Low Carb Forum for Atkins Diet & South Beach Diet

Merry Bee · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:06 pm Post subject: Peak Bagging

I couldn't decide if this topic should go under 'fitness' or 'just for fun'...I suppose if you are not 'fit' it wouldn't be 'fun'...however lots of folks become fit by enjoying this activity...

Does anyone outside of new england engage in 'peak bagging'? I started back in '95 and am slowly working on the list of the 48 mountains in NH that are 4000+ ft.

I had a few seasons where no progress was made due to a car accident, illness and new grandchildren that needed my attention. (no wait! in fact that year I repeated the Bonds wth our son & dtr-in-law...too bad you can't get extra credit for repeats or use it like a 'get out of climbing' card for the peaks that are not very appealing!)

This is the year I plan to make a lot of check marks on my old tattered list. We knocked off Tecumseh at 4003 as a warm-up two wk ends ago and did Moosilauke @ 4802 yesterday...didn't break any speed records but that's never my objective...my hubby hikes for the views from the summits but I like to enjoy the journey too-stopping to rest my hand gently on a moss covered boulder or deeply inhale the fragrance of sun warmed pine needles. On the way yesterday I actually stood still for several moments to marvel at the dozens of monarch butterflies dappling the sunshine.

I use to worry about what to snack on when I was back in the induction phase of this WOE and GORP was not allowed. Now that I have reached my goal weight I do have a few extra carbs on the days I'm hiking and enjoy them all the more! My usual trail menu includes hardboiled eggs, a chunk of cheese, nuts, fresh oranges, low carb, yogurt and yes-my beloved bananas!

I'd love to chat with anyone who hikes in new england and maybe has learned to tolerate the black flies-solely because they pollinate the blueberry bushes!

Jonathan · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 1:45 am Post subject:

Hey merry bee... Smile

Never heard of it before, but I'm throughly impressed. You da woman! Very Happy

Lexi's Omi · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 5:58 am Post subject:

Never heard of this before Mary, but it sounds Cool

! Kudos to you for doing the climbs and enjoying nature at the same time. Very Happy

Good for your body and your soul. Wink

Lynne · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:05 pm Post subject:

Hi Merrybee,
I loved your post. Do you do any writing? You have a nice touch with words.lynne

Merry Bee · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 1:11 am Post subject:

Thanks Lynne...I have a book in my head. I just have to press 'print' Laughing

It's a trilogy about my life. The first installment is called 'Behind the Lace Curtain' It's about growing up Irish Catholic in an extended family where how things looked from the outside was more important than how you felt. Very original huh Laughing

The second is titled "Kiss Me Standing Up" and I don't know anyone here well enough to go into what that's all about!!! The last bit is 'Learning to Spit'...about the joys of life over 50 when you realize you are what you are and no longer care what others think of you. It's a somewhat younger version of "When I'm an Old Women"-the Red Hat Society mantra. Oh well, it’s a pleasant daydream.
The first thing I'd probably have to do is get rid of the sloppy typing shortcuts we all seem to use on these forums Rolling Eyes

Jonathan · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:43 pm Post subject:

I love all three titles... Best sellers I'm sure. Very Happy

I must say though, I'm awfully Curious about book number 2. scratch

Merry Bee · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject:

Jon-just checked out your recent pics. I can't think of anything to say that's more congratulatory than everyone else said but if you hike with me sometime I'll tell you what book #2 is all about Wink

PattyC · Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 3213

It must be beautiful hiking in NE. I never heard the term Peak Bagging, tho. Does it simply mean hiking up mountains? Do you do any actual climbing? I'm terrified of heights, and couldn't imagine anything too steep Wink

Merry Bee · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:27 pm Post subject:

Peak bagging generally refers to hiking to the summit of a mountain for the purpose of checking if off a list. I started back in '95 with no intention of completing any such list but now that I have actually done 16 of the 48 highest in NH I've gotten it into my head to do them all!

My son did them all and then started doing them in the winter. That's not my cup of tea in the least. I have done some winter hiking and really enjoyed it but the weather has to be absolutely perfect before I'd even consider it.

It is really awesome to get to the summits and look around at all the other peaks and be able to say, "I did that and that and that and those over there!" Usually I have to depend on my hiking buddies to identify them. The only one I can pick out for certain is Mt. Washington at 6288 ft as long as the weather is clear and yup-done that!

Fear of heights shouldn't be a problem though. You don't get that same 'edge of a cliff feeling' at the summits, at least not any of the ones I've done. Some peaks are totally 'treed in' and you have to practically part the branches to get a view. Others are 'bald' due to deforestation and erosion. In either case you would have plenty of company at any of the NH peaks and lots of folks who would be happy to hold your hand as you enjoyed the view!

If you are ever planning a trip this way I'd be happy to be your hiking buddy!

firelady · Senior Member Joined: 20 Aug 2003 Posts: 1514

We were in Franconia Notch park hiking at the end of March. There was still a lot of snow around and a bridge over a creek washed out, We played around for an hour or so moving stones around so we could cross (maybe the first to tread that trail for the season, probably not). We had three kids along from 3 to 8 they had a ball. I'm not so physically fit though and it was very cold. I like the rushing water it sounds so relaxing.
I used to come up here a lot for Gordon conferences, all the guys would literally run up each peak while I would mosey and play around in the streams.