The clearest way into the Universe
is through a forest wilderness.
- John Muir
For
great outdoor Trivia fun 
.
In
New Hampshire there is a club called the 4,000-Footers Club of the
White Mountains - sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club.
One's task as a member, is to climb the 50 mountains in N.H., all of
which are over 4,000 feet in elevation. I started my trek in 1980 and
finished in 1995. There were many years I did not climb, but it
was a goal I never lost sight of.
Some of my memorable events were:
.
I saw three moose on the Ammonoosuc
Ravine Trail. They looked at us just as much as we looked at
them. Other animals seen: turkeys, jackrabbits, quail and
many
other bird varieties.
In
summer of 1995, I did a two night stay at Galehead hut with my
girlfriend Shar. We climbed to West Bond, and Bond. It was
her first hike ever, she did terrific and I will always remember the
jokes "Oh girlfriend, do you have your red pumps ready". We
laughed and laughed that week end. She broke in her new "Peter
Limmer" boots that week-end. Hand made in Intervale, New
Hampshire and those boots are known world wide. Maybe someday
I'll have a pair :o)
.
.
Was
hiking with a group and we got lost. We were attacked and stung
by yellow jackets and ended on a summit called Fool Killer. There
was an
old jar with a pencil and we signed our names (some pretty old
entries here). At least we had not been alone.... We were
attempting the
Tripyramids with high rivers that day. Some fell in, but I
was
escorted across :o) by someone who's feet were already wet!
Thanks guys.
Climbed
Owls head in a day (1993) - started at 8:00 in the morning and pulled
out about 8:00 that evening, I had to convince myself to keep walking
that
day...... dead feet ......about 18 miles.
Was
followed by a Gray Jay, a 10" bird, on the way to Mt. Moriah (1993),
who only wanted food from us ..... and it ate out of our hand.
Stayed
over night at the Imp shelter (1993) and shared it with a high school
"Survival Group". It was so cold that night, that within an hour the
water froze
in a cooking pan. To keep warm, the entire bunch of us were in
our
sleeping bags and ready for bed at 7:00 that night. Thanks Bob -
who
wanted to climb even though it was snowing that day.
Took
my fishing pole on an overnighter, 1993 - and fished the Wild
River for trout. This trip was to Carter Dome. Had quite a
few brookies for breakfast the next few mornings. So sweet and
tasty they were.
Jefferson
was my first mountain climbed - elevation 5,712 feet - I am scared of
heights, however, it was so cloudy that day I could not see but 6 feet
in front
of me. When I finally reached the top, the weather cleared and I could
not believe the view below and what I had accomplished.
From here, not only was I addicted to climbing, but I ventured forth
and climbed Mt Clay and the highest peak - Mt. Washington - 6,288
ft. It is a climb I did in July of 1980 and I thank you so much
Daryl for that day. I will never forget it, and I wish I knew
where you were so I could tell you that I made all 50 :o)
I
am not a winter climber (some have climbed all 50 in winter only, which
is another club) but in December of 1982, the weather climbed into the
70's which I believe set a record that day. Well guess where I
was - climbing Mt Hale that day, thanks Ernie, that was a lot of fun.
In
Sept. 1981, climbed with Alan and Linda. They brought their baby
raccoon with them. We had a scare when the raccoon became
dehydrated and we all had to work hard to get fluid into it. This
was an overnighter
to North Twin.
I
love the N.H. hut system, and in 1992, stayed in three of the huts - I
did a hut to hut hike, Mizpah to Zealand, and then to Galehead.
Had
a great time and met some marvelous friends. I was able to help
my
friends as I had arranged for someone to pick me up and take me to my
car
which was about 25 miles away (and so were theirs).
Best
view of Mt. Washington was my climb to Mt. Isolation in
1995. I camped out at Shelter 2. Sleeping was nice
because there was a stream near by and it sang you to dreamland.
I met a couple of people while hiking that day that had only a
few mountains to finish their 4,000 footer trek. This was my next to
last mountain.
I
have been fortunate in that I have a pair of trustworthy hiking boots
(bought them in 1980 and I still use them today - they were very
inexpensive). Never needed breaking in - even on the first hike
of the year. Well in 1992, I bought an expensive pair and started
out to climb South Twin
with Robert W. Well by the end of the day my feet hurt so bad,
that
I wanted to finish the last few miles in stocking feet. I never
used
those boots again for a long hike. I think I danced a jig with
relief
when I was finally able to take those boots off.
In
1992 I was hiking with my friend JoAnne. We were coming down from
Mt.
Zealand. I had with me my most trusted hiking stick (since
1981). It had been up every mountain with me. Well we had
quite the ridge to slide down on our fanny's. I threw my hiking
stick down ahead of me. I was very concerned in helping JoAnne
down, so I helped her and forgot about my stick. All of a sudden
both of us heard this huge snap.
I had stepped on my own stick and broke it in half. I didn't know
whether to laugh or cry and neither did she. Needless to say, the
stick has been resting in my basement till I can figure how to put it
back
together again (I carried my stick out). Thanks
JoAnne
for laughing "with me".
My
most tiring climb was to Madison Hut in 1980. It was a very long
climb, and I had about 40 lbs on my back. There were many false
summits and I thought I was almost there quite a few times.
I stayed overnight and met some friends and climbed again with
them in 81'. Had a
thunderstorm that night and the light show was absolutely marvelous and
I
can still remember the echoing of the thunder through the mountains.
My
scariest hike (fear of heights) was hiking Mt. Lafayette and going over
the
tiny ridge to Mt. Haystack. Well Haystack looked just like that,
no
way around the top, just one big boulder. So I went over it on my
hands
and knees :o) Also the ridge was very small and to me it
was
only 12" wide........ I just put one foot in front of the other and
unfortunately, it was one day that I did not look at the views.
It was like being
in the middle of nowhere.
My
last hike was to Bondcliff on 9/24/95. I think I saved this for
last as it was also the scariest for me. It derives its name from
the fact that It has many cliffs. I stayed away from all the
ledges. This was an overnighter, in from the Wilderness trail. I
hiked in a bottle
of champagne and two plastic wine glasses (light). I also have an
old railroad bed spike as a souvenir of that trip. Before camping
that
evening, a ranger stopped to visit. She gave us a mini lesson in
bears,
as that area was highly posted of that fact. She wanted us to
remain
safe and bear smart. Needless to say, even with two streams
passing
by the tent, I did not sleep a wink! The next day while on the
peak,
another couple arrived and we all gave a few cheers. They had
already
completed not only the 4,000-Footers Club, but had gone on to finish
the
New England Hundred Highest. They informed me that Bondcliff was
their
favorite.
.
I think I could
goon forever and ever with memories, as there are so many of
them. I think Mt. Washington is my favorite as I have climbed it
the most (about 7 times). It offers the best views, and the challenge
to match. Also in the spring, one of my favorite climbs is to
Tuckerman's Ravine, ..... to be the greatest spectator. Skiers/snow
boarders off the edge..... and all I can say is that it is a "totally awesome experience". With all the
crowds, the cheering, the picnics, I recommend it highly....... and
children love it..... my daughter has made a few and that is all she
talked about.
One does not climb
Mt. Washington without good preparation. It could be 70 degrees
at the base and 30 degrees at the summit with winds of 60 mph
plus. I know,
I've been there, done that..... and with thunderstorms a great
possibility, turning back should also be in your game plan.
I have talked to
many that called it a day..... they had the sense to turn around.
Many
have died on this mountain, it must be respected.
I turned around
once, it was a beautiful day, no snow at the base. As we climbed
it got
very cold, snow was on the ground, and as we approached Lake of the
Clouds
Hut (closed for the season), you could not see 6 feet in front of you
and
the ground was total ice. If you didn't have ice crampons, or the
knowledge
of ice, it could be a very dangerous venture. So turn around we
did. I remember that day, giving away an extra hat and pair of
mittens.
.
My madness for the
mountains is that, for me, it is a level of meditation. All of
the five senses are used to full capacity. The sense of smell is marvelous as one starts to reach above
tree line. Scrub pine is one of your first smells...... also
while
hiking I have smelled blueberries and sure enough, that was when my
sense
of taste was a great one to have.
And
the sense of hearing, or sometimes should
I
say - lack of sound. I can remember stopping and saying "listen"
and
you can't even hear the wind blow....... or it is so quiet, I can hear
a
tiny bee buzzing near by. I am a very curious observer so I tend
to
touch many rocks, especially ones with
shiny
mica. I also have a few rocks with garnet.
The greatest sense
is that of sight. Until you have
been on a mountain looking down, I can not describe it..... especially
since the overwhelming sense of accomplishment exists. In many
ways you feel like
"On Top of the World". The entire trip is
like
this, the serenity allows you to "take nature in", and appreciate it -
to
cherish its very existence.
I love looking
at
the white and pink lady slippers, moose tracks, and many of the alpine
flowers. It is truly amazing that, lichen continues to grow on the
rocks. Many hikers avoid stepping on it, knowing how fragile it
is. Nature is respected by
thousands of people who use the trail systems in N.H. There isn't
any trash on the trails and a lady slipper just sits at the trail side
waiting to show its beauty to all who pass - totally undisturbed.
And rocks, I won't
tell you of all the rocks that came home in my pockets :o) In
fact for all my 4,000 footers climbed, I took a small rock from each
summit. I have all 48 labeled and placed in a glass case. My memories!!!!! My delight!!!!! My passion!!!!
.
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