Dave Bear
New member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2007
- Messages
- 681
- Reaction score
- 168
It’s a rare thing at my home when enough of our schedules jive to do something together. I had spent a week out in Fargo, North Dakota for work and longed for mountains the whole time. The trip was hard work with a serious deadline but the very “layed back” culture of the area made it enjoyable, even got a few nights in at a country rock ribfest! I certainly felt missed when I arrived home and family all wanted to spend quality time with me. Kimberly, my eighteen year-old daughter wanted to hike something ambitious, just the two of us. My fourteen year-old, Jonathan also wanted to go on a hike.
Kimberly suggested Mount Washington, possibly up Lion’s Head and before long a plan was forming and the team was growing. Sunshine Chris, my sister-in-law had a less than satisfying day at a competition shoot and decided on hiking with us. Ryan, Kim’s boyfriend also felt up to the challenge. We packed up gear and descended on my parents-in-law up in Milan Saturday night for an earlier start Sunday.
The morning hinted at clearing but weather reports were leaning toward late day showers. We left Pinkham with two possible plans. Either Lion’s Head up or Huntington if the weather was improving and return by Lion’s Head. I had been up both and brought a decent length of 7mm rope to assist anyone up the slabs in Huntington. The day was cheering up brightly and we were doing better than booktime at the turn up Huntington so away we went. The talus field slowed us down a bit and we had checked our pace some for Jon who was breathing a little heavy despite frequent breaks. Then at one point Jon said he couldn’t breath the thin air enough to go on. He does not have asthma but was hyperventilating some possibly anxious about what was ahead. In addition he has hit a huge growth spurt and grown from 5’ 4” to 5’ 10” in less than six months as well as, gone from about 120 pounds to over 190. Part of his trouble is growing into his new body. After awhile I was able to calm him down and coach him to breath more slowly and start out at a pace he was more comfortable with.
By the time Jon was up the two long slabs he was picking his way up some very technical places and he and Kim were doing a fine job leading us up. We met a couple of gentlemen who had lost the route and descended. Memory has a way of serving up only the better parts of a hike if you enjoyed it so some of the more intimidating climbs were nearly new to me. Kim was quick to look for more difficult routes on the climb and stealthy maneuvering her way. Jon was undaunted by the competition and though less graceful he showed rock solid ability as he assessed and climbed his routes. I am not an experienced climber but was very proud to see the youth of my family embrace one of the Whites hardest trails that appears somewhat technical in my view.
Jon reached Nelson Crag Trail first and as he turned around surveying his accomplishment and the views he said something like “You know, this is pretty cool!”
Maybe we can share much more of this but even if it were the only time it was a treasured moment. Regrettably my fourth hiking camera crapped early on the hike. Hung up with a lens malfunction I had to resort to each of them taking cell phone pics to share and for our memory enhancement!
We let the others catch up and hiked the road to the top. The weather was changing quickly and we were now being stung sharply by small hail. Jon and I shared summit opportunities with a nice couple from Virginia that were on their motorcycle. Its been thirty years since I climbed to the top with my siblings and parents and now sharing it with Jon knowing what he had overcome on the climb was a treat. This would be Kim’s third trip up hiking with only the return hike needed to count it. The redeeming aspect of this hike was its ability to bring her closer together with her boyfriend, something her mother and I shared years ago. The restaurant had just closed and our choices of leaving the mountain were now: Ammo against the wind and hail, Lion’s Head out running the storm coming in, a wet seven and a half mile road walk or retreat by the last shuttle doing his “clean-up” round. Democracy and sound judgment won out and in a short time we bid good evening to Mike the very informative and kind shuttle driver and headed off to Mr. Pizza for as much as we could eat!
The perfect way to end any half-a-hike!
Kimberly, Jonathan, Chris and Ryan, thanks so much for such a fun hike together!
A few early pics:http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/572953309BlvcSF
Kimberly suggested Mount Washington, possibly up Lion’s Head and before long a plan was forming and the team was growing. Sunshine Chris, my sister-in-law had a less than satisfying day at a competition shoot and decided on hiking with us. Ryan, Kim’s boyfriend also felt up to the challenge. We packed up gear and descended on my parents-in-law up in Milan Saturday night for an earlier start Sunday.
The morning hinted at clearing but weather reports were leaning toward late day showers. We left Pinkham with two possible plans. Either Lion’s Head up or Huntington if the weather was improving and return by Lion’s Head. I had been up both and brought a decent length of 7mm rope to assist anyone up the slabs in Huntington. The day was cheering up brightly and we were doing better than booktime at the turn up Huntington so away we went. The talus field slowed us down a bit and we had checked our pace some for Jon who was breathing a little heavy despite frequent breaks. Then at one point Jon said he couldn’t breath the thin air enough to go on. He does not have asthma but was hyperventilating some possibly anxious about what was ahead. In addition he has hit a huge growth spurt and grown from 5’ 4” to 5’ 10” in less than six months as well as, gone from about 120 pounds to over 190. Part of his trouble is growing into his new body. After awhile I was able to calm him down and coach him to breath more slowly and start out at a pace he was more comfortable with.
By the time Jon was up the two long slabs he was picking his way up some very technical places and he and Kim were doing a fine job leading us up. We met a couple of gentlemen who had lost the route and descended. Memory has a way of serving up only the better parts of a hike if you enjoyed it so some of the more intimidating climbs were nearly new to me. Kim was quick to look for more difficult routes on the climb and stealthy maneuvering her way. Jon was undaunted by the competition and though less graceful he showed rock solid ability as he assessed and climbed his routes. I am not an experienced climber but was very proud to see the youth of my family embrace one of the Whites hardest trails that appears somewhat technical in my view.
Jon reached Nelson Crag Trail first and as he turned around surveying his accomplishment and the views he said something like “You know, this is pretty cool!”
Maybe we can share much more of this but even if it were the only time it was a treasured moment. Regrettably my fourth hiking camera crapped early on the hike. Hung up with a lens malfunction I had to resort to each of them taking cell phone pics to share and for our memory enhancement!
We let the others catch up and hiked the road to the top. The weather was changing quickly and we were now being stung sharply by small hail. Jon and I shared summit opportunities with a nice couple from Virginia that were on their motorcycle. Its been thirty years since I climbed to the top with my siblings and parents and now sharing it with Jon knowing what he had overcome on the climb was a treat. This would be Kim’s third trip up hiking with only the return hike needed to count it. The redeeming aspect of this hike was its ability to bring her closer together with her boyfriend, something her mother and I shared years ago. The restaurant had just closed and our choices of leaving the mountain were now: Ammo against the wind and hail, Lion’s Head out running the storm coming in, a wet seven and a half mile road walk or retreat by the last shuttle doing his “clean-up” round. Democracy and sound judgment won out and in a short time we bid good evening to Mike the very informative and kind shuttle driver and headed off to Mr. Pizza for as much as we could eat!
The perfect way to end any half-a-hike!Kimberly, Jonathan, Chris and Ryan, thanks so much for such a fun hike together!
A few early pics:http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/572953309BlvcSF
