Before we even started our trip, Bob Ciecierega and Larry Telle sneaked up to the White Mountains two days early and climbed five mountains. They were to join us Friday at the designated campsite in Gorham. Tom Arter, Craig Johnson and Dan Young made it there Friday; Eric Oogjen and Joe Roth did not. Joe’s van began experiencing transmission problems east of Rutland and they turned around. After driving 700 total miles and limping into Rochester at 10:00 PM, they resolved to try again early Saturday morning. While these two drove back to New Hampshire, the rest climbed three more mountains. By dinner time we were all at the campsite ready to begin our advertised climbing agenda.
Sunday morning was crystal clear but breezy. We were treated to wonderful blue sky as we climbed South and Middle Carter and Moriah. It was a tiring 15 mile day but necessary to set up the final climb Monday. Showers and a fine dinner took us to the inevitable collapse at the campsite around 9:00 PM.
Monday was just as clear but less breezy and warmer. Because of health issues we chose what we thought would be the easiest approach to Mount Isolation, the Rocky Branch Trail. At 14 miles RT it wasn’t the shortest, but it was supposed to be the gentlest. As we approached the summit the group pushed Joe to the front, something about “tradition.” As he climbed out onto the rocky top, Joe officially finished his Northeast 111. Larry was right behind to celebrate finishing his White Mountain 4000 Footers. Both Eric and Larry broke out the bubbly and we all enjoyed a salute. The cameras then came out for what seemed like an eternity. Finally we found rocky seats, pulled out lunch and enjoyed the magnificent scenery. We considered how lucky we were to be there with a light 65F breeze, full sun and clear sky and nestled up against the Presidential Range. We could easily pick out the Mizpah Hut, rocky cairns and all the structures on top of Mount Washington. To the northeast were the Carters from the day before. To the east were lesser mountains trailing off well into Maine. Eventually we had to start down. All went well until Tom and Joe were stung by yellow jackets at the same spot in the trail where they had stung Larry on the way up. Showers, a buffet dinner and a nice campfire completed a memorable day.
On Tuesday the group packed up and said enough to camp breakfasts. By now they were really into this car camping thing! Eric and Dan stopped to climb Cannon Mountain while the others continued home. All arrived safely back in Rochester by 9:30 PM.
