This was not one of the sunny days - in fact, it was pretty foggy and misty. Not good when you're hiking 3000 feet up - the weather usually gets worse as you get higher.
The Mt. Edgecumbe trail is marked by a very nice gradual 6 mile walk - and then you climb up and up for one mile. I took this photo at the wrong angle. You can see how the earth surface is flat and the hikers are leaning into it. Pretend the hikers are straight up and you'll get an indication of how steep the mountain is.
Nice view, huh?
The rock cairn on the right, in front of the person on the right, marks the top of the trail. They're pretty happy to have made it. Hopefully, they have jackets, hats, and gloves - it's freezing up here!
Nice view, huh?
But there was a surprise on this hike. Zuill Bailey, renowned cellist, brought his carbon fiber cello and gave us a concert. I have to say I was very impressed. My fingers were frozen and I had gloves on. I don't know how he played one note, much less a whole (short) piece. Zuill is pretty famous. You can find him at zuillbailey.com, of course!
A better picture made the best photos at the Guardian News website. I can honestly say that I helped make that happen. James Poulson, one of my favorite photographers, took the photo and he was hypothermic - trembling, etc. My friend Bob lent him his gloves and hat and I lent him my jacket. Also, I'm clearly a star in the picture. You can see me to the right of the guy in the green jacket and between him and the blond female.
Someone on the Sitka Summer Music Festival Board brought some champagne. I wasn't even insulted that I wasn't offered any. I confess that I lead the charge downhill when it was minimally polite, and headed down to warmer elevations.
Sometimes it's sunny and some days your head is in the fog all day.
Great post. Hard to tell which more foul: the snobbery or the weather!
ReplyDeleteGood question. Thanks for the insightful comment!
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