Climbing Moosilauke in Inclement Weather
Kilimanjaro Prep Hikes
November 24, 2013
Wes Chapman
Preface: Reach for the Peaks is a Prouty Challenge Event, raising money (Donate Here*) to fund cancer care and research at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth. Once again I had the pleasure of climbing Moosilauke with a terrific team of past and future Kilimanjaro climbers. The weather was a little sketchy, but the team was delightful. Mixing it up, Audrey Kern and I wrote a little sonnet to immortalize the event. (Please forgive the shortcomings in Iambic Pentameter.) Stay tuned for more Kili blogs over the next 8 weeks – we’re headed up to the roof of Africa!
A Cool and Breezy Climb
Leaving our beds, we fled the Valley below,
For the summit of frozen Moosilauke,
Braving the gale force wind and blowing snow,
It was a chance to train and a chance to talk.
We made an eclectic, fearless, rugged crew
Our bundled band pressed on and bravely persevered.
Audrey, Jill & Gary, with Allan, Hannah and Roo,
Climbed Glenn Cliff trail ‘til the summit ridge we cleared
Despite the Raging Wind*, our lips too cold to speak
Stumbling like drunken sailors in the gale
We persevered, and finally Reached the Peak*
Our faces, if frozen, were ghastly pale
Victorious! (neither too warm nor too chilly)
We cheered “If we can do this, we can sure do Kili!”
Audrey Kern & Wes Chapman,
(With apologies to the Immortal Bard)
(* Click for Video)
Hannah Green enjoying a fine November day
Roo & Hannah – of the NMH Ski Team
Audrey enjoying the climb up
Gary & Jill after the summit
Allan headed up
Audrey, Gary & Jill at the Summit
Hannah, Roo & Audrey staying warm on a breezy summit
Yellow ribbons fly
From the roof of Africa
We salute you all
Last Year’s Team On the Roof of Africa with Yellow Ribbons
Adios, from Kileman-Jaro
Love it – congratulations to all those taking part in a wonderful cause!
I stayed in bed.
Resting my head.
And my injured shoulder.
That was my excuse.
To avoid such abuse.
And the mountain that was so much colder.