Last fall's hike ended early when our hikers decided not to climb Mt. Moosilauke since thunder and lightning were called for, not to mention icy conditions by morning. Concerned that crossing the first of the White Mountains, above tree line, in a lighnting storm might not be such a good idea, Tin Man and Bartender waited for Spring to hike this intrepid mountain. So, instead they hiked in May when there was solid ice, 3 feet of snow in places and it was pouring rain - sideways at that. No problem, a'int nuthin'. When are these guys going to learn that every time they postpone a hike, conditions are worse when they return?
Well, hike they did in these snow-packed, rainy conditions, slipping, sliding, and postholing their way over Moosilauke. Tin Man: "Wow this is great up here. Check out the views!" Bartender: "We are in a cloud you idiot. There ain't no views. And I am freezing cold in this driving rain. Let's go NOW!" Spoil sport. If you see a backpack rain cover hung up in a tree about 10 miles from here, its probably Tin Man's. That's how hard the wind was blowing when he lost his cover.
Shelters are not cool in good weather - too dirty and too many mice. It turns out they are not cool in foul weather either - too many tourists! Our hikers were merely trying to warm up, dry off and spend a quiet night before heading home the next day. Yeah right! First a group of day hikers climbed something like 3,000 feet vertical because they needed to collect a 4,000 footer for one of the group. Nice day for that! It's comforting to know other nuts are out here in this stuff. Well, these clowns kept stomping around and being obnoxious, so when they asked how it was at the top, Tin Man replied: "It's great, you hike out of the clouds into a brilliant sunshine and have views of the cloudtops forever." After this group leaves a short while later, Bartender says: "You know, what are you going to tell that big guy built like a professional football linesman, when he gets back here after finding out you weren't telling the truth?" Tin Man: "I am going to ask him if he saw my pack cover. Why?"
Seconds after the 4,000-foot club wannabes return from their ascent and leave for home (and Tin Man survives the encounter), a private high school group of whiners joins them at the shelter - 15 of them! The leader says something about when there are others in the shelter before them the rule is "thou shall not invade". After thu and her merry band completed the invasion and Tin Man and Bartender are pushed tightly against the wall, they look at each other and say: "oh boy, we are having fun now". So, they pack and leave. The trip down the re-barred steps built into the rock was not as fearsome, as uh, feared. The waterfalls along the trail-side were spectacular!
May 2007, 9.5 miles
Well, hike they did in these snow-packed, rainy conditions, slipping, sliding, and postholing their way over Moosilauke. Tin Man: "Wow this is great up here. Check out the views!" Bartender: "We are in a cloud you idiot. There ain't no views. And I am freezing cold in this driving rain. Let's go NOW!" Spoil sport. If you see a backpack rain cover hung up in a tree about 10 miles from here, its probably Tin Man's. That's how hard the wind was blowing when he lost his cover.
Shelters are not cool in good weather - too dirty and too many mice. It turns out they are not cool in foul weather either - too many tourists! Our hikers were merely trying to warm up, dry off and spend a quiet night before heading home the next day. Yeah right! First a group of day hikers climbed something like 3,000 feet vertical because they needed to collect a 4,000 footer for one of the group. Nice day for that! It's comforting to know other nuts are out here in this stuff. Well, these clowns kept stomping around and being obnoxious, so when they asked how it was at the top, Tin Man replied: "It's great, you hike out of the clouds into a brilliant sunshine and have views of the cloudtops forever." After this group leaves a short while later, Bartender says: "You know, what are you going to tell that big guy built like a professional football linesman, when he gets back here after finding out you weren't telling the truth?" Tin Man: "I am going to ask him if he saw my pack cover. Why?"
Seconds after the 4,000-foot club wannabes return from their ascent and leave for home (and Tin Man survives the encounter), a private high school group of whiners joins them at the shelter - 15 of them! The leader says something about when there are others in the shelter before them the rule is "thou shall not invade". After thu and her merry band completed the invasion and Tin Man and Bartender are pushed tightly against the wall, they look at each other and say: "oh boy, we are having fun now". So, they pack and leave. The trip down the re-barred steps built into the rock was not as fearsome, as uh, feared. The waterfalls along the trail-side were spectacular!
May 2007, 9.5 miles
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