sierra
Well-known member
Me and a friend, a super nice lady I've hiked with for over two years now off and on, decided to start the Wapack trail on Thursday. I almost backed out, as I worked till 100am the night before and didn't sleep well, but I figured, it's the Wapack and she is slow anyway, I'll just take my time and relax. The hike started out quite casual and it continued that way until we came to the ridge. The ascent up Pratt was fairly steep, but nothing for the standard White mountain hiker. After summiting, it got warm and my dog was panting in his winter coat, I kept hydrating him and figured we would be off in a few hours no problem, The best laid plans......... Just after the summit of Stoney Top, I was ahead of my partner out of eyesight, when I heard a yell. I ran back and found her on the ground holding her knee. I helped her up and she was not feeling good on it at all. I suggested walking on it to evaluate it and she was willing. 5 minutes later she said "forget it, I'm done" and my heart sank. She said, "I'm calling for a rescue." I didn't feel it was my place to stop her, so she dialed the 911. To her dismay and my utter joy, the call failed to go through. She said, what do we do? I gave her two options, 1. Wait and I will go for help or 2. I could carry all the gear and she could hang on to me and I would get her out, it wouldn't be fun, but I could do it. She replied, there is no way I'm staying alone a bear would get me
, option 2 wins. I rigged the packs, (thank you shoulder season loads that were fairly heavy combined) we both ate and drank something and off we went. The best laid plans............ WE moved at a glacial pace, but by God we were moving, I helped her on all the steep sections, braced her for many steps and held her on every slab. Seeing the summit of Barrett mountain almost broke her, she said, "no way I can do it". I looked at her and said, you can and you will, she said ok. Somehow we walked and I kept talking about everything from the middle east conflict to the price of gas, we talked and walked, she yelped occasionally, I held her and spoke the encouraging word. Somehow we made it down, many hours later before dark. My dog never left our side and never acted up once, he walked step by step with us. I drove her to her car in Mass and gave her big hug. I told her most people never know what they can do, because they are civilized and never get tested, you are lucky, you got to find out. I was incredibly proud of her. Section 1 of the Wapack trail is in the books. The best laid plans.......
, option 2 wins. I rigged the packs, (thank you shoulder season loads that were fairly heavy combined) we both ate and drank something and off we went. The best laid plans............ WE moved at a glacial pace, but by God we were moving, I helped her on all the steep sections, braced her for many steps and held her on every slab. Seeing the summit of Barrett mountain almost broke her, she said, "no way I can do it". I looked at her and said, you can and you will, she said ok. Somehow we walked and I kept talking about everything from the middle east conflict to the price of gas, we talked and walked, she yelped occasionally, I held her and spoke the encouraging word. Somehow we made it down, many hours later before dark. My dog never left our side and never acted up once, he walked step by step with us. I drove her to her car in Mass and gave her big hug. I told her most people never know what they can do, because they are civilized and never get tested, you are lucky, you got to find out. I was incredibly proud of her. Section 1 of the Wapack trail is in the books. The best laid plans.......
