Sunny 46

Since we were heading to his first High Peak, I figured it was probably past time we talked about the 10 hiking essentials and start packing his bag accordingly. Even though he didn't know how to use all of it yet, I wanted him to get in the practice of having it with him. The only things I omitted were firestarting supplies and a knife. We'll save those items for a different day.

I woke up at 3:55 and had him out the door by 4:15. I carried him out in his jammies so he could cuddle up and sleep in his car seat on the way to the trailhead. After a quick stop at Keene Stewart's, we got one of the parking spots right next to the trail. We got ourselves dressed up, Quinn putting on a base layer, shorts, and jacket in case of changing weather near the summit. We were signed in by 6:30.

Quinn and Sunny were scrambling up rocks and boulders in no time. Quinn insisted on leading the way to show Sunny which way to go. This is extra hilarious because Sunny has well over 300 miles of trail experience under his paws.

The mushrooms have been kind of sparse this year. It was good to see some on the trail today.

There was a lot of toilet paper and tissue paper on the trail today. In fact, we filled our trash bag with a variety of things today. Sometimes I wonder if people think Cascade and Algonquin are a garbage dump. I'm not sure what's so hard about packing out or burying toilet paper after someone pees.

The other time I was here was in September 2022 and I was climbing in the dark in search of the elusive sunrise hike. It was good to see the trail from this perspective in the light. It is certainly well-worn and rocky as hell. Quinn's new, larger, boots don't seem to be bothering him like the last pair. They're cheap as hell so I don't expect them to last very long, but I think that's not a bad policy with kid's clothing.

Quinn really hates flies. With how dry things have been, I wasn't expecting a lot of insects today and there weren't. However, there were still some regular flies sustained by whatever rotting undergrowth they can find. Even covering his head with a net, he hates the sound, so we hiked together for a bit whenever the flies started buzzing.

The trail winds a bit along the shoulder before the slab ascents near the top. Here, the flies buzzed a bit thicker and he really needed a break. I told him even though we were close that we didn't have to continue if he didn't want to. "We can do that?" he said, a bit confused. I said yes, if that's what he needs.

We sat and had a hug and a chat and some snacks. After our break, he said "I think I want to keep going because it would be sad if we didn't," so we pressed  on.

He zipped up his first High Peaks slab with ease. By this time, we'd escaped the buzzing of the flies. I decided to try and make it fun by doing some videos of him climbing the mountain. He likes to pretend he's doing YouTube videos, then watch them back later.  Today, he was showing his "viewers" how he ascends a High Peaks slab.

We checked out the privies near the summit. Quinn was very interested in the thunderboxes. He thought they were an absolute hoot.

He looked around and exclaimed with genuine wonder as we approached the summit. After the long drive and the long hike up, it made me glad to see him engaged and happy. Clearly he doesn't have to react to the experience like he does to a sweet tractor pull or Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disney, but I'm just glad he's still at the stage in his life where he can have a sense of wonder about the world.

Quinn asked how long we could stay at the top and I said as long as he liked which made him happy. We ate our sandwiches and looked around. 

I pointed over to Porter and explained we could bag a second High Peak. He looked at me like I was out of my mind and said "No." Can't blame a guy for trying.

As for me, it was interesting to scan the view from Cascade 4 years after our last summit of this mountain. Where before I struggled to understand where I was and what I was looking at, the skyline and mountains were familiar. The High Peaks region definitely feels like a second home now. 

We'd met today's summit steward on the way up and I explained that she was basically a mountain teacher. This intrigued him and he wanted to ask her some questions. She was extremely patient with him, answering his questions and listening to his stories.  I tried coming over to join the conversation and maybe give her time to go talk to the other hikers, but Quinn said "Do you mind? I'm having a conversation here" and, flummoxed, I said "Sure" and he said "Thank you" as I walked away. The hikers, myself included, were dying.

Quinn eventually told me he was ready to go back to the car. I once again tried to get him to hike over to Porter, but he was having none of it. I said, fine, we'll do it when you're 14 and we'll do it from Marcy Field. Besides, I'd promised him Noonmark pancakes for lunch. It was still a beautiful day as we started our descent.

Quinn flew down the mountain. The flies had died down a bit and we were moving quickly, so they bothered him a lot less. He was running and hopping down, burning off endorphins. I nearly forgot what it was like to hike on a super popular trail. Sunny got a ton of pets on the way down the mountain.

Other dogs were also lucky enough to meet up with Quinn on the way back down because they got a lot of love and they got to lick whatever gross stuff was on his face. This dog in particular was an absolute dream; I think her name was Winnie. She got along great with Sunny and was very sweet with Quinn. Talking with her owner, this was early in the dogs hiking career and she seemed to be taking to it quite well. I hope to see them on the trails in the future.

It was a lovely hike through the woods all the way back to the trailhead. He was still fairly full of energy when we were done. I think my feet hurt more than Quinn's, too. I think something popped loose in my boots and has been poking my right big toe from the top. 

In any case, we were done with our hike at around 1:20 or so, about a six and a half hour adventure. I just have to remind myself that when I'm with him, the time shouldn't matter as much so long as we're safe. He needs to have fun on his own time.

I'd mentioned letting Sunny swim in the lake on our way home and Quinn was adamant about this stop. I'd actually never stopped at Cascade Lakes before. I've always meant to, but I've always been impatient to get home or it's been too late to stop. Quinn had an awesome time throwing the stick with Sunny and wading in the brisk waters.

I had a great time with my buddy today and I'm very glad to have shared this experience. I never intended to hike a High Peak with Quinn this year, but this teaches me once again to listen to kids when they say they can do something. Even if they don't succeed, the lesson is worth the attempt. 

I hope this is the first of many trips to High Peaks summits with him, but it's important to remember that Cascade is the easiest 46er and not by a little bit. Quinn has expressed interest in camping and I think that'll be the key for getting some hikes in next year. However, I am worried about camping in the Central region. I am pretty sure, when he learns that you can't have campfires there, he's going to wonder what the fucking point is.