Originally written about 6 years ago. Part 1 of a story entitled:
Nicole's Journey of Self by: Rob Paquin
It's quite possible that I've posted this in another group here before. I hope you enjoy it.
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The wind blew icily cold as they left the house and headed for the car. On it's currents rode a message of hope and luck. It's chill touch warned of colder airs to come. The ride, long and uneventful, was filled with many important conversations. Life and love, the future and the past, school and play..., all had their time inside the spotlight of Hikingman's opinions. Contrasted by the lithe little creature to his right..., Nicole also had her say on all of these matters and more. It never ceases to amaze him how well she and he manage to communicate. There is something to be said for common interests that lend themselves to time discussing such things of importance and note. He'd surely give up hiking all together if it meant more talks with her. Though that won't ever be needed he's sure, as she enjoys what they do as much as The Hikingman himself does. He'll thank God for that and enjoy it all for what it is..., a very large part of their shared life and experience.
After 4 hours of driving they had arrived. It was quite late by most hiking people's standards, being just after 10 pm as they prepared the sled for it's dragging. It would take them 2 hours to reach the place in which they would sleep. The rest of their group was further behind and would not arrive at that spot chosen for sleeping until 2:30am. This meant more time for talking while they hiked. The air, colder now than when they left their house. The absence of wind was promising, however early in the trip it might be. One's such as they always look for small portents into the promise of the future in many small things like that.
Despite the temperatures, it didn't take long before both of them were covered in a thin sheen of sweat. A moisture that felt natural to them during these colder days. A fact that said something about their comfort level and commitment to what they were about. Indeed it spoke volumes of the inner fortitude of these 2 adventurers. They often times marveled at how they could be so sweat covered and still have colder than normal toes. They didn't question it, but they did marvel at it.
They were ready, they were there, and they were underway. Once again they'd be attempting to climb this grand mountain together. As of yet, failure had met their previous efforts of personal will placed against the randomness of nature. There had been 3 such adventures so far to date, starting 4 years back when she was just 11 and he in better shape for such things. Those adventures, while awesome in their own respects, ended early and with a small feeling of disappointment. Twice turned by weather, and once by Hikingman's aging back. They clung to the hope that this time would prove different. The smiles upon their faces showed that hope, even if they were the only one's there to notice them.
Hope was something built into these two beings. Infused in their attitudes like a foundation stone for the building of their personas. Those smiles were infectious, and as they hiked along, talking about everything and anything, up that mountain in search of their resting spot, they re-infected each other with more of the same. Mt. Washington stood before them and they climbed upwards, filled to the brim with that hope, and the natural expectations that went with it. For such a relatively short space of time when compared to the entirety of life, it was a time to be remembered as one of great joy and closeness for them. A time not to be lost in the overshadowing thoughts of anything else that might transpire that weekend. No matter if those thoughts be bright or black. A small moment of simple happiness, theirs forever in memory.
As with any time of good memory, it would not last forever. And so it was that that time came to an end and another set of time began. A time of restful slumber and vivid dreams made up of their deepest desires and emotions. Upon reaching their first destination of this winter hiking adventure. Shelter #6 at the AMC's Hermit Lake Shelters. They displaced their disdain for that group as they always did when they went there. Being one of the only suitable places for camping on the mountain this time of year, they set aside that disdain in order to pursue their goal. They unpacked the 90 pounds of gear from the sled, and set up their sleeping bags. Climbing into those down filled bags felt like a home coming of sorts. Sleep was quick at overtaking them both. Their shared conversation placed on hold until the sun of the morrow would awake them.
Hikingman slept lightly at first, anxious as he was to be sure his friends arrived safely and at the right place. The Flag he had hung outside should of assured him of that, but he's always a bit apprehensive and paranoid, so he kept himself inside of that state between dreams and reality until they got there. After which, he simply greeted them with a short hello and a smile. Then he too left this waking world for that of the land of dreams. He dreamed of a picture in which his little girl was front and center, with a summit sign on her left, and a smile behind her eyes. He smiled as he laid there in his state of unconsciousness. Content.
The sun rose unnoticed as clouds helped to color the world gray. Wispy snow fell lightly from the cloud which they sat inside of this high up above the level of the sea. It showed no sign of stopping, and for the first time since the date had been set, doubt crept into Hikingman's mind. One look at his daughter however grounded him with her determination. He banished the thoughts of doubt and dismay, and followed her lead. Truly it was she who was the leader here on this adventure. The driving force behind the desire. Her conviction of purpose could only be described as heroic. He held a new found and reinforced feeling of awe and inspiration as he watched her prepare her things in readiness for their departure from the comforts of the shelter they sat inside of.
Leaving this place signaled yet another stretch of time. This time would be known as a time of strain, struggle, effort, and perseverance. A measure of last night's hope accompanied them as they climbed higher and higher into the ever thickening cloud cover that now enveloped everything around them. The wind was still non-existent. The temperature hovered in the single digits, and the snow continued to fall, lightly landing upon the rocks and trees. Coating the world in a fresh coat of white. A fitting color for one who hopes to do something they have never done before. The color of newness, the color of fresh starts, and new beginnings. A color that fit the feeling, as it were, of this particular hike into the wild.
Nicole was on a mission. Her pace was almost twice that of her norm. It was a wonder to Hikingman that he was able to follow along at a gait so close to his own norm. It was a great pace she set for the rest of the group to follow. After the past 3 years, she knows well enough that a slow start can often lead to an early end as the day fades to black. Nature being what it is, make it's unpredictable aspects even more so after sunset. The later in the day they reached treeline, the nearer they would be to defeat. She had set her mind to a victorious finish, however. Her inner superhero was at the fore on this day and she wouldn't chance to let this end before it really began.
She hiked hard, and she hiked well. Making great decisions at each and every turn. Offering encouraging words to those that we passed along the way that seemed to need such. She fielded questions on her age and experience with little help from her father. The amazement of others at what she was doing at her age, irritated her, but she didn't let on. Her confidence shined through and it didn't take long to convince those she talked to of her abilities and desire. Their wishes of luck she discarded as unnecessary, though she acknowledged each in turn with a patience rare to those who've reared her. Those 2 adults still wonder where this kid ever came from. But that...., is another story.
They set out from their resting spot just before the others. Travelling a half mile before stopping to don the crampons upon the soles of their boots. That is where the remainder of the group caught up to them. Hikingman, having already helped Nicole with her foot gear, was hard at work getting on his own when the others arrived. First came the closest of his friends. A man who had grown up with Hikingman. Best of friends since the first day of their shared kindergarten class. They talked close to everyday during the week, after both had finished their day's work. It had been that way for almost a forever now, and niether would ever think of having it otherwise. He was closely followed by the other 3. Hikingman's longest hiking partner, and a mentor of sorts to him for the 23 years, and thousands of miles of hiking they've done together. Another friend Hikingman could not part with. Next was his nephew, a 20 something kid who looked like he might do well at first, but faltered quickly once the real climbing began. Last but not least, was a giant teddy bear of a man, who had been found over 17 years ago, and quickly immerses himself into what was before a pair, and made that pair a trio. It stayed that way for close to 10 years for the three of them, until Hikingman's best friend joined in the trio and made it a group. They call themselves Northeast Excursions Hiking Club, or N.E.X. for short. That too is another story. One that probably won't be shared here anytime soon.
Everyone with crampons on, the group of wandering adventurers were once again underway. Nicole headed the lead and the rest dropped in line behind her. Strange it was thought by Hikingman that each of the followers fell into the exact same position they arrived to put their foot gear on. As has already been discussed, she set a pace that surprised everyone. In fact, her quick start, and muscle driven climb up to the steeps, may have been what doomed The Partner's Nephew to his fate that would follow. Nicole felt little pity for him when he finally called it quits at Lion's Head. All she said was "When I take my next step, it will be the furthest up the mountain I've ever been." She munched quietly upon her peanut butter sandwich after that, staring off into the cloud bank that surrounded them, and hid her goal from view. The snow continued to fall, but this high up it came at them sideways now. All heads tilted to the Southeast to avoid the unwanted chill from descending down their necklines to the very middle of their spines.
Conclusions were reached, and decisions were made. Two of the party would descend from here. Though The Partner made a noble attempt to mask The Nephew's dilemma by claiming a small manner of fatigue, Hikingman knew better. He knew that this was a way to offer up an out for the one he had brought along. Hikingman knew because he had done likewise thrice before, at this very same spot, to save his daughter the same form of mental plight The Nephew now faced. He vowed he'd be back, to which Nicole replied "That's good, because this mountain will be here for you when you do." And she should know if anyone does.
How ironic thought Hikingman at that moment, that it wasn't until his fourth attempt that he reached the top. It began a 15 year run of success for him personally on Mt. Washington during the winter months. Only interrupted last season by an ailing back that turned him around at this very spot due to the sheer amount of pain involved with walking any further. Yes..., Lion's Head was a point of claiming. A point where you were weighed, measured and judged by the mountain most assuredly, but by yourself as well if you are wise. Pray, if you ever find yourself there that you are not found wanting. Turning brings with it, a small dose of humility.
Not too a bad thing at times for a person to deal with, but still not the greatest of emotions to have when so expectant of another outcome. The reality of the mountains in winter are harsh indeed. It is those fools who press too hard, or judge themselves incorrectly, that learn much harsher lessons than the lesson of the mountain's subtle humbling. Things like mountains, that have stood in watching for a time uncounted, must be listened to. However silent their words might be, one must be forced to listen clearly, and understand if they wish to do these types of things. The Partner and The Nephew heard and listened, and are wiser for it. There is no shame in bowing to the might of Mt. Washington's biggest hurdle..., The Lion's Head !
So ends the first chapter of this story. Tune in next blog for the rest of Nicole's Greatest Hiking Moment.
