad and cog railway that take tourists to the a cafeteria, gift shop, and museum at the top. I chose Mt. Adams because it’s the tallest mountain in the northeast with a natural summit. There is also a great view of Mt. Washington from the top of Mt. Adams, and since both mountains are close to home, Courtney and I can return often to hike them.