Tweet
We arrived at the Research Center parking lot (after spotting a car at Connery Pond) at just before 7:30AM on (9/5/04). When all was said and done, there were 13 of us. Five of us (my wife ADKatie, brother Dan, 13 y/o son Nick, 11 y/o Daughter Ashley and me) were hoping to bag #46 and become 46ers. The rest, Spencer (peak_bgr), Eric (his son), Brian (bushwhacker), Doug (Hillman1), Tom, Nathan, Leighanne and Diana (the “lurker†
) just wanted to join the fun.
Off we went, quietly joking, laughing, chatting, and all-around having fun. We’d soon pitched right into the side of Marble Mt and went steeply up. Before long we’d reached the “lookout†and stared on down to Wilmington. It was a bit hazy, but the sun was shining above. We marched forward and as things often do when you’re having fun, we reached the cairn marking the trail to Esther before we knew it. We headed on over and within 40 minutes we stood at her plague. Me and my family took turns touching the plague and silently giving thanks to her spirit.
Before long, it was time to head out. Once we reached the cairn, we took a right turn and headed for our destiny. It became tough to hold Ashley back, she was getting pumped by this point. We (Ash, Nick and I) walked ahead a little bit and at a couple points, I stopped each of them and shared a private moment of reflection. I told them how much I loved them and how proud of them I was. I also thanked them for coming along on my journey with me. My son surprised me and said “thank you for coming along on MY journey too, Dadâ€.
After a near miss when my niece slipped in the mud, we marched on and made great time and arrived at the toll road area (just below the summit) at just after noon. Knowing we could not summit til 12:30, we hung out. The closest I got to a skit was this little moment. Just as we popped out by the stone wall, we bumped into some unsuspecting tourists. Since I sweat like a pig anyway and was soaked. I started huffing and puffing and asked them how they got there. They took the bait. I got a “the roadâ€, “What the hell, there is a road hereâ€. Then I said “Oh well, are we almost to the top of MARCYâ€. The guy got this real puzzled look on his face and in total seriousness, said “no, this road goes to the top of Whitefaceâ€. So I rolled my eyes and turned around and headed back down the mountain. It was so immature, but god did I have fun doing it.
At the appointed hour, we headed back into the trees for the short jump up to the summit. In a few minutes, I saw a young boy scampering down towards our group. “Hey, I know that kidâ€. It was little Tom (masshysteria’s son, who we’d hiked Allen with a few weeks before). Then it hit me. Big Tom (masshysteria) had driven with his family, from thier home in MA, to meet us at the top. I was floored. This was a becoming a moment. As we approached the summit house, we could see tons of people, some of whom we recognized (my parents, Katie’s parents, other family), and other who were just staring.
As we approached, the five of us joined hands and walked to the summit. The crowd literally moved aside and let us approach the sign without interference. We each touched the sign and once again became further linked forever, not only by our (very substantial) family bonds, but also by the bond of becoming mutual 46ers. It was a touch moving (for me anyway).
I was again moved a few minutes later, when out of the crowd, comes Bruce (AlpineSummit) and his wife Lynne (brand new 46er herself) bearing a tray of fruit (which was quickly devoured). Bruce, said he might come, but after all he had house guests, thrown a party the night before and was plenty busy himself. I’d not expected that he’d have been able to break away (and very understandably). He did, and brought his guests along with him. How cool it that. It was another of those really nice moments.
Well, we had a toast, (champagne magically appeared) and pretty much just loitered around for an hour and a half. Some took advantage of the $5 hot dogs available
, others just chilled (I chilled). We headed down in good time and reached Connery Pond by 5 PM. After that, we gathered at a place special to us for a bite to eat. We were delighted to later have Crazymama, Nancy (new 46er & NE115), ARM and Donna show up and help us celebrate with us.
Well, I've bored you long enough, but I wanted to share one other thing. In any long journey, there are sure to be a bounty of memories you'll hold forever, mine was no exception. One of the earliest stands out. I remember standing on top of Cascade in August of 1999. At the time, I was 50 lbs overweight, and way out of shape. As I stood, gazing out over the mountains, and holding onto my 6 y/o daughter’s hand. I half-joking said “Let’s climb them all Ash, wanna?â€. She looked at me, as only a 6 year old can and said “okay daddy, we can climb them allâ€. Can you believe it, we actually did. I wonder if she remembers too?
ADKatie, thanks for introducing me to the mountains and changing my life forever (once again ). I love you very much.
Peacedak, you're a free spirit hippie type, and I'm a not nearly so. I want to thank you for teaching me how to quiet my soul so that I was able to "hear the melody" of the deep Adirondack Hills. I love you brother.
It started HERE, and ended here.
) just wanted to join the fun.Off we went, quietly joking, laughing, chatting, and all-around having fun. We’d soon pitched right into the side of Marble Mt and went steeply up. Before long we’d reached the “lookout†and stared on down to Wilmington. It was a bit hazy, but the sun was shining above. We marched forward and as things often do when you’re having fun, we reached the cairn marking the trail to Esther before we knew it. We headed on over and within 40 minutes we stood at her plague. Me and my family took turns touching the plague and silently giving thanks to her spirit.
Before long, it was time to head out. Once we reached the cairn, we took a right turn and headed for our destiny. It became tough to hold Ashley back, she was getting pumped by this point. We (Ash, Nick and I) walked ahead a little bit and at a couple points, I stopped each of them and shared a private moment of reflection. I told them how much I loved them and how proud of them I was. I also thanked them for coming along on my journey with me. My son surprised me and said “thank you for coming along on MY journey too, Dadâ€.
After a near miss when my niece slipped in the mud, we marched on and made great time and arrived at the toll road area (just below the summit) at just after noon. Knowing we could not summit til 12:30, we hung out. The closest I got to a skit was this little moment. Just as we popped out by the stone wall, we bumped into some unsuspecting tourists. Since I sweat like a pig anyway and was soaked. I started huffing and puffing and asked them how they got there. They took the bait. I got a “the roadâ€, “What the hell, there is a road hereâ€. Then I said “Oh well, are we almost to the top of MARCYâ€. The guy got this real puzzled look on his face and in total seriousness, said “no, this road goes to the top of Whitefaceâ€. So I rolled my eyes and turned around and headed back down the mountain. It was so immature, but god did I have fun doing it.
At the appointed hour, we headed back into the trees for the short jump up to the summit. In a few minutes, I saw a young boy scampering down towards our group. “Hey, I know that kidâ€. It was little Tom (masshysteria’s son, who we’d hiked Allen with a few weeks before). Then it hit me. Big Tom (masshysteria) had driven with his family, from thier home in MA, to meet us at the top. I was floored. This was a becoming a moment. As we approached the summit house, we could see tons of people, some of whom we recognized (my parents, Katie’s parents, other family), and other who were just staring.
As we approached, the five of us joined hands and walked to the summit. The crowd literally moved aside and let us approach the sign without interference. We each touched the sign and once again became further linked forever, not only by our (very substantial) family bonds, but also by the bond of becoming mutual 46ers. It was a touch moving (for me anyway).
I was again moved a few minutes later, when out of the crowd, comes Bruce (AlpineSummit) and his wife Lynne (brand new 46er herself) bearing a tray of fruit (which was quickly devoured). Bruce, said he might come, but after all he had house guests, thrown a party the night before and was plenty busy himself. I’d not expected that he’d have been able to break away (and very understandably). He did, and brought his guests along with him. How cool it that. It was another of those really nice moments.
Well, we had a toast, (champagne magically appeared) and pretty much just loitered around for an hour and a half. Some took advantage of the $5 hot dogs available
, others just chilled (I chilled). We headed down in good time and reached Connery Pond by 5 PM. After that, we gathered at a place special to us for a bite to eat. We were delighted to later have Crazymama, Nancy (new 46er & NE115), ARM and Donna show up and help us celebrate with us.Well, I've bored you long enough, but I wanted to share one other thing. In any long journey, there are sure to be a bounty of memories you'll hold forever, mine was no exception. One of the earliest stands out. I remember standing on top of Cascade in August of 1999. At the time, I was 50 lbs overweight, and way out of shape. As I stood, gazing out over the mountains, and holding onto my 6 y/o daughter’s hand. I half-joking said “Let’s climb them all Ash, wanna?â€. She looked at me, as only a 6 year old can and said “okay daddy, we can climb them allâ€. Can you believe it, we actually did. I wonder if she remembers too?
ADKatie, thanks for introducing me to the mountains and changing my life forever (once again
). I love you very much.Peacedak, you're a free spirit hippie type, and I'm a not nearly so. I want to thank you for teaching me how to quiet my soul so that I was able to "hear the melody" of the deep Adirondack Hills. I love you brother.
It started HERE, and ended here.
Comment