August 19, 2011 - Dial & Nippletop

Afternoon rain was possible in the forecast when Rich, Jack, and Rob arrived at the St. Huberts parking lot for a late Summer climb, but we were optimistic that we could reach the peaks before any trouble started. The Ausable Club was busy with golfers as we cut through, but only a couple of groups had registered at the trail head before we went through the Lake Road gate. The initial section of the trail up Noonmark's shoulder is pretty rigorous, and this being our first hike in quite a while, we were all breathing hard by the time we reached the first look-out. A spectacular view of the Great Range motivated us to continue.

By the time we were nearing Bear Den, Rob was instructing us on funeral arrangements for himself, and Jack was looking for suitable locations for a funeral pyre. Luckily, we still had water at that point (but we were running low). Jack offered to carry Rob back to the car, but he said, "No. I'm not Kate; I will make it to the top."

After deciding to leave Rob to his defenses in the brush, Jack and Rich made it to the top of Dial a little before Noon. The summit was busy; we met a family from Keene, and a pair of guys from New Jersey who were begging for water and describing how they investigated unknown plants by eating them. After 15 minutes of relaxation on the summit, Rob arrived (without any gear) and declared, "I am done; this is as far as I'm going." Jack only had to chide him for 10 minutes to change his mind, but he also had to back-track a half mile to retrieve his gear.

The climb to Nippletop wasn't as challenging as we had feared, and the pair from New Jersey suffered the inglorious point of getting passed by Rob on the trail (eating those strange blue berries must have had something to do with it). The views from Nippletop were spectacular, and even though we heard a little thunder, the skies were very cooperative. We spent almost 30 minutes enjoying the views, before heading down towards Elk Pass and our trail home. The descent was a little rugged, and we were slowed by pain and dehydration. We did take the opportunity to soak our feet in the brook before we got to the road, and our stroll back to the golf course.

The total hike was just under 14 miles in 10:45; if we keep taking Rob with us, we'll have to start packing lunch AND dinner. Twenty-eight (28) High Peaks down; 18 to go.