Hi All,
In just a few hour I'll be heading off to Logan airport to start a new adventure, heading off to Nepal for a 15+ day trek in the Himalayas, and to the basecamp of Mt Everest. Joining me will be my sister Susan, her boyfriend Jere, friends from ASPNC , Lafayette Rec center and doctors and nurses from Dartmouth Hitchcock. I will have limited contact with the states so I will be keeping a journal and taking pics and I will do day by day pics and posts for a few weeks when I return to hare my trip with you.
Talk soon,
Hike Safe,
Ponytail Dave
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Spring hiking on AT
Hi All,
I'm still going thru AT withdrawls,battling inside myself feeling like I'm not doing enough(of what I'm not sure, for the ASPNC for Pam for myself ?) but a hike last Sunday with my friend Gary up to Mt Jackson at least got me back on tha AT for a short while. It was a beautuful day, but there is still 5-6 feet of snowpack still in some places(checkout the blase on the tree in the picture, about 8in. off the snow), it made for some tough walking in some places cause your actually walking up in the trees.
Pam and I are going Damascus for the Trail Days celebration, were going to meet up with Tequila John, Tillerman and Tree + hopefully many other thru hikers from last year and also many hiking this year will be there!! It's going to be a blast.
Memories and thoughts of my thru hike last year run through my brain on a daily basis, sometimes it makes me sad (life was so much simpler out there), but most of the time the memories just add alittle more pleasure to my day. I would go again tomorrow if Pam would join me (and we could afford it!), but for now I'll settle for hiking up here in the beautiful region where we call HOME!
I'm still going thru AT withdrawls,battling inside myself feeling like I'm not doing enough(of what I'm not sure, for the ASPNC for Pam for myself ?) but a hike last Sunday with my friend Gary up to Mt Jackson at least got me back on tha AT for a short while. It was a beautuful day, but there is still 5-6 feet of snowpack still in some places(checkout the blase on the tree in the picture, about 8in. off the snow), it made for some tough walking in some places cause your actually walking up in the trees.
Pam and I are going Damascus for the Trail Days celebration, were going to meet up with Tequila John, Tillerman and Tree + hopefully many other thru hikers from last year and also many hiking this year will be there!! It's going to be a blast.
Monday, February 7, 2011
"Pirates of the High Skis" - Cannon Mnt - Sat 2/12
Pirates of the High Skis...at Cannon! - February 12 - Fundraiser for Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country - non profit org
Arrgh! Ski Like a Pirate and Hunt for Ye Treasure! This is a fundraiser for the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country - a fun and adventurous day includes: treasure maps, costumes, contests, raffles and a day of skiing & riding for a great price and a great cause! Could win a SEASON PASS TO CANNON MNT, restaurant gift cards, overnight lodging at Mittersill Resort and much more.
Registration starts at 9am in the Peabody Lodge on Saturday morning, more info email me or go to www.adaptivesportspartners.org
THANK YOU!!!
Arrgh! Ski Like a Pirate and Hunt for Ye Treasure! This is a fundraiser for the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country - a fun and adventurous day includes: treasure maps, costumes, contests, raffles and a day of skiing & riding for a great price and a great cause! Could win a SEASON PASS TO CANNON MNT, restaurant gift cards, overnight lodging at Mittersill Resort and much more.
Registration starts at 9am in the Peabody Lodge on Saturday morning, more info email me or go to www.adaptivesportspartners.org
THANK YOU!!!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Happy New Year
Happy New Year to All,
Where does time go, one minute I'm on the trip of a lifetime hiking the AT, next it's Jan 2011, WOW.
Been very busy at work,and taking training clinics inside and on mountain, to prepare to help with the winter part of the ASPNC, there is alot to learn to be involved in the winter skiing part of the program. Cannon is a great mountain, and Feb 12th is our first fundraiser of 2011, Pirates of the High Skis.
It takes alot to keep this program running and we need all the help we can get, as usual anything anyone can spare will help,even if it's just coming to Cannon Mountain on the 12th and helping out.
Hope to see everyone out enjoying the outdoors this winter.
Hope you all have a great year,
Ponytail Dave
Ps please check out our new website, the link is still on the blog.
Where does time go, one minute I'm on the trip of a lifetime hiking the AT, next it's Jan 2011, WOW.
Been very busy at work,and taking training clinics inside and on mountain, to prepare to help with the winter part of the ASPNC, there is alot to learn to be involved in the winter skiing part of the program. Cannon is a great mountain, and Feb 12th is our first fundraiser of 2011, Pirates of the High Skis.
It takes alot to keep this program running and we need all the help we can get, as usual anything anyone can spare will help,even if it's just coming to Cannon Mountain on the 12th and helping out.
Hope to see everyone out enjoying the outdoors this winter.
Hope you all have a great year,
Ponytail Dave
Ps please check out our new website, the link is still on the blog.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
2 months !!!!
Hi all,
It's been 2 months since I finished my hike, time flies by. Last night I was showing my cousin Mark pics of my trip,after I went to bed I layed there for quite some time realizing how much I missed being out sleeping in the mountains, but life must go on normally working , and being happy with small hiking trips,but it will forever be in my brain that I would love to do another long distance hike this time with Pam. This will probably never be doable, but I can dream!!! Living life normally will never seem normal to me again, I think I will always feel just alittle lost, the AT truley left a mark on my soul!
Hike safe
Life is good
Dave ( aka Ponytail Dave)
It's been 2 months since I finished my hike, time flies by. Last night I was showing my cousin Mark pics of my trip,after I went to bed I layed there for quite some time realizing how much I missed being out sleeping in the mountains, but life must go on normally working , and being happy with small hiking trips,but it will forever be in my brain that I would love to do another long distance hike this time with Pam. This will probably never be doable, but I can dream!!! Living life normally will never seem normal to me again, I think I will always feel just alittle lost, the AT truley left a mark on my soul!
Hike safe
Life is good
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday 8/10 - "Katahdin" from Ponytail Dave
Got somewhat of a good night sleep last night (much anticipation – felt like a kid on Christmas).
All up early 5am, had a quick breakfast, changed into hiking clothes. My stomach was doing flip flops as we were all getting ready.
5:58AM – signed hiker trail register. There was a group that went ahead of us at 2AM to catch the sunrise. Other than that we were the only ones on the Hunt Trail.
Trail started out easy, but after Katahdin Falls it getting rockier and steeper, soon we were above tree line and it was harder w/many large boulders w/rebar on them. Hand over hand got us up. The steep scrambling kept my mind occupied as did watching and talking w/Pam, Elise and Ollie. This was a pleasant change, since most of my hiking was alone. Nights were where I met up w/other hikers.
After the “Gateway” the climb flatten out a little and you could see people at the summit. I could not believe this was it. I was about to finish. How would it feel? What next? My mind was going on overdrive, thought of Michael, my family, the Adaptive program and all the people that I have met on the trail. Ironic, 3 friends I made and started w/back on 4/1 were waiting for me at the top. How cool is that, that we all get to summit together. Also, thinking about the joy of having my wife finish with me. She really is a trooper.
As, I got closer I felt s strange calm come across me. Pam, Ollie & Elise went first to the summit so they could get my picture as I approached. I could see Moose, Tetherball and Inferno as I approached the sign. When I touched the sign I heard nothing. Not even all the people clapping and cheering. I just stood there and yelled to Michael “I made it”. I was frozen for a minute then straight over to Pam for a big hug.
I DID IT!!!! 2,179 miles I WAS THERE!
Took some times for hugs & high fives w/everyone. We even opened a bottle of champagne, lit some sparklers, took pictures and celebrated. After 45 minutes or so Moose, Tetherball and Inferno hugged me and were soon disappearing down the trail. I will miss seeing their warm smiling faces daily!
We took almost 5 hrs to get back down. It was harder than up.
I was kind of quiet, walking ahead lots of times, just thinking about the last 132 days. What an adventure. It seems like I just left Springer Mnt back on April 1st.
At 5pm I signed the last trail register and kissed the last white blaze and we headed home. My journey was officially over. I was feeling good.
I drove the entire 6 1/2hrs home. Beautiful sunset on Rt 95 and I sang the whole way home. I really missed music.
Now I have to try to return to a “normal “ life. I think it is going to be hard.
I love you all. You all have been great and so supportive of me and Pam.
THANK YOU,
Ponytail Dave
All up early 5am, had a quick breakfast, changed into hiking clothes. My stomach was doing flip flops as we were all getting ready.
5:58AM – signed hiker trail register. There was a group that went ahead of us at 2AM to catch the sunrise. Other than that we were the only ones on the Hunt Trail.
Trail started out easy, but after Katahdin Falls it getting rockier and steeper, soon we were above tree line and it was harder w/many large boulders w/rebar on them. Hand over hand got us up. The steep scrambling kept my mind occupied as did watching and talking w/Pam, Elise and Ollie. This was a pleasant change, since most of my hiking was alone. Nights were where I met up w/other hikers.
After the “Gateway” the climb flatten out a little and you could see people at the summit. I could not believe this was it. I was about to finish. How would it feel? What next? My mind was going on overdrive, thought of Michael, my family, the Adaptive program and all the people that I have met on the trail. Ironic, 3 friends I made and started w/back on 4/1 were waiting for me at the top. How cool is that, that we all get to summit together. Also, thinking about the joy of having my wife finish with me. She really is a trooper.
As, I got closer I felt s strange calm come across me. Pam, Ollie & Elise went first to the summit so they could get my picture as I approached. I could see Moose, Tetherball and Inferno as I approached the sign. When I touched the sign I heard nothing. Not even all the people clapping and cheering. I just stood there and yelled to Michael “I made it”. I was frozen for a minute then straight over to Pam for a big hug.
I DID IT!!!! 2,179 miles I WAS THERE!
Took some times for hugs & high fives w/everyone. We even opened a bottle of champagne, lit some sparklers, took pictures and celebrated. After 45 minutes or so Moose, Tetherball and Inferno hugged me and were soon disappearing down the trail. I will miss seeing their warm smiling faces daily!
We took almost 5 hrs to get back down. It was harder than up.
I was kind of quiet, walking ahead lots of times, just thinking about the last 132 days. What an adventure. It seems like I just left Springer Mnt back on April 1st.
At 5pm I signed the last trail register and kissed the last white blaze and we headed home. My journey was officially over. I was feeling good.
I drove the entire 6 1/2hrs home. Beautiful sunset on Rt 95 and I sang the whole way home. I really missed music.
Now I have to try to return to a “normal “ life. I think it is going to be hard.
I love you all. You all have been great and so supportive of me and Pam.
THANK YOU,
Ponytail Dave
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| Moose, Inferno, Pony Tail, Tetherball - CLASS 2010 GA-ME |
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| Ollie, Elise, Pam, Dave |
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| Ollie - class of 1995, Dave - class of 2010 | <><>
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Monday 8/9 - RAIN - 0 day
We all woke early to the rain pelting on the shelter. PTD went to talk to the ranger to check the forecast. Rain! To let up late in the day. Ranger did say Tuesday would be a glorious day. Ponytail decided he came this far he can wait one more day.
We got up, had breakfast and went into town for lunch. PTD ate lots. Baked lasagna, salad, potato skins, French fries, mozzarella sticks, a beer and then as we were leaving he went up to the ice cream stand and got a chocolate shake. Think he only missed GA and WV for chocolate shakes. He was napping in the car about 10 minutes down the road. Just took our time picking up some more supplies for dinner at the local food market.
When we got back we couldn’t have the same lean to because it was rented out so we now had to get a 3 person lean to #C. Tight but we all fit. Elise is small.
Moose, Thetherball and Inferno were there(they are part of the April Fools Gang). All 4 started together on 4/1 in GA. How Ironic that they would all summit together on the last day of the journey.
When when they were done setting up their camp they came over to ours to have some burgers, mac and cheese, fruit and roasted marshmallows. We sat by the fire and talked for a bit. Nice to hear them all reminiscing about their journeys and everyones anticipation and anxiety of tomorrows hike. The last day, the last hike of their amazing journey.
Dark came, they left and we all went to bed.
We got up, had breakfast and went into town for lunch. PTD ate lots. Baked lasagna, salad, potato skins, French fries, mozzarella sticks, a beer and then as we were leaving he went up to the ice cream stand and got a chocolate shake. Think he only missed GA and WV for chocolate shakes. He was napping in the car about 10 minutes down the road. Just took our time picking up some more supplies for dinner at the local food market.
When we got back we couldn’t have the same lean to because it was rented out so we now had to get a 3 person lean to #C. Tight but we all fit. Elise is small.
Moose, Thetherball and Inferno were there(they are part of the April Fools Gang). All 4 started together on 4/1 in GA. How Ironic that they would all summit together on the last day of the journey.
When when they were done setting up their camp they came over to ours to have some burgers, mac and cheese, fruit and roasted marshmallows. We sat by the fire and talked for a bit. Nice to hear them all reminiscing about their journeys and everyones anticipation and anxiety of tomorrows hike. The last day, the last hike of their amazing journey.
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| Oh forgot to mention our car trouble(muffler), nothing a Moxie can and a Coca Cola can wouldn't fix |
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