The Case of the Missing Microspike! 1/2/11

[grouseking]

I took a brisk 4.5 mile walk around Lebanon yesterday, andI declared myself healthy enough to do a slushpuppy snow hike today around the woods. There wasn't really a destination in mind....just to explore the woods and trails around Quarry Hill, till it got dark.

At some point along the trip, I lost a microspike for my right foot. I didn't notice till I think sometime later. So I backtracked for at least a half mile to a point where I remember having it on my foot. No dice...so I said screw it and kept going. It was already after 3:30 and darkness would be setting in quite soon. More on the microspike later. Time for pics

First, tracks....

I came across a lot of interesting tracks in the snow, including what I think are coyote tracks.

The tracks were clearly chasing these deer tracks

Diverging tracks of some smaller critters

Now, for some really interesting ice

I had to bypass this mess

The top of Quarry Hill, sky was clearing, sun was setting
We had 20 inches of snow last week...now, its bare ground in some areas!

Back to the case of the missing microspike. After I got back to my apt, I was checking thru my pictures, and about 75 expletives came out of my mouth when I came across this pic....

Mystery SOLVED!!!

Well, I won't be able to get up there this week due to work, and by the time Saturday comes around next weekend, there could be another snowstorm. It isnt exactly on a trail, but its a definite treked snowshoe area, so who knows if it will be there next weekend. Fingers crossed I guess!

http://grouseking.smugmug.com/New-H...y-Quarry-Hill/15304147_wVLJu#1144979716_cK4KE

Hope you all had fun looking for my microspike with me. Man do I feel stupid right about now....

 

[erugs]

How often does anyone find something they are missing in a photograph? Amazing. Looks like it was a fun day.

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Phil,
Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will find the microspike before you get out or the next snow arrives. Don't you just hate it when there's a substantial snow and then you start loosing the majority of it in a few days due to warm weather? That's how it normally is here in MD.

Donna

 

[grouseking]

How often does anyone find something they are missing in a photograph? Amazing. Looks like it was a fun day.

Ugh it makes me mad cause I wont be up there till this weekend! haha

Phil,
Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will find the microspike before you get out or the next snow arrives. Don't you just hate it when there's a substantial snow and then you start loosing the majority of it in a few days due to warm weather? That's how it normally is here in MD.

Donna

Yeah not sure about that cause I wasn't on a trail, and there is no "trailhead" in this area. So who knows. Hopefully Saturdays snow is minimal so I can get up there and pick it up.

ANd yeah, the temps killed our snow this weekend, mostly cause it was so light and fluffy, it compacted quickly and melted in a flash. Oh well, next time!

 

[PETCH]

The same thing happened to a friend of mine (CrazyBob) this past weekend. He was coming down Chocorua with me and noticed one of his Microspikes was missing. He traveled 10 minutes back up the trail and luckily found it.
When my spikes were new 2 years ago, they worked great. At the end of last year and this year, I find the front end of the spikes shifting around alot. They're stretched out from use. I'm going to pick up a couple velcro straps to try to tighten them up.

Petch

nice report and pics!