TB and SP Climb Mount Washington

With the summits of Mt's Adams and Jefferson behind us this summer, of course we had to go for the big guy. So, on an overcast morning after spending the night at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center's Joe Dodge Lodge we began the trek up to the summit of Mt Washington via the Tuckerman Ravine trail. Despite the lack of views due to the cloud cover, the hiking temps were ideal and the bugs were few. There was still some snow in the Ravine and a few folks to ski it (not us). The final summit push began with the crossing of the anti-climactic auto-road, followed by the perplexing two sets of man-made wooden stairs and then up the last few rocks to the proclaimed "summit". Sorry young kids with ice cream cones in hand for pushing you out of the way so we could celebrate our reaching the summit with a picture... you were taking too damn long and your parents were yelling for you to get back in the car anyway! (ok, this actually happened on another hike some years ago) And thank you old German couple for taking our picture even though I have no idea what you were trying to tell me. I'll assume it was something about how much you like my new Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS with 8 megapixels... it is ubercool! Unfortunately, the visibility was not good enough to take any worth while pictures of the view... oh, well... next time! After a cup of hot chocolate and a yummie PB&J, we headed back down to Pinkham Notch via the Lion Head trail. Our first time on this trail and I have to say that it was kind of fun. Glad we decided to take it. I dedicate this one day summit loop to my Dad who first took me on it when I was about 9 years old (although that one was up and down TUX)... he would have been proud of me for not having another I-don't-want-to-go-any-further hissy fit at the base of the Mt Washington cone (.6 miles to go!). And to TB - you are a great hiking companion!

Carter Notch Hut Hike

Some of the Freshies gang along with other friends hooked up at the trail head in Pinkham Notch on Sat 4/26 to begin the trek to the Carter Notch Hut via the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail where we would spend the night. The plan was to travel the 3.8 mile distance to the hut, drop packs and then continue on to the summits of Carter Dome and Mount Hight. We bare-booted the first half of the trail, but it was slow going on the upper half where snowshoes had to be donned to safely navigate the monorail of snow that snaked up the trail. Consequently, time and lack of energy (or fitness) would not permit a summit bid on this first day. We were hoping to bag them the following day before the descent, but the weather Gods did not cooperate. Rain and ice were not a good combo for hiking the steep trail to the top.

It should be known that this was the first time using snowshoes for most of the group which offered plenty of comedic moments for us as we watched each other lumber along and occasionally cross tips/tails and perform face plants and headers into the snow. Apparently a 35 pound pack on ones back does not make one more stable… hmmm. Anyway, there was one snowshoe holdout who en”joy”ed running by everyone else up the trail as fast as can be in her fancy-dancy microspikes (made by Kahtoola and can be ordered on-line for $60)… thank goodness for the great equalizer, “post-holing” - being stopped dead in your tracks by slipping off the monorail and having one leg sink down into the snow up to your knee or hip... let it be known that SpiderPig was offering a helping hand the first time this happened to TinyBoarder until DangerBoy barked out the order, “don’t help her, take a picture”… and thus she was on her own for the rest of the hike.

In the end we all ended up arriving at the Hut approximately 4hrs after departure, exhausted and hungry. Once there, we met the hut Caretaker, JB who gave us the low down on bunks, cooking meals and trekking for water. We had great views of Carter Dome which was nice considering the lack of visibility the next day. The evening consisted of the traditional hearts game while sipping wine that we shlepped and preparing dinner. Many thanks to all that brought the Whooley-provided risotto recipe to life, and to Kiwi and Laff for their amazing salad and homemade breads. Also, thanks to Kristen, Eric and Trader Giotto's for dessert – a giant Rice Krispy Treat and a Chocolate Almond Tort. What a meal! Finally, after a few more hands of cards it was off to bed with a full belly and a comfortable buzz from the vino.

The next morning got off to a bang with DangerBoys’ signature banana-chocolate-chip pancakes, LuckyJeans’ perfectly cooked turkey-bacon and Kiwi’s fabulous Hazelnut coffee by the cup. YUMMO! It should also be noted that DangerBoy was up at the crack of dawn to fetch some real maple syrup from the woods – at least that is what he was telling everyone… ok, I was telling that to everyone.

So it was off down the trail which moved along very fast now that we were experts in snowshoeing and microspiking. We reached the trail head in about 2.5 hours had a victory beer and headed to The Moat for the traditional after hiking yam fries. All in all I think everybody had a great time and great experience… I personally can’t wait for the next time.

JW Says Goodbye to Another Ski Season

This guy knows how to get around...

John Wayne Visits Tony

John Wayne had been cooped up for most of the winter, guarding the fireplace and living quarters with a knowing eye. But, alas, season's end arrived and he was ready to hit north conway with loads of playful energy and a zest for mischief!!

J.W.'s chaperones, Speed Racer, Spider Pig, Private Dancer, and Danger Boy, went to their new fav pub, the Wild Boar Tavern to have some dinner (awesome!) and say hi to mr. bartender, Tony, and gang. The highly spirited Tony invited the ski gang to his place for a semiformal party later that evening. huh? semiformal?? Ski gang: "Tony, aren't you working here until the bar closes?" Tony: "Yep, the party started without me - just come on over whenever." Ski gang: "We're wearing longsleeve t-shirts and jeans - is it really a semi-formal?!" Tony: "Yes, it is! Don't worry, I have some extra ties you can wear!" hah hah! All true.

There was no question about the decision. John Wayne was rearing and ready to go!! J.W. was super social, working the crowd like no other can. And Tony was a truly gracious host with a good working knowledge of how to party - a nice mix, indeed. Thanks, Tony!

Spring is Here!

How is the beginning of spring defined by you? Romantics may think that its signaled by the first sprout of tulip in their yard. Rationalists will say that its defined as the day of the spring equinox, independent of weather and flowers! Optimists will proclaim that spring is upon us after a string of two 50+ degree days. But for me.... It was defined this weekend by watching a large man in a purple dinosaur costume make his best attempt at the pond skim contest at Wildcat!! Yeahhhh! Spring is finally here!

March Finale!!!

Here's the gang from the March Finale minus the sorely missed Smokey Bear and Sven. I thought I had successfully coerced them (but not!) - next time the bribes will be more enticing. Who's posin'? All of us, of course!

The Real Wildcats

We're not talkin' about a purring kitty here. Check 'em out. They send a shiver down my spine each time I hear the Wildcat growl!
(click twice on play; don't know why)