May the Moose Rest in Peace at a Well-Chosen Spot (06-Jun-2009)

[1HappyHiker]

Neither my friend Zman nor I had ever hiked the Pine Link Trail. We began our journey along this trail not knowing what we’d do once we arrived at the Madison Hut. It was in-keeping with our usual casual hiking-style whereby we sort of make up our itinerary as we go. And as it turned out, we opted to go no further than the Madison Hut on this particular day. We both have been to the summits of Mts. Madison & Adams on multiple occasions, and we were content with just having explored the Pine Link Trail.

You can read the detailed description of the Pine Link Trail in the AMC White Mountain Guide, but in general, we found the trail to be quite scenic and not unusually steep, but there is some tedious rock hopping for about the last 0.7 mile before reaching the Madison hut. The trail is in great shape. It has very recently been cleared of all blowdowns, and has been freshly blazed.

Along the way, there are several nice outlooks that provide a variety good photo-ops of familiar places (Carter Range, etc, etc.) However, I would like to present just one photo showing a discovery we made at a location not far off the Pine Link Trail.

It was not until I got home and reviewed my photos that I realized the poignancy of our discovery. I had taken some snapshots of the bones and antlers of a moose that had long since died. What my photos revealed was something that was very touching (at least to me). The remains of this moose are nestled at the base of Mt. Madison in full view of Mt. Washington and Mt. Adams. It is a glorious and very befitting final resting spot for any creature who regards the mountains as “home”!

Now, I’m realistic enough to appreciate that perhaps it was pure happenstance that the moose died at this particular spot and that the moose had no choice as to where he would rest in peace. However, I’d prefer to think that he chose this very spot.

1HappyHiker

 

[NewHampshire]

Hey John,

I remember when a some folks here discovered those bones a couple years ago. It is nice to see that they have not all been carried away yet....

Brian

 

[Waumbek]

A very poignant and thought-provoking photo nevertheless. When I find bones in the woods, I always wonder whether the animal met its end at that very spot or whether a scavenger moved them there. It doesn't look like these remains were scavenged to this site, however. After a "ghost" moose died from winter tick infestation on my land--in a place that I avoided almost a year--not a piece of bone or even a hank of hair was left. All was recycled or moved elsewhere.

 

[--M.]

Powerful medicine! Instantly reminded of "Jeremiah Johnson."

Great shot, 1HH, great story.

 

[grouseking]

Woah, I love this photo. As all have said above, I feel the same!

 

[TDawg]

Nice shot 1HH!

 

[1HappyHiker]

Thanks everyone for your responses! As indicated in the reply by NewHamshire (Brian), apparently others folks have noticed these moose-remains over the past few years. And, as Brian said, “It is nice to see that they have not all been carried away yet . . .”

So, as I look through my rose-tinted glasses, I’d like to think that perhaps one reason that the remains have been left relatively untouched is that others have also sensed and respected the “specialness” of this spot. (Or, maybe most folks simply considered the moose-remains just too yucky and creepy to stick in their backpack!)

 

[Tom & Atticus]

John, your post and that profound photo reminds me so much of the epigraph of Hemingway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" where he describes the frozen carcass of a leopard preserved near the icy summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

[una_dogger]

Interesting and beautiful photo. Timely, too. Silverfox and I stumbled upon a badly decomposed moose carcass while whacking down from Mendon this afternoon. A less dramatic yet just as desolate ending...a wide moose yard, a huge circular fur pile,picked clean bones strewn about. The circle of life.

 

[J&J]

If it's the same moose, and it probably is, we first saw it in one piece on 7/24/05. It had probably died the day before. We did the Pine Link trail that day and came across the moose just down from the hut. It had been wandering around in the area of the hut for a few days before it laid down for the last time.

We were back in the same area just five days later and the moose had been torn into big time. It did choose a beautiful place to lay down though.

 

[Silverfox]

very dramatic photo to the demise of such a great animal..and what a spot..

it is nice to hear that these remains have been there awhile..left where they fell, undesecrated by man..

the remains una_dogger and i came across today where in somewhat less a spectacular view spot but rather in a blow down mess on Mendon where this mighty moose perhaps spent his last winter..

immediately our voices got lower...we tred a little lighter...certain we did not want to disturb this hallowed spot..pretty spooky actually...

 

[forestgnome]

Beautiful image!

Not that it matters, but I don't see any antlers. I do see shoulder blades. Are those what you're refering?

I like the way you captured the close subject matter and the very distant background. That's a very srene scene you've captured, indeed.

Thanks for sharing

 

[1HappyHiker]

John, your post and that profound photo reminds me so much of the epigraph of Hemingway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" where he describes the frozen carcass of a leopard preserved near the icy summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Interesting and beautiful photo . . . The circle of life.

That is an interesting perspective Tom that I had not considered. Probably a photo such as this evokes uniquely different reactions in many of us. I suppose that my thoughts are best summed up by Sabrina’s statement, i.e. “The circle of life.” As soon as any creature sets foot (or paw, or hoof, etc) on this planet, they have entered the circle of life, and they become part of it. And, regardless of whether or not you say “count me in”, you’re in!!

If it's the same moose, and it probably is, we first saw it in one piece on 7/24/05. It had probably died the day before.

Hmmm! Thanks John & June for that info. I agree that chances are it’s the same moose, and it’s interesting to have a date associated with the demise of the moose.

. . . the remains una_dogger and i came across today where in somewhat less a spectacular view spot but rather in a blow down mess on Mendon where this mighty moose perhaps spent his last winter . . . immediately our voices got lower . . . we did not want to disturb this hallowed spot . . .

Thanks for your comments Mark. It’s interesting what respect the moose commands, even after death!

Not that it matters, but I don't see any antlers. I do see shoulder blades.

Patrick, you are absolutely correct (of course!). I was so focused on “the forest” that I didn’t see “the individual trees” (in a manner of speaking). What I nonchalantly assumed to be weathered antlers are in fact the scapula bones. Thanks! I really appreciate your input.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Wonderful!

We should all be so lucky as to lay down in our mother's arms when it is time. That our last glimpse of this world should be of the mountains we love.

KDT

 

[una_dogger]

We should all be so lucky as to lay down in our mother's arms when it is time. That our last glimpse of this world should be of the mountains we love.

KDT

Well said.