The Joy of Checking off the Mountains
Submitted by Nancy
Stats
Mountain: Sentinel Mountain (1,680)
Date: November 24, 2024
Weather:
Miles: 3.36
Elevation Gain: 1,003
There is something so darn satisfying about checking off a box next to the mountain climbed. It is addicting. I feel the same joy checking off the mountain as I do reaching the summit, or collapsing into the car after the hike.
It’s a pretty marvelous thing – all these checklists – 100 highest, 67 NE, 48 NH, the Belknaps, the Ossipees, fire towers. Some people could care less about the lists, but I love them – I savor checking off the mountains, finishing up the paperwork, sticking the application in the mail and waiting in anticipation.
And when I finally see the envelope arrive in the mail – Yay! It’s my patch. I take it out, savor it for a moment and then put it up with all the others. Then I stand back and feel the joy.
Ossipee 10 complete, boxes checked, form sent, patch received.
I am so grateful for all the people who maintain the trails and the lists and make the patches possible. Thanks for the added joy!