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| | | 4th Annual New Year's Day Peak Celebration, AZ | | | |
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4th Annual New Year's Day Peak Celebration, AZ
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| Hiking | 2.60 Miles |
1,385 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.60 Miles | | | |
| 1,385 ft AEG | | | | |
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| | | Highest Turnout yet for the New Year's Day Hike! The Official Count was 15...  Some Familiar Faces and some New ones....  A Fan of Abbey, a Charger, A Boonie in Shorts, a Fearless Leader, a Taco Salesman, an Oregon Fisherman, a Tree in danger of toppling, a Rocketfooted Bartender, The Dave who's gained 5 lbs again, Grimey Dave, John the Gas Man, an apparent relative of Darren McGavin, a Friend named Dan and someone who's last initial stands for, once again, fashionably Late...  It was Perfect...
When I left the House, I was slightly dismayed at how Cloudy it still was, but every great once in awhile, during the Hike, the Sun would break through and it felt pretty good...  Considering the Chilly, Overcast Weather, I was very happy that so many turned out for it... 
According to Joe's Route, this was only 2.6 Miles Roundtrip, but with no Trail, and 1300+ Feet of Gain, it was no Slouch.
I thought I did pretty well going up, but of course, most of the Peanut Gallery beat me..
The only reason there was anyone behind me was because one was older than me and the other had a broken Ankle...  Didn't have an Excuse on the Way Down, Senior beat me down...If Mr. Broken Ankle had beat me, I think I would have just laid down and quit...
As I neared the Top, I came to realize that someone had provided Party Favors at the Top and there were Whistles and Horns cheering the Fact that I was finally in Sight...
Glad I dressed the way I did as I worked up a Sweat and it was pretty Chilly and slightly Windy on Top...Everyone was bundled up pretty well except Ken, who decided that Shorts were enough... But his Face got Cold...
Up Top, I found a 16th Person that the Guys had found and fabricated...Amazing, considering the mostly lack of White...I'm surprised no one was picking Cholla Spines out of their Hands...
I had seen some of the Views before when Ken and I did another Peak in this Area in November. I had a feeling that the Views from here would be pretty awesome, and I wasn't mistaken...
The Party went into Full Swing when Larry arrived, followed by Larry...Kudos to both, but especially Larry (Widowmaker) who has a pretty bad Ankle...I know that could not have been easy at all!
After a Group Photo, some Alcohol, Non-Alcohol, a Ton of Sugar, and Barrett playing with Sparks, it was almost time to head down. There was just a tad bit of Champagne left so we toasted one more time in John Scott's Name (johnr1)...I think he would approve. Missed having him with us this Year, but he will be remembered every Year... 
Down we went, once again, each at their own Pace. One of those Hikes where, at least for me, it was almost harder going down, then up...
Finally down, a few of us hung out for a bit before calling it a Day...
Great Hike with New and Old Friends. Barrett, Scott, Ken, Joe, John, Larry, Larry, Bob, Dave, Dave, John, Terry, Patrick and Dan, thank you so much for a Fun Day and helping me Welcome the New Year in Style! It was great to see my Good Friends from before and it was great to meet some New Ones! Until next Year, when we can all meet up together again, I wish all of you and the HAZers who couldn't make it, a wonderful New Year! |
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| Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!" |
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