Welch-Dickey Loop

First big hike of the year. I thought I did a pretty good job of staying in shape this winter, but I don’t think an hour twice a week of boot camp really prepares you for a three-hour uphill trip over rocks. I guess I need to do some rock climbing next year if I really want to stay on top of things.

Keith, Ulla, their doggie Cardigan, and Joe joined us. Keith and Ulla were just back from Peru, so this was a walk in the park for them. Joe is so stinkin’ tall that mountains simply bow down before him when he sets out. And Yen, well, he’s just unbelievably fit. Anyway, the good news is we have a lot of hikes ahead of us this year, and there’s time for me to get back into it.

You might remember that we did this hike last Fall too. I think it’s a nicer hike during that time of year because the foliage is so incredible. Joe said that in the summer there are a lot of blueberries on the first summit, though. Maybe the point is simply that you should get out here some time of year and see.

Oh, one last note before I dive into the photos. New boots! I bought a new pair of Vasques the day before we did this. Last year as I had to talk myself up the rock faces, Yen kept telling me that I wasn’t trusting my shoes enough. He was right, and now with the ankle support I felt really good scrambling up. I think the moral here is that the right equipment is pretty damned important.

Here we are on the first ledge. Cardigan’s having a little snack, and I’m performing my model duties.

Which Joe found endlessly amusing.

Behind me here you can see the next bit we’re about to tackle. Note how fresh and happy I look. I’ve forgotten what’s coming next.

And here Keith and I have reached that summit and are headed back down again toward the next one.

Would you look at that? A photo of us together!

There I go again.

Here I am trying to stay hydrated. It didn’t really work. As soon as we got to the car, we drove straight to a Dunkin Donuts, where I bought the largest iced tea they sell. Joe said his strawberry coolata tasted “like melted popsicle.” (apparently not a good thing?)

Some fellow hikers having a little lunch.

And I’m off again on the final descent to the car.