Teacher Talk

You know I could not stop talking about History.  Spent a nice weekend in Orange, VA doing some studying on the Presidency and the Constitution.  Completely enjoyed my time at Montpelier.  Thanks to Frank Page, all it cost was the horror of driving on 95, especially in NJ.  If I am lucky I will go again, and maybe grab some grad credits from James Madison.  I had an awesome time networking with other teachers, getting ideas, and learning new things.  It was AWESOME.  But then again, I was learning.  Now I have to put together a lesson plan (not required, but just for me).  Thinking of looking at FDR and his New Deal programs.  Not sure of what to do, but I will check to see what people have done and create something better.  And yes, I was wearing the boot.  It got redecorated a bit.

Then I did something I had planned for a while, but never had the chance.  I went to the Moton Museum in Farmville, VA.  No, it has nothing to do with animated animals or virtual corn.  This is the site of a student strike and it is one of the 5 cases that made up Brown vs. Board of Education.  These young warriors were not asking for integration, but better facilities.  That was it, better facilities so that they could have a decent education.  It is an amazing story you can read about in Students on Strike.  It is a small, but moving museum.  I cannot recommend it enough.

So far, that is it.  I've been couch surfing and realizing that TV really is that bad.  And that my cat needs a bath and comb.  Hopefully, Thursday's PT will allow me to boot the boot.  I will put in pictures later when I post my Franconia Ridge trip.  Bruised a bone on that one.  Three more weeks and I will be back on the AT.  YAY :).

Climbing Katahdin, or what happens when you piss off Thoreau

Trip to Katahdin 7/2/14:  Hunt Trail aka AT, rehab on Parker Trail 7/13/14

Better get rid of Thoreau's boot soon.  No room for stickers.

It's been a long week and  a half.  Heck it has been a long time since I blogged.  Life has been surreal .  A little too surreal. I haven't done much hiking, at least as much as I like.  I did add some new PA AT miles, my first ME miles, and some MA miles complete with back country camping.  Oh and I did a bit of the Long Trail with Mt. Abraham in VT.  I've been carrying around some serious weight that has slowed me down in more ways than one.  However, a sprained ankle has done little to keep me still.  Are you surprised?  Yes, I sprained it hiking.  Yes, I hiked out on it.  Yes, I am hiking with my boot.  A few miles, but hiking.

Just call me the bear whisper.

How was I able to do live this dream?  Because I am a member of the fantastic the Trail Dames.  You should check them out.

It all started so nicely.  Camped at Katahdin Stream in Baxter State Park.  Had a leanto all to myself.  Listening to the stream as I slept was wonderful, until I had to pee.  But it was warm enough and the privy was close enough that I was fine.  I pitched the inside of the my tent in the leanto because of the bugs.  I am thinking of ways to McGyver it for other trips.  Those bug bivies are heavy and expensive coffins.  I slept pretty well, woke up, had my liter of water, Pop-tarts, and yogurt.  We were on the trail at 5:30, which is miraculous for me.  That may never happen again.

That tent kept me free of too many bites.   

That helped me sleep, until I had to pee.

The Hunt Trail (AT) is tough.  And that is before you hit treeline and the scrambling.  I had my doubts, but kept pushing.  First there were the falls which were awesome.  And the views.  Even before going above treeline it was wonderful.  What upset me was the trash on the trail.  Not a whole lot, but still.  People, pack out your damn toilet paper.  Rant over.  There are boulders to go over, but doable.  Still it took longer than I expected, even at my pace.  It was also quite warm, so I think that, combined with the weight was an issue.  But eventually we got above treeline and OH BOY this is where the fun begins.

Brandi documents my progress.  Only 4.5 miles to go.

I meant to take a better picture when we got back, but, yeah.

Let's talk about poop.  Someone missed my LNT presentation.  

UP AND OVER.  That's what we did.  Up and over rock faces, using scant iron rungs to for help.  A few drops here, a hop over there, a leap of faith a bit further up the trail, this part had it all.  And some great views to make up for all the work.  It seemed like it never ended, hand over hand over foot climbing.  Technical, no.  Hard, yes.  I even used cheerleading skills.  But eventually we made it to the Tablelands and where I made a big mistake.  I pissed off Henry David Thoreau.  But wait, I wasn't in Walden?  Well Hank got around New England.  And he almost made it to Katahdin.  Joke's on him, I made it, but not without a huge issue first.

Brandi contemplating the meaning of life.

Just one of the fantastic views along the way.

Brandi shows how it's done.  

So before I got to the Tablelands, I bad mouthed Thoreau.   We saw a small sign and out of exhaustion I claimed it was Thoreau Spring because it was small and insignificant because he was longwinded and full of himself.  Well it wasn't his spring, but when I got to to it, he decided to let me know what he thought of my comment.  My ankle rolled and I felt a pop.  Sat down for a few minutes, WFAed myself, and decided to press on.  It was only a mile to the summit.

The Tableland

Flat, but lots of little ankle twisters.

Thoreau's mud puddle, errr, Spring.

WARNING:  If this happens to you turn around, especially if storms are predicted.   

I was slowed down more by the injury.  I had to stop and wrap my ankle, but guess what, I made it.  I got my pictures, walked around for a bit, met some SOBOs, Capricorn and Tommy Turtle,  and down we went.  SLOWLY.  My ankle was OK, but I felt it swelling.  We had to get down, so off we went.

Obligatory pick.  I wanted to do something non family friendly with my fingers.

Why yes, we are two bad ass lady hikers.  Don't count us out.  Even the cute ranger knew we were bad ass.

It was a long next few hours, complete with a thunderstorm above treeline.  It seems like we would never get back to the campground.  And I began to worry.  I was going as fast as I could, and water was limited, but I worried about hurting my ankle more requiring a rescue.  Who am I kidding, I would have crawled off that thing.  I was worried about Brandi getting home, I wondered if this was too much for her.  I worried about being locked in the park.  Bears, no.  Moose, no.  Having to sleep in a wet leanto or paying for rescue?  Oh Hell no.  I wondered if I made the right decision by not turning around when I got hurt.  I wonder what I could have done to prevent getting hurt.  Maybe I should have woken up earlier, worked out more the week before.  Your head spins with all this stuff.

Brandi documents my hobbling.  Notice that dark cloud above.

We got down after 9pm, and got out of the park.  Got a small McD's fries and I passed out on the way back to Bangor.  Picked up my car, drove 2 exits and stayed that the Super 8 on Olney.  Yes, there is a Fairfield Inn on the other side of 2, but it is almost 3 times as much.  Thankfully I did not find out it was there until I left.  Ankle hurt more and it was bruised.  Ice, naproxen, Arnica, and off to bed I went.  As I hobbled around, I realized I needed to go to the Walmart in Brewer for supplies.  Hobbled to entrance, got a manual wheelchair, and picked up a knee brace (oops), Ace bandage, Max Freeze, and some frozen peas and carrots (thanks to the nice lady for the suggestion).  You might not want to drive with them on your foot, but you do what you have to do.  By the time I got gas in Augusta and potty break in Gardiner I was in pain.  I stopped in Portland to rewrap, get another pack of peas, and take some more naproxen, I was better by Freeport.

If was just a golf ball when I wrapped it.  Some Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban works quite well for pain relief.  

RIP EMS pants.  You have taken your last slide.

Before I went home, I went to Urgent Care.  Again, wheelchair.  I could have had someone push me, but I am hardheaded.  My practice is in Kenmore Square a, 5 minute walk from Fenway Park.  Or as I call it the Harvard Vanguard AMC branch.  Seriously, everyone knows someone in the AMC.  OH and they moved the festivities on the Esplanade to Thursday night.  OK, in pain, in Boston traffic, and trying to find a way there since Storrow is now closed.  Somehow I made it.  X-rays, crutches from a women who was a participant on a hike I co-led, and pain meds.  How else would you spend a Thurs. night?  I could have waited to see the fireworks, but I was tired and needed more meds.

Went to doctor Tuesday for BP check (told you it was bad the last few weeks, but it improves so much) and I get booted.  Little does she know that it was like a license to have fun.  And it makes wheelchairs that much more fun.  Plus a nice kid took my groceries to my car.  Yesterday, I did 2 miles in Monadnock State Park on the Parker Trail.  Pretty cool.  Tiring though.  More naproxen, turmeric, and ice is what Dr. Me ordered.  I have lots of rehab to do.  But I feel stronger.  The bone bruise below my knee, still kills, but ankle is improving.  Getting a referral to PT and doing exercises.  I will be back in no time.  Which is far too long.

Healing in the mountains

Ok, it is getting a bit dusty in here.  Not many pictures, especially from today in the rain.  I have done some hiking.  I was introduced to Watatic.  A wonderful little peak in Ashburnham, MA.  It is the northern terminus for the Midstate Trail in MA and the start of the Wapack Trail in NH.  If you go on one trail, you can stand in NH and MA.  I was also introduced to the joy of Spring.  Ice covered one week and MUD the next.  It is a great hike.

I made a return to Wachusett, a trip to Wachusett Meadow as a co-lead, and my first trip to the Middlesex Fells as a co-lead.  What can I say about the Fells.  Well, it is PUDilicious.  OMG so many PUDs.  And more PUDs and when you think you are done, another PUD.  Plus, it was pouring for  while.  I was wet, cold, and well my mood has been lousy lately.  I am very glad I did the hike.  It was what I needed in so many ways.  It has been a long few weeks.

I think my breakthrough came through when I did a Pack traverse the other day.  I normally gain stress weight when school starts, but in the last few weeks, it has been a pint of Ben and Jerry's pint a night type of stress.  Luckily, I have the best kids in the world.  Some who I have had since they were Freshmen, they are will graduate next year.  I look forward to having them in class, they tolerate the techniques I impose on them from my RETELL class.  They tolerate my enthusiasm for certain subjects and listen to my music.  YES, many have downloaded Pete Seeger's Little Boxes.   One year, they staged random Duck and Cover drills.  So yeah, I love my kids, even if they push every single button possible and invent a few more. Through all the changes, Common Core nonsense (where is History?), RETELL class, and well them, it has been a tough year.

I had decided to lead a hike on the Packs a while ago.  My friend John does it every Thursday and the last Thursday of the month is a potluck cookout.  I had done this before in sketchier conditions and expected it to be hard, but doable.  I had not clue how near impossible it would be.  Every up was a nightmare.  Pain, shortness of breath (more than usual), exhaustion.  It was a complete mess.  Food did not help.  Hydration did not help.  I was not the slowest, but I truly struggled.  When I struggled up North Pack, I had a small epiphany.  First, I needed to lose weight.  My body could not keep up with my new mass.  But the baggage was more than a few pounds of fat.

I had to face my situation.  I had not broken down.   I cried, but it did not help.  I needed to realize the reality of what was happening to me.  I had to face the fact that I may have to make some very hard decisions.  Decisions that might radically change my life in the next few months.  Then I told a friend what was going and things started to improve a bit.  I did not go back to my summer peakbagging form, but it felt good to get things off my chest.  Of course yesterday I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck hauling a few other Mack trucks.

Through it all, I realized a few things.  A)  I need to do a lot more work before I continue my 48.  Maybe 5 pounds will make a huge difference.  B)  I need to get out more.  A whole lot more.  Easier said then done.  With the Spring Hiking Program, my RETELL class, and well traffic, it is hard to get to away.  And away is what I need.  I can grab a few sunrises here and there.  And with my WFA-SOLO next week (May), I can see the sunrise in Crawford Notch.

The mountains are healers.  They are tough, they may hurt you, and they will humble you.  But if you are paying attention, they will heal you.  Too bad responsibility does not allow me to be in them more often.

Hedgehog Mountain 2/23/14 UNH Trail (the shorter one)

Sadly, vacations come to an end.  Grand things were planned, but I felt that familiar post-vacation plague coming on, so I went for simple.  I saw reports about Potash, but Hedgehog was lower and the mileage was less.  Yeah, that should have been the first sign.  A note on the Kancamangus...FROST HEAVES, and curves.  No wonder I felt nauseous at the trailhead.

Mountain Crack

I was happy to see the trail packed down well.  It was a nice trip...then you begin to realize the truth behind shorter trails...they are freaking steep.  Not all, but this one was pretty steep.  It is a beautiful trail and it has some nice views through the trees.  Allen's Ledge is up there as well, but I can see it another time.  Maybe in the fall.  

First blowdown at beginning of the trail.  Walkaround.

Almost there.

Wait. What?

Second blowdown near summit.

 There are a few switchbacks on the trail, but it is steep.  I had all day and well, I took my gosh darn sweet time.  And it was a nice day, so why not enjoy the ride.  I kept looking for places to slide down.  It is harder with the curves though.  But the snow walls were good.  One thing I did notice were postholes...

RANT ALERT:
Look, you can find cheap snowshoes anywhere and they will be fine on most of the 52s.  BUT when the snow is new or soft, barebooters or people with microspikes will leave holes in the trail.  This makes it dangerous for the rest of us.  Anyone could fall through and hurt an ankle or worse.  Plus I cannot imagine postholing up a trail is enjoyable.  Please, think before you go out.  The AMC, REI, and EMS all have great programs to help you figure out winter hiking.  Ask friends, other hikers.  They will tell you what you need and why.

"Minor" postholes at second blowdown.  I fell into one on the almost summit.

FINALLY (there is a false summity area), I made it.  Nice snowcapped views with some sun peaking through cool clouds.  Because you know I can't have blue skies at the summit.  I was unusually tired, so I sat down and had a nice lunch of cheese, nuts, and chocolate.  I thought I had the summit all to myself when a two hikers come up.  It was their first 52.  YAY.  We took each others pictures and they were off.  I said it wasn't too steep.  OOPS.  It seemed so much steeper on the way down.  I literally flew. No luging, but running.

Lunch with a view.

It was windy at the summit, but sunny and nice.

Not the summit, but nice view.

Another nice not summit.

I slowed down toward the end and noticed something was missing.  So I made a snow person.  I mean how could I not.  The snow was perfect, there was lots of natural material to be creative, and well I was there.  Made it back, endured the Kanc, got pizza and coffee from the usual suspects (Elvio's and Goode's Mobil) and homeward bound I was.  4 days later, I am slowly recovering from what I am calling the Hedgehog Plague.  If you had it, you know the pain.  I am hoping I can get some sort of energy to do a Carter on Saturday.  Heck, a few more 52s will make me happy too.  I just need my mountains.

Hope she is still there.

Middle Sugarloaf 2/22/14 Zealand Road, Sugarloaf Trail

I had such high hopes for this weekend.  Heck, I had high expectations for this week.  However, Mother Nature and teacher exhaustion put a damper on my plans.  So Wednesday, I made a decision.  I realized that if I did not leave Thursday, I would be stuck at home for the rest of the week.  A storm was coming in and I wanted to get above the Notch before it was too late.

I had planned to read all day Friday.  Finish a few books.  Then the sun came out, so I went out.  Zealand had a HUGE snowbank at the entrance, so no Sugarloaves.  Another snowbank for the approaches to Martha/Owl's Head.  So I settled for Willard.  After getting pelted in the face by stuff from the sky and looking for goggles, I made a return trip for no view.  Last time I had a view but no camera.  BOO.

View of the trees.

I would not pee here.  Just saying.

 A good meal and sleep led to decisions for Saturday.  The Willey Range was always an option, but my legs were not having it.  So off to the Sugarloaves.  I had the trail almost to myself, except for a 3 hikers and skiers coming down from the hut.  Yeah, I think I will stick to hiking.  Oh yeah and snowmobiles.  Once on the Sugarloaf trail, everyone seemed to disappear.  I had it to myself, nothing but blue skies and a few woodland creatures.  I hadn't hiked anything with much elevation in 3 weeks, so I took my time.   It is a very nice trail and some nice people on snowshoes packed it well.  That is one thing about winter hiking, you almost can't get lost.  You can, but if you are on a well traversed trail, you are golden.

Beautiful day on Zealand Road.

Tight squeeze.

The trail is mostly flat until about halfway, then there are some steep sections.  Not terribly steep, but steep.  The path to Middle Sugarloaf is steep, but with some winding.  And the ladder (stairs).  I took off my pack and snowshoes and slowly headed up the ladder to the summit.  By now the sun was taking a siesta, but the views were awesome.  I am sure there were more, but without snowshoes, I was limited.  It got windy, so I headed back.  I was thinking of North, but I was tired and wanted a nap.

The Ladder

Now going up, the steepness was hard.  Coming down is another story.  At the split between Middle and North, I donned my rainpants and prepared for the fun.  Yes, I butt luged about half the trail down.  And let me tell you, my cheap rainpants can go fast.  It was the first time I had used them in 2 years.  I really liked this use.  In between flying, I tried barebooting, but the snow was too soft and I sank a bit.  I covered the places where my foot sank.  I finally went back to snowshoes and made my way home.  It was a warm day, so the snow was quite soft on Zealand Road.  It made for a hard mile.  When I got back to 302, I took off my snowshoes and walked back to the car.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Friends don't let friends posthole.

A great day on a great trail.  I hope to get back to 4Ks before winter ends.  The snow complicates things, but it also makes some hikes easier (no rocks, roots, bugs).  It is like a smooth, frozen, wooded highway.

Alan welcomed me back to Carlson's Lodge when I returned.  He is spoiled and loves the attention.