|
HIKE |
Mt Washington |
|
ROUTE |
Bushwhack! |
|
DATE |
5/5/2005 (Cinco de Mayo!) |
|
ATTENDEES |
Dan, Darlene, Don, Jeff, Joan, Larry, Mark, Tom, and our first newbie for 2005, Alan |
|
NOTES |
|
PHOTOS
TRAIL REPORT
Hola, TNAB'ers!
The weather was overcast, warm and muggy for TNAB's annual pilgrimage to Mt. Washington. Happily, the turnout was great, as nine hikers showed up to celebrate the imported holiday in true TNAB fashion. The attendees included: Dan, Darlene, Don, Jeff, Joan, Larry, Mark, Tom, and our first newbie for 2005, Alan! Jeff brought along canine companionship in the form of Simon, the tenth member of our team.
We started the hike at 5:45 PM. Dan and Larry, for various reasons, got the jump on the rest of the group and were long gone. Those of us carpooling with Don got to benefit from his two-state super pass, and park in the parking lot itself - very nice. In addition (and maybe more importantly), Don also brought along enough cerveza Pacífico for everyone!
The hike started at the usual brisk pace. It didn't take long to break a sweat, or notice that it was particularly humid this evening. The first section seemed to take forever, then all too soon, it was time to make a break for the ridge. The bushwhack up seemed about average to me, but imagine if you were in Alan's shoes: not only are you on your first TNAB hike, it's also your first hike for the season! No other TNAB hike features such a long, steep bushwhack. To his credit, Alan did a fine job under the adverse conditions. Way to go!
On the ridge, we found the trail, which is pretty overgrown and easy to lose at places. Don reports that the geocache is still there, but that someone has replaced the original container with a metal, military-style box. Eventually, we cleared the ridge and regained the logging road. In the latest chapter of "Don't Follow Mark", I lead Alan up an overly-blazed section of trail off the road, which terminated in - yup, you guessed it - another bushwhack. For being so close to the summit, it is far worse than the first one. I quickly found out we weren't the only ones to go that way when I happened upon Darlene's jacket hanging from a limb. Before I could talk any smack, here comes Alan carrying the shark in one hand - a low branch had ripped it out of my pack!
Lost items were reunited with their owners, then it was time for food, pics and beer. Good times! All too quickly, it was time to head home - it was well after 8:00 PM by the time we all summited. Once again, the majority of us chose to slog it back on the logging road, while Larry took the direct route. Next year, I'm going to follow Larry's example - that road is just too long and flat!
Eventually, we all got off the mountain, about two hours later. The overcast skies never did produce precipitation, nor were bugs an issue. I'll take that any day! On the way home, six of us decided to follow up the festivities with a couple Dead Guys at the Issaquah brewpub. Well worth it, even if I didn't get home until after midnight!
Next Hike: According to the "official" schedule, it's Silver Peak! Silver is perhaps the longest hike we do, and if conditions aren't favorable, there may be a change of plan. Look for an update by Monday.
Adios,
-Marcos