saxman
04-29-2002, 10:02 AM
Alas, to hike 13lbs of useless brass from Pinkham notch to Ho-Jo's again. A valiant effort, many thanks to North Reading Jim for his companionship, good spirit, and strong back, however the Tuckerman weather God did not chose to shine favorably, and the weather in the bowl was definitely "unsaxable".
Every time I make the trek I learn something. Day trip, what to bring, what not to bring, what foods travel the best. Overnight, - which sleeping bag, what did I bring that I didn't use, and what I wish I had brought that I didn't bring.
Couple of good ones -check your headlamp before you leave the parking lot. It is definitely worth the price of new batteries not to have that bad feeling of hiking it all the way in, to find it had been twisted "on" and the battery was dead. The voice of experience speaks.
I have never regretted schlepping up an extra article of warm clothing as much as I have regretted not having it. There is a delicate yet critical balance on the proper clothes one should bring. Bring everything, and make the call in the parking lot after you go in to the visitor center, check the forecast, feel the weather. Remember, a light wind at Pinkham notch translates into much more at 4500 feet in the bowl. If there are big clouds traveling, every time one passes over the bowl and blots out the sunlight, the temperature DROPS significantly. Before you leave the parking lot imagine being on the mountain, the weather coming in on you, and you putting on everything in your pack. Is it going to be enough? Did you remember a hat??? I remember a trip where someone I was with did not. It caused him to be miserable enough to just hike out. That is always an option. Do you want to travel light and if it gets bad, do you have enough with you to just hike out without dieing??? Or, if it gets bad, do you want to hang out at lunch rocks and watch the show?
No trip is a waste. Just the workout was worth it, never mind the constant fun filled verbal banter between Jim and myself. We did most things right, some things wrong, and the next time we will do it even better. It was nice to see the wedding party hike by lean too #5 as the red beans and rice with Longanisa, Vidalia onion and brocolli were simmering. Good call not to subject everyone to the bowl. Good to run into M@ and his wife, sorry it didn't work out. As always the staff up at ho-Jo's was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.
I hope to give it another go before the end of the season. Probably a day trip this time. For those of you wondering about how much snow is up there, I say PLENTY. Next couple of week ends should be fine even if we get warm weather.
I have said it before, there is something special about people who will hike that trail, bring the gear, all for a couple of turns down the hill? I think not. It more for the joy of the journey, getting there, meeting good people, eating food that somehow tastes better when you hike it all that way, and THEN, getting a few turns in.
Thank you for letting me use your amphitheater. There is something about it, and the people that fill it, that helps the music flow. I hope the weather cooperates enough to make it happen in the next couple of weeks. If it does, if I can, I will be there.
/Saxman
Every time I make the trek I learn something. Day trip, what to bring, what not to bring, what foods travel the best. Overnight, - which sleeping bag, what did I bring that I didn't use, and what I wish I had brought that I didn't bring.
Couple of good ones -check your headlamp before you leave the parking lot. It is definitely worth the price of new batteries not to have that bad feeling of hiking it all the way in, to find it had been twisted "on" and the battery was dead. The voice of experience speaks.
I have never regretted schlepping up an extra article of warm clothing as much as I have regretted not having it. There is a delicate yet critical balance on the proper clothes one should bring. Bring everything, and make the call in the parking lot after you go in to the visitor center, check the forecast, feel the weather. Remember, a light wind at Pinkham notch translates into much more at 4500 feet in the bowl. If there are big clouds traveling, every time one passes over the bowl and blots out the sunlight, the temperature DROPS significantly. Before you leave the parking lot imagine being on the mountain, the weather coming in on you, and you putting on everything in your pack. Is it going to be enough? Did you remember a hat??? I remember a trip where someone I was with did not. It caused him to be miserable enough to just hike out. That is always an option. Do you want to travel light and if it gets bad, do you have enough with you to just hike out without dieing??? Or, if it gets bad, do you want to hang out at lunch rocks and watch the show?
No trip is a waste. Just the workout was worth it, never mind the constant fun filled verbal banter between Jim and myself. We did most things right, some things wrong, and the next time we will do it even better. It was nice to see the wedding party hike by lean too #5 as the red beans and rice with Longanisa, Vidalia onion and brocolli were simmering. Good call not to subject everyone to the bowl. Good to run into M@ and his wife, sorry it didn't work out. As always the staff up at ho-Jo's was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.
I hope to give it another go before the end of the season. Probably a day trip this time. For those of you wondering about how much snow is up there, I say PLENTY. Next couple of week ends should be fine even if we get warm weather.
I have said it before, there is something special about people who will hike that trail, bring the gear, all for a couple of turns down the hill? I think not. It more for the joy of the journey, getting there, meeting good people, eating food that somehow tastes better when you hike it all that way, and THEN, getting a few turns in.
Thank you for letting me use your amphitheater. There is something about it, and the people that fill it, that helps the music flow. I hope the weather cooperates enough to make it happen in the next couple of weeks. If it does, if I can, I will be there.
/Saxman