uphillklimber
Member
This was our first hiking outing of the season. Our last hike was in winter, into Baxter State park. Part of the reason for all the time off was the bugs. But I was also recovering from Memorial Day surgery. (They corrected a cogenital defect of my ureter with the scope, so it wasn't too bad, it's just that the stint they left in me kept me from bending over for 5 weeks, when they took it out.) I am now 8 weeks ( and 5 weeks of inactivity)removed from surgery and attmepting, for my first hike, one of New Hampshire's 4000 footers.
Okay, so took on a wimpier one of the 48/4k's. But wow, what an eye opener. Our feet were like lead. What a trudge up this hill. There was a fleeting moment when I thought, "Who am I kidding, this is too soon after surgery". But I soon came to my senses and said, "I am doing this. I have a roast beef sandwich that deserves to be eaten on top of this hill!" So the trudge continued. We passed a few waterfalls, and were accompanied by the sound of cascading water for most of this hike. Our dog, Suzy, would often wander into the stream to cool off and drink. My wife, klutz (gotta change that name), was also trudging up the mountain, struggling as much as I was. (We do so many things together, when I convalesce (sp), she shares the couch with me).
"The book" said this was a 2 hour 20 minute hike. Typically, when I am in hiking shape, I can match "the book" with a full pack. Today, we have only our camelbak, with rain gear, firrst aid kit, water and food. At the beginning, I would be happy to match "the book". As the drudgery wore on, we figured we stood no chance of matching the book, and were passed by more people than normal. We rationalized that we would now be happy to make it to the top. Suddenly, at 1:50, we are at the top, and all the folks who passed us were there resting and chatting.
We joined in the conversation, ate that roast beef sandwich, and took some pics. What a huge upper that was. I am not in quite as bad a shape as I figured. (Not as good as I want, but not so bad....) What a great bunch of folks on top. Mark Howe, who passed us, was still there, and we chatted a bit. He was on top of the cairn, which was the only way to see any of the surrounding peaks, as the trees have been slowly eroding the view from the top. Most of us on top take a turn on top, and as the clouds come and go, you can view Field, Willey and Tom, as well as Carrigain. Also you could see the Twins, Though the clouds never quite cleared enough for me to see them.
There are two dogs at the peak, both are fairly good trail dogs. Not barking, not over exuberant, not territorial. They were both attracted to my roast beef sandwich, though. One fellow said he so wanted to get a trail dog. He liked the example of these two dogs. I suggested that if he did, training was the most important thing. He asked if a lab was a good choice. I replied a trained lab is a very good choice.
Soon every one decides it is time to move on, and we all head out. We are the only ones heading back down. Reality is that this is my first post surgery hike, and enough is enough. On the way down, we meet another dozen or so heading up. I call Suzy to the side when passing anyone and keep her at bay. Some pet her, some walk by. One fellow hollers up, is your dog friendly? I have already pulled her off the trail and holler down, yes! I am not certain what he was thinking at the time, but he then lets go of his dog, who charges up the hill and runs right through us, growling at my dog. Fortunately, that was all there was to it, and we somehow separated the two of them. He rushes up and gets his dog and moves up hill. I was flabbergasted. I didn't say much, but just got going downhill. Next time someone asks me that, I think I'll reply, yes, and she is restrained, is your dog also?
On the way down, we actually made a little better time, 1:40. Unusual for us to get down faster than we got up. My left knee is a little sore, and her quads have had a workout. But we did it!!! Our 9th 4000 footer.
__________________
Okay, so took on a wimpier one of the 48/4k's. But wow, what an eye opener. Our feet were like lead. What a trudge up this hill. There was a fleeting moment when I thought, "Who am I kidding, this is too soon after surgery". But I soon came to my senses and said, "I am doing this. I have a roast beef sandwich that deserves to be eaten on top of this hill!" So the trudge continued. We passed a few waterfalls, and were accompanied by the sound of cascading water for most of this hike. Our dog, Suzy, would often wander into the stream to cool off and drink. My wife, klutz (gotta change that name), was also trudging up the mountain, struggling as much as I was. (We do so many things together, when I convalesce (sp), she shares the couch with me).
"The book" said this was a 2 hour 20 minute hike. Typically, when I am in hiking shape, I can match "the book" with a full pack. Today, we have only our camelbak, with rain gear, firrst aid kit, water and food. At the beginning, I would be happy to match "the book". As the drudgery wore on, we figured we stood no chance of matching the book, and were passed by more people than normal. We rationalized that we would now be happy to make it to the top. Suddenly, at 1:50, we are at the top, and all the folks who passed us were there resting and chatting.
We joined in the conversation, ate that roast beef sandwich, and took some pics. What a huge upper that was. I am not in quite as bad a shape as I figured. (Not as good as I want, but not so bad....) What a great bunch of folks on top. Mark Howe, who passed us, was still there, and we chatted a bit. He was on top of the cairn, which was the only way to see any of the surrounding peaks, as the trees have been slowly eroding the view from the top. Most of us on top take a turn on top, and as the clouds come and go, you can view Field, Willey and Tom, as well as Carrigain. Also you could see the Twins, Though the clouds never quite cleared enough for me to see them.
There are two dogs at the peak, both are fairly good trail dogs. Not barking, not over exuberant, not territorial. They were both attracted to my roast beef sandwich, though. One fellow said he so wanted to get a trail dog. He liked the example of these two dogs. I suggested that if he did, training was the most important thing. He asked if a lab was a good choice. I replied a trained lab is a very good choice.
Soon every one decides it is time to move on, and we all head out. We are the only ones heading back down. Reality is that this is my first post surgery hike, and enough is enough. On the way down, we meet another dozen or so heading up. I call Suzy to the side when passing anyone and keep her at bay. Some pet her, some walk by. One fellow hollers up, is your dog friendly? I have already pulled her off the trail and holler down, yes! I am not certain what he was thinking at the time, but he then lets go of his dog, who charges up the hill and runs right through us, growling at my dog. Fortunately, that was all there was to it, and we somehow separated the two of them. He rushes up and gets his dog and moves up hill. I was flabbergasted. I didn't say much, but just got going downhill. Next time someone asks me that, I think I'll reply, yes, and she is restrained, is your dog also?
On the way down, we actually made a little better time, 1:40. Unusual for us to get down faster than we got up. My left knee is a little sore, and her quads have had a workout. But we did it!!! Our 9th 4000 footer.
__________________
