Fire & Ice

FIRE: April 21 & 22 - We started the hike by Heartstone Lake. The weather was out of a dream, a mild 70 degree sunny morning with a slight breeze. We began with a few deep river crossings. The water was high because of the Noreaster that came through the week before. The dogs, filled with energy at the outset, could hardly contain their excitement. Kisses did a flying swan dive into the river right up over her head. She was as shocked as I was. They've really gotten over their skittishness with the water crossings. Two pugs, Keith, Hungry Ted, Bruce, Aaron, Rachel, and myself started up the Buck Mountain Trail. The beginning part of the trail was fairly flat and followed the river. We were in for a rude awakening when the trail started straight up the mountain ridge to the top. We hiked almost continuously uphill for 3 miles. When we got to the road, we were all sweating. The sun had started to bake us and the trees haven't seemed to get the idea that the leaves should be out by now. The bugs weren't bad. After a bit of a road walk, we came upon the spring near the area where we camped. The campsite had an awesome ridge that had a panoramic view of the valley to the west. We relaxed in the sun for a while, then watched the sunset in the mountains on the horizon. The wind died down just as the sun was setting. The sky was clear and you could see quite a few stars, not as many as out west, but still quite a few. Keith challenged us all to a game that he made up. We stupidly agreed. He won most of the states that we played. But not Minnesota. He's actually quite inept at Minnesota. It became obvious that he has a photographic memory of the highway signs he passes on the interstate during his work trips. But yes, he did win NJ - mostly because North Jersey is a different state than South Jersey and it has about 4 times as many towns. Rachel and I are also convinced that he made up a few names. And if I was his age, I might have a cache of useless information to match his. He does have about 25 years on me. That's a lot of accumulated mind-clutter.

During the night, an owl decided to perch on the branch just above my tent and do his booty-call hooting from the opposite side of the valley from the shorty he was hollerin at. She was hooting back at him. Every time either one of them would hoot, the dogs would growl and bark. I didn't get much sleep that night, but I did have a little conversation with the owl above my tent. I told him his singing wasn't quite as bad as Sanjaya, but you know, I think she digs it - so why don't you fly your hooting ass over there and talk to her? He didn't listen. When I got up to use the trees, I flashed my headlamp around the tree to try to get a look at him, but I think he had made his move by then. Good for him, I hope he got some hot feathered owl tail.

Sunday morning we hiked up to the top of Reddish Knob and the views were even more amazing. 360 degree view from one of the highest peaks in George Washington National Park. We began hiking out just about 9am. The temperatures were cooler in the morning, but the sun warmed us up soon enough. The dogs were exhausted from the day before and the heat was wearing them down. Everyone else enjoyed an easy hike, mostly downhill, on a very wide and grassy trail. It was a tad hot. By the time we got to the road, some of us wanted to wait for the cars. Aaron, Keith, Rachel and I went for the cars. We climbed up and over the dam at Heartstone lake. While Aaron brought the car around for Ted, Bruce, and the pugs; Keith Rachel and I waded in the lake looking for coins. Keith really scored - he found like 60 pennies. He acted as if he had just won Powerball. Rachel and I watched him like most people watch gorillas at the zoo. We all went to Dairy Queen for lunch, then most of us started our long trek back to Baltimore. It was an enjoyable trip. The weather was perfect. Can't wait to do it again.

April 2007

ICE: Easter weekend - April 7 & 8 - The forecast was for cold, wind, snow, and more cold. Everyone emailed me to make sure we were still on for the backpack. I secretly hoped that everyone would wuss out so I could cancel, but I forgot who I was dealing with. Mountain Club of Maryland hikes rain, sleet, or hail, and especially in snow. No matter that the high for the day was forecast to be 22. I don't think it even got up to 22. Marcie & Doug, Marty, Barb, Doug E, and myself got out of the cars and put on every piece of clothing that we brought. The wind whipping across the ridge kept the left side of our cheeks icy cold. The sun faded in and out of the clouds. As the trail meandered to the leeward side of the ridge, into the sun, it almost seemed warm, almost. We got to Hiner spring and set up camp in the snow. I set up happy hour - pepperoni and cheese and crackers topped with snow. We started in on the wine. We got a fire going. Easter sunday morning, we welcomed the sun, it was beautiful the way it gleamed off the snow. We had gotten about 2 more inches that night. It was still cold, but we knew that we had survived the -5 F night, so the worst was behind us. The hikers found the easter eggs that I hid (real hard, just followed my footprints in the snow). We ate breakfast and started back down the north-east side of the draft. The wind froze the right sides of our cheeks on the way back. We met Ellen and Keith on the trail and hiked the final miles to the cars. We finished with burgers at Dave's in Harrisonburg. The hike, though cold, was fun. A good workout, great company, and beautiful views. I said farewell to Ellen, as she's leaving us for a little while, but I know she'll be back eventually. I wish I could go with her. Have fun, Cham and be safe!