Sept 21

Sept 21

Today is the day to climb Gros Morne. 

I tried for an early start, but nothing here opens until 9am.  After a stop at the “grocery” store and checking in at the visitor’s center for a trail guide, it was 10am before I hit the trail.  It starts in a forest, 

climbs up the scrub (all scrub is called tackamore here),

over the scree, and up to the top.  It’s only 806 meters- like 2500’.

The views are awesome!  Luckily, the clouds were above the mtn.  According to the rangers, if the clouds are on the mtn, the climb is a no-go. Believe this sign!

When I was about ½ way up, a pair of women got to the bottom.  They were climbing much faster than me and the first one, “grumpy” past me shortly, without a word and without breaking a sweat.  She looked ticked.  About 10 minutes later, here friend, “friendly” past me.  She was working HARD, dressed in cotton, but in good spirits.  We chatted for a bit and she continued up.

Self portrait from about 2/3 up the mountain

Lookin' sexy!

A bit farther up the mountain, Colleen and (nuts- Anthony?) from the Norseman Restaurant caught up to me.  We chatted for a bit and causally joined up for the hike.  It gets very barren at the top- arctic environment.  

Hurricane Igor was ravaging St John’s with 8-9” or more of rain and wind.  We only got the WIND.  Near the top, winds were about 70mph.  There were many times all 3 of us had to drop down as low as possible to avoid being blown off of our feet.  The temperature was about 45, windchill f%^&*ing cold.  We had suitable clothes, so no big deal.  

The 3 of us had a snack at the top and continued down- it’s a longer, more gentle descent on the back side of the mtn.  The view of the gorges is awesome.   

And there are blueberry bushes everywhere.   

They were a welcome snack.  Thanks to my companions for pointing them out to me!

And, we saw a ptarmigan in the woods.  She was not too concerned about us- probably waiting for a handout.  

Thankfully I was camping in the same place tonight and my tent was all set up in a nice, sheltered area.  Some of the people that set up in the pretty, open area had to run guy lines to the top of their campers to keep them from blowing over!  I was not about to take pictures- too much sand and other junk flying sideways.