Bobby
Active member
Sixty people strong, the assault on Mt. Washington began about 8:15 AM. They came in all sizes and shapes, with a wide variance of ability. Clad in heather gray t-shirts, with the red logo of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing on the chest, up the Tuckerman Ravine trail they went. Big George fought back, though. It was hot and humid on the tractor road. Then he let loose with the flying, biting bugs. Ah, but there is strength in numbers. On they pushed. Some hikers started with the intention of going as far as they could, no specific goal in mind. Others went into Tuckerman Ravine, and spent the day exploring the area. My group of about 20 went up the Lion Head Trail. Big George had more in store for us. As we gained altitude, he gained attitude. The clouds blew in and out, the wind was gusting. I met a hiker on his way down, asking if he came from the summit. He gave a brief description of his hike, and I asked if he was Sweeper, from VFTT. He was. I introduced myself, and we spent a few minutes talking on the trail, as about a dozen Perry hikers passed by. Sweeper is the first VFTT'er I've met on trail (earlier this year I met up with Peakn as planned for a hike). Sweeper moved on, on his bad ankle, and we moved up.
We stopped on Lion Head for lunch, about a 20 minute break. It got a little cool there, so on went the jackets, hats and in my case, gloves. We got going again, and soon enough, off came the extra clothes. I guess George figured that if his previous attempts to discourage us didn't work, he would cut our visibilty down to nearly zero. At tiimes barely seeing the next cairn in line, we hiked on. The occasional gust of wind would come out of nowhere, blowing us around. We hit the summit about 12:40, and the wind was howling, and visibility was zero. Try this. Light a cigarette. Inhale. Put a paper bag over your head. Exhale. That's what we saw. Occasionally it would clear for a few seconds, but not for long.
Carol, Beth and I headed down. The others in our group opted for the shuttles. The down trip was great until Tuckerman Junction. On the Tuckerman Ravine trail, from the junction to the floor of the ravine, was running water. We picked our way down, trying not to wipe out. From the bottom of the headwall to the trailhead, we made great time, finishing about 5:40 PM. Big George tried to discourage us, but we stood up to him. I'm sure he has much more to throw at us in the future.
Fifty-nine hikers headed to Gorham for a post hike meal, I got in the my black jet(ta) and made for Boston. It was a great day, for a great cause, and this is the one trip I look forward to every year. Special thanks Carol for sharing this day with all of us.
Some pics, but it was cloudy. Mt. Washington pics
We stopped on Lion Head for lunch, about a 20 minute break. It got a little cool there, so on went the jackets, hats and in my case, gloves. We got going again, and soon enough, off came the extra clothes. I guess George figured that if his previous attempts to discourage us didn't work, he would cut our visibilty down to nearly zero. At tiimes barely seeing the next cairn in line, we hiked on. The occasional gust of wind would come out of nowhere, blowing us around. We hit the summit about 12:40, and the wind was howling, and visibility was zero. Try this. Light a cigarette. Inhale. Put a paper bag over your head. Exhale. That's what we saw. Occasionally it would clear for a few seconds, but not for long.
Carol, Beth and I headed down. The others in our group opted for the shuttles. The down trip was great until Tuckerman Junction. On the Tuckerman Ravine trail, from the junction to the floor of the ravine, was running water. We picked our way down, trying not to wipe out. From the bottom of the headwall to the trailhead, we made great time, finishing about 5:40 PM. Big George tried to discourage us, but we stood up to him. I'm sure he has much more to throw at us in the future.
Fifty-nine hikers headed to Gorham for a post hike meal, I got in the my black jet(ta) and made for Boston. It was a great day, for a great cause, and this is the one trip I look forward to every year. Special thanks Carol for sharing this day with all of us.
Some pics, but it was cloudy. Mt. Washington pics
