I heard from Gordon Pond and Reel Brook today (still no word from Lincoln Woods... sorry!) and both groups independently mentioned two things that I thought were kind of cool.
First of all Mr. Brummer and Mr. Elkins both commented on the great views they were getting tonight. Rather funny considering how foggy and cloudy it was on campus today.
Second they both mentioned that there was some creative cooking going on tonight for dinner. It sounded like the kids were being creative and mixing some peperoni from lunch into the curried rice and veggies, or turning pizza quesadillas into pizza scrambles.
Both groups report they are tired, a little sore, but doing very well.
As I write this it's 9pm and I'll bet you everyone is already in their sleeping bags and fast asleep!
Showing posts with label day 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label day 3. Show all posts
5/24/11
Disconnect
The mountains are powerful - they can teach us things about ourselves, about our friends and about the earth we live on. Last night as I was talking with the Beaver Brook group they told me about hiking through the clouds and wind on the summit of Mt. Moosilauke and how small they felt in the face of this powerful planet that we live on!
In our daily lives we're sometimes disconnected from the power of the earth... until a natural disaster reminds us. But sometimes the reminder is much more gentle. Take for example this series of pictures all taken within one hour of each other.
I believe that if we can remind ourselves more frequently of the power, beauty and value of the natural world we can live more centered lives. What do you think?
In our daily lives we're sometimes disconnected from the power of the earth... until a natural disaster reminds us. But sometimes the reminder is much more gentle. Take for example this series of pictures all taken within one hour of each other.
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| The view outside my office this morning - tent going up for graduation. |
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| Web cam looking at Mt. Washington. |
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| Web cam on the summit of Mt. Washington. |
Good Morning on Day 3
Here's a recap of what I know about the various groups. If I haven't heard from someone the information below is based on their written route plan:
- Bondcliff - Saw them yesterday morning, should have crossed the Bonds yesterday and will be enjoying a rest day today possibly with a day hike.
- Beaver Brook - Saw them last night, they have a short day today to a camp site by a nice pond, cool and dry last night with no bugs
- Pemi-Baker - Heard from them last night, they have a long paddle planned today, big event of the day should be when Baker joins Pemi River and the end of any strainers in the water.
- Gilman's Corner - They should have a short day as well, they might cross paths with the Beaver Brook crew, they are gearing up for their big day tomorrow over Mt. Moosilauke
- Lincoln Woods - Haven't heard anything from this crew which means they are probably on track for their big day today down into Franconia Notch and back up to Kinsman Pond... big day.
- Reel Brook - Spotted yesterday by our photographer Clay, should be on track to do the same hike as Lincoln Woods but in the opposite direction, down from Kinsman Pond and back up the other side of the valley.
- Gordon Pond - Camped low last night so today they will face the steep climb up out of Kinsman Notch fresh and (hopefully) in relatively good weather. I'm not sure if they will call that a day, or if they will day hike after that? Time will tell!
Hope everyone is having a good morning back at home! Thanks to a parent for the quote of the day in the left sidebar. If anyone else has a good quote please leave it in the comments or send it along by email!
5/22/07
A Beautiful Sunset
Tonight I'm not going to say anything about things being quiet or not. No way I'm going to jinx myself tonight!
I had the chance to connect with two groups after seeing the Gordon Pond crew this morning.
First I saw Brummer's group - Lincoln Woods as they were crossing through the notch. They were looking awesome. Of course when they saw me they declared, "Mundahl - take us home!" and then proceeded to tell me how much fun they were having. I do have one small concern however about Aaron's pants. Or maybe that's the latest in outdoor fashion. I'm so behind the times.
They are modifying their pick up and are planning a big loop tomorow without full packs. That let them have a short hike before setting up camp. Sounds like a good plan considering they had a big day today coming out of the notch and were a little late going into dinner. I checked in with the instructor team and they said that the students were really taking care of each other and helping through the tough spots.
Next I saw Ms. Saxe's group - Gilman's Corner. Sorry - I forgot to take a picture of them because it was so buggy when I got out of the car I didn't want to stand around to snap a picture. They had their bug nets on but were probably the happiest group I've seen in a while.
They told me, "We're actually having a really fun time," as if they were surprised themselves to realize it! They are on target and hiking well. They have their big summit day tomorow when they cross Mt. Moosilauke. They told me they really enjoyed rice and beans for dinner on Sunday night but last night they made mac and cheese and didn't find it very filling. After dinner they realized they had only cooked half of the ration by accident! Well I suppose that just means they can have 1 1/2 rations tonight?
They had also passed the Kinsman Pond group who I haven't heard from but I got the report that they were doing well and hiking strong and were on track.
One last thing - I almost forgot - Russ told me that the sunset last night was amazing. He said the sun looked bigger than anything he had ever seen except possibly during his travels in Africa. That's awesome, Russ! We're all thinking of you as another sun sets.
I had the chance to connect with two groups after seeing the Gordon Pond crew this morning.
First I saw Brummer's group - Lincoln Woods as they were crossing through the notch. They were looking awesome. Of course when they saw me they declared, "Mundahl - take us home!" and then proceeded to tell me how much fun they were having. I do have one small concern however about Aaron's pants. Or maybe that's the latest in outdoor fashion. I'm so behind the times.
They are modifying their pick up and are planning a big loop tomorow without full packs. That let them have a short hike before setting up camp. Sounds like a good plan considering they had a big day today coming out of the notch and were a little late going into dinner. I checked in with the instructor team and they said that the students were really taking care of each other and helping through the tough spots.
Next I saw Ms. Saxe's group - Gilman's Corner. Sorry - I forgot to take a picture of them because it was so buggy when I got out of the car I didn't want to stand around to snap a picture. They had their bug nets on but were probably the happiest group I've seen in a while.
They told me, "We're actually having a really fun time," as if they were surprised themselves to realize it! They are on target and hiking well. They have their big summit day tomorow when they cross Mt. Moosilauke. They told me they really enjoyed rice and beans for dinner on Sunday night but last night they made mac and cheese and didn't find it very filling. After dinner they realized they had only cooked half of the ration by accident! Well I suppose that just means they can have 1 1/2 rations tonight?
They had also passed the Kinsman Pond group who I haven't heard from but I got the report that they were doing well and hiking strong and were on track.
One last thing - I almost forgot - Russ told me that the sunset last night was amazing. He said the sun looked bigger than anything he had ever seen except possibly during his travels in Africa. That's awesome, Russ! We're all thinking of you as another sun sets.
Well, I'm with them in spirit . . . .
The last few days while I've been worrying and fretting about the Sophomores there's been another thing that's been on my mind. Every other person I see these last two days stops and looks at me funny and says, "Say, aren't you supposed to be out with the sophomores?"
No, I'm not with the Sophomores! It's such a hard thing, especially since half the people I talk to think I'm getting away with something by not being on the trail. But actually I would rather be out with them! I wrote a bit about this last year as well.
In fact my first ever experience with NHS was as a professional wilderness instructor for the program seven years ago. In those days Brian Abbott was running the program and he hired me on to go out on a longer version of the Gilman's Corner route. Check it out here's a picture from that first year of the trip with my group on the Summit of Mt. Moosilauke. Look, t-shirts, what the heck has happened to the weather these last seven years?
I miss it dearly but after helping guide the trip on the trail for those first few years it's also been satisfying to guide the trip in a different way from behind the scenes.
So if you see me on campus, no - I don't get to go any more. But that's okay - I'm with you in spirit!
No, I'm not with the Sophomores! It's such a hard thing, especially since half the people I talk to think I'm getting away with something by not being on the trail. But actually I would rather be out with them! I wrote a bit about this last year as well.
In fact my first ever experience with NHS was as a professional wilderness instructor for the program seven years ago. In those days Brian Abbott was running the program and he hired me on to go out on a longer version of the Gilman's Corner route. Check it out here's a picture from that first year of the trip with my group on the Summit of Mt. Moosilauke. Look, t-shirts, what the heck has happened to the weather these last seven years?
I miss it dearly but after helping guide the trip on the trail for those first few years it's also been satisfying to guide the trip in a different way from behind the scenes.
So if you see me on campus, no - I don't get to go any more. But that's okay - I'm with you in spirit!
Everybody's Okay But . . . .
We did have a student return to campus this morning. You'll remember that I wrote a bit about hearing from the Gordon Pond crew last night. It turns out that Jess's ankle didn't get any better over night so I connected up with the group this morning and brought her back to campus.
It was nice to see Mr. Stiles and Leah as well since they had hiked to the trail head to help Jess down. We have a no solo-hiking policy so that meant that Mr. Stiles and Leah needed to hike Jess out together so they could hike back into the group together. This is important since one of the first rules of wilderness medicine is not, while helping one person, to injure someone else!
It turns out that last night wasn't as cold as I'd previously reported. In fact it was noticeably warmer than Sunday night even though they were at a higher elevation.
While I was meeting with Jess, Stiles and Leah, the group was continuing on under the guidance of their wilderness instructor Lindsey. As I drove away with Jess the two started their hike back to catch up. The Beaver Brook Trail looks considerably more friendly today than it must have on Sunday!
Their plan is to stay on schedule by hiking further today than originally planned and getting back on track. That will be a big day, but if they aren't up to it they can always call me to revise their pick up.
Overall it sounded like the group was in good spirits. Jess said they had a delicious meal of macaroni and cheese last night but that she didn't like the oatmeal for breakfast that much. She also reported that they were mostly dry now although they had been somewhat wet after Sunday's rain storms.
It was nice to see Mr. Stiles and Leah as well since they had hiked to the trail head to help Jess down. We have a no solo-hiking policy so that meant that Mr. Stiles and Leah needed to hike Jess out together so they could hike back into the group together. This is important since one of the first rules of wilderness medicine is not, while helping one person, to injure someone else!
It turns out that last night wasn't as cold as I'd previously reported. In fact it was noticeably warmer than Sunday night even though they were at a higher elevation.
While I was meeting with Jess, Stiles and Leah, the group was continuing on under the guidance of their wilderness instructor Lindsey. As I drove away with Jess the two started their hike back to catch up. The Beaver Brook Trail looks considerably more friendly today than it must have on Sunday!
Their plan is to stay on schedule by hiking further today than originally planned and getting back on track. That will be a big day, but if they aren't up to it they can always call me to revise their pick up.
Overall it sounded like the group was in good spirits. Jess said they had a delicious meal of macaroni and cheese last night but that she didn't like the oatmeal for breakfast that much. She also reported that they were mostly dry now although they had been somewhat wet after Sunday's rain storms.
No Frost In New Hampton
I woke up this morning and rushed to the window to check and see if there was a frost. There was a heavy dew, but no frost. So that's good news, perhaps it wasn't quite as cold last night as we had originally thought.
I did hear from one group last night after writing that I started to relax after 8pm. Figures - I should expect that if I write stuff like that someone is going to call.
Turns out the Gordon Pond crew had some pretty tough going yesterday and is a little behind schedule, they experienced wet, muddy trails, frequent stream crossings and slippery conditions. They took it slow and are thus running a little late. They also had a participant slip and turn their ankle a bit. They were keeping the student in the field last night, so it wasn't a very bad slip. We're planning on talking again this morning if things haven't improved.
It's been great to not only have a wilderness instructor with a Wilderness First Responder certification but also Ms. Richardson one of our own athletic trainers in the field with this group.
I'll keep you posted on developments from this group as well anything else that comes up today.
I did hear from one group last night after writing that I started to relax after 8pm. Figures - I should expect that if I write stuff like that someone is going to call.
Turns out the Gordon Pond crew had some pretty tough going yesterday and is a little behind schedule, they experienced wet, muddy trails, frequent stream crossings and slippery conditions. They took it slow and are thus running a little late. They also had a participant slip and turn their ankle a bit. They were keeping the student in the field last night, so it wasn't a very bad slip. We're planning on talking again this morning if things haven't improved.
It's been great to not only have a wilderness instructor with a Wilderness First Responder certification but also Ms. Richardson one of our own athletic trainers in the field with this group.
I'll keep you posted on developments from this group as well anything else that comes up today.
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