Photo Credit: Ania Mitros
Worse weather would have been difficult....
There was a bit of a fiasco with the T-shirts which had me arriving an hour later than everyone else - and still without shirts, but it was a nice evening to hang out on the ledges. (Note: use of Shirts Illustrated is NOT recommended if you have a schedule to keep). There's a new trail partly built up to the ledges - and as usual these days with new trails, it's longer, more sloped, and almost wheelchair accessible. Presumably this is to make a less erosion prone trail, but if it's twice the length, and thus tears up twice the forest, what's the benefit there?
Up on the ledges I found a good crowd of Bruce, Joan, Mark, Dan, Ania, Gary, Russ, Gretchen, Larry, Jason, John, and I'm probably leaving out a couple (sorry). There was much grilling, burgers, toppings, snacks, chocolate, and spirits of various varieties. There was also much confusion among anyone showing up on a normal hike and being offered a beer :) Mark and I shared a bottle of Arrogant Bastard Ale and then did a ceremonial "passing of the afterburner" (see photos) Then we all cheerfully stumbled down in the dark and that was the BBQ for another year.
This week and next: TNAB will continue with various other (Dis)organizers. Tonight Mark is planning to return to Rampart Ridges, next week is TBD.
It's been fun running this group, running with this group, and occasionally giving the appearance of running from this group :) Happy hiking, and, when in doubt, go higher, faster, and carry bug juice.
until I'm in Seattle again,
this is the ex-(dis)organizer in chief signing off
M<
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