Haystack 17 March 2011

[nundagao]

The plan was to meet Christine at HPIC at 8. I was early because it always takes exactly the distance from Dunkin's in SL to the Loj for my coffee to cool enough to enjoy. As I pulled up a young gal who looked seriously ready to hit the trail was heading toward the register. I just nodded "good morning" b/c that's about as effusive as I get until I've had my fix. As I was sipping the last, Christine pulled in. I was happy but not too surprised to see Gary with her, even tho they'd both done the same hike with Tony and Matt two days before. So, with minimal delay we were on the tracks of the two before us and were intrigued to see they'd also signed in for Haystack. The trail to MD and beyond was firm. Above IF, the snow started to stick but Christine is prepared for every eventuality. After a spritz of WD-40 all was well. By and by we met up with the mysterious duo, Phyllis and Dan, and quickly discovered we had mutual friends and acquaintances. More to the point, we learned that Phyllis, too, was finishing her winter 46 this day so we stayed together the rest of the way and got to the top at 1:30. It was one of the best days in the high peaks ever, with blue sky, bright sun, temps in the 40s, no wind except on the summit ridge, and Marcy, Skylight and the rest all capped in gleaming white. Christine and Gary led us around the right side of LH following their route of two days ago, which saved climbing up and over, and revealed an option only do-able in winter as the cripplebrush was totally burried except for a couple of awesome spruce traps that had caught one of the fearless foursome of two days ago, who would probably just as soon remain nameless. At the top Gary unfurled his congratulatory banner and while he and Christine held it high, Dan took pictures of the two newest additions to the roster of the W46Rs. Wow...after a month of anticipation, after one bad weekend after another, to bag that final peak, and to do it on such a day, and with such company. Priceless! I was lagging behind Chirstine and Gary on the climb back up the Slant Rock trail to the bushwhack short-cut to the Van Hoevenburg trail but after that it was all downhill. Up in 5 1/2, down in 4 1/2. Out at 6, hungry, thirsty, tired, sore, and happy. It doesn't get any better! Thanks Siobhan and Lee, Mike and Nicole, Elizabeth, Nate, Christine and Alex, Gary, Tony, Matt and the many others who've provided wonderful company. Above all thanks to Peggy whose cheerful enthusiasm started me on this quest. No one else could so inspire me to get up in the middle of the night, drive three hours to a remote trailhead, hike all day in the freezing cold (in darkness for an hour or two at each end of the day), then do it all over again the next weekend, and the next, and the next...You're the greatest!

 

[JoeCedar]

Congratulations!!! We all admire your accomplishment!

Joe

 

[ColdRiverRun]

Congrats there youngster! I'm happy to hear you had such a fine day to finish on such a grand peak after a long, cold and snowy winter!

 

[BlackSpruce]

Congratulations #1999W!

Will you now guide #1998 through the same journey or just share the memories?

Gary, Alex and I wish you many more adventures in “your” beloved Adirondack Mountains.