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My 46'R finish on Haystack! 8/5/18


Jdubs
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After 6 years, 27 days of hiking, hundreds of rugged ADK miles and tens of thousands of feet of elevation gain, I finally reached my last summit on Haystack to become an ADK 46'R! I had been patiently waiting for a break in the continuous thunderstorm forecasts and made the decision to go on Saturday afternoon. To make this finish even sweeter, my close friend Jenny (#8022) surprised me with a call only hours before leaving Saturday night saying that she and her friend would love to join me. What an incredible surprise! We hiked all night (starting at 11:30 pm) and after breaking treeline I could have sprinted over Little Haystack and up to Haystack's summit! However, I wanted to share that moment and together we enjoyed a spectacular sunrise and jaw-dropping summit views. In fact, I'd rate Haystack's views and grueling 18 miles RT as the best I've experienced of all the 46ers.

Normally I would share a more detailed story about the hike itself, but this day was all about my 46'R journey and the motivations behind it. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this. I wanted to say "Thank You" to those in our military (since I could not serve) who provide the very blanket of Freedom that allows us to enjoy our Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I wanted to stare down and conquer fear and self-doubt by hiking nearly all of the 46 peaks solo, including several throughout the night with no sleep. I wanted to enjoy each mountain a certain way and patiently planned each hike to ensure success. And I wanted to share these amazing experiences with those who couldn't be there or those who might also be inspired in the same way that others inspired me. 

Ultimately, I completed the 46'R because of a very difficult reminder that Life is too short. Tomorrow isn't promised to me or any of us. What we do today and who we share our time with is what truly matters most! I appreciate all of the time everyone gave me in support of reaching this day. I may have completed my 46'R journey, but this isn't the end, it is only the beginning.

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!   There are certain milestones in everyones lifetime, that are so special to us. This is one of those for you John. I'm so happy for you! Becoming a 46r is certainly a difficult achievement. The pure way you went about it is commendable. The dedication and willingness to help others along the way says a lot about you. And the driving forces that you mentioned, that spurred you to the end of your quest, are monumental as well. I'm proud to call you friend.

I have tremendously enjoyed following this thread. The pictures and your descriptions of the hikes are top notch! I hope that you will continue this thread. As you continue to hike, and share the adventures, that are surely to come in the mountains for you, in the future.

 

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15 minutes ago, Biz-R-OWorld said:

Pretty cool. Any injuries during those 46 hikes?


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It's funny, the worst "injury" came from a ground wasp that went to town on my right ankle.  Other than that, some blisters, assorted trail scratches and minor soreness, usual stuff.  

Maybe I was just lucky?  There was one time where I almost bought the farm slipping on a broken suspension bridge with a full pack.  If not for my arm being locked over the one good cable before my feet gave out on the wet planks, I would have dropped about 15' into a raging Opalescent River.  No bueno.

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21 minutes ago, turkeyfeathers said:

Awesome ! Thanks for taking us along for the “ride”. Enjoyed your reads and pics.  What’s next on the agenda?  Special beer to celebrate I presume too. 

Thanks TF!  CBS last night to celebrate! :drinks: I'm thinking Mt. Washington is up next, home of the worst weather on the planet!

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22 minutes ago, Pygmy said:

You da MAN, Dubby  !!

Now you are ready for your sheep grand slam....Does Jenny like to hunt ?

Bwahaha...do I even dare ask you what a "sheep grand slam" is? :haha:

Jenny loves all animals so it's safe to say she isn't going hunting, like ever. xD

 

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17 minutes ago, grampy said:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!   There are certain milestones in everyones lifetime, that are so special to us. This is one of those for you John. I'm so happy for you! Becoming a 46r is certainly a difficult achievement. The pure way you went about it is commendable. The dedication and willingness to help others along the way says a lot about you. And the driving forces that you mentioned, that spurred you to the end of your quest, are monumental as well. I'm proud to call you friend.

I have tremendously enjoyed following this thread. The pictures and your descriptions of the hikes are top notch! I hope that you will continue this thread. As you continue to hike, and share the adventures, that are surely to come in the mountains for you, in the future.

 

Thanks Dave, those words mean a lot to me. :good:  I'm not about to stop here and will keep climbing higher and sharing the stories.  My small way of paying it forward, so to speak.

Soon enough we'll all be sharing successful deer hunting pics again!!

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2 hours ago, Jdubs said:

Bwahaha...do I even dare ask you what a "sheep grand slam" is? :haha:

Jenny loves all animals so it's safe to say she isn't going hunting, like ever. xD

 

A sheep grand slam is to take a ram  of each of the 4 North American subspecies of wild sheep, Rocky Mountain Bighorn, Desert Bighorn, Stone Sheep and Dall Sheep..

Now the " Amish Grand Slam"  is something different...Can't give you the details, but I think the main equipment requirement is a pair of knee high boots....

 

Jenny loves all animals ??   I'll bet she'd REALLY like ME <<smile>>…...

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A sheep grand slam is to take a ram  of each of the 4 North American subspecies of wild sheep, Rocky Mountain Bighorn, Desert Bighorn, Stone Sheep and Dall Sheep..
Now the " Amish Grand Slam"  is something different...Can't give you the details, but I think the main equipment requirement is a pair of knee high boots....
 
Jenny loves all animals ??   I'll bet she'd REALLY like ME >…...


Sheep Slam is a bargain these days. I think you pay like $250K and get all 4 without having to worry about drawing tags lol.


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Congrats!  I'll be content if I can get the 35.  

Your post was really kind of touching.  You should seriously consider writing a book.  

I know there are already books.  I remember one of the sail circumnavigators once being asked, "What is your ultimate goal?"  And he answered, "To be the first person to sail around the world and not write a book about it."  But seriously, you have a way with words, which I think is largely because of the heartfelt sincerity you obviously put into them.

Great pics, btw!

jm

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41 minutes ago, Dinsdale said:

That's terrific; and enjoyed the pics along the way.

You've done more sunrise hikes than anyone I have seen too, good stuff.:good:

 

So, whats next?

On to the NE 115?

W46 solo?

46Grid?

:drinks:

 

I think Mt. Washington before summer ends will be next.  Ultimately, I want to do Kilimanjaro!  Any of your African connections guide that?  

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21 minutes ago, jmark said:

Congrats!  I'll be content if I can get the 35.  

Your post was really kind of touching.  You should seriously consider writing a book.  

I know there are already books.  I remember one of the sail circumnavigators once being asked, "What is your ultimate goal?"  And he answered, "To be the first person to sail around the world and not write a book about it."  But seriously, you have a way with words, which I think is largely because of the heartfelt sincerity you obviously put into them.

Great pics, btw!

jm

Thank you!  I really appreciate the kind words jmark. :good:  I've always wanted to write a book, but never felt that I had the right content.  Maybe I should give this some thought. 

On another note, I'm going to reach out to some local schools and libraries.  They already know me for college planning seminars, maybe I can teach some classes for beginner hikers?  That would be fun!

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7 hours ago, NFA-ADK said:

Congrats, great spot to finish!  

Thanks!  I also considered Wright and Skylight, each for different reasons, but Haystack ended up being perfect for the way I wanted to finish. 

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Congratulations Jdubs! 

I very much appreciate when people are motivated, and self driven,  and do not give in because what their goal is, is not a simple task, that is not quickly achieved.   

I also enjoyed your pics, and what you have shared, especially how you start at night, for thr incredible sunrise photos.

Ever been to Mount Katahdin?  

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11 minutes ago, Bionic said:

Congratulations Jdubs! 

I very much appreciate when people are motivated, and self driven,  and do not give in because it is not a simple task, that is not quickly achieved.   

I also enjoyed your pics, and what you have shared, especially how you start at night, for thr incredible sunrise photos.

Ever been to Mount Katahdin?  

Thanks B!  Definitely no "gimmies" in the 46, but man are they worth it!  Well, most of them are. :haha:

Funny you mention Katahdin.  We talked about that one somewhere along those 18 miles.  Jenny said they close the trail down on October 15th.  It's definitely on my To Do list, but probably not this year.  Besides Mt. Washington, my cousin's oldest son asked me to take him backpacking up some 46ers after Labor Day.  

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