The day started, as all good days do, with the Red Sox beating Anaheim Angels of East Van Nuys on a walk off homer by Manny being Manny. Granted, that was at 12:30 AM and I needed to get some sleep before the drive north, but technically it was the same day. I was told by a usually reputable source that the hike was going to start at 11:30 AM so I arrived at the trailhead at 11:25, finding cars with VfTT stickers but no VfTT'ers. I parked somewhat in the bushes, packed quickly, avoided the arriving ambulance, and started up the trail in search of Skimom et al.
I found them at the first trail junction, after passing the fellow the ambulance was there for. I actually didn't even notice him looking bad, but when the group came through 5 minutes earlier he wasn't a pretty sight. The group consisted of Skimom, Skikid_Sean, Skikid_Emily, Funky Freddy, Gail, and Harry K. Our little band continued up, through occasional sprinkles and hoards of hikers who insisted on passing us en masse, then stopping in the middle of the trail. It was wet and a little chilly, perfect for finishing up a list.
It's not a huge hike, so we made it to the top in pretty good time, by around 1:45. Skimom got lei'd, had some Scotch, and received a 100 highest patch before she technically completed the list. We got some more rain, which scared off much of the crowds, and one big thunderclap which made us nervous but didn't yet drive us off. We quickly did the champagne celebration thinking we were about the leave but the rain held off. But then, who should arrive but Mats, 7summits and Gillian, who came from the Long Trail to the north at a blistering pace. Mats brought his now customary mini-keg of Heineken which we had to tap on the spot. Foam is good.
Then the rain and thunder really came, so we packed up and headed out. Then more rain came. Did I mention rain? We were fine as long as we were moving so on we went. At the Alpine Trail junction several folks (Freddy, Gail, 7summits, and ?) went up to see the plane crash. While we paused (and drank beer) Arm and Steve-O arrived having looped over the summit from the south. Arm presented Dani with a nice certificate to commemorate the day. Then we had the slog out. The plane crash group caught up with us because we kept stopping to drink beer. We got out, a soggy, pathetic bunch of happy hikers drove around to pick up cars and headed to the campground for showers and illegally parking cars.
We had dinner in Waterbury, played some pool (Arm and I kicked butt), had a few beers, and then most of us seemed to sleep in our cars.
All in all, a fine time. I think Dani's eying the 3000'ers list.
Pictures are here: http://www.hikethewhites.com/gallery/v/camelshump2/
