Great Pumpkin
Member
Trail Conditions: Both of the "White" trails were somewhat wet & slippery from previous night's rain; drier on the bare rock faces of the summit cone, but watch those slippery quartz surfaces!
Special Equipment Required: Thirteen (13) energetic & enthusiastic Scouts from Troop 414, Bedford, NH. We made use of our "commando ropes" (six foot lines with toggles & eye splices put together to form a rope long enough to permit hand-over-hand climb of the open rock face) above the split of the White Dot/Cross trails; not a necessity, but a great deal of fun.
Comments:This was Troop 414's first trip back to the Grand Monadnock in just over five (5) years. We spent a somewhat rainy night at Camp Wanocksett on Friday, and got started on our hike a little after 9:00 a.m., reaching the summit a little before 1:00 p.m. Views were somewhat restricted as low cloud cover made its way across the peak. There was a gentleman who was training for an "ultra-hike/run" who I think made about three (3) RT's in the time it took for our crew to hit the top! We are not worthy, we are not worthy.....Hellos to our brother Scouts from Troop 21, Millville, and Troop ? Chelmsford, as well as the young ladies from my wife's old high school, Dana Hall. Plenty of company on the mountain today. Congratulations to Scott M., Liam O., Dewey B., Matt W., Mike Z., Jeremy B., Tristan N., Michael H., Nate & Matt H., Sam D., Ben P. and Mike B. on a well-earned summit on a fairly hot & humid day. Many thanks to Adult leaders Mike Z, Russ O., Frank D., Donnie J., and the ageless wonder, Ralph D.!! "A safe day is a great day...."
Special Equipment Required: Thirteen (13) energetic & enthusiastic Scouts from Troop 414, Bedford, NH. We made use of our "commando ropes" (six foot lines with toggles & eye splices put together to form a rope long enough to permit hand-over-hand climb of the open rock face) above the split of the White Dot/Cross trails; not a necessity, but a great deal of fun.
Comments:This was Troop 414's first trip back to the Grand Monadnock in just over five (5) years. We spent a somewhat rainy night at Camp Wanocksett on Friday, and got started on our hike a little after 9:00 a.m., reaching the summit a little before 1:00 p.m. Views were somewhat restricted as low cloud cover made its way across the peak. There was a gentleman who was training for an "ultra-hike/run" who I think made about three (3) RT's in the time it took for our crew to hit the top! We are not worthy, we are not worthy.....Hellos to our brother Scouts from Troop 21, Millville, and Troop ? Chelmsford, as well as the young ladies from my wife's old high school, Dana Hall. Plenty of company on the mountain today. Congratulations to Scott M., Liam O., Dewey B., Matt W., Mike Z., Jeremy B., Tristan N., Michael H., Nate & Matt H., Sam D., Ben P. and Mike B. on a well-earned summit on a fairly hot & humid day. Many thanks to Adult leaders Mike Z, Russ O., Frank D., Donnie J., and the ageless wonder, Ralph D.!! "A safe day is a great day...."
