August 17, 2008
Today is a big day, especially for the dynamic father-daughter duo, Ron and Catherine. They will both be completing the White Mountains 4000 footers today. They had planned to do it last week, but postponed it because of the weather. It worked out well for me since I was on-call at work last week and would not have been able to come. It's a family event for them. Also along were Catherine's husband Alden, her daughter Charlotte, and her mom Mary.
Not to steal the spotlight from Ron and Catherine, but this is a big day for Ed Hawkins as well. Just when you think he can't possibly reach another hiking milestone, he does. This will make his 3000th 4000 footer. There was quite a group of us at the parking lot. I had trouble finding a spot to park.
Also along today were some others that I've hiked with before such as Jim Towle, Ed Watson, and Ken. I also got to meet Keith, a hiker who has been following along on my website. I also met Sharon and Helen with her dog Ozzie. There were several more in the group, but I wasn't able to learn everyone's names. Also Dave and Audrey Langley showed up with their beautiful golden retrievers Kody and Herman. Unfortunately, since they had their dogs and this was a large group they decided to go do another hike. We missed having them, but still had plenty of fun.
"OK," said Ed. "Your finishing today so you can lead the way.
"Where's the trail?" replied Ron.
"Oh that's right. You've never been here," said Ed while pointing the way.
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The first 1.7 miles was an easy walk in the woods. I got to chat and get to know Sharon a little bit. She said she completed the 4s when she was 21. She acted like it was a long time ago, but she looks young. I decided to play it safe and not ask how long it had been. When we reached the trail junction with the Carrigain Notch Trail we took a break. Jim joked that the hard part was done. Actually, the easy part was done with a long, tough climb ahead.
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I told Catherine she deserved extra credit. I doubt anyone has finished the 4s while carrying a baby to the top. She really, really deserves extra credit since she climbed 17 of the 4s while pregnant. (That's one hiking accomplishment that not even Ed can top.)
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Crossing Carrigain Brook
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Up, up, up, up we went. The climb up to Carrigain is always longer than I remember.
We finally came out onto Signal Ridge.
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We took a break here as we waited to regroup.
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Keith took my picture with Mount Lowell behind me.
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Catherine and Charlotte reach Signal Ridge.
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One more push onto the summit. We went back into the trees for a while before making our way to the 4700' summit of Carrigain where Ron and Catherine completed the 48 and Ed bagged #3000.
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Ron and Catherine bought each other 4000-footer shirts. They carried each others shirts to the top where they exchanged them.
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I went up the tower where I got a great view of the Pemi Wilderness. I was kidding with my wife last night that this was my mountain. Some mountains I have climbed again and again and have been robbed of the view because of the weather. This was my 3rd time on Carrigain and I've had a great view each time.
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Looking down to Signal ridge.
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I was up for something new, so I decided to leave the group and take the long way down.
Off I go into the Pemi.
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I started off on the Desolation Trail . . .
. . . which was steep and rocky.
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I had a nice walk through the wilderness on the Carrigain Notch Trail
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With all the rain we've had I was surprised to find this dry river bed.
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This route added 3.5 miles to my trip, but I managed to catch up to the group at the junction with the Signal Ridge Trail. It was another 1.7 miles back to the parking lot. By now, even Ozzie was a ready for a nap, or should I call him Oz-z-z-z-z-ie.
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Although we celebrated on the summit, now that everyone made it back down it was actually official. Ron and Catherine completed their 4s and Ed his 3000th. We had a tailgate party where I shared a watermelon. I joked that I had carried it to the top, but had forgotten to take it out of my pack. What an awesome day we had !!!
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Congratulations to Ron, Catherine, and Ed!
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