http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/ Mount Washington Observatory community forums en Sat, 25 May 2013 08:17:11 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/ http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7546-Some-Healing-Hikes-5-18-amp-5-20-13&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 19:43:37 GMT *Pawtuckaway 5-18-13* Image: http://www.ghostflowers.com/forumshots/20130518-20130518-_DSC0002.jpg It was difficult, returning to Pawtuckaway, a... Pawtuckaway 5-18-13


It was difficult, returning to Pawtuckaway, a place we had hiked with Emma we estimated at least fifty times, a place she knew well. We had been out and about with friends and family, some who understood, and some who didn't that it would be hard for us to adjust to being just the two of us when for so long it had been three. We knew we eventually would have to go alone together to a place we had been with her, no matter how difficult it was to take those first few steps. Pawtuckaway had long been a favorite refuge, not too distant to return again and again, and always, at least for the last thirteen years, with Emma.


I think: Hairy Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum pubescens)

People have said, "They're your kids, it's like losing a child...", well, I've lost a child... it's not like losing a child. My mind and body went into such shock when I lost my son I couldn't see, couldn't hear... it was all still happening, but I was watching it from somewhere else, a dark place where there was no escape... I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep for I don't know how long, my mind could not fix on anything but my lifeless son. I felt nothing, and the nothingness I felt was my system's only defense, because if I had given in to the things I would feel I would have lost. I've lost my dog, I am intensely aware of my loss, my awareness of the full reality of what has happened is acute. My body and mind set up defense systems at the loss of my son, I do not seem to have them with the loss of my dog, I feel the full impact of what has happened now, whereas it was metered out to me over time with my son, a blessing... I am afraid Judy is experiencing much of what I felt, or didn't feel when I lost my son...


Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

We walked the first few steps together, holding hands, wiping tears and choking back sobs. Sorrow comes like a tidal wave. It comes in and washes up beyond its normal boundaries, it inundates all that was normal and had been stable for long periods of time, sucking it all into its gaping maw and vomiting it back in horrible disarray. The initial wave then recedes, but irreparable damage is already done and the waves continue to lash. As the storm weakens, and we begin to gain strength again, there are still large, unexpected waves that hit us long after the storm has departed. We get to the first viewpoint and embrace. We know this is where we belong, where she would want us to be, and where she would be with us if she could. The impact of the realization that she is no longer beside us but is now within us was overwhelming. Some people will get it, some won't...


Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule)

I'm sure some are thinking, "Get over it, move on..." We are, one slow step at a time, but each step is mired in the flotsam and jetsam the tidal wave spewed back on the shores of our lives. We are still picking through the wreckage to see what we can salvage and what we can take with us as we move on and start again...


Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Full set of pics HERE:



Mount Major 1786? and Straightback Mountain1840?

Boulder Trail/ Straightback Mountain Trail/ Brook Trail/Mount Major Trail

5 Miles 1200? Elevation gain

Kevin and Judy

It has been twenty days at this writing since our little girl took the trail we could not follow. I?d like to say it?s been getting easier, but it hasn?t. One drawback to retirement is having the time for the things we never had time for before, like grief. When you are working, raising kids, living in the prime of your life these things still happen, but the necessity of getting on with your life pushes things like grief to a backburner more quickly than when you have loads of time on your hands. With all this time you get to think, and when you get to think you begin to realize the full extent of your loss.


Red Spotted Newt Notophthalmus viridescens

With each new wave of grief you realize that things that have long been buried in the sand are being uncovered and washing up on the beach. Loss is a part of everyone?s lives, and everyone somehow manages to live through it, we will too, but it is not easy. We try to face the things we need to face, like returning to places we had always gone with Emma. Returning to Kingston State Park was hard, we took the neighbor?s dogs to distract us. They had walked there with Emma and with us many, many times. Emma was queen of the park, everyone knew her.


Low-bush Blueberry Vaccinium augustifolium

We returned to Pawtuckaway, another place we had been to innumerable times with her, it was difficult, we shed many tears that first hike without her. Mount Major was another one we had visited so many times with her. As we started up the Boulder Trail the burden of our loss was heavy. The dampness and the new spring leaves were beautiful, but bittersweet. We wished that she was with us, she would have loved it so. As we continued to hike we began to come across Red Spotted Newts, still in their beautiful, cute Eft form, growing big and strong to prepare for their return to the aquatic life they were meant for.



We distracted ourselves by counting them: One, two... ten, twelve... as we passed the steep part of the trail we spread out a little, exploring ledges we had passed by before. We found huge blueberry patches where fire had burned the woods years before, and lots more newts. We went off trail and over to a southwest hump of the hill, I found a bone field and pondered on who it was that was taking their final rest in this place... I?m not sure.


Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa

We continued up to the summit, crowded with a busload of kids. The remains of thick fog were still lifting off the big lake stretched out below us. I hoped that eventually our grief would lift like the fog and the sun would shine through again. We continued on towards Straightback, exploring more ledges we had not visited, eventually weaving our way back along the Brook Trail. At the junction to the trail that would lead us to Straightback I didn?t feel like going over, but I made myself.

Continued: ]]> White Mountain Hikes KD Talbot http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7546-Some-Healing-Hikes-5-18-amp-5-20-13 http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7545-The-Doubleheads-in-Jackson-NH-05-20-13-via-looping-Ski-Old-and-New-Paths&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 12:09:24 GMT Hi Everyone, My buddy, Alex, and I headed up to Jackson this past Monday to tackle the Doubleheads. I had heard they were steep, but really had... Hi Everyone,

My buddy, Alex, and I headed up to Jackson this past Monday to tackle the Doubleheads. I had heard they were steep, but really had not expected them to be as steep as they were. It was a tough hike in my opinion! Below is a link to my full trip report and pictures. Below are also some of my favorite pictures if you don't feel like heading over to the blog.

http://www.livefreeandhikenh.blogspo...od-friend.html


Hobblebush in full bloom. Someone told me or I read somewhere that the big flowers are merely there to attract bees to the small ones for pollination and that they were pretty much decoys. Very cool.


Purple Trillium


Toad!


Hobblebush Leaves


Purple Trillium


Doublehead Ski Cabin on North Doublehead


Fog rolling through the valley very quickly


Pine cones


Confusing directions!


Moats and Cathedral Ledge


Carter Notch


Poor trail conditions of the New Path. I was very disappointed as it was not maintained well at all and was not clearly marked. I fell, hurting myself, while searching for the trail on a few occasions.

Thanks ]]> White Mountain Hikes KSearl http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7545-The-Doubleheads-in-Jackson-NH-05-20-13-via-looping-Ski-Old-and-New-Paths http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7544-June-2013-Contest-How-many-days-above-55-degrees-for-a-high-temp&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 19:52:54 GMT Thanks to Moa for such a great idea on the May contest and also for coming up with the May contest, I'm going to change it up a little bit for June. This month you will need to guess on how many days the high temperature will be above 55 degrees. Rules are pretty much the same as they have been:

1. One submission per forum ID
2. There can be no duplicates. First person to submit a particular number will own that guess.
3. If the proper answer is not selected by anyone, the winner will be the closest guess, without going over, according to the
F6 report.
4. The official source of data is the Daily F6 as published on the Observatory's web site.
5. Anyone & everyone will be allowed to enter.
6. Most of all... Have Fun!!!

Good luck everyone with contest! ]]> Weather tdb1977 http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7544-June-2013-Contest-How-many-days-above-55-degrees-for-a-high-temp http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7543-Security-Quesiton-for-first-time-hiker&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 15:49:41 GMT Will be going to NH next weekend for the first time. 1) How is security up there? Is it safe to make a tent, leave tent/sleeping stuff inside and... Will be going to NH next weekend for the first time.

1) How is security up there? Is it safe to make a tent, leave tent/sleeping stuff inside and hike to the top lightweight?

2) Are lean-ins semi-private or are they shared among large groups? DO people reserve lean-ins before camp site? I'd prefer not to drag tent along if I don't have to.

3) Do people hike to the top with their full gear or is it better to leave stuff in the car (or tent, as asked in question #1)), hike and come back at night to grab sleeping gear?

Thanks ]]> General Discussion verysimple http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7543-Security-Quesiton-for-first-time-hiker http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7542-1st-timer-hiker-security-question&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 15:17:15 GMT Planning to ride up to NH next weekend. couple newbie questions 1) What are the recommendations for security while camping? Is it safe to leave... Planning to ride up to NH next weekend.

couple newbie questions
1) What are the recommendations for security while camping? Is it safe to leave tent/sleeping gear and proceed to the top lightweight? Any storage/lockers available? Or just leave heavy gear in the car, hike to the top, come back to the car and hike back up Tuckerman Ravine trail to establish tent/lean-in area?

2) Lean-ins - are those just public shelters for multiple people or those are semi-private? Also, do do those get reserved before tent sites? It would be nice not to have to lug tent around, if it would be known that lean-in area is available.

Thanks in advanced.. ]]> White Mountain Hikes verysimple http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7542-1st-timer-hiker-security-question http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7541-Emma-s-last-hike-Piper-Belknap-Gunstock-5-4-13&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 20:27:28 GMT Image: http://www.ghostflowers.com/forumshots/20130504-20130504-_DSC0058.jpg The kind of days we had together were always the kind you hoped...

The kind of days we had together were always the kind you hoped would last forever, that nothing would ever change and that we would all be together forever. When they were about to begin we did not know they were coming and when they were about to end we did not know they were ending. In between we had 13 and a half wonderful years together. Although the shock and pain are severe, in my mind sudden and without much warning is preferable to long and slow, lingering and withering as time slips away. In the end, she left us the way we all would have chosen if it must be, hiking and living life to the fullest right until the end.





We had known in our hearts that she was older and would eventually succumb to the only thing that could ever slow her down, the slow erosion of time. Time, which grinds even the mighty mountains down was the only thing she ever lost to in a fight, and she fought it right up until the end. After a clean bill of health in December of 2012, we had taken her for a full check up in April which included an ultra-sound after a slight heart murmur was detected. She was put on antibiotics for a UTI, and on heart medicine for the murmur. The vet played down the heart murmur stressing it was minor, and assured us it was normal and common in older and smaller dogs, and that her arthritis was a bigger issue to her health at this point.






After a round of the antibiotics she was more herself, but still not all that eager about walking/hiking. We probably assumed too much that she was adjusting to the medicine and would be fine. After getting her out on some decent walks, we thought she might be more willing if we took her into the mountains she loved. Saturday morning dawned bright and beautiful, another day full of promise. Her brother Blue was with us for a visit and we all piled into the car for a ride to the Belknaps where we could take as big or as small a hike as Emma wanted. The plan was to go from Piper up to Belknap and see how things were going. On Piper we met a few people with several dogs. Emma and even Blue were cordial even when they were sharing some food.





The sun was beating on us on Piper and there was little shade for the dogs so we soon headed off to Belknap. Emma seemed fine, and on Belknap where there were just the 4 of us she and Blue had some more food, she seemed fine and raring to go. As we headed north across the ridge towards Gunstock we stopped in a muddy creek down in the col just before you begin to climb again. Emma took a good cooling off and again seemed fine. On the way up out of the col she began to tire and at the picnic tables below the summit of Gunstock we took the unmarked white trail back down towards our car, skipping the summit of Gunstock for Emma's sake.





Back in the car she was unable to settle, it was really the first indication that something was wrong. The drive home she remained unsettled and we hoped that she could get comfortable once we got home. Back at home we became alarmed when she again could not settle at all. The emergency vet recognized that she was in congestive heart failure and did what he could to remove the fluid that was flooding her lungs, but we were too late. She had really given us no indication that she was in that much distress except that she couldn't settle. Brave little dog even walked into the vets on her own, just as she had faced down the White Mountains again and again.



There isn't much more to say other than we are heartbroken. On the one hand joyous that we shared so many wonderful times together, but on the other hand distraught that they had to end so soon. It will be hard to return to anyplace that we have been to with her, but eventually we will, we must, to honor her memory. Thanks to all of you who have followed us over the years, we have all felt the love that you have extended. Know it has been much appreciated. Hug your dog/furkids and children, our time on earth with them is much too short...

Full set of pics HERE:

More thoughts and photos about Emma Here:

KDT ]]> White Mountain Hikes KD Talbot http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7541-Emma-s-last-hike-Piper-Belknap-Gunstock-5-4-13 http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7540-Lylah-s-First-Hike-With-Her-Own-Two-Feet!-Stratham-Hill-Park&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 00:10:42 GMT Hi Everyone,

I hope you guys don't mind me posting this here. It's from an outing to Stratham Hill Park, not a mountain, but definitely memorable. My daughter hiked up the hill on her own, without me carrying her. It was really a special moment, mostly because she smiled the whole way up. She did such a good job and I was really proud. Here's the blog post on it and some pictures from the trek. Again, I hope you guys don't mind me posting but figured many of you with young kids could relate!

http://livefreeandhikenh.blogspot.co...-two-feet.html


Lylah, very focused on getting to the top!


Lincoln Trailhead


The munchkin again!


Wood Anemone


Need some help on this one...not sure what kind of flower this is.


Tower as seen from the Lincoln Trail


Close up of the tower...looks like they did some work to it recently (paint for sure).


Lylah playing on the mileage dial. We typically don't let her play on stuff like this, but we were so happy with her hiking up, I made an exception...please don't think I'm a bad parent :)


Fun in the park after the hike! ]]> White Mountain Hikes KSearl http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7540-Lylah-s-First-Hike-With-Her-Own-Two-Feet!-Stratham-Hill-Park http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7539-Belknap-Mountain-Information&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 00:47:24 GMT Hi Everyone,

My wife and I were thinking of doing a small hike this weekend and have narrowed it down to Belknap since we haven't explored many mountains on that range except the obvious (Major).

Doing a few searches for info, I found that there's an old piper plane crash up there. Does anyone have any info on the trail down to the site? I've found some limited descriptions, saying it's steep and tough. Would anyone be able to give me a better description? Stuff like, is it easy to follow? Is it worth the hike down? Is the steepness extreme? I don't have any bushwhacking experience, nor do I want to get any on this trip, so just want to know what I'm getting myself (and my wife) into. Any detailed pdf trail maps you may be able to point me too would be helpful as well.

Also, does anyone know if the black flies have made it to the Belknap range? I would assume so since they have been near the seacoast for a couple weeks now.

Thanks very much for any information you may be able to provide.

Thanks,
Karl ]]> General Discussion KSearl http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7539-Belknap-Mountain-Information http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7538-Anyone-from-Toronto-Canada&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:14:42 GMT I am participating in STP and am wondering if any Toronto participants want to train + travel down to Mt Washington for the event my cell is... I am participating in STP and am wondering if any Toronto participants want to train + travel down to Mt Washington for the event

my cell is 416-992-7832

Ian
sales@gardenmedia.ca ]]> Seek the Peak ianccc http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7538-Anyone-from-Toronto-Canada http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7537-All-Butterflies-and-Rainbows-in-Franconia-Notch-4-27-13&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:52:52 GMT A quick trip with family to The Basin and Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch. A short roundtrip hike from one to the other along the bike path... *At... A quick trip with family to The Basin and Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch. A short roundtrip hike from one to the other along the bike path...
At The Basin








At The Flume



Ice Bridge in Flume Gorge


Rainbow in Avalanche Falls, Flume Gorge


Eastern Comma Polygonia comma


Round-leaved Yellow Violet Viola rotundifolia

KDT ]]> White Mountain Hikes KD Talbot http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7537-All-Butterflies-and-Rainbows-in-Franconia-Notch-4-27-13 http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7536-May-2013-Contest&goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:57:45 GMT At the suggestion of tdb1977 and seeing as nobody has posted an idea as of yet for the May 2013 contest, I am proposing that the contest be the... At the suggestion of tdb1977 and seeing as nobody has posted an idea as of yet for the May 2013 contest, I am proposing that the contest be the number of days in May that the low temperature for the day comes in at 32 degrees or colder. All picks must be in by 11:59 pm on Tuesday April 30th.

Matt

And in borrowing tdb's rules from previous contests, here they are:

1. One submission per forum ID
2. There can be no duplicates. First person to submit a particular number will own that guess.
3. If the proper answer is not selected by anyone, the winner will be the closest guess, without going over, according to the
F6 report.
4. The official source of data is the Daily F6 as published on the Observatory's web site.
5. Anyone & everyone will be allowed to enter.
6. Most of all... Have Fun!!!

Good luck everyone ]]> Weather Moa57 http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?7536-May-2013-Contest