Get a Load of That Mountain Range!
Los Presidentes
Several years back, our buddy Cameron decided on a special bachelor party. We had all had enough of the shenanigans of Vegas and AC and their ilk. He set us up to travel to the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire to attempt to take down Mount Washington. Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States.1 It is important to note that Cameron is chiseled from a large piece of marble stone, while the rest of us are, to varying degrees, and at least on a relative basis, some muddy gravel from an unused parking lot. No offense, fellas.2
While we gave it a good shot, death came knockin’ on our doors, and we gave up at the top of Mount Madison.3 No small feat, to be sure, and proud we are of that monumental accomplishment. Even more so in hindsight. But not the aim of that particular trip.4
That was my first introduction to the “Presidential Mountain ranges.” Besides the hiking, I have taken some time to learn about all the important historical figures after whom these impressive Mountains are named. Further, the folks who frequent these mountains revere them for their size, splendor, cleanliness. As well, the opportunity for exercise, revitalization, connecting with nature, and friends. An entire subculture exists of people uniting to entertain and enjoy themselves in this other worldly natural wonder.
And when I have more words to spare, I will explain what this has to do with TAE. TBC.
Topping out at a cool 6,288.2 feet
Put another way, he treats his body like a temple, whereas we treat ours like a tent (again, no offense fellas)
The next day, while the rest of us scampered back with a shred of pride and the last bit of water in our backpacks, Cam and his brother knocked out Washington like it was speed bump on a highway.
In the following years, after vowing never to hike the Presidents again, I have subsequently bagged each of the 3 other biggest 4 peaks to go along with my Madison: Washington, Jefferson and Adams. Impressively, the SLF has taken down each of them with me, leaving only Madison for her this summer!