Mt. Shaw

Submitted by Pat

Stats
Mountain: Mt. Shaw
Date: September 25, 2016
Miles: 8.8
Elevation Gain: 1,800
Trails: Tate Mountain Trail — Banana Trail — Black Snout Trail —  Mt Shaw Trail

  • image of a damp red maple leaf on the ground
Pat and Nancy on Mt. Shaw summitSitting in my car at the trailhead parking area. Loggers have invaded the area and I hope we can find the beginning of the Tate Mountain Trail. I can’t wait to talk to Nancy. I feel words oozing out of my pores, my throat constricts and tears perch on my eyelids. I haven’t cried in so long.

The logging operation, conservation logging — selective — cutting old and dead trees to open the canopy and encourage sprouting and a new generation of trees growing. Seeing the mess is at first disheartening, but seeing the sign explaining what is going on helps.

Perfect day, cool, clear blue sky, slight breeze, temps in the 60s. I experience patella knee pain in my left knee most of the way up. It lingers all day. We climb slowly — 9:15 am to 12:30 pm — to get to the summit, with a 20-minute stop on Black Snout to eat an apple and enjoy the view. Nancy is wearing full winter regalia while I am in long pants and a short-sleeved shirt. The breeze chills our skin under sweaty shirts.

We talk — I listen to her talk about feeling down lately. She hasn’t passed through it yet but called a friend who helped her see where she is now that she is not a prisoner of her history. She doesn’t know the self that is emerging now that she doesn’t have her history to fall back on. It has always defined her — she’s looking for her next purpose in life, her next adventure, her next goal.

Heart rockWe do the “what are we most afraid of” thing as we walk. I start:

  • Afraid the side-effects of radiation will cause fatigue that will not go away
  • Afraid of the cancer returning
  • Afraid of not being able to hike or even walk in the woods
  • Afraid of not being able to take care of myself

Nancy:

  • Afraid of not finding “what’s next”
  • Afraid of not recovering her investment in the Pumpkin Book

We reach Mt Shaw around 12:30 pm, along with a nice other couple, and eat lunch. Magnificent views of the southern White Mountains, though Mt. Washington is in the clouds.

We are both sore and tired on the way down — sore toe tips — and very pleased with ourselves by the end of the hike. I should have made the time to retie my boots. Always more lessons to learn. Take the time. Ease the pain.

Looking forward to our next adventure and more lessons to come.