The Stoic Life of Cairns

[J&J]

I did a hike yesterday and walked a few sections of trail that have the best cairns in the Whites. In this trip report, I decided to just show pictures of cairns. Cairns are our watchdogs (showing us the way to go), our saviors (at times), our friends (some of them we've seen over and over again). Cairns are good stuff.

Overlooking Mt. Monroe.

Watching Washington.

I wonder where they're marching off too?

Another group on the march. Apparently there is a gathering of cairns somewhere.

Another group on the march.

A trio of cairns.

Keeping watch over Tuckerman's.

Defending the north side.

Keeping us safe.

 

[David Metsky]

I wonder where they're marching off too?

Exterminate! Exterminate!

 

[Stan]

A very controlled trail because of a resident caribou herd. Mont Jacques Cartier is on the Gaspe Peninsula and this trail is part of the IAT. An abundance of stone sentries here.

 

[wardsgirl]

What a lovely trip report!

Cairns! The unsung heroes of above treeline travels!

 

[erugs]

I love the one of the cairns marching along. Have always wanted to capture that but it has elluded me. Was surprised you didn't have the skull on Jefferson.

 

[Buffalo]

Don't forget, as a perch for wildlife!

 

[sdways01]

Also, a place to collect feathers.

 

[Chip]

... Cairns are our watchdogs (showing us the way to go), our saviors (at times) ...

Nice report and pics. Thanks. When I was 7 or 8 we took the Cog up and someone on the train said they thought the cairns were where people had died .
That stuck with me a long time as there were so many. I'm very happy that the truth is virtually the opposite.

 

[Chip]

My humble offering:

 

[Puck]

Now a topic near and dear to alpine trail adoptors' hearts...those little stones shoved into cairns as a calling card that a hiker has passed by. Or rogue cairns built as a hobby or past time.

 

[Lucky Laura]

Really nice, lighthearted thread, J&J! Your photos are beautiful.

 

[ADKnBVI]

Who?

Exterminate! Exterminate!

Dave, that was exactly what came into my mind, too! I think that makes us geeks.

J&J - beautiful photos!!

V--

 

[surf88]

Exterminate! Exterminate!

Haha I think that too everytime I see that line of Cairns. Especially in the winter.

Nice report I Love Cairns too Heres a shot I took of that area from above.

 

[Driver8]

I did a hike yesterday and walked a few sections of trail that have the best cairns in the Whites. In this trip report, I decided to just show pictures of cairns. Cairns are our watchdogs (showing us the way to go), our saviors (at times), our friends (some of them we've seen over and over again). Cairns are good stuff.

Love this. Very imaginative and fun.

A couple I can add:

A welcoming committee at the summit -

Friendly guides as we climb and descend:

Someone to enjoy the view with:

 

[Fisher Cat]

When I worked on the Alpine Garden Trail years ago I had to rebuild quite a few. It took extra hauling, extra walking, extra lugging, but it wasn't complete until I topped off each of the ones I did with a hunk of white quartz. Gotta have your own touch.

Nice TR.