Chip
Well-known member
With no disrespect to our team leader, Tom Rankin, I thought the confluence on Cabot Saturday deserved a Trip Report here.
The Sign-Up was Full a while ago. I didn't sign up as I like to leave myself available to cover last minute mountain cancellations. With Tom Rankin as leader the sign-up read: Vision Quest 2020, Laurie Rankin, James Brunt, Yanny Hecht, John Messnger, Rene Ali, Greg Dolan, BikeHikeSkiFish, JMichela. At the Hatchery it quickly became obvious we had a substantial group going up. Vision Quest 2020 is Randy, his wife, his guide dog Quinn and several others that help spot and describe the trail for him. I believe Jeannie was hiking with Yanny. There was a father (a scout leader) and son who may have been Greg...not too sure, I got everybody's name early but Randy was better at remembering them via voice than I was by sight
. Perhaps some one could add the additional participants names.
I guess we hit the trail around 8:30 and made quick progress up the first 3 miles. A few of us got ahead of Randy's team...but not by far. They were on our heels all day. Amazing. Close your eyes for a couple steps the next time you're out.
There were decent views south and east from Bunnell Rock.
Before we reached the cabin below the summit we met adirobdack-46r (I think that's correct. I do now remember his real name.) He was in from NY State for 10 days bagging peaks. After we described what we were doing he asked if he could join us. Cool. He also wore a VFTT shirt, which helped his cause. By 11 or so we were at the clearing after the cabin and decided to set up the flag there. A few of us ran over to the next false and then the actual summit just to make sure we didn't miss that. We left a small flag there. Tim, Tom, Laurie et al helped John rig the large pole and flag. There was already a steady wind so it took some setting and resetting and shoring-up to get everything secure. Soon though the flag was flying loud, proud and high.
Almost immediately Randy's Team arrived. Yanny and Jeannie said farewell as they wanted to try for Waumbek also. Soon after we were joined by Ed and Lauky, who had come up the opposite direction and had a black bear encounter near Unknown Pond. Another couple with a dog passed through, and then a few guys who would have missed the true summit without our input. So at one point there were probably 22 people and 3 dogs there. After eating, drinking, taking pics and sharing a brick of Cabot cheese the wind had really started to pick up. Our entire group including Randy's wanted to go out over The Bulge and Horn and were aware of the weather front due later in the day. At about 10 minutes to 1pm, as the pole bent and whipped and the flag clapped and flapped, John said "I think we should break it down at 1." Just then a large gust nearly tore the pole and flag off the summit and I said "It's 1 !". So we broke it down, packed up and headed to the true summit for a group photo.
The Kilkenny Ridge trail to the Bulge and Horn was at times steep, narrow and slippery. Having Randy on my mind I occasionally kicked some rocks and sticks off the trail, hoping I was some small help. After a brief stop at the Bulge we dropped poles and packs and took the side trip up The Horn. A quick hike and small scramble to great views there.
After we left The Horn and approached the Ridge trail again we weren't sure if Randy's team had gotten there yet. Apparently they had.
By the time we got to Unknown Pond it started to sprinkle off and on. We watered and snacked and made haste through the narrow, overgrown and damp trail back to the Hatchery. By the time we were in our cars and on the way out it started to really pour. Great day with a great group and cameos.
The Sign-Up was Full a while ago. I didn't sign up as I like to leave myself available to cover last minute mountain cancellations. With Tom Rankin as leader the sign-up read: Vision Quest 2020, Laurie Rankin, James Brunt, Yanny Hecht, John Messnger, Rene Ali, Greg Dolan, BikeHikeSkiFish, JMichela. At the Hatchery it quickly became obvious we had a substantial group going up. Vision Quest 2020 is Randy, his wife, his guide dog Quinn and several others that help spot and describe the trail for him. I believe Jeannie was hiking with Yanny. There was a father (a scout leader) and son who may have been Greg...not too sure, I got everybody's name early but Randy was better at remembering them via voice than I was by sight
. Perhaps some one could add the additional participants names. I guess we hit the trail around 8:30 and made quick progress up the first 3 miles. A few of us got ahead of Randy's team...but not by far. They were on our heels all day. Amazing. Close your eyes for a couple steps the next time you're out.
There were decent views south and east from Bunnell Rock.
Before we reached the cabin below the summit we met adirobdack-46r (I think that's correct. I do now remember his real name.) He was in from NY State for 10 days bagging peaks. After we described what we were doing he asked if he could join us. Cool. He also wore a VFTT shirt, which helped his cause. By 11 or so we were at the clearing after the cabin and decided to set up the flag there. A few of us ran over to the next false and then the actual summit just to make sure we didn't miss that. We left a small flag there. Tim, Tom, Laurie et al helped John rig the large pole and flag. There was already a steady wind so it took some setting and resetting and shoring-up to get everything secure. Soon though the flag was flying loud, proud and high.
Almost immediately Randy's Team arrived. Yanny and Jeannie said farewell as they wanted to try for Waumbek also. Soon after we were joined by Ed and Lauky, who had come up the opposite direction and had a black bear encounter near Unknown Pond
. Another couple with a dog passed through, and then a few guys who would have missed the true summit without our input. So at one point there were probably 22 people and 3 dogs there. After eating, drinking, taking pics and sharing a brick of Cabot cheese the wind had really started to pick up. Our entire group including Randy's wanted to go out over The Bulge and Horn and were aware of the weather front due later in the day. At about 10 minutes to 1pm, as the pole bent and whipped and the flag clapped and flapped, John said "I think we should break it down at 1." Just then a large gust nearly tore the pole and flag off the summit and I said "It's 1 !". So we broke it down, packed up and headed to the true summit for a group photo. The Kilkenny Ridge trail to the Bulge and Horn was at times steep, narrow and slippery. Having Randy on my mind I occasionally kicked some rocks and sticks off the trail, hoping I was some small help. After a brief stop at the Bulge we dropped poles and packs and took the side trip up The Horn. A quick hike and small scramble to great views there.
After we left The Horn and approached the Ridge trail again we weren't sure if Randy's team had gotten there yet. Apparently they had.
By the time we got to Unknown Pond it started to sprinkle off and on. We watered and snacked and made haste through the narrow, overgrown and damp trail back to the Hatchery. By the time we were in our cars and on the way out it started to really pour. Great day with a great group and cameos.
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