Son's 2nd 48: Pierce dark start 10-8

[Chip]

My 11 1/2 year old agreed to hike with me on Sunday, but getting him out of bed at 3:15 proved to be a bit of a challenge. We were at my Brother-in-Law's cottage on Conway Lake and Grant would have preferred sleeping in and breakfast with his cousins and younger brother, but he relented. After pulling on our capilene and fleece, stopping at Blue Canoe for gas, coffee (for me) and donuts, and seeing a moose on 302, we were hiking out of the Mt Clinton Rd trail head for Crawford Path at almost 5am, later than I had hoped for. The moon was nearly full and just over our shoulders towards the west. A couple of coyote yips greeted us as we started up the path. Grant was dragging for the first 45 minutes but as soon as we could take our headlamps off he picked up the pace and I was following him. The goal was sunrise and moon-set on the summit but we missed the actual sunrise by about 1/2 hour. Still, Grant was quite proud to make his 2nd 48 and we had great views north to Eis., Franklin, Monroe and Washington.

We dropped south for a view of Jackson where we were for the Flags event. A quick stop at Mizpah Spring Hut and we were headed back down the Cut-Off to Crawford Path. I was able to get a better shot of the moon before it set. At 9:45 Grant was glad to see the bridge he remembered crossing early in the hike which meant we were almost out. The parking lot was full on this great weekend. We were back to Conway Lake by 11.

 

[mtnmama]

What a great day to be out in the mountains!
Wow Grant did great getting up so early.
Congrats on your 2nd 4K. Your on a roll.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Nice Moon!

Congrats to your son!

I had to drag my son (about 15 at the time) out of bed at 1:30 AM a few years ago in June to get to the top of Blackhead by sunrise so he could study the Bicknell's Thrushes. He groaned a lot but he got up. He slept all the way to the trailhead (I couldn't!), and then he was ok. We made it just as the blood red sun was rising over the Hudson valley!

 

[Puck]

Ah yea the early starts. They sleep and complain. We drive and encourage. It will all change right?...right?

Great pics and report. So does he have the "Bug"?

 

[Chip]

So does he have the "Bug"?

I can tell he's starting to. He admitted the "self accomplishment" feeling while we were driving back to Conway.

I couldn't figure out why he was dragging so bad early. My wife reminded me he has no depth perception (due to strabismus) and he hadn't worn his glasses (not always worn anyway). But add that to the head-lamp factor and he probably wasn't seeing the trail very well until it got lighter, but he never complained.

 

[sapblatt]

Nice report and congrats to Grant...
It has always been my recollection that youngsters do not do nearly as well in pre dawn as us older folks...my 3 year old may be an exception - he is regularly ready to go at 5am, but this is not the norm.

 

[Kevin]

Chip... great photos again... Nice report!
Kevin

 

[Paradox]

I cannot get my teenager out of bed before 11 am, to go hiking. However, he will get out of bed at 6:40 am, drive ten miles, pick up his girlfriend and drive her to work. You just have to find the right motivator. Congratulations Grant!

 

[percious]

Nice Chip. Love the picture of the moon.

-percious