Woke up to the sight of falling snow! Yes it was going to make it a wonderful hike. I quickly packed my bag and made sure Chris was ready to be picked up.
On the way over stopped and picked up the required beverage for the toast to passed loved ones. Was even asked if I was heading to Monadnock from another hiker. I guess the gaiters gave me away. Told him no, and told him of our 15 year tradition of hiking Watatic. "Cool, sure beats going to a football game" was his reply. Wished him a great Thanksgiving.
The driving was a little slow to the snow covered roads but made it to the trail head fine. I was a little disapointed when there was another car there. I really wanted to make "first tracks". We waited for a bit for my cousin, CraigW, to show up. The drive up from West Boylston was a little slow for him. But he arrived safe and that was another thing to give thanks for. Two inches of the white stuff.
We headed up via the Blueberry Legde Trail (Midstate) The footing in a few spots was slick do to snow covered ice. But then again ever slip brought out laughs and smiles. Stabilizers would of prevented this but we all bare booted. We even had a bigger laugh when Chris's wife checked in on him via cell phone.
At the summit there were a few areas where the snow drifted to 12-15 inches. The area around the summit cairn was almost bare from the wind. I took out some beers and passed them out. I appoligized for the cans with the quick comment "didn't want to wipe out and break a bottle in my pack" We had our traditional toast "To Gram, and all lost loved ones" and enjoyed a cold beer and the snow.
After 20 minutes or so at the top we headed down over Nutting Hill. We were originally going to hike over to the MA/NH border but decided to head straight down. We some how managed not to break through any of the snow/ice covered puddles.
Arrived at the cars and had to brush off anothe 2 inches of snow, wished CraigW a great Thanksgiving and headed to Chris's house for a great turkey dinner.
I hope everyone on VFTT had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving, -brianW
On the way over stopped and picked up the required beverage for the toast to passed loved ones. Was even asked if I was heading to Monadnock from another hiker. I guess the gaiters gave me away. Told him no, and told him of our 15 year tradition of hiking Watatic. "Cool, sure beats going to a football game" was his reply. Wished him a great Thanksgiving.
The driving was a little slow to the snow covered roads but made it to the trail head fine. I was a little disapointed when there was another car there. I really wanted to make "first tracks". We waited for a bit for my cousin, CraigW, to show up. The drive up from West Boylston was a little slow for him. But he arrived safe and that was another thing to give thanks for. Two inches of the white stuff.
We headed up via the Blueberry Legde Trail (Midstate) The footing in a few spots was slick do to snow covered ice. But then again ever slip brought out laughs and smiles. Stabilizers would of prevented this but we all bare booted. We even had a bigger laugh when Chris's wife checked in on him via cell phone.
At the summit there were a few areas where the snow drifted to 12-15 inches. The area around the summit cairn was almost bare from the wind. I took out some beers and passed them out. I appoligized for the cans with the quick comment "didn't want to wipe out and break a bottle in my pack" We had our traditional toast "To Gram, and all lost loved ones" and enjoyed a cold beer and the snow.
After 20 minutes or so at the top we headed down over Nutting Hill. We were originally going to hike over to the MA/NH border but decided to head straight down. We some how managed not to break through any of the snow/ice covered puddles.
Arrived at the cars and had to brush off anothe 2 inches of snow, wished CraigW a great Thanksgiving and headed to Chris's house for a great turkey dinner.
I hope everyone on VFTT had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving, -brianW
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