Lauky finishes his fourth round with Twins -- Galehead loop

[Ed'n Lauky]

With our loop hike over the Twins and Galehead Lauky, now five, (where does the time go) finished his fourth round of the 48, (three all season and one winter) all of them solo that is just Lauky and me.

Starting in January and finishing on Oct. 5 it was a four season round. Among the more memorable times were the February Mt. Washington climb on a pristine day when as far as we could see there was no one out there but us, we had the mountain to ourselves.

There was also the hike on the Stony Brook trail when a bull moose that had been sleeping in the tall grass beside the trail jumped up from under our feet and ran off. More recently there was the face to face encounter with the bear while going up Cabot.

A couple of weeks ago we were blocked by the high river waters but yesterday all went well. Equipped with water sandals we headed up. The river was actually an anticlimax as the crossing was very easy.

After a couple of hours of climbing we hit the open ledges with the great view of North Twin and the surrounding area

Once at the top we took in the spectacular views from the outlook.

Then it was on to South Twin

On such a pristine day, the views from South Twin were spectacular and we took advantage of running into another hiker to pose for the traditional picture.

Then is was the thousand foot drop off to the Galehead shelter.

Whoever finishes on Galehead? It’s definitely an anticlimax.

A final picture in front of the shelter. Then we headed out. Time to start a new round.

Trail conditions can be found here: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthre...es-4th-round-with-Twins-Galehead-loop-10-5-12

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[Driver8]

Lauky's beautiful - is he named for the beloved Moosilauke, by chance? You two make a great hiking team - thanks for sharing your fine pictures and report, Ed.

 

[Maddy]

Molly and Tucker send Lauky a hearty congratulations. He is one fine little hiker.
And the same to Ed. Strong work fellas!

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Way to go, Ed. That's quite an accomplishment.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Molly and Tucker send Lauky a hearty congratulations. He is one fine little hiker.
And the same to Ed. Strong work fellas!

Thanks Maddy, what a great picture you've got there.

 

[KPMMBM]

Way to go Lauky! I ran into you two on your way down just before the Gale River Trail, Lauky looked like he was all business

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Lauky's beautiful - is he named for the beloved Moosilauke, by chance? You two make a great hiking team - thanks for sharing your fine pictures and report, Ed.

Thanks. He is indeed named for Mt. Moosilauke. Here's a picture taken about 41/2 years ago where he is being dubbed Sir Lauky.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Thanks Kevin.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Way to go Lauky! I ran into you two on your way down just before the Gale River Trail, Lauky looked like he was all business

Hi. Thanks, I remember seeing you.

 

[Driver8]

Thanks. He is indeed named for Mt. Moosilauke. Here's a picture taken about 41/2 years ago where he is being dubbed Sir Lauky.

I loves me some 'Lauke, and though I've not met him yet, am pretty fond of Sir Lauky, too. The Big M was the first 4000-footer I climbed, on May 5, the first one I saw in person, as well, in July 2011, and it will ever hold a fond place in my heart.

PS: Is Lauky an Airedale? Just curious.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

I loves me some 'Lauke, and though I've not met him yet, am pretty fond of Sir Lauky, too. The Big M was the first 4000-footer I climbed, on May 5, the first one I saw in person, as well, in July 2011, and it will ever hold a fond place in my heart.

PS: Is Lauky an Airedale? Just curious.

Lauky is a Welsh Terrier. The Welsh Terrier is the direct descendant of the now extinct Black and Tan terrier. The Airedale was bred by crossing the Black and Tan Terrier with the Otterhound. It's the Otterhound that gives the Airedale its size, and also a bit more mellow temperament by the way. They are therefore distant cousins. I had an Airedale (Duffy) before Lauky and I can state that the Welsh despite his looks is not a miniature Airedale. The Welsh has no hound dog in him. Duffy rarely barked, but had a hound dog howl. The Airedale is a very stoic breed, somewhat laid back and less impetuous. In the old "Breed all about it" series on Animal planet they referred to the Airedale as the best all round athlete in dogdom. The Welsh is a fiery dog, much more hard headed, stubborn and independent than the Airedale and about one third the size.

 

[Driver8]

Lauky is a Welsh Terrier. The Welsh Terrier is the direct descendant of the now extinct Black and Tan terrier. The Airedale was bred by crossing the Black and Tan Terrier with the Otterhound. It's the Otterhound that gives the Airedale its size, and also a bit more mellow temperament by the way. They are therefore distant cousins. I had an Airedale (Duffy) before Lauky and I can state that the Welsh despite his looks is not a miniature Airedale. The Welsh has no hound dog in him. Duffy rarely barked, but had a hound dog howl. The Airedale is a very stoic breed, somewhat laid back and less impetuous. In the old "Breed all about it" series on Animal planet they referred to the Airedale as the best all round athlete in dogdom. The Welsh is a fiery dog, much more hard headed, stubborn and independent than the Airedale and about one third the size.

Well, Lauky's a beaut, that's for sure. I thought to ask b/c he looks a lot like an Airedale, but much smaller. My mom, rest her soul, had a beloved Airedale when she was a kid, spoke of him often. Your description of his breed greatly resembles him - his name was Whiskers. Lauky shows a lot of charm and personality in your photos, and from them it comes as no surprise that he'd be full of a fair bit of vinegar and you-know-what. I would love to hike with y'all some day and get a chance to meet him. Trying to figure out how much I'll be getting up north in the next six months, now that the cold half of the year is arriving. As always, very weather-dependent.

 

[IQuest]

Marlie barks, "Congratulations Lauky!" And congrats to you Ed for having such a loyal hiking partner. One question though, if you climb a peak, ie Moosilauke, twice before finishing a round of 4ks do you count the second ascent for the next round? Or after hiting 48 do you start back at 0?

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

Marlie barks, "Congratulations Lauky!" And congrats to you Ed for having such a loyal hiking partner. One question though, if you climb a peak, ie Moosilauke, twice before finishing a round of 4ks do you count the second ascent for the next round? Or after hiting 48 do you start back at 0?

No, we don't set the counter back to zero. He has done all 48 at least four times. Some peaks like Washington (7), Mooselauke (7) and a few others he has done more than four times. A year ago when he completed his third round there were a number of winter hikes included. This winter he finished doing all of the peaks as an official winter climb. For his fourth round we then subtracted all of his winter ones out of the old count and redid them as an all-season. It's a bit complicated but he has done all of the peaks at least 4 times and he as done all 48 at least once on the winter.

 

[IQuest]

No, we don't set the counter back to zero. He has done all 48 at least four times. Some peaks like Washington (7), Mooselauke (7) and a few others he has done more than four times. A year ago when he completed his third round there were a number of winter hikes included. This winter he finished doing all of the peaks as an official winter climb. For his fourth round we then subtracted all of his winter ones out of the old count and redid them as an all-season. It's a bit complicated but he has done all of the peaks at least 4 times and he as done all 48 at least once on the winter.

That sounds like the way that we (or I, as I don't think Marlie can count) count them. She is two away from finishing her second round and over half way through her third and has a few more ascents on a few others. There sure are some lucky pups out there that get to play in the woods. I feel bad every time I see our neighbors dog tied up outside. If only all dogs could get the opportunity to have such fun. We look forward to seeing you on the trail again some day.