Snowshoe/Hike on Mount Elmore
January 9, 2000   Trip Leader: Ed Loewenton

On a typically warm January Sunday, Andrew and Reidun Nuquist, Thomas Weiss, Paul  DeLuca, Ben Gerdesby, and Ed Loewenton walked to the Chimney on Mount Elmore.  Thomas, in a millenial abandonment of his earlier doctrinaire opposition to winter hiking,  was wearing his new snowshoes for the third time. At the chimney we enjoyed a view of the near terrain, as the sun tried hard to break through the overcast.  Reidun and Andy excused themselves and hiked back. Thomas, Ben, Paul, and Ed proceeded to the Firetower.  There were a few icy spots, and Paul got his first chance to try the new crampons Santa brought him.  Ben bushwacked around the worst spots, and Thomas ascended with the help of a rope affixed to a well-placed tree.  Thomas took some photos, which he has promised to send in for the website. Someone had left a message carved in the snow at the base of the tower: "Welcome Montpelier GMC".  We were mystified!  We came back down the way we went up, and had good conversations in both directions.    No one was watching the clock.