Since I have spent 11 of the last 13 days heavy hiking in the Whites with a visitor from VA I haven't had time to post this earlier, but here goes. Last Friday we hiked up the Beaver Brook trail over the Moose intending to come out the Gorge Brook trail to a car at Ravine Lodge. Just before leaving the treeline a big thunder storm came over us with sleet, rain and thunder. We retreated back down to the Benton trail intersection and smaller trees. Packs off, we were standing just off the trail when "BANG" a ball of fire exploded near our feet and we found ourselves on out butts with our feet numb and buzzing. After our feet woke up we stood back up and waited for the storm to pass, which it did rather rapidly. We continued up the trail toward the summit and found an area about 50 yards from where we were standing that had been all plowed up and a Spruce tree shattered from top to bottom. Splinters and detritus were sprayed everywhere.
I though it was wicked fun, but the young lady with me was not especially thrilled to be so near death.
We finished the hike about six PM and enjoyed a nice hot cup of coffee at the Ravine Lodge and drove back to Wentworth.
I though it was wicked fun, but the young lady with me was not especially thrilled to be so near death.
We finished the hike about six PM and enjoyed a nice hot cup of coffee at the Ravine Lodge and drove back to Wentworth.
