Poem "Winter upon the Peaks"

"Winter upon the Peaks"

Winter is falling upon the peaks,
Autumn is all but past,
The gusty winds howl and shreak,
Iceicles shatter like broken glass,

The trees above sway and creak,
As whispy clouds hurriendly pass,
The forest colors past their peak,
Browns and grays rudely clash,
An icy river a glistening sheet,
Water below still flowing fast,
Sunshine on frost a chilly treat,
Causing a glittery rainbow flash,
Here and there do animals peek,
Gathering food before winters blast,
All around the land looks bleak,
Snow covers the frozen grass,
Frigid air numbs nose and cheaks,
Stinging like the taskmasters lash,
The mountain top still I seek,
Trudging on ... their at last,
A barron land that still entreats,
Draped in winters linen sash.

By Jason S. Morris

Sandwich Dome 10/17/09

We made our last minute preperations Friday for a Hike-NH group hike for Saturday. I invited my brother along as he had the day off. I was sticking to my plan to hike Guinea Pond trail to Black Mt. Pond trail. I new this would be a longer hike but figured the weather wouldn't be all that great anyway, so the chances of summiting Sandwich Dome was probably not going to happen.

We arrived at the trailhead and got on the trail at a nice and early 8:00am. Once the thermometer readings leveled after being in the warm truck temps. read a brisk 37*, but crystal clear sky's. It was cold, the frost on everything was proof of that. It was very pretty though against the bright foliage. At one point, ice crystsals on the trail where the sun was hitting looked like glitter scattered about. This entire section of trail is a logging road up to our Black Mountain Pond junction, passing several marshes and beaver ponds.

Now on Black Moutain Pond trail we crossed a river and gradually climbed up to a side path to Mary Cary Fall. Not much to look at right now, but must be pretty cool in the spring. Soon we arrived to the pond's camping area and unfortunately no campers, particularly no "Peesalot" whom I was hoping to see as she had planned on camping here for the hike. We took in the beautiful sights of the large pond and the ridge behind it we would be climbing. The sky's were still clear with temps. in the upper 40's and though there was a slight breeze it was perfect weather.

We passed two more beaver ponds then made the climb with intermitent steep sections and a couple minor scrambles. Snow was now present here and ther on the trail but not a hinderance at all. Views from the ledges were magnificent! We took our lunch break not far from the Algonquin trail junction and once at the junction decided to continue on to Sandwich Dome as the conditions were perfect! Footprints in the snow showed that others had been up here today...perhaps Tim, Brian & Joe... I have to say, this being the second time on this ridge, these are some of the best views in the Whites. You could see Lake Winnipesaukee, snow capped Moosilauke, Franconia range & Presidentials, the Osceolas, Tecumseh, Rocky Jennings Peak & Sachem Peak, black mountain pond and all the other smaller peaks in between. It is quite a place!

Once over the high point on this ridge the trail drops to a col. As we began this steep climb down the snow on the trail made it slippery and slow going. We immediately assesed the situation and decided it was too much. With such a long hike back the extra hour or so to the summit, half hour on top and hour back would be pushing it if we wanted to get back to the truck before it got dark and cold. I drew "Excape was here" for the others to maybe see if they came back this way. Fighter Jets that we had heard all day were now visible as we made our way back down the ledges. They were doing manuevers which was pretty neat from this vantage point.

Once back down to the camping area a tent was now set up and a fire going. A man asked if we were with Hike-NH, we said yes just as Peesalot came walking over. We talked for 10 miuntes or so, very friendly couple whom I was glad to meet! (P.S. Peesalot, I have seen your truck before...lk2hk license plate and I will never forget that "terrorist hunting permit" sticker, the first time I saw it I was like, I love that sticker!) We continued down the now thawed out trail and back to the truck at 3:00pm. Perfect day, awesome hike. Hope to meet the others on the next Group Hike! Pictures of this hike here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622489421305/

Mt. Moosilauke South Peak 10/11/09

Trip Report:

Sunday was looking like a beautiful day in the WMNF so we (Jason & Scott) changed our Saturday hike for Sunday. Sunday morning we made the drive with beautiful foliage all around. Stopping not to far from our Glencliff trailhead to take some pics, we arrived at 8:30 am. It was a brisk 48 degrees and the skies were overcast. I figured the clouds would lift by noon. We started up Glencliff trail and up past the always picturesque fields. The foliage this year is magnificent! Our main goal was to nab the South Peak and hopefully carry on to Mossilauke.

It began to sprinkle a bit not even half-an-hour into the hike and we tried to remain positive. The Glencliff Trail pretty much climbs moderately and generally remains that way until leveling off as it rounds the South Peak then rises more steeply. It was on this more level area we began to see blue sky in the distance and the clouds were brightening. Despite the cold air we were hoping the sun would break through as forecasted and warm us up. Well those hopes were rudely disrupted as snow flurries began to fall. We hurried on now on the steep section of trail. Soon the snow flurries turned into a windy snow squall. Cold, Excited and disappointed we stopped and talked about what we wanted to do. Not having heavy winter gear with us was an issue. Not to mention we were planning on a Sunny day with outstanding views. I had a strong feeling conditions would not improve much if at all. So we decided to call it quits, though I wanted to bag the South Peak (this being the second attempt spoiled because of snow, the first was in April with deep snow on the trail that we couldn't manage without snow shoes). The time was 11:45 am at 4198'.

We made it back down passing several groups headed up. The cloud cover broke near 3000' though the gray clouds still hovered over the Moose even as we got back to the truck at 2:30pm. We chatted with two guys who had just returned from an overnight on Moosilauke and said that the day before they dealt with 80mph wind and a lot of ice.

Another failure on South Peak but a great hike and even greater foliage! Guess we'll try again next year! Cheers for being in my first October Snow Squall!

Pictures of this hike here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622449731765/

Poem "The Mountains are Calling"

"The Mountains are Calling"

Something is calling me as I toil through my day,
The Mountains, it is they that are calling,
They beckon my restless, dryed-up soul,
Come hither, do they plead, let us rouse you senses,
Enter our sprawling forests, listen for the song of birds,
Let oneself be drawn into the deep ravines full of enchanted life,
Climb the towering ridges and majestic windswept peaks,
Taste the moist air as eerie fog passes through you like a lost spirit,
Lay and rest upon the cold slabs of broken, scoured rock,
Bask in the warming sun as the breeze blows across your tingling skin,
Release all care and anxiety upwards to the endless sky of blue,
Now as you gaze out over the valleys and peaks to the horizon,
Understand the grandeur that surrounds you,
Acknowledge your small, remarkable existence,
Forget the past, worry not of the future, meditate on what is,
Here do you come to heal your sunken spirit and restless soul,
It is here, here in the mountains that you find peace and tranquility,
A land that inspires and humbles, is rugged yet beautiful, changing and unchanged,
It has sunken into my very soul, calling out as it were, anticipating my joyful return!
By Jason S. Morris

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