Well written... and a nice touch with the Carrol quote (a lot of connotations there). I can't remember if there was a sign at the top of Balsam Cone when I last did it, but from your description, I'm pretty sure you made it. A special congrats to your niece!
May I point out that this epic may not have been such a trial had you had the proper footwear, clothing etc. I see only running shoes (no ankle support), streetwear and no evidence of rain gear at all.
Even "small" mountains deserve the respect due to them at all times of the year.
I say this not as a critism but in the hope of making future trips more enjoyable for you and your niece. I've seen too many kids put off the mountains prematurely by a bad first experience. Not that this seems to have applied to your niece - she seems to have revelled in it, cold, mud and all.
I will agree that her choice of shoes were not the best (not much traction), but it was how she was sent to me-I will blame that one on her mother! :-)
I place the blame on me for not fully comprehending the roughness of this trail-but never meant any disrespect. There are much easier places all over the southeast where sneakers and a short hike suffice to see great views.
yes, rain gear-something I will make sure to carry next time, but with the extreme heat we are experiencing in the south, that rain actually did a nice job to cool us off.
Honestly, she thought it was great. She can't wait to come back next year and do it again. I, on the otherhand, saw it a bit differently. Chalk it up to a good learning experience.
The trail on the other side of Winter Star is actually worse! I hiked it once during a thunderstorm and the trail was, for all intents and purposes, a waterfall.
The Crest Trail has a rep for toughness that is well deserved.
The ropes were on the steep descent from Big Tom to the gap between Big Tom and Balsam Cone? When I did this in mid-July there were no ropes (at least as far as Winter Star).
We did this in March one year and got caught in a hailstorm with thunder coming back up Big Tom. It made us move really fast.
Your adventures with your neice reminded me of my days as a camp counselor and opportunities to motivate kids to the top of a mountain. Ah the joys of carrying my pack plus 3 others :-) Its too bad more kids don't get out into the mountains these days and I applaud you making the effort.
I must say though, that after being IN a thunderstorm at the top of Katahdin in ME, I am always relieved to be in the woods when the rumbles of thunder begin and not out on the open bald peaks.
thank you for reading. with everything said and done, we did have a blast-a good bonding experience for us. I figure if I start her out now, maybe in a few years I will have a lifelong partner. Shooting for a three day AT route with her next year!
For your three day AT route I highly suggest you include the Roan Highlands... Maybe carvers gap to 19E? Spectacular Views and two shelters (go for the second)along the way! (weather permitting)
RenatoG - Aug 9, 2007 9:53 am - Voted 10/10
Unusual and nice!I've a little niece of 6 months old. I hope she'll come with me, up on the mountains, among some years...
Ciao
Theonestar - Aug 9, 2007 11:05 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Unusual and nice!one picture was all it took...
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 11:38 am - Voted 10/10
Great job!Well written... and a nice touch with the Carrol quote (a lot of connotations there). I can't remember if there was a sign at the top of Balsam Cone when I last did it, but from your description, I'm pretty sure you made it. A special congrats to your niece!
Theonestar - Aug 9, 2007 4:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great job!ha great-now I can sign the climbers log!
rhyang - Aug 9, 2007 12:12 pm - Voted 10/10
Cool !Thanks for the fun TR Karen. Brings back pleasant memories of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Carolinas !
Theonestar - Aug 10, 2007 11:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Cool !thank you for reading. Right now the Carolinas are not so pleasant with the 103+ temperatures and 40% humidity.
vancouver islander - Aug 9, 2007 1:50 pm - Hasn't voted
With the utmost respectMay I point out that this epic may not have been such a trial had you had the proper footwear, clothing etc. I see only running shoes (no ankle support), streetwear and no evidence of rain gear at all.
Even "small" mountains deserve the respect due to them at all times of the year.
I say this not as a critism but in the hope of making future trips more enjoyable for you and your niece. I've seen too many kids put off the mountains prematurely by a bad first experience. Not that this seems to have applied to your niece - she seems to have revelled in it, cold, mud and all.
Cheers,
Martin
Theonestar - Aug 9, 2007 4:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: With the utmost respectI will agree that her choice of shoes were not the best (not much traction), but it was how she was sent to me-I will blame that one on her mother! :-)
I place the blame on me for not fully comprehending the roughness of this trail-but never meant any disrespect. There are much easier places all over the southeast where sneakers and a short hike suffice to see great views.
yes, rain gear-something I will make sure to carry next time, but with the extreme heat we are experiencing in the south, that rain actually did a nice job to cool us off.
Honestly, she thought it was great. She can't wait to come back next year and do it again. I, on the otherhand, saw it a bit differently. Chalk it up to a good learning experience.
Thank you for your comments-
BobSmith - Aug 9, 2007 5:17 pm - Voted 10/10
Try it in a downpour!The trail on the other side of Winter Star is actually worse! I hiked it once during a thunderstorm and the trail was, for all intents and purposes, a waterfall.
The Crest Trail has a rep for toughness that is well deserved.
StarMan - Aug 9, 2007 6:59 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Try it in a downpour!Reminds me of the time I went up "The Chute" (just below Attic Window) on Grandfather Crest Trail during a severe thunderstorm back in June 2006!
Theonestar - Aug 10, 2007 11:12 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Try it in a downpour!I read your warnings Bob-I get a bit bullheaded at times though. Learned my lesson!
mlandau3 - Aug 9, 2007 7:24 pm - Hasn't voted
A QuestionThe ropes were on the steep descent from Big Tom to the gap between Big Tom and Balsam Cone? When I did this in mid-July there were no ropes (at least as far as Winter Star).
We did this in March one year and got caught in a hailstorm with thunder coming back up Big Tom. It made us move really fast.
Theonestar - Aug 9, 2007 10:37 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A Questionyou are correct. The rope did help on those slippery rocks, too bad they were not there for you-that only makes you much more hard core! :-)
e-doc - Sep 29, 2007 8:26 pm - Hasn't voted
truismWhat doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Theonestar - Sep 29, 2007 10:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: truismindeed!
Enapai - Oct 2, 2007 9:38 pm - Voted 10/10
Trip ReportYour adventures with your neice reminded me of my days as a camp counselor and opportunities to motivate kids to the top of a mountain. Ah the joys of carrying my pack plus 3 others :-) Its too bad more kids don't get out into the mountains these days and I applaud you making the effort.
I must say though, that after being IN a thunderstorm at the top of Katahdin in ME, I am always relieved to be in the woods when the rumbles of thunder begin and not out on the open bald peaks.
Thanks for the memories.
Cheers,
Enapai
Theonestar - Oct 2, 2007 10:14 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Trip Reportthank you for reading. with everything said and done, we did have a blast-a good bonding experience for us. I figure if I start her out now, maybe in a few years I will have a lifelong partner. Shooting for a three day AT route with her next year!
misher - Dec 16, 2007 12:21 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Trip ReportFor your three day AT route I highly suggest you include the Roan Highlands... Maybe carvers gap to 19E? Spectacular Views and two shelters (go for the second)along the way! (weather permitting)
Theonestar - Jan 6, 2008 8:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Trip Reportthanks Misher-will definitely check into that route. Thanks for the tip!!