Dianne's Nepal Adventure - Oct-Nov 2000
Photos and trip report from Dianne Smith
Dianne thought she'd share with us some fabulous pictures and a trip
report from her exciting trip to Nepal!
View from Kala Pattar Summit
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last summer I attended my first GONewEngland event and
subsequently met many phenomenal folks who I hiked with up through
the month of October. My New England hiking adventures were
amazing. One of life's truly defining moments for me was standing
on the Knife's Edge of Katahdin soon after witnessing a thru-hiker
finish her Appalachian trail journey; a woman in her 50s traveling
alone with a trail name of "Wacky Jackie." I am thankful
to have had the opportunity to place my feet on the summit of 15
of the 48 four-thousands in NH in all types of weather -
particularly hail in September on North Twin!
In October and November I
traveled to Nepal and went trekking to Mt Everest Base Camp.
Enclosed are a few pictures from that amazing trip. The beauty of
the Nepalese people and the Himalayas remains strong in my memory.
I'm enclosing a few pictures to share with you and to say
"thanks" for all you contribute to the spirit of hiking,
meeting new friends, and the spirit of summitting, both on the
mountains and within ourselves.
The view of Everest is taken
from the summit of Kala Pattar at 18,500 - not bad for a
"flatlander" whose highest altitude, pre-trip, had been
Mt. Washington. You'll easily recognize the Khumbu Icefall. The
day we went to base camp we learned that our Sherpa, Chwong, had
summitted Everest twice and that his father held the record for
most Everest summits, 10, until the year 2000 when another Sherpa
made his 11th ascent. Chwong sits at the foot of the icefall.
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The Last Bridge
From Kala Pattar
Chwong
Namche From Above
Ice Mushrooms
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Mt. Sunapee / Lake Solitude Hike - 11/25/00
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Pam F. ran the activity to Mt. Sunapee, and she opted for the
trail starting from the ski area, which turned out to be about as
long but much more gradual than the one Your Webmaster is familiar
with! So this activity was great for us bipeds and
for the two pups which came along with us.
<<< Shadow
Annette and Tom get Tammy ready to go:
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Arnie, Pam, Martin, Annette, Tom, and Your Webmaster are joined by our
canine pals Shadow and Tammy for the Mt. Sunapee / Lake Solitude Hike.
Your Webmaster and Annette 
took up sweeping duties on this hike. It was a superb day---a bit
cool (in the 20s, probably), but the weather was good and the trail was
loaded with switchbacks, making climbing easy. There are no real
steep spots along the entire trail! At the summit
we stopped for a snack, and Your Webmaster got a shot of the man-made
snow and the ski lift 
open for business. But not all of the snow was man-made, for there
was a little bit of the stuff alongside the trail at the higher
altitudes. After the summit stop we made our way across the slopes
to the Lake Solitude trail, and we got a nice view of the Newbury, NH
area and its lake  .
Lake Solitude was a ridge walk away and quite easy to get to  ,
and Your Webmaster snapped this pic while resisting a nap in his
favorite spot (note the hiking boot in the picture). Tom, Annette,
Arnie, Martin, 
and Tammy put on some smiles, and our hike leader Pam and her friend
Shadow 
posed for a shot, too.
Another great hike for GONewEngland! |
| Beaver Brook Conservation Area Walk - 11/24/00
Beaver Brook is
a fine place for walking in Hollis, NH (right next door to
Nashua). Your Webmaster, Christine, Jan, newbie Heather, and Arnie
set out for the unexplored northwest part of the Conservation Area this
time.
We started off and shortly were at the Great Pumpkin
Patch where Heather, Arnie, Christine, and Jan 
hopped into the photograph. A bit further on we encountered bits
of an old building ,
looking pretty much like the remains of a fireplace. Man, Your
Webmaster knows how to build a fire! 
It's practically a volcano in there!!!
Arnie wandered out onto the edge of a beaver dam 
but later sat with the others on a log 
to take in some nourishment.
Nope, Beaver Brook doesn't disappoint...
Photo touch-up provided by Heather. |
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North Pack - Ted's Trail - 11/19/00
Jen and Michele can't help but admire Tom, who is looking
quite dapper in his OrangeWear.
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Ted's Trees
Trip Report by Tom S...
The early forecast was for a chance of rain,
but it was blue skies with a couple of fluffy white clouds last Sunday
as Tammy the Wonder Dog led Jennifer, Michele, Annette, Dave, Ken and
Tom up the beautiful Ted's Trail to North Pack Monadnock, and then down
the pleasantly-graded Carolyn's Trail. With an eye toward deer-hunting
season, several hikers wore orange. Tammy the Wonder Dog sported a
custom-made florescent orange doggie vest and Tom wore a hat that
probably could have been spotted from the space shuttle. Annette and Ken
took a detour along the Cliff Trail, while the others spooked what
looked to be a bobcat from under a low spruce tree. It disappeared so
silently and fluidly, it left the hikers wondering if they only imagined
seeing it. It was a dog day afternoon at the summit, as two other golden
retrievers, a golden lab and a couple of malamutes held a canine
convention. Another great time with great folks at Get Outdoors New
England, with a tip of the hat (or earband) to Webmaster Ken.
What a view!
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Tammy donning her custom-made fluorescent orange doggie vest
Tom and Annette chat on the trail
Ice
Dave, Jen, and Michele take a break at the big cairn on the summit
of North Pack
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| Bartlett Inn/Mt. Langdon Shelter Hike - 11/11/00
We spent the weekend at The
Bartlett Inn and got in a hike across the street (and in about 4
miles) to the Mt. Langdon Shelter, where we had a bit of lunch.
Although Friday brought us rain, Saturday was cloudy but dry--and not
too cold for November in New Hampshire. Kathy K (Our
Motivator/Welcoming Committee), Tom S., Annette S., Tammy The Wonder
Dog, and Your Webmaster got some miles on our boots with this one.
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Tom S. and Tammy The Wonder Dog
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Annette S. and Kathy K.
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| Bigelow Hollow State Forest - 11/4/00
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