MOACers included: Fran Marquis, Jerry Mullin (new member), Bret Dowd (new member), Kathy B. and Papa Smurf who came out of retirement to experience a stay at the hut. Fran, Jerry, and Kathy hiked North and South Kinsmans on Sunday. It was a gorgeous day with incredible views and cold, strong winds on South Kinsman. Bret hiked up to the Lonesome Lake Hut for a stay with Kathy and Fran. It was a cold night with temperatures in the single digits, but we had something warm to eat, great company, a good game of checkers, excellent views from the hut and beautiful stars at
night. The following day Bret and Kathy hiked the Kinsmans Ridge Trail and reached the summit of a not so welcoming Cannon Mountain. The winds were strong, it was hard to make out the trail and there were 3 foot snow drifts. This was Bret's first 4,000 footer and winter peak and a challenging one it was. Congratulations Bret! And, welcome new members Jerry and Bret! This was a great trip with great people and many laughs.