Participants: TC Kenneth Gordon, Dave Boyle, Troad Richmond, Ron Chase, Kenny DeCoster
After no small amount of discussion as to the safest venue for paddling that day (there were some ominous forecasts close to MDI) we decided to paddle from Hadley’s Point to Bar Harbor. It was a good choice as seas and winds were calm and we had an opportunity to visit a small set of sea caves known as “The Ovens”. Heavy seas would have preempted getting too close to them but we were able to get inside and look around. We finished the trip by taking a short tour around the Porcupines and admiring the view of the mountains closest to the MDI shore. It was a beautiful day to paddle and more than made up for last year’s windy rain soaked adventure.
Participants: TC Kenny DeCoster, Norm Rehn (OC1’s) and Ron Chase, Pat C., Paul L., Blake Fouracre (K1’s)
None of the usual suspects (except Ron) had contacted me about the Little Suncook Drawdown trip, so I was pleasantly surprised when six paddlers gathered at the Cumby’s in Epson, NH on Saturday morning. There were two new members, Pat and Paul, a potential new member, Blake, Norm, Ron, and I. It had rained a bunch midweek and the river was running high and fast. But to our disappointment there was a strainer right across the bottom of the first and most exciting rapid. Somebody had cut off the very end of the branch, but that only left a 6’ opening to the right eddy. Small opening to aim for after multiple ledge drops and holes. 5 of us passed, but Pat couldn’t resist the temptation and made the run look easy and slithered passed the obstruction.
The river was lively and rocks were less of an issue. Still, we had some mild carnage. Paul missed his first boof off the dam, flipped, and got sucked back into the froth. Luckily, the adjacent landowner was standing on the dam with a long pole and fished Paul out in a flash. Pretty convenient rescue. Paul redeemed himself on the second run and stayed dry. Further downstream, Norm must have slipped out of his eddy and got knocked out of his boat by a branch. It took a while to land his Whitesell full of water in the high water. After a cold swim, Norm had had enough and took out at the next bridge and headed home to warm up. Otherwise everyone had good runs.
On the second go round, Ron rested his hip, played shuttle bunny, and took pictures of us boofing the dam. I discovered that Blake had only paddled a kayak twice before on the Deerfield! I wouldn’t have guessed that by the way he was dodging rocks and strainers. He may soon be a new member with some natural talent. By the second time we reached the Cumby’s take out, the temperature had warmed to 60 degrees to top off a great day of paddling.
Participants: TC Ron Chase, John Brower, Brent Elwell, Julia “Troad” Richmond, Dave Boyle, President Eggman DeCoster
My scheduled Fall Supper Trip was a bike ride on the Carriage Trails. The problem, we had rain, fog, and wind and no one wanted to bike but me. Someone mentioned a short hike instead. Another wannabee hiker suggested Norumbega Mountain. We had a plan. By the time we arrived at the trailhead for Goat Trail, the rain had diminished to mist. The steep aptly named Goat Trail was a bit slippery but the most remarkable aspect of the climb was that President Eggy established a new hiking fashion standard wearing his cap inside out. Views at the summit were minimal but the stormy conditions had their own peculiar appeal.
Descending gradually south on Norumbega Mountain Trail to the southern terminus of Lower Hadlock Pond, instead of completing the intended 3 mile loop, we decided to extend the trip by continuing around the far side of the pond. In retrospect, I’m still not sure the cause. Perhaps the provocative conversations initiated by Brent and Eggy distracted us. Regardless, six experienced hikers carrying maps somehow managed to miss the Norumbega Connector Trail instead returning to the south end of Lower Hadlock Pond; completing an unanticipated circumnavigation of the entire picturesque body of water. Free mileage was the cry! Instead of a 3 mile loop, we completed a 5 mile double loop. I got my bike ride in as I talked Eggster, John and Nancy into a cycle around Eagle Lake after. For the rest of the story, visit my blog at http://www.rchase.bangordailynews.com/
For the first scheduled club Fall/Winter trip, I posted a Leader’s Choice. Suzanne was the first to respond suggesting among other options, Mount Chocorua in NH. Since I had been thinking about a climb on Chocorua all fall, that was an easy choice for me. Unfortunately, Gary was laid up with shingles and several others who wanted to do a local hike were left behind. Stormy the day before, we encountered snow and ice after about a mile. While we never had deep snow, there was a carpet of white stuff at higher elevations but below tree line. A close call as we had some icy sections, we decided not to use micro spikes on the ascent.
It was a good decision because the spectacular summit cone was essentially ice and snow free. The 3,475 foot alpine summit provides some of the most exceptional views in the White Mountains. Light winds and clear sunny skies provided a wonderful opportunity to linger at the summit soaking in the views. Once below tree line, we donned our spikes for the descent. Part way back, we took a spur trail to impressive Champney Falls. I somehow bungled my photos of the falls. Otherwise, the day was a 10!
Participants: TC Ron Chase, John Brower, Brent Elwell
We had a cool sunny day for the planned hike on Little Jackson Mountain near Weld. John, Brent and I met in front of an ancient cemetery on Byron Road and then rambled down the rough, poorly maintained Morgan Road to the trailhead. The initial 2.5 mile ascent was unremarkable. After scaling a boulder-strewn pitch and arriving on exposed ledges, we were greeted with a surprise. The forecast for light breezes was badly flawed. Instead, we had gusty winds out of the northwest that required parkas, mitts and stocking caps. Thankfully, Brent carried an extra stocking cap. Given the size of his pack, he probably had extra everything.
After a respite in a stone windbreak at the summit, we decided to descend an unofficial trail that drops off the southwest slope of Little Jackson to Tumbledown Pond. The views of the pond and the three peaks of Tumbledown below were phenomenal. Just before reaching the pond, we took another unofficial trail over infrequently climbed North Peak, at 3,090 feet the high point on Tumbledown. From there, we continued over West and East Peaks and descended to the pond, where scores of hikers had gathered. We finished the day by traversing over Parker Ridge and trekking down Parker Ridge Trail completing one of the most exceptional mountain hikes in Maine. For the rest of the story, see my column in the Brunswick Times Record: https://www.pressherald.com/2019/11/08/ron-chase-the-second-best-hike-in-maine/
