My 26th Birthday

Date: 10.20.07
Peaks: Passaconaway, Whiteface, The Sleepers, The Trips
Miles: 17.5
Time: 6 Hours 41 Minutes
Attendance - Albee: Bushwhacking God, Als Pal: Holder of the 2nd Fastest American Time for the Mount Washington Auto Road Race (58 Min) aka. Dave Dunham, Corey: Speed Hiker from New York currently training to challenge the ADK 46 Speed Record, Sherpa John: Average Joe just trying to celebrate his 26th birthday.
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Today was my birthday... I had a great day, and I'd love to tell you about it. Plans for how I wanted to celebrate my birthday had changed a number of times over the last month. First I was going to run the Green Mountain Marathon in South Hero, VT but I didn't feel like driving all that way. Then I was going to run the Maine Track Club 50 Miler but I didn't feel like spending the money to run 4 mile loops 12.5 times. Then I was going to run Kinsman Ridge and up Moose with Runningbudha... but he had to work. Then I was going to run the 32 miles from Newmarket to Londonderry.... I settled for the invite from Albee.

I was up at 4:30am and out the door by 5:15. I drove up Rte 16 and marveled at how late the sun rises these days. I don't normally get up so early so I had no idea. It was neat watching it ride through the clouds of the departing storm. I met Al et. all at the Pine Bend Brook Trailhead where we left Corey's and my car, piled into Dave's and drove down to Oliverian Brook. I had my running tights on expecting cold weather and we headed up the trail.

The streams and creeks were raging as was the first real stream crossing. I sat down on and straddled a felled tree and scooted across. My feet were all ready soaked from the standing and running water on the trails... I don’t know why I didn't just wade through. I was warm so I took off the running tights and got more comfy while Al and I waited for Dave and Corey to come through the woods.

We plugged along making great time for a bunch of lazy speed hikers heading up the trail. We were a barrel of laughs for the entire day, talking about everything and anything. I was having such a blast hiking with this diverse group of hikers, each of which brought forth their own level of adventure experience. Dave and Al have both hiked just about every highpoint in New England, Corey is almost finished his ADK 100 Highest. The conversation was fun and spirited and I really enjoyed their company.

We topped out on Passaconaway and took some photos on one of the viewpoints before hitting the summit. On the summit, Al and Dave reconfigured their altimeter watches. Then we all headed to Whiteface. On Whiteface we dropped packs at the junction and headed over to the ledges to see if we could sneak in any views. The summit was encased in a grey cloud that every so often would break just enough to afford us a view to the south. I showed Al the plaque that resides in one of the summit ledges.

We then made great time with a mix of running and hiking across the Sleepers. We made the side trip to East Sleeper, where while running back to the main trail, a broken limb cut a hole into my shirt and lightly pierced my skin. We then headed for West Sleeper where we roamed the summit area looking for and standing on what we thought to be the highest spot. These guys are totally into Bushwhacking... in fact.. rumor has it Albee is going to finish the NH 100 Highest Tomorrow and has quickly become one of the "legendary speed hikers" in New England history.

We took off down the rest of the Sleeper trail, stopping at the end where it meets the South trip slide for a water and grub break. Many more great jokes and antidotes about running, hiking, sleeping, women and you guessed it.. Beer. But we had none to drink for the birthday celebration... such a bummer. After the break and Dave changing his socks.. we headed up to South Tripyramid and the rest of the Trip ridge.

While moved along from South to Middle Tripyramid, we ran into an older gentleman hiking alone. I reached him first and gave a friendly hello. He asked if I was alone and I said, “No.. there’s 4 of us.” His response was, “Same Jones Group?” … “huh?”… “Same Jone’s Group?”…. I don’t know if this is secret code for something… like Alligator Egg… but… After he was snippy in telling Albee and I he came up Livermore Road we carried on our way. We topped out on Middle Trip and took more photos. On our way to North Tripyramid, Albee and I smelt what appeared to be marijuana. Soon, bounding down the trail bubbly and free was a group of 3 girls who commented on our “great hustle.” I snickered as I thought of a story a friend of mine told me about his discovery of a bag of weed up here in the late spring.

On North Trip, Albee, Dave and Corey all said their goodbyes and gave me many birthday wishes. We had had one hell of a great day bagging 6 peaks together. They backtracked to Sabbaday Falls Trail where they set off to bag The Fool Killer followed by a bushwhack to the Scaur before descending the Pine Bend Brook Trail. Me?.. I went over to the top of the North Trip Slide, took a photo, back track to the trail juntion and descended Pine Bend Brook.

Pine Bend Brook trail is by far one of my favorite trails to run on. The trail was covered in a sea of leaves which at times made it difficult to follow. In fact, I found myself WAY off trail a total of 3 times. Quickly realizing it each time, I backtracked and found my way. The leaves still in the trees were still gorgeous and vibrant colors of yellow, red, orange and green. The many rocks strewn about this trail were covered in a slimy bright green moss which made for a perfect place to stop, sit down, rest… and reflect on 26 years of life. (Note: LOTS of blowdowns on this trail that need proper care) Not long after, I returned to my fast pace run/walk and returned to my car. I enjoyed a great day in the mountains with great friends and was even more delighted after to return a birthday phone call from Drew… who made it a point to stop his hiking of Hale to wish me a happy birthday and hear about my days adventure. There was no beer on this hike though I personally wish there was... plenty of trail mix and the wonderful talents of Dave and his photo shoots.


I’ve had an amazing opportunity to learn a lot of these last few years and of course over the last 26. Time certainly does fly whether you are having fun or not. But what I truly have learned as of late are simple rules to live by. Hike your own hike, run your own run, and choose to become who YOU want to be. You are the one who must live your life, from beginning to end, and only you are the one who dictates your path. Choose wisely, make mistakes, learn from them.. and make more. Smile.. it makes your butt pucker. Laugh, it makes your abs look sexier. Eat healthy, breathe deep and don’t sweat the small stuff. WAY too many people out there take life way too seriously.. and every aspect of it they live… perhaps that’s the life for them.. but its not the one for me. Everyone is a legend to someone, everyone is a hero to someone else.. I don’t care if I’m either because I’m just happy being ME. Every year on my birthday I ask myself “If I died today, would I die satisfied and happy.” And for the first time in my life I got to answer my question.. with a yes.

Thanks guys… I had a blast.. and through it all… I had the best way to celebrate my birthday. I spent it with a few guys who have a love for life and a love for the outdoors. I spent it with a bunch of guys who know how to laugh and know how to be human... can;t ask for much more. Now only if DREW was there….

(Pics to come)

Year #27 begins with the same great promises of hope and goals. Aspirations are high... just the way I like it. Hope you all come along for the ride.