Winter Gathering 8.5 a success!

[audrey]

I'll get the ball rolling with my impressions of a crazy-weather weekend. Pat and I wimped out and stayed in Kingfield while others camped in go's huge backyard and spent some time chasing airborne tents, skating (with some crashes) to the Porta-Potty's, and braving rain,snow, wind, ice, and everything else Mother Nature bestowed on us.

First, thanks to the Oswalds for their hospitality. They saved us from some true misery. The Brokedown Palace was much more a palace and not a bit brokedown.

A few of us spent Friday at Sugarloaf, which was groomed as well as could be with such a scarcity of new snow. Most of us got in some practice at self-arrest while continuing to look quite cheerful.

Saturday: rain! Some major hikes were undertaken, successfully. Ours was an out and back on the AT to almost Cranberry Pond from Rte 27. Coldfeet was amazed at the number of blowdowns we encountered. He's got to spend more time in Maine!

Saturday night's potluck was subdued, in part thanks to the Patriots, and quite a few people were off to bed around 10:30.

Sunday: the temperature had fallen from around 37 degrees to near zero overnight. It was snowing heavily at 8 am, and the wind was brutal. I'll leave it to the sufferers to tell about their tent adventures. Most of us set out for Caribou Valley in 3 separate groups. bagging Redington was not to be, though. Although it stopped snowing early on, the wind continued, and nobody went beyond the T-junction at Caribou Pond. I've seldom skied almost 8 miles without hardly stopping!

Sunday afternoon was devoted to sipping wine and good conversation, enhanced in part by loss of power to the Palace: the candles were lit and some of us who recall the 60's and 70's felt at home, sitting on the floor and talking about whatever came into our heads.

Thanks everyone, it was a fine time! And we missed those of you who couldn't/wouldn't come. The weekend was truly a testimonial to all of us who can have a great time no matter what!

 

[sli74]

Oh man, I pouted around the apartment most of the weekend, whining every chance I got about sitting at home instead of being in Maine. It sounds like a truly awesome time and I hope someday I will get to visit the oswald palace. Glad everyone survived and Thanks Audrey for starting off the trip reports, I have been waiting to read all about what I missed.

sli74

 

[prino]

Thanks for the report Audrey...sorry I couldn't be there. You certainly had a lot of challenging conditions to to contend with.

 

[bogorchis]

Winter Gathering 8.5

Sounds as if a good time was had by all, in spite of the weather! That part of Maine in the winter is gorgeous! Good for you for getting out in all those various weather conditions!

 

[Artex]

Nice report Audrey! I feel like such a frickin' wuss for not going. I'm trying to tell myself that it was worth it, as I had plenty of time nurse my bum ankle.

Hope everyone had fun and look forward to the reports.

 

[David Metsky]

I was up at Jay, lift skiing on Sunday and backcountry on Monday, and I was thinking about you folks up in Maine. It was brutal by us, temps rarely made it above 0 and the winds were killer.

But no bugs.

-dave-

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Not much to add. I arrived Friday night, with crazyMama. we set up our tents, went to supper at <forget>, then came back and everyone sat around the campfire drinking <forget>.

I had brought my old dome tent, which I only use in the desert and winter, because it leaks...... You know, places it doesn't rain...... I don't know how many times I woke up in the middle of the night with a big splat of rain hitting me on the face. At least I didn't oversleep.

Got up sat morning, and the rain had turned everything is realy slick ice. Then frodo came walking up the driveway, wearing crampons. He needed them from his car half a mile away. So I was talking, and there was a gang going to <forget>, and I said, "Why not.", because it seemed like everyone else was 'Pulling a shizzy."... whatever that is.... but I'm not into that kinky stuff, so I figured I'd be best to go on a hike.

So we went to <forget> where we met <forget>, and we started walking along a road... It was to be a long walk along a road, and after a while some said, "What happens if we walk 5 miles, and the it sucks so we have to go back. How about we go to <forget> and climb <forget>.

So we got back in the car, and drove to the other place, where we got out of the car, and started walking in the rain on a road. Then we went on a trail, where the snow was slush, and the slush was water, and climbed to the top of <forget>. We only stayed there for a minute, because it was raining, and then we went to North <forget>. After that, we went back to the first peak, in order to get down. We got down, and went back to GO's where I ate a big bowl of <forget> and <forget>, and drank lots of <forget>.

I don't remember what happened next, but during the night, the wind picked up, and tents started moving around, even with people in them. Then in the morning, I got up, and tied a bunch of logs to my tent to hold it down, but the tent full of gear, with all the logs tied to it, still blew around, so I waited until it got to where I couldn't see it, and convinced myself that it was no longer moving .... after all, I didn't SEE it moving.... so I could go skiing so someplace.

I skied using Sherpa's skis, and my feet, and we went to where a lot of people went, but nobody got there, because everyone was into having a good time, not trying to produce freeze-dried faces, so we went back and sat around, then we ate, then we sat around. And some of us were drinking something throughout.

Oh and Shizzy's burgers were great... actually, I assume they were great. I can only comment on the one I ate, and I did not take a tast of everyone's burger, so I cannot honestly say they were great. Just that mine was great.

And then the lights came on, but we turned them off again, because everyone shut up when the lights came on. And then I don't remember what happened, but after that, everyone started singing. Sherpa was pretty good at making up new verses to old songs. INteresting how many people at that place knew how to play a guitar.

Anyway, after that, I guess everyone slept, but again, I can't say for sure, because I was asleep. For all I know, they could have been chanting Hare-Chrishna in circles outside, but I doubt it, because it was cold and windy, but who knows... people do strange things at places like that.

OK, so that's my report. Sorry I don't remember too much, but the one thing I do remember, is that GO was a fantastic host, and I can'T thank him enough for all he did.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Hmm, a few more observations (that I didn't put in on the "wuss" thread )

1) Sunday River on a sunny day rocks.
2) Spending an extra 15 minutes thinking through tent location and peg placement really pays off when the weather changes
3) So many tents moved that I had trouble finding mine, which stared looking like a sentinel (ok, I'm gloating - mine didn't budge an inch)
4) There were many new faces to me - all of which were smiling most of the weekend, and adding to the fun.
5) There were many old faces (see 4 above for explanation)
6) Nate (Gris's son) defined "cold" as 42F. That was the temp in my cabin when he covered himself with a sleeping bag and refused to show his face (he slept in the chair without moving). Interesting how the next day we had to drag him OFF the slopes!
7) VFTT members are a tough and hardy bunch. Nothing throws them.
8) Abster will listen next time we give her driving directions
9) MichaelJ has amazing recuperative powers. Scene 1:
***MichaelJ enters room in obvious discomfort***
SK: "MichaelJ, what happened to you?
MJ: "I fell"
SK: "on what?"
MJ: "The ice"
SK: "No, I mean your butt, your face...?"
MJ: "My butt"
***Pan to abster coming in front door***
abster: "A tree jumped in front of my car, and I'm stuck"
SK (see #8 above)
ALL: "ok, hold on, we'll push you out."
***scene change - pan out to GO's SUV driving down the road with Pete Hickey and SK in the back, as MichaelJ, completely cured runs behind...
10) Covering 60 degrees in a weekend is an interesting test of your layering system.
11) It has rained at every Gathering that I have attended - but one. On that one it was -39F in Saranac (10 miles away)

Most of all, GO and VO are simply fantastic human beings for putting us up in their little slice of heaven. I am so lucky to know them, and hope that I can repay them for their kindness. I had a blast!

 

[kmac]

gathering 8.5

Thanks for the TR. I couldn't make it this year, perhaps next time. It sounds like a good time with good people!! : )
kmac

 

[HAMTERO]

Pete Hickey's post made me laugh! What a good time!

 

[MichaelJ]

The MichaelJ point of view...

Well, for me the Gathering started Friday morning when I met up with King Tut, Audrey, Pat, and DougPaul at Sugarloaf. Conditions were scratchy but under the warm sun and perfectly blue skies the snow quickly decided it was April, not January, and the trails softened to a wonderful granular that made for a fantastic morning of skiing the west side of the mountain. Tote Road and Kings Landing (which I stuck perfectly the first time I did it) were in fine shape, as was Lower Timberline. Glancer was an ungroomed icebox, and Scoot wasn't particularly nice. As always, it was a pleasure watching the tele skiers (Pat, Audrey, Doug) making their sweeping turns down the slopes.

We did some odd crosscutting and got to one of the chairs to take Tote Road down from its top, not far from the summit. That was a beautiful ride with exquisite views. I waved to the folks on the Bigelows. We then made our way over to Bullwinkles to grab lunch, where we coincidentally met up with GO and Coldfeet on their way down having hiked to the summit. Food and ale were enjoyed on the sunny deck.

Along the way, I decided I was ready for my first black diamond: Hayburner. I made it down. On my stomach. Thankfully having grabbed my loose ski before it got out of reach. I know what I did wrong; hopefully next time I'll be able to correct it.

We lasted until around 2:30. It doesn't sound like a lot but there were no lift lines at all so we just skied, rode up, skied, rode up, and when my legs could no longer get me down Kings Landing I knew I was done. From there we all went our separate ways; I headed to GO's to set up my tent in what I believed to be a high spot, safe from the impending rain. It was then that I discovered that one of the poles was actually the wrong one. Out came the handyman's secret weapon, and by sacrificing my vestibule, I combined two poles with duct tape and had a stable, safe, dry tent for the weekend.

Friday night saw a number of groups eating out at the Rack, formerly known as Theos, at the head of the Sugarloaf access road. Afterward, GO set up a great bonfire and we enjoyed bare feet, wine, good company, amusing attempts at sledding, and a low volume until past midnight.

Sometime in the night the rain came. It was loud. Yea, verily, was it loud. I was grateful for my p bottle.

Saturday morning we took over the Woodsman for breakfast, then split up as some folks went to hike in the rain while others just hung out. After lunch came cribbage, backgammon, many different pots of chili, comfortable couches, football on tv, and unending thanks to GO for providing us with a warm, dry place to be.

The temps plummeted overnight and as the rain changed to snow the wind wound up like a freight train. It was so preternatural to hear it roaring in the distance then through the trees then jostling around the tent. I had a little bit of a spindrift issue but otherwise stayed cozy and dry.

In the subzero windchills on Sunday I went up with Abster, DougPaul, MEB, Yam, Mad Townie, and a few others to ski Caribou Valley Road. We all found that the T junction at the pond was far enough, given the temperatures.

Back at the house, I managed to slip on the ice and slam the side of my hip into the ground, jostling me hard enough to cause a headache. At that point I decided it was time to go, and after imbibing significant amounts of caffeine on I-95, made it safely home. (I had originally intended to only go to Farmington for the night but my cell phone ran out of charge, I couldn't find the charger, and so I couldn't call to have my cats fed for the night) As for running down the road, Sherpa, someone had to supervise you guys. If it's any consolation, I could barely walk today.

I can't even begin to enumerate all the things to thank GO & VO for. Their hosting was beyond generous, and given the weather really made what would have been a miserable disaster into an incredibly fun time. Thank you!

It was a delight to see so many familiar faces and to meet a new one. Spencer, get some cribbage practice in, and we'll kick their butts next time. BoB, you have a future in sled-surfing. Mary Ellen, good luck competing with Pete Hickey for barest winter feet. Mad Townie, thanks for chauffering us around. Sherpa, it wouldn't be the same without you picking on me. Abster, let's find you snow tires. Teejay, let's find all the things you dropped. Everyone, let's do it all again!!!

I have a few pics from Friday here.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Pete Hickey's post made me laugh!

Well, that's because you were there and remember what I forgot. You remember me not remembering where we were! (I kept saying, what's the name of the mountain?)

I looked at my camera, and found out there were some pictures on it, but I don't remember taking any. The first one looks like breakfast under the roof under the rain.

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/gather1.jpg

I think this is a friend of pin-pin. You should have seen how much beer that thing drank the night before. Amazing that he's standing in this picture.

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/gather2.jpg

I can't explain this one. It almost looks like we were inside, not outside camping in the wind and rain.

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/gather3.jpg

 

[Jay H]

Sounds fun, glad everybody had a safe and a good party. I miss Shizzmac's burgers. We must find a way to get that grill of his out to Mt Hood/Shasta. Better start training Shawn!

Was thinking of all of you on saturday while I was on KHP, wondering if you guys were getting 52degree temps and slight rain showers or what...

Jay

 

[MichaelJ]

Hey Pete!

Let's see how well I remember what you did, especially for the parts during which I wasn't with you...

The Rack
Beer, the Doctor and red wine
The access road to Chain of Ponds Snow
Hamtero & Suebiscuit
Caribou Valley Road
The Crockers
South Crocker
Crocker
Chili
Jalapeño cornbread
Beer
(Caribou Valley Road up to Caribou Pond and back; not to Redington)

 

[Pete_Hickey]

MichealJ,

You remember things I did, better than I do. That's scarey.... gotta see if I can get a refund on this brain I was given.

 

[SherpaKroto]

MichealJ,

You remember things I did, better than I do. That's scarey.... gotta see if I can get a refund on this brain I was given.

Pete,
You should have no trouble returning it. From where I sit, it is clearly defective. To sweeten the pot, I'll throw mine in too. That should convince them!

I remember another thing: Woodman's. I tried to order French Toast and the owner refused to serve them to me. She said she sells "Freedom Toast", not French Toast. I told her that I'm French and would like French Toast. She then said that she hates the French. I asked her if I should leave now. She didn't reply . I ordered Belgian waffles, but held back in asking her if she had any issues with the Belgians! The Belgian Waffles, which were to come with Strawberries came instead with Strawberry Jam...

In all this, I totally forgot to thank Spencer for organizing this Gathering. A Gathering's success is never dumb luck, and in no small part dependent on a fair amount of work behind the scenes. Thank you and Joanna for making this happen! As I drove by Cupsuptic CG with Gris yesterday, we were both happy that you organized it where you did. I'll plan the summer shindig so that it happens after the nuptial festivities have quieted It will be great to give back a bit to everyone!

 

[Abster]

Great weekend! Nice to meet so many new people and some definite characters!

Fri night: Great bonfire and late night sledding! Set-up my little one-person tent on a bit of a slope, which was good for drainage, but I did a lot of sliding toward the bottom. Having 2 tarps saved me although the top one was VERY loud in the weather. Stayed dry despite the rain early Sat morning.

Sat: Cozy breakfast at the Woodman. Most of the day was cribbage, food and drink, good music mixes from Gris and lots of fun conversation. I am in awe of the few strong-willed that actually went hiking that day! I am also in awe of the strong-stomached who woke up and had a breakfast beer and burger!

Sat night: Slept little with the noise from my tarp and the predator-like wind

Sun: Finally hitting the trail!! So great to get on x-country skies and glide along for a few hours

Sun afternoon: Attempt at heading home: Got stuck in the parking lot…not much of an exit. Drove down the driveway a bit and part of a rotting tree came down in front of my car, so I HAD to swerve (not just female driving SK!), found some nice, strong men to push me out AGAIN. An hour from home (4 hrs later) my headlights began to fade, then all other electrical things faded…..I barely made it off 91 at the Bradford, VT exit and drove with no headlights to a Mobil station. It was 8:30pm and 0 degrees. After calling AAA and about to get towed, I saw a mouse running over a bag in my car

Spent the night in a motel, was asked to dinner by the tow truck driver (declined), drank some red wine, had a cold bagel and went to bed. Monday, $400 later, I finally made it home!!

Still have a mouse on the loose

 

[Gris]

My impressions...

A heartfelt thanks to GO/VO for sharing their little slice of heaven w/ everyone. Do i see a 2007 fall mini-gathering occurring at the "viewpoint campsite...?

Same to Spence-r & Joanna for organizing & just being their typical warm selves...

What better feeling upon arrival than to have your first sight be Hermanito's (Shizz) smiling face!

Lucky me for getting to meet Audrey & Pat, two very special people - who else would be so quick to agree to turn the power/lights back OFF!

A whopping thanks to my new friend DougPaul, who not only knows a whole lot, but is a GREAT teacher w/ unlimited patience!

Nice to meet all the other new faces as well. It's easy to see why these "Gatherings" are special...

Yes, i promise i will stay sober later & gather up some "campfire-appropriate sing-alongs" befo next time, perhaps even write an SK out of body song, maybe a duet w/ Pete entitled, "Fall Harvest/Gathering of the Nuts..."

A very, very special thanks to my pal SK for showing me his sublime boyhood haunts, finishing in Berlin 2 hours before we needed to be at MHT airport...

Oh yeah, embarassing pics held in reserve, possibly to follow (if needed)...

 

[SherpaKroto]

A very, very special thanks to my pal SK for showing me his sublime boyhood haunts, finishing in Berlin 2 hours before we needed to be at MHT airport...

Gris neglected to mention that we were at the appointed place precisely at the originally designated time. Ok, 10 minutes late...

Besides, we DID see a herd of deer. As promised. And also ate at the famed Northland Dairy Bar!

 

[Mad Townie]

Many, many people deserve thanks, but none so much as go and vo, for your wonderful hospitality and good cheer. It is such a pleasure to have shared in your generosity! Spencer and Joanna (is that how you spell it?) did a great job with the organizing, too. (Spencer, do you need to talk to me about something, as I asked you to do if necessary? Just let me know.)

[BRAG] I pitched my tent Friday morning in the middle of the lawn, exposed to the worst of the winds, with the BEST view of Sugarloaf etc. from my front door--and that Sierra Designs tent did not move an inch the whole weekend, even without logs to weigh it down! [/BRAG]

Friday was a great, warm hike up the Bigelows with Shizzmac, JohnS, Arm, skimom and MEB. Any of you who have hiked with me in the past will find it hard to believe that I beat Arm, skimom and MEB to the West Peak of Bigelow, but it's really true!

As usual, we came out in the dark, but there was so much ambient light that I made it the whole way down without using my headlamp. What a great feeling to be walking along just trying to sense the subtleties of the surface, only occasionally assisted by the moonlight! Helped to have MEB in the lead, smart enough to use her lamp so we wouldn't find ourselves going the wrong way at any blowdowns! (Now who does that sound like?) Of course, once we hit the Stratton Brook Pond Road we were off to see the wizard! Stopped in to the Rack just in case there were some VFTTers still there, and saw LOTS of us! It made for a great dinner.

Saturday was a good day for expeditions. While some took an expedition to Cranberry Peak and some to the Crockers, some of us did the breakfast expedition to the Woodsman's. Not being sufficiently challenged by that, Abster and MichaelJ and I later did the lunch expedition to the little bakery in town. Good views, and we got to watch the rain come down, too. Ate just enough to train for the pot luck later that evening, which featured infinite varieties of chili, all of them excellent. Unfortunately, the Farmington Movie Epic never really got off the ground.

We won't talk about the Pats. We also won't talk about cribbage unless SherpaK and MEB stop trying to insist that one measly double skunk equals Abster's and my stupendous winning streak. Oh, and I probably shouldn't mention backgammon beginners either.

Saturday night was rain changing to snow as I snored away in my little tent. Sunday was a perfect day for XC skiing in Maine: nice fresh snow on the surfact and temps in the single numbers ABOVE zero!

Sunday night was Shizzy's Burgers, followed by Pete Hickey's original songs and various attempts at singalongs for which we couldn't remember the words. Don't think it had anything to do with those bottles on the coffee table, though, did it? BTW, don't ever let SherpaK or Gris tell you they don't play guitar!

Most of all, the company of the hardiest of the Viewers from the Top was, as always, wonderful! (sniff) I really love you guys! (sniff) No matter who does what, it seems that we all always have a great time. I've never seen a more helpful, cooperative and friendly group of people. So thank you all for a GREAT WEEKEND!!!!! And let me end the way I began: go and vo, you folks are the greatest!