Joe Comuzzi finishes his 12x48 on Jackson

[Early Bird]

A formal written "Congratulations" to Joe. it was my pleasure to join him and the crew up there. I loved the view across the way this time, the peak foliage lined right up with the ice-glazed conifers at about 3500'. We were lucky to be hiking the morning after the Whites' first snowfall of the season. Washington was nicely covered in rime ice, and icicles dropped on us as the sun warmed the day. All the times I've been on Jackson, never having climbed it in October, I'd not been graced with this gorgeous a view. Therein is part of the diverse beauty of "the grid" -that and my love to hike, but lack of desire to drive too far (ADK or even too far into ME) regularly.
I believe I heard Ed recount the number who'd finished, and Joe was 6th. The others were two woman and four men, all previously named. (Someone else jump in if you recall this conversation in the parking area.) Jim has 8 to go. Ed, I'm pretty sure is on his 4th round.
The helicopter story was very good, but the 24 hour day hike on the Bonds was the one I was retelling the next day, Mohamed's commentary and all.

 

[una_dogger]

Thom -

Hasn't Ed completed a second round as well? I haven't seen him in awhile, but those who do told me he's working on 3 and 4 concurrently.

I hiked the Osceola's with Ed today and I'm pretty sure he said he was on his fourth round of the grid when I asked him. I think he's also pretty close to finishing it.

Sounds like our man, BlacknBlue. Did he give you a PBR? That would clinch it.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I hiked the Osceola's with Ed today and I'm pretty sure he said he was on his fourth round of the grid when I asked him. I think he's also pretty close to finishing it.

Yup, that's what Guy J. told me as well. Ed's an amazing athlete. I understand he's just as fast on the ups, but slowed down a bit on the descent due to knee issues.

 

[Chip]

Congrats to all who have completed this.
How long has this taken the finishers, on average, to complete ?

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Congrats to all who have completed this.
How long has this taken the finishers, on average, to complete ?

If I ever finish, it will be 45+ years!

 

[Mike P.]

Congrates Joe! I'm still working on 48 X 4 (seasons), 115, & thinking the often visited peaks I'll do 12 X. maybe pick 12 & do my own 12 x 12 list.

(mini Hijacking)

I still don't have Bear (I live in CT) or Monadnock done in each month although past 12X. Closest I come to that is 12 trips in 11 months on Greylock
- need August & want to bring at least one of the kids.

 

[David Metsky]

I saw Joe tonight, and he's got no plans to slow down. We briefly talked about the 48^2 (48 peaks 48 times, no worry about months) but I think he was joking.

 

[Snowflea]

Congrats to all who have completed this.
How long has this taken the finishers, on average, to complete ?

Chip, it took me about 15 years but obviously could be done much faster.

 

[RoySwkr]

I saw a red Tacoma in the Ferncroft parking lot today, and when I told the driver that according to VFTT he must be either Kevin Rooney or Ed Hawkins he admitted to the latter. He said he often gave rides to hikers but obviously didn't remember an incident from several years ago.

Apparently the AMC 4k Club has declined to offer a 48x12 patch because it would inspire too much competition (huh?) so Ed is going to have one made up, he's just sorry it wasn't ready in time for Joe. He will also take over NH100 patches if Bill's wife agrees.

Ed knows several more people who are within a few months of finishing, he himself has ~50 cold-weather peaks left for the 3rd round but is on the 4th round otherwise.

How long has this taken the finishers, on average, to complete ?

Obiviously the minimum is ~10.3 months if you start say Aug 27 and finish Jul 4, but that may not be the next project for MR Ed thinks 2 years is reasonable, he already has 48x6 this year. The first cycle took him over 8 years because he was doing other hikes as well, he thinks it was like ~19 for Gene who at the same time was also hiking the Adk 46, the NE 3k, and maybe 1000 different peaks in NH.

 

[RoySwkr]

That's why I've done Tecumseh six different ways and have a couple more variations planned!

Good for you! Do it for 47 more peaks and you'll definitely be a legend!