Waumbek - 6/18/05

[David Metsky]

I'm firmly convinced that Waumbek, in the Abenaki language, means "Backup Hike". Seems like everyone who had hikes scheduled for Saturday ended up with us on Waumbek instead. We were with an AMC group that had planned a hike up Jefferson but the rain in the morning made that an unappealing option. Waumbek, entirely below treeline, nearby, and with few views, made a good choice.

We started up the trail around 9:00 from the nearly full parking lot. The rain was steady most of the way up, gradually diminishing by the summit of Starr King. We met another AMC group from the NH chapter along the way who had also planned a Jefferson, Clay, and Washington trip but had also retargeted. The trip from Starr King to Waumbek was quite pleasant, and at the summit the rain had pretty much stopped and there were slight signs of sun.

That didn't last very long. After eating our lunch and avoiding the pile of moose poop right next to the summit cairn it started raining again, quite hard. We booked back to Starr King and by then everyone was soaked so worrying about the weather really didn't matter much. On the way down things cleared up a bit, and it was partly sunny at the now overflowing trailhead. We headed back to the cabin and the rain started again, so no one had any illusions about our missed opportunity on Jefferson.

I took approximately 5 pictures all day, nothing much to see and raining too hard to pull out my camera. But nearly everyone got a new 4000'er and we all had fun.

-dave-

 

[SherpaKroto]

Dave,
Nope, there were a few of us crazies out there up high. SwampYankee completed a full traverse, including Jackson and Webster, JayH a full traverse with all summits to Crawford as did Arm and SkiMom following in his footsteps with a later start. Guinness, TMax, Daxs, Giggy, Meri and I made it as far as Lakes from Appalachia hitting Madison, Adams, Jefferson, and Clay along the way. When early signs of hypothermia were seen, it was time to call it a day, taking a leisurely slide down the Ammo. JohnS was out testing his knee and returned via Valleyway after a successful day. Jean and Nat did Madison and Adams but had to return after Jean had a nasty spill on Adams, badly cutting his hand. Marco and Yvonne followed along with us, skipping all the summits but Jefferson where they went up to greet Donna as she completed her 48 (Congrats Donna!). Now HarryK, he spent the day shopping in North Conway (and will never live that one down!)

The bright spot of the day was meeting up with Donna on Jefferson summit where we got our only hint that the sun was still shining - look at the view!

So, Dave, I may be crazy , but it seems that the wonderful world of VFTT has many of my kin Now Seema, Blue and MtnTop, on the other hand, seem to be a lot smarter than us. They were on a traverse yesterday

All was not lost though - I did get to moon the cog again!

 

[David Metsky]

We were thinking of you guys all day. I was sure you'd find something less exciting, but Brenda reminded me of the Pemi Traverse we did a few years back in similar weather. You guys are glorious, foolish adventurers, and we all celebrate your insanity. With that kind of dedication, Ranier is in the bag.

-dave-

 

[SherpaKroto]

Dave, Thanks for the kind words, but as we both know, nothing is in the bag until you crack open the beer! After this hike, we are feeling pretty good about our chances. We all did about as well as we could have hoped for: no whining , and all finished real strong. (Well, there was a bit of whining: some wanted to continue , but the prudent thing at that point was to head down as it was not getting any better.) I am thrilled to be on this expedition!

I just found out that Seema (I'm starting to figure out that she is way smarter than me) finished her traverse last night (no, she did NOT start with us - she waited for the good weather day). The way I look at it, I'd rather have lousy weather now to build character than have it out on Rainier. Next stop on the Sherpa training tour: The Traveler! I'm off to BSP this Thursday!

 

[Double Bow]

Holy Cow! How many of us were out in the Killkenny Range this weekend!?!?! At least my AMC trip was PLANNED to be there!

 

[Mike P.]

Agree Dave Waumbek must mean back up hike, do you have any pictures from Starr King on a good day? I've been three times & I've only seen the base of the Northern Presidentials as the tops were getting hammered.

People from our office attempted an afternoon trip up Washington Saturday & managed to just get up to the hut?

Glad Seema got down okay last night

 

[sapblatt]

Waumbek

I am doing Waumbek on this upcoming Friday...should I assume that this means it will be raining?

 

[Seeker]

Dear Dave,

I told you so.

Brenda

 

[David Metsky]

I told you so.

I have no idea why I ever doubt you.

-dave-

 

[SherpaKroto]

I have no idea why I ever doubt you.

-dave-

Or me.....

 

[David Metsky]

Or me.....

No, I know why I doubt you.

-dave-

 

[Mike P.]

Hopefully not raining in VT, Mansfield is really no place to be in bad weather, I've been there before in it; which I'm sure no one who knows my record will doubt.

 

[Pennsy]

Holy Cow! How many of us were out in the Killkenny Range this weekend!?!?! At least my AMC trip was PLANNED to be there!

Artex, Abster, and myself were on the Range, AND it was planned.
When we started, we figured we would see zero people on a rainy Saturday, but expected to see a bunch on Sunday. We saw 15 people on a dreary Saturday, including 10(?) in one group coming down from Cabot. Was that your group, Double Bow? On a beautiful Sunday, we saw only 2 people. Go figure.

 

[Double Bow]

Probably was us! Was it on the Unknown Pond trail that you saw the group?

 

[Pennsy]

Yep, that was us. Your group was heading down from Cabot and we were heading up. I was the one ready to pass out from trying to keep up with Artex. I still can't believe we didn't at least smell the moose carcass.

 

[Double Bow]

Yep, that was us. Your group was heading down from Cabot and we were heading up. I was the one ready to pass out from trying to keep up with Artex. I still can't believe we didn't at least smell the moose carcass.

Consider yourself lucky that you missed it! If we were coming down Unknown Pond, then it was raining and I was wearing a green raincoat and my almost-ever-present "Life is Good" hat, though I may have had my hood on!

PS Hold on to your seat, it looks like a fabulous weekend! I'm lookin' to severely kick my own butt the weekend starting tomorrow. 'Course Monday's trip reports will show how successful I am!

 

[Artex]

Nice to have met you unknowingly, Double Bow.