Waltzing up Waumbek (Feat. 2 Angry Canada Jays)

Here's a new tale for you folks. I recently had the adventure of a weekend by climbing up Mt. Waumbek up in Coos County. I must say, I had been putting this off because of the drive and my car's 14 mpg. However, I bit the bullet this Sunday. The drive offered spectacular views and its always great to explore a new part of the state. 2 and half hours after leaving Durham we made it to the trailhead. Our motley crew, of myself, Jack, Matt B. and future leader Leah F. began the trek. The trail started out with a gentle slope... and stayed that way until we reached the peak of Mt. Starr King, a small bluff on the way up the "taller" Waumbek. Starr King offered us a damp cloud to sit inside, an old lady who pranked us, and a lone chimney stuffed with water bottles. We forged on and like maybe 10 minutes later we stepped unceremoniously onto the summit of Waumbek. The peak was marked by quite literally nothing, (to be fair there was still a little snow covering the ground) and trees on all sides. The cloud cover made it feel very Silent Hill. The only reason we knew we made it was the hiker coming down before us warned of a Canada Jay that curiously stared us down from a branch very close to us. After 3 minutes of direct eye contact with it, we submitted to it's alpha energy and awkwardly tried to eat a snack. This lured in, yet another Jay, who also stared us down. Eventually we tried to forget their beady eyes burning into the backs of our heads. However, the jays did not like being ignored. In a flash one dove for a piece of pepperoni in Jack's hand. He pulled away in the nick of time. We clearly needed to either leave a tribute or leave the summit. Following our L.N.T. training, we left, not feeding the birds. It is sad they have been fed by humans to the point that they expect it at the point of rage. NEVER feed wild animals! Anyways, we descended the viewless peak, making it back to Starr King, when my micro-spike snapped. Uh oh. Suddenly I was faced with the challenge of using my boot as an impromptu skate, or ski or some miniature sled. I mastered the art of sliding on one foot down the mountain. My calves never felt so sore!

I guess the moral is that sometimes it really is, about the journey, not the destination. A good time was had by all and that's what mattered.

<<<< Me watching Murray (my chariot) drain of gas in 2 hours (from elegant leather upholstery with heating and cooling options (that makes it worth it, right?)).

Us absolutely walking the prank when the sweet old lady taking our photo by the 'fire' on Mt Starr King told us our fly's were down

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Below: The Alpha Jay staring us down at the viewless summit.

P.S. I am only 95% certain that is a Canada Jay. Any birder feel free to correct me!

Ok that's it now good bye!