Elevation: 935
Date: June 8, 2014
Location: Hadley, MA
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 2:16 (1:08/mile)
It’s
been months since any hiking. I’ve been chafing, and keeping my legs fresh by
walking the stairs and ramps in the parking garage at work or setting the
treadmill at a steep incline. But it just isn’t the same. This wouldn’t go down
as an epic hike, but it breaks the drought.
The
girls and I were looking for something that wouldn’t be too difficult, to ease
them into the hiking season. They are now proud owners of new day packs and
were excited to use them. We settled on Skinner Mountain, in western
Massachusetts; it wasn’t a long drive, nor was it a tough hike. A weekend work
commitment required that Sara skip the hike, but she bought us treats to enjoy:
fruit chews, Capri Suns to freeze and savor as they melted, cookies, and a Slim
Jim for Sydney to have some salty, meaty deliciousness.
The
packs were an important opportunity for the girls to show ownership over their
hike, and they diligently packed their food and water. Each also had some group
food, reinforcing that they’re part of a team. They donned new performance
clothing after studying the weather and their options. Their new and, of
course, fashionable gear instilled confidence and enthusiasm that made those
offseason purchases worthwhile.
Hydrating and bug-fighting at Skinner Mtn. |
Although
I missed Sara’s company, conversation, and role modelling for the girls, I
liked the quality time with them. They never touched iPods and instead played
games and chatted the whole drive out. With the school year winding down, we
talked about accomplishments, new friendships, growth, summer plans, and expectations
of the next school year.
The
hike started a little rough. I wouldn’t say the ranger at the park’s entrance was
useless. But if you did I wouldn’t argue! She had a map and nothing else to
offer. She couldn’t suggest a route, wasn’t a hiker, was unfamiliar with the
mountain, and couldn’t even name the nearby trailhead. The state website’s
reference to on-site restrooms also neglected to mention that they were only at
the summit, and the girls were unwilling to use the woods. To top it off, the initial
trail we chose was seriously bug-infested, with the steamy weather seeming to
encourage their feeding frenzy. I wasn’t sure if the girls were going to mutiny
or run to the summit.
Things
improved briefly when we broke into a clearing, with a nice view and fewer
skeeters. We caught our breath but the sun was cooking my younger daughter so
we headed back into the woods. The trails weren’t well marked and the trail
network was confusing. So when two college girls ran across us, we asked for
help. Of course, as a man, I undoubtedly would have found my way. But, you
know, it’s good role modelling to demonstrate safe hiking behaviors. It turned
out they weren’t sure of our location either. But their description coupled
with my cartography skills allowed me to figure out where we were – dad saves
the day!
Hiking along the Connecticut River Valley |
Inspecting bug bite damage and relishing frozen Capri Suns |
Continuing
on, the trail steepened and the girls stopped for a rest, breathless. We hadn’t
hiked for a half-hour, and their fatigue showed that they didn’t have their
hiking legs. Bugs again drove us on, and a few minutes later we hit a road and
the Halfway House, a way station partway up the mountain. We snacked in the
shade of the clearing, and the girls’ slushy Capri Suns reinvigorated them.
Not
long into the next leg, I began worrying about my younger daughter. My
reminders about staying hydrated in this heat and humidity fell on deaf ears. I
tried to comment in a way that reminded them but let them manage themselves.
Except, she wasn’t drinking enough. I asked her pointedly to drink more, and
she stopped in front of me. Her sister and I discovered she was crying. She
couldn’t explain why, and I knew heat was at least a contributing factor. I
also saw it as an ominous sign that hormone changes may be starting to take
effect. As a dad, I’m wanting to be supportive but over my head with such a
topic. It’s a complete no-win situation for me. Even if I try to talk about it
and say the right things, what daughter wants to talk about The Change with her
dad? So, as any emotionally stunted and uncomfortable dad would do, I focused
on hugging her and having her drink water while appreciating her sister’s help
in comforting her.
Descending
hikers approached and Sarah dried her eyes, not wanting to be caught crying on
the trail. Luckily, the summit wasn’t far. As we came upon a clearing and the
access road, we noticed bathrooms nearby. Relieved, the girls… well, relieved
themselves. Then we climbed to the summit and collapsed on rocks for lunch. A
building stands on the open summit, about 150 years old. Unfortunately, ongoing
renovations incurred schedule overruns so we were unable to walk the wraparound
porch and take in a 360-degree view. Still, the breeze kept away the bugs and
cooled sweaty foreheads while we enjoyed a great panorama of the Connecticut
River Valley, with the mountains ringing farms and the meandering river. The
girls found plenty of conversation topics in their surroundings and we lingered
as long as they wished.
Enjoying the view of the Connecticut River Valley from Skinner Mtn summit |
Admit it: you like hiking AND your sister! |
After
giving the girls decision-making authority on the route down, we started off on
the access road, which seemed to have fewer armies of bugs and plenty of shade.
Sarah bounced back from her meltdown and Sydney’s red cheeks had lightened. We
found interesting bugs to study, with the millipede infestation grossing the
girls out. Their spirits improved, they joked, moved steadily, and bonded. When
we hit the Halfway House, we agreed it was misnamed, as it wasn’t remotely a
halfway point. However, with a picnic bench under a roof, it still offered a
good place for a final break. We continued to chat in good spirits until we
heard and then saw a bee big enough to saddle and ride. This thing was enormous
and we all studied it warily. At one point, it approached closely enough to the
side of the picnic table that Sarah and I were on, and she began speaking in
tongue, as she clambered over to Sydney’s side. When it continued hovering, we
decided we should continue on since Sydney and I were unable to decipher
Sarah’s paranoid mix of unintelligible syllables.
We
were within sight of the parking lot when Sarah encountered her final challenge,
slipping on gravel and ending up with a bloody knee. It bookended a particularly
tough hike for her, and demonstrated both of the girls’ need for more
conditioning before a hike to an AMC hut later in the year.
On
the ride back, the girls enjoyed the après-hike relaxation. They air-dried
their stinky feet, munched on well-earned cookies and Combos, and discussed hiking
as if they just finished their umpteenth 4,000-footer. We’d driven through
Northampton, which is a fun college town with a great downtown. Amazingly, they
expressed interest in coming back to hike another nearby mountain that was a
little longer. Doing so could be part of a day trip including perusing the downtown,
maybe buying something from a store that college kids used for accessorizing
their dorm rooms, and having dinner and fro-yo from places we drove past. It’s
the first hike they ever proposed. Whether it’s pride in having gear, an excuse
to shop and have dessert, or both, I’ll take it! It’s still a first and a good
sign my campaign to convert them into hikers is slowly but inexorably working.
More seriously, I also like that they express more confidence, more willingness
to challenge themselves, and that we can create memories as they continue to
grow.
See
you on the trail,
Jay Bell, AKA Rock Hopper
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