LenDawg
New member
Thanks everyone! I'll put together my T/R tonight. WHAT A GREAT TIME!!!
Lendawg's 48th - Mt Isolation 2-4-2006
- Thread starter bobandgeri
- Start date
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adamiata
New member
Congrats, Lenny.
Wish I could've been there, but schoolwork and car troubles interfered.
Wish I could've been there, but schoolwork and car troubles interfered.
Last edited:
Charly
New member
yes! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Wish I could have made it up top with all of you!
My legs had something else in mind though.
Wish I could have made it up top with all of you!
My legs had something else in mind though.
LenDawg
New member
I woke up Saturday morning with pure adrenaline. Sure, I drank that cup of coffee, but I didn’t need it. The weather was gorgeous and extremely warm for February. Pulling into the Rocky Branch Trail parking lot at 0753, I was met by several people who, in just a short span of about six months, greatly impacted my life. HikerBob and Poison Ivy were the first two to give me a hug and wish me luck on this great day, followed immediately by Geri, who I had not seen in a very long time. MadTownie, Christine, Gaigirl, and Bunchberry lead the pack. I waited with Michael J, and then started up on my 48th 4,000 footers in NH.
With the temperatures approaching the mid-40’s, Youngblood and I decided it was time to drop to shorts and tee shirts. This might as well have been a hike in early May. We all bare booted up the Rocky Branch Trail following Mountain Magic and his faithful sidekick, Ghostdog. Before hitting the deviation point for our first bushwhack (thanks Mare), Coldmountain and LawnSale joined the parade. Great to meet Lawnsale, and Pete, well, we put up with him as usual (haha).
With the use of several people’s high tech instrumentation, including both Bobs, we cut across on the first bushwhack bringing us to the Isolation Trail. We headed north and decided to follow the broken out trail and skip the second bushwhack which would have cut directly across to Isolation. Instead, we took the smaller bushwhack, cutting off the end of the loops of the Isolation Trail as it comes into the Davis Path. It was at this bushwhack that I met up with my first spruce trap. I knew I should have lost some weight before I got out there!
I remained at the back of the pack. The water crossings were easy enough. During the hike, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with some folks for the first time. It was great meeting Big Earl, Damon, Unfrozen Caveman, and Abster, and hearing about their adventures. Later, I ran into two hikers who were working on completing the winter list. It was great speaking with them too.
Finally, with my moosehat on, I reached the summit of Mt. Isolation. The view was amazing. Mt. Washington and Boott Spur looked down on us like we were infants. The Southern Presis seemed like they were within a hand’s grasp. The Wildcats were at a very different angle; amazing to look at them from there. It seemed like you could see almost all 48. However, I couldn’t see either my favorite climb (Mt. Adams) or my first (Madison). I can’t wait to get back to see them.
A “Secret Santa Hiker” left a small token at the summit for me. Thank you. The group celebrated with a bottle of champagne and a few pictures before leaving the summit. Bob (bobandgeri) congratulated me and welcomed me into the new club. Everyone dispersed and started the long journey out. I waited behind with Chinooktrail, just admiring the view and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment. I am very much looking forward to coming back to Isolation during the summer and camping out at the tent sites. The hike out was peaceful and serene. Chinooktrail, Bunchberry, and I finished the journey under headlamp. Hikerbob was the first to greet me at the bottom and tell me that this list was over and that I was now a part of something quite special. A bunch of us went to the Shannondoor and had a great celebration. It was an amazing day with fantastic weather, sensational views, and incredibly special people. Thank you all for coming.
I’m not sure what it should mean now that it is over. I started this to escape from problems and be alone. Though I accomplished that, I was also able to meet new friends, enjoy nature, learn about my surroundings, get away from the city, get away from stress, increase my spirituality, and become more at peace with myself. This adventure has meant a lot to me. I’ve come a long way from being in jeans and tee shirts on my first two hikes. I would also like to thank the group of hikers with whom I was with the most: Littlesister, MEB, and Chinooktrail. Thank you so much for supporting me. LenDawg’s 48th… WOO HOO!!!!!
With the temperatures approaching the mid-40’s, Youngblood and I decided it was time to drop to shorts and tee shirts. This might as well have been a hike in early May. We all bare booted up the Rocky Branch Trail following Mountain Magic and his faithful sidekick, Ghostdog. Before hitting the deviation point for our first bushwhack (thanks Mare), Coldmountain and LawnSale joined the parade. Great to meet Lawnsale, and Pete, well, we put up with him as usual (haha).
With the use of several people’s high tech instrumentation, including both Bobs, we cut across on the first bushwhack bringing us to the Isolation Trail. We headed north and decided to follow the broken out trail and skip the second bushwhack which would have cut directly across to Isolation. Instead, we took the smaller bushwhack, cutting off the end of the loops of the Isolation Trail as it comes into the Davis Path. It was at this bushwhack that I met up with my first spruce trap. I knew I should have lost some weight before I got out there!
I remained at the back of the pack. The water crossings were easy enough. During the hike, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with some folks for the first time. It was great meeting Big Earl, Damon, Unfrozen Caveman, and Abster, and hearing about their adventures. Later, I ran into two hikers who were working on completing the winter list. It was great speaking with them too.
Finally, with my moosehat on, I reached the summit of Mt. Isolation. The view was amazing. Mt. Washington and Boott Spur looked down on us like we were infants. The Southern Presis seemed like they were within a hand’s grasp. The Wildcats were at a very different angle; amazing to look at them from there. It seemed like you could see almost all 48. However, I couldn’t see either my favorite climb (Mt. Adams) or my first (Madison). I can’t wait to get back to see them.
A “Secret Santa Hiker” left a small token at the summit for me. Thank you. The group celebrated with a bottle of champagne and a few pictures before leaving the summit. Bob (bobandgeri) congratulated me and welcomed me into the new club. Everyone dispersed and started the long journey out. I waited behind with Chinooktrail, just admiring the view and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment. I am very much looking forward to coming back to Isolation during the summer and camping out at the tent sites. The hike out was peaceful and serene. Chinooktrail, Bunchberry, and I finished the journey under headlamp. Hikerbob was the first to greet me at the bottom and tell me that this list was over and that I was now a part of something quite special. A bunch of us went to the Shannondoor and had a great celebration. It was an amazing day with fantastic weather, sensational views, and incredibly special people. Thank you all for coming.
I’m not sure what it should mean now that it is over. I started this to escape from problems and be alone. Though I accomplished that, I was also able to meet new friends, enjoy nature, learn about my surroundings, get away from the city, get away from stress, increase my spirituality, and become more at peace with myself. This adventure has meant a lot to me. I’ve come a long way from being in jeans and tee shirts on my first two hikes. I would also like to thank the group of hikers with whom I was with the most: Littlesister, MEB, and Chinooktrail. Thank you so much for supporting me. LenDawg’s 48th… WOO HOO!!!!!
LenDawg
New member
Sorry, I had a lot of problems getting these pics... Sorry they are so late!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=67t3qkc.hi7mg9o&Uy=-3djllm&Ux=0
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=67t3qkc.hi7mg9o&Uy=-3djllm&Ux=0
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