First Ascent Anniversary

[Stets]

Today, August 12 marks the fifth anniversary of Hunter climbing Mount Washington for the first time. He was twelve years old. He has come a long way. I am very proud of him and his accomplishments both on and off the trail. It is a day that we always celebrate and thought we would share it.

My Dad began quite a tradition:

Earl Stetson first climbed Mt. Washington at twelve years old (1937).

Doug Stetson first climbed Mt. Washington at twelve years old (1969).

Hunter Stetson first climbed Mt. Washington at twelve years old (2005).

Mary Stetson is next (2011).

It is a tradition that we hope will continue for as long as The Rockpile is there to climb.



First Ascent, August 12, 2005:




With Dad, August 12, 2005:




With Nin, August 12, 2005:




The Climb:




First Seek The Peak, July, 2006 with Jim:





Thanks for celebrating with us.

[Trailsend]

Great story and pictures, thanks for sharing

[mtruman]

What a wonderful tradition Doug! So glad that Nat and I have had a chance to share a bit of this with you and Hunter since first we me on our hut journey three years ago. It's been great seeing you guys each year up there and we look forward to all the Seek the Peaks to come. Look forward to meeting Mary next year as the tradition continues...

[Snow Miser]

Very nice story! It's great to see you're carrying on the tradition. Thanks for sharing.

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

Hi Doug,
A terrific tradition to go on for many generations to come.
After reading, your post, I recognized where I had heard the name Stetson before.
On our trip to Acadia in June we ran into a delightful couple on the summit of Acadia Mountain who were beginning their hike and continuing to Sargeant Mountain. We could have talked with them for an hour but the weather started looking threatening and we said our goodbyes. The weather cut their hike short and we once again ran into them on the trailhead parking lot. Next day we ran into them in downtown Bar Harbor after checking out their favorite bakery. Small world, isn't it? Also, check out our trip report under General Discussion from June - "The Four Summits on the Quieter Side of Acadia."

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/13233...61884469_iktw5

Donna

[Stets]

Thank you Armando, Mark and Nat, Bob and Donna.


Armando:

Thank you for the kind words.



Mark and Nat:

It has been our pleasure to meet up with you guys in the mountains.
I will never forget the humor you brought to the dinner table the night at Mizpah Hut we first met.
You asked if we had any wildlife encounters on the trail in the last few days.
Hunter then mentions two days ago we saw a moose and the next day we saw a black bear and today we saw a spruce grouse family.
You responded with "A spruce grouse flew into the side of my head and amost killed me!"
I can't believe it has been three years since that hut to hut trip.



Bob:

It is a tradition that I am proud to continue.


Donna:

I see you met up with "The Stetsons". Very cool. Yup, that's my Dad. Chances are if you are on a mountain top somewhere in New England you will run into my Father.

He has set quite the example for me to follow and I am proud to do my best. We just celebrated his 85th Birthday. What does he do on his Birthday you ask?

Get up at 5:00 am and ride his bike up to Crawford Notch from his home in North Conway to have Breakfast. You gotta love it.

Hunter and I are still trying to keep up with him.

[KD Talbot]

Great stuff, Doug! Great photos and great story behind it all. A true legacy passed from generation to generation!

KDT

[Jimmy Legs and Little d]

Doug,
This may be a bit coincidental in that my father just celebrated his 85th birthday on August 12th and is a New Englander born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. Maybe being born and raised in New England breeds good longevity genes.
Is your dad's birthday on the 12th?
Donna

[Stets]

Hi Donna,


Happy Birthday to your Dad!

My father's birthday is on the fifth of August.

Pretty close.

That would make my Dad seven days older than yours.

I agree, being born and raised in New England is a plus.

My Dad was born in East Bridgewater, MA which is a small town near Brockton, MA

It is a small world.

We are very fortunate.

Also, loved your TR and photos from Maine.

Thanks