Although we began and ended our Rangeley Whacking Weekend in the rain, it was, as Neighbor Dave explains it, a "warm wet". With the help of gortex, dry humor, heated discussions over our itineraries and best bushwhacking routes, plus good fellowship, we all stayed comfortable and enjoyed our two whacks despite the conditions.
Day #1 found us driving up the Burnt Mt Rd and the logging road along the East Branch of the Cupsuptic River to Twin Mts and Bull Mt. After a tricky stream crossing on the ascent, our route over SW(3469') and NE(3536') Twin was staightforward except for some minor thickness in the col. Naturally, on our return route we found a deteriorating, but still servicable log bridge across the river, just upstream from our original crossing. Part of the SW peak had been cleared as part of the Redington/Black Nubble wind power project and was still littered with the remains of test towers. Buoyed by our spot-on navigating and easy travel we were set for a "quick" jaunt up Bull (3136'). How can a peak that's just across the road can be so different in character?? The slabbing ascent up to the Snow/Bull col became inceasingly dense and led to a thick plateau with multiple prominences; we were fortunate to find the register without the usual cursing and retracing often required on such summits. Descending the steeper southern face to the car, we hurdled multiple 8-12' deep, ice-filled , whacker-eating fissures in the granite to conclude the loop on an exhilarating note.
On Day #2 we whacked the summits of NW Spotted Mt (3010') and N Spotted Mt (also 3010'), which, despite their lower elevations than day one's peaks, had more expansive views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. This loop was literally a "walk in the park" starting from the Flatiron Pond Rd, off the Kennebago River Rd.
The canisters on each of this weekend's summits needed maintenance: broken jars were replaced, the fallen rehung; new logbooks installed where necessary with new ziplock pouches replacing those originals deteriorated by UV. We all hope this 3000 footer-whacking sport will continue to be enjoyed by all those who follow us.
Special thanks to: Onestep, Neighbor Dave and Pigpen for their good company; the Maine Roadhouse for excellent and inexpensive accomodations (plus the offer to tow us out if we got stuck on a muddy logging road); and the Seven Island Land Co for graciously allowing us acess to their property.
Day #1 found us driving up the Burnt Mt Rd and the logging road along the East Branch of the Cupsuptic River to Twin Mts and Bull Mt. After a tricky stream crossing on the ascent, our route over SW(3469') and NE(3536') Twin was staightforward except for some minor thickness in the col. Naturally, on our return route we found a deteriorating, but still servicable log bridge across the river, just upstream from our original crossing. Part of the SW peak had been cleared as part of the Redington/Black Nubble wind power project and was still littered with the remains of test towers. Buoyed by our spot-on navigating and easy travel we were set for a "quick" jaunt up Bull (3136'). How can a peak that's just across the road can be so different in character?? The slabbing ascent up to the Snow/Bull col became inceasingly dense and led to a thick plateau with multiple prominences; we were fortunate to find the register without the usual cursing and retracing often required on such summits. Descending the steeper southern face to the car, we hurdled multiple 8-12' deep, ice-filled , whacker-eating fissures in the granite to conclude the loop on an exhilarating note.
On Day #2 we whacked the summits of NW Spotted Mt (3010') and N Spotted Mt (also 3010'), which, despite their lower elevations than day one's peaks, had more expansive views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. This loop was literally a "walk in the park" starting from the Flatiron Pond Rd, off the Kennebago River Rd.
The canisters on each of this weekend's summits needed maintenance: broken jars were replaced, the fallen rehung; new logbooks installed where necessary with new ziplock pouches replacing those originals deteriorated by UV. We all hope this 3000 footer-whacking sport will continue to be enjoyed by all those who follow us.
Special thanks to: Onestep, Neighbor Dave and Pigpen for their good company; the Maine Roadhouse for excellent and inexpensive accomodations (plus the offer to tow us out if we got stuck on a muddy logging road); and the Seven Island Land Co for graciously allowing us acess to their property.
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