Personal Images

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	Adam Jones and I hiked to the summit of Mt. Washington in stormy conditions on November 15, 1998. Although the distance traveled was about four miles, it took us nearly 14 hours to make the assent. Deep snow and high winds made the going slow. We arrived after dark. Here I am on the summit the following morning after a good rest (temp 0 deg F/winds sustained at 75 mph). Video capture by Adam R. Jones...
Hi! The summit was in broken clouds on the morning of November 16, 1998 when Adam and I hiked down to Pinkham Notch. The mountain protected us from the wind in certain locations and blasted us in other areas. In the inset photo the wind is pushing me against a rime covered post. A few minutes later, a gust unexpectedly knocked me over. Ouch! Video capture by Adam R. Jones...
	The day began raw and snowy for this April 2001 hike to the summit. Then about noon, the sky cleared becoming a deep, rich blue, but it still remained windy. Adam chose Central Gully in Huntington Ravine to reach the summit. An unknown hiker snapped Adam's picture with me about midway through the third last rope pitch. Inset: After clearing the ice bulge, it was time for me to raise my axe in victory. A friend of mine, Tommy Taylor, who lives outside of Boston had snowboarded Central Gully several weeks earlier. I think he's still alive.
It is hard to believe that hurricane force winds are buffeting me in this Adam Jones photo. You can see a few loose straps blowing straight out from my pack. I am leaning forward on my ice axe to stabilize my balance. About 200 yards farther up the road we encountered winds of about 100 mph. Needless to say walking was a challenge, and a rest was in order when we finally reached the summit.
	Gary Becker hiking up an ice bulge on Willey's Slide, Crawford Notch, NH, with Adam R. Jones 'cleaning up' (Jan. 12, 1997). It's about the same difficulty as climbing the north face of the Matterhorn; however, there's only 800 feet of it! The temperature was about -5 deg F. I made it! Alain R. Comeau photographed us while belaying. That was a neat trick!
Rugged climbing fashions by Marmot... Windproof top and pants are accented neatly by spiffy matching red gators. Note the beautiful yellow accessory straps on the sharp-pointed crampons, which cling tenaciously to the ice. OK, now how do I take my next step? Gary learning the dos and don'ts of navigating on ice just north of Cathedral Ledge near North Conway, NH. Adam R. Jones photo...
	Gary ascending the scramble along the Huntington Ravine Trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Washington. Note the snow in the background. The date was June 22, 1996. A cold rain was falling. Near the summit winds were sustained at 50 mph, gusting to 68. After reaching the summit, we descended through dense fog in which visibility at times was only 75 feet. Our destination, Lake of the Clouds shelter, was reached after dark. Our headlamps saved the day. Our waterproof/windproof gear saved our lives. Adam R. Jones photo...
The Huntington Ravine Trail has many facets, both simple and difficult. Starting from Pinkham Notch, the ascent is easy but steady. After several streams are forded, the trail becomes steeper in wooded terrain. Just beyond the Albert Dow hut, the fun begins. In summer, a boulder field composed of house-sized obstacles must be crossed before getting to a steep and open ascent along the narrowing fan. There is one rock, about three quarters of the way up the fan, which always stumps me. It represents the first of many challenges en route to the summit. This photo was taken near the top of the fan, which is a good location for a rest, drink, and power bar. Adam Jones photo, 8-1997...
	Near the head of the fan, the first of many scrambles begins. Supposedly, the most difficult is the first one. That's where Adam Jones is in the photo. The trail rises about 60 feet in 100 feet of climbing. It's usually wet, so the rocks can be slippery. We decided to use a rope on this climb because of the wet conditions. Adam climbed first to find an anchor so that he could properly belay me. Clouds misted the top of the ravine. Gary A. Becker photo, 8-1997...
Beyond the first scramble, the Huntington Ravine Trail levels off; then another series of scrambles begins, each one slightly more inclined than the last. There are always several points where I feel that dagger of pure fear tear through me, as I grunt my way to the top. For me the worst section is where the trail hugs a rock face, then shifts abruptly to a 15-foot near vertical climb to a ledge. From here it's up another 10 feet, then a nearly 120 degree twist, which takes me under a ledge to emerge straddling yet another series of gray rocks. I made it. Adam Jones photo, 8-1997...
	Aaaah, but the victory of success is sweet. Here at the summit, amid hordes of people who have ascended either by car or train, the real break can be taken. There is even a cafeteria. Life is good. One young lady stuck her video camera out of a moving van and yelled, "You guys look soooo hot." I wanted to yell back, "We're yours, babe," but I didn't have the strength. Adam Jones photo, 8-1997...
Adam Jones and I were given permission to ride anywhere on the Mt. Washington cog railway to photograph its operations. We summited four times during the weekend of October 4, 1997 and took about 400 pictures. Adam R. Jones photos...
	Too much Hale and not enough Bopp... When Alan Hale, co-discoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp visited the Lehigh Valley just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of escorting him to all of his presentations. Alan turned out to be a very approachable individual, easy to talk with and fun to be around. Audiences were equally responsive with Hale's ability to present information in a clear and understandable manner. Adam Jones photo...
On Labor Day, 1996, Hurricane Edouard was off the coast of Cape Cod, MA. Here, Gary inverts a water bottle to show how angry the weather conditions were at 3:00 p.m. on the Cape at Nauset Beach. Winds were below hurricane force by this time, but almost all of the beaches were still closed to spectators because of rough surf. Adam R. Jones...
	Gary Becker took an axe... No, No, No... Here he is in front of Lizzie Borden's house in Fall River, Massachusetts. Believe it or not, the Travel Channel in 2001 voted Lizzie's house the creepiest place on the planet. It's now a Bed and Breakfast where you can sleep in the rooms where the murders took place. Weird! Adam R. Jones photos...