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June 22, 2023
Hi Folks,
Yesterday (6/21) was the solstice, the first day of summer and a sunny day - as is today! After how things have been, two days of sunshine is a true gift. The garden is going bonkers, trails are drying out and the cliff actually looks a little less green. Go figure... I was talking to someone at last night's gig (Saco River Brewing Company in Fryeburg) and they were saying that it feels as if a veil of darkness & semi-depression was lifted. I've totally got to agree with that.
This doesn't mean that we're going to be in dry & sunshine here on out, but things are looking to be trending in that way. I have my annual week trip to the Isle Of Shoals starting on Sunday and things are looking pretty good, other than the ever-possibility of thunderstorms. But honestly it doesn't matter because I'll be away for the only time I have this summer and that is, dare I say, a blessing. And honestly I need to get away. The spring has been very busy for me, and things are really going to ramp up all through July. But I asked for it, and I got what I requested.
It's been a bit of a tough month mentally for me... Three weeks ago there was a celebration of life for my bass teacher at U Miami in the late 70's who passed fairly recently. I was his graduate assistant for 1 1/2 years and we were pretty close. Then another 2 friends from the 70's passed, my next door neighbor died from pneumonia, another ex G/F from NY was killed in a car accident and my cousin from TX is now in the hospital on a vent. It's really put things into perspective at this point.
I just saw a post on FB by Jim Donini who is approaching 80 and still very active, saying that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons. He is very positive about his prognosis and plans to continue doing things he always has done. And he just just got a new rope, with a going-forward plan to use it. He also posted a picture of a group of friends in Ouray that included Jim McCarthy, of Gunks fame, who is now 90! These guys are all idols to me. And of course George Hurley too... They all just keeping on keeping on until they can't. I personally believe that's the game. [This was in a public post BTW, so I don't think there is a problem with sharing it!]
Last night I woke up somewhere in the middle of the night and this thought popped into my head:
"We all come in, and we all go out. It's what life is all about. Nothing more, nothing less, so just love it while you can."
I am doing a band gig on the 24th at Ledge Brewing Company in Intervale. In addition I play every Wednesday through the summer from 5:30-7:30 with a revolving trio of friends at the Saco River Brewing Company in Fryeburg. We jam on a wide variety of tunes and it's a real gas. Not to mention that the beer is GREAT! Climb at Jockey Cap and come by for tunes and refreshments. PS there has been a fantastic food truck there as well. The Smashed Hamburger is highly recommended!
Please welcome our newest sponsor the Cranmore Mountain Lodge on Kersarge in North Conway. The lodge has two guest buildings, the newly renovated historic Main building and the recently updated quaint Loft building. Both buildings offer free high-speed Wi-Fi and smart TVs. Each uniquely decorated guest rooms contain comfortable bedding made with fresh linens to feel like home. Complimentary hot breakfast is served each morning and features hot coffee or tea along with fresh fruit, bagels, toast, cereals, and a rotating selection of entrees. Treats, tea, coffee, and hot cocoa are available between 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Guests can enjoy reading by the wood fireplace in the living room, or playing the piano in the foyer. Enjoy the picturesque scenery on our brand new deck or take a stroll by the brook along the property. Guests can also participate in catch and release fishing in our private pond stocked seasonally with rainbow trout. The pool is open for the summer and a hot tub is offered year round.
https://www.cmlnh.com/
On the positive side I'm not seeing all that many blackflys right now. [two thumbs up] That said I was out working in the garden yesterday afternoon and found 2 ticks on my right leg when I got done. [three thumbs down] Couple that with the mosquitoes and I have to keep the Bug Rating at a solid 3 at this time.
Most trails are in decent shape right now. I've been going over to the Cranmore Bike Parks to grab some downhill fun this week and it's good. There is some mud still here & there on the normal trails like Marshall and the East Side, but it's generally avoidable. And besides, that's why I keep a brush in the car!
Up on one of the Mount Washington Valley's finest crags and want to know what that climb you're looking at is? Or maybe you're on your way up from Boston and want to check out the Ice Report for your upcoming weekend plans. Or more likely, you're at work just want to daydream about your next adventure. Well if you have a smart phone handy, you can get to NEClimbs from anywhere you have cell service. While it doesn't offer every single feature of the site and it's not an "app", in mobile form, it does do a whole lot and is very useful. Here is the live link to the mobile version of NEClimbs:
http://www.neclimbs.com/mobile
Check it out and if you have issues on your specific phone, please feel free to let me know.
Join us and LIKE us on Facebook. I'll try and post interesting pix every Thursday and the latest Ice Report in the season, tho certainly not the whole Report. Here's where you can check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/NEClimbs/
Remember - climb hard, ride the steep stuff, stay safe and above all BE NICE,
Al Hospers
The White Mountain Report
North Conway, New Hampshire
| The solitary ascent of the Dru had the immediate effect of expanding the horizons of my ideas about mountaineering. It made me aware of possibilities well in advance of the times, which were characterized by very restricted mothods. This was how the suberb pyramid of K2 surfaced once more in the list of my projects. But I chose K2 as a way for giving concrete form to my new concept of mountaineering: to climb the second highest montain in the world solo, alpine style, and without oxygen. |
| Walter Bonatti |
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