Last Mountain Summit with the ERD, East Oscela, December 26th, 2015

I was reluctant to write this blog....
It was a bittersweet hike.
My little buddy had cancer and there was nothing else that could be done.
He shared so many adventures with me.
He jumped into swamps to follow me while I studied vernal pool life, kayaked with me every summer, summited so many mountains, wandered so many woodlands and waterways with me.

The ERD helping me release this yellow spotted salamander

10 lb chihuahua the ERD, always ready for an adventure.

When I started hiking mountains, he was happy to join me, bounding up ahead always looking back seeming to ask, “Why are you so slow?”  Without him by my side, I’m not sure if I would have started hiking mountains. He helped take the fear away and kept me company on dark, lonely trails.

He made me smile.

He slept in the car with me at base of trailheads so we could get an early start. I would listen to him snore loudly, annoyed and amused he was keeping me awake.  I woke up to him staring at me prodding my face with his cold wet nose letting me know it was time for breakfast. 

Our first real mountain together Sandwich Mountain. The ERD wondering why I'm so slow!

Knowing I had little time left with him, I decided to take him on one more mountain hike. East Osceola.  It was a short hike and together we could make one more notch in my 4K list. I knew I would have to carry him on the steeper sections, as the cancer had stolen some of his boundless energy and strength.

The day after Christmas was a beautiful 40 degree day and not a cloud in the sky, unheard of in late December. It was a gift.  It was a wonderful last summit.

He was an amazing dog.

When I adopted him, I had no idea he would become such an amazing little buddy, a partner in crime on my hikes and in my life. I couldn’t believe he remembered who I was after two long trips to India. I can't imagine any person hiking with me in the pouring rain and looking at me with the love and devotion this little guy did.  I have been lucky to have him in my life and will miss him.

Nice steep trail. I had to carry the ERD in my arms. 

East Osceola Summit

ERD claiming the summit of East Osceola

ERD on the trail 

Views along the way.  Views were much better than anticipated

More views

ERD at Greeley Ponds

 52 WAVs

1. Mount Webster
2. Sandwich Mountain
3. Jennings Peak
4. The Horn
5. Mount Starr King
6. Shelburne Moriah
7. Sugarloaf
8. South Baldface
9. North Baldface
10. Mount Success
11. Percy Peaks
12. Magalloway
13. Mount Tremont
14. Three Sisters – Middle Sister
15. Cherry Mountain
16. Smarts Mountain
17. West Royce Mountain
18. Imp Face
19. Mount Parker
20. Mount Cardigan (twice!)
21. Mount Paugus (twice!)
22. North Doublehead (and non-52WAV South Doublehead)
23. Black Mountain Jackson
24. Eagle Crag/Mount Meader
25. Mount Shaw/Black snout
26. Eastman Mountain
27. Mount Cube
28. Mount Willard
29. Black Mountain Benton
30. South Moat
31. North Moat
32. Mount Pemigewasset
33. Iron Mountain
34. Potash Mountain
35. Hedgehog Mountain
36. Blueberry Mountain
37. Mount Israel
38. Mount Roberts
39. Mount Hayes 
40. Middle (and North) Sugarloaf 
41. Black Mountain, Jackson

4000 footers

1. Mount Jackson
2. Mount Waumbek
3. Mount Carrigain
4. Mount Hale
5. Mount Pierce
6. Mount Eisenhower
7. Mount Moriah
8. Mount Osceola
9. Mount Osceola East Peak 

300+ geocache hikes
summer kayaking and swamp adventures and two local productions of "Legally Blonde."

RIP ERD