David Metsky
Well-known member
I had my 20th college reunion that weekend, so I couldn't really join in the fun. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I was in Hanover and then VT for Friday night and Saturday morning, then took off to try and reach Crawford Notch in time to meet up with hikers on the ridge. Along the way I picked up a cooler, some ice, and a few pints of Ben and Jerry's.
I made a quick job of packing in the Mt Clinton Road lot and then started up the Crawford Path at 2:00 PM. It was hot. I quickly dialed back the pace so as not to become a statistic before reaching the hikers. Fortunately I got my breath back and made it to the ridge around 3:50, just barely in time to catch Tuco on the summit of Pierce. I had missed the first of the hikers (Giggy and Jay H) but he seemed happy to see me.
He took off and just then Bob and Geri and MichaelJ showed up, coming back from Lakes of the Clouds where they waited for a few hours, but didn't get to see many folks. We chatted and ate some ice cream and chocolate, then saw Chomp, Mike P, and three others (spacing on names) arrive. Chomp was headed on to Jackson and Webster, Mike was headed down from Pierce. They all packed up and I decided it was time to push north in search of the rest.
Did I mention the chicken hat? I got this with 2 UPC codes from Pop Tarts we get at work and $3.99 in S&H. It's a Chicken Little promo and I think it's the greatest thing in the world. I was wearing the hat, I think I forgot to mention it. And an aloha shirt.
So north I go, running into Sherpa John who looked beat, having done the regular Traverse, plus a side trip to and from Isolation. I think he thought he was hallucinating, remember, the chicken hat. Right behind him was the main group of VftT'ers, a total of 8 humans and 2 dogs. They consumed the remaining ice cream but seemed much more interested in the leftover ice. I swear I could hear it boil as they placed the cubes on their skin.
We jaunted back up to Pierce where this group decided that it was right and proper to head down the Crawford Path. I was amazed at how spry everyone was, still traveling at a good pace those final 3 miles. After that we drove back to CMR where there was a subdued but happy evening spent around the fire and dozing peacefully in tents.
Borrowing photos from several of the Traversers, I put together a short video (20 Meg), hope you enjoy. Please make note of the chicken hat.
Inspiring, very inspiring all of you.
-dave-
I made a quick job of packing in the Mt Clinton Road lot and then started up the Crawford Path at 2:00 PM. It was hot. I quickly dialed back the pace so as not to become a statistic before reaching the hikers. Fortunately I got my breath back and made it to the ridge around 3:50, just barely in time to catch Tuco on the summit of Pierce. I had missed the first of the hikers (Giggy and Jay H) but he seemed happy to see me.
He took off and just then Bob and Geri and MichaelJ showed up, coming back from Lakes of the Clouds where they waited for a few hours, but didn't get to see many folks. We chatted and ate some ice cream and chocolate, then saw Chomp, Mike P, and three others (spacing on names) arrive. Chomp was headed on to Jackson and Webster, Mike was headed down from Pierce. They all packed up and I decided it was time to push north in search of the rest.
Did I mention the chicken hat? I got this with 2 UPC codes from Pop Tarts we get at work and $3.99 in S&H. It's a Chicken Little promo and I think it's the greatest thing in the world. I was wearing the hat, I think I forgot to mention it. And an aloha shirt.
So north I go, running into Sherpa John who looked beat, having done the regular Traverse, plus a side trip to and from Isolation. I think he thought he was hallucinating, remember, the chicken hat. Right behind him was the main group of VftT'ers, a total of 8 humans and 2 dogs. They consumed the remaining ice cream but seemed much more interested in the leftover ice. I swear I could hear it boil as they placed the cubes on their skin.
We jaunted back up to Pierce where this group decided that it was right and proper to head down the Crawford Path. I was amazed at how spry everyone was, still traveling at a good pace those final 3 miles. After that we drove back to CMR where there was a subdued but happy evening spent around the fire and dozing peacefully in tents.
Borrowing photos from several of the Traversers, I put together a short video (20 Meg), hope you enjoy. Please make note of the chicken hat.
Inspiring, very inspiring all of you.
-dave-
