Event Report: Welch/Dickey Hike

12 Scouts and 6 adults left the Weymouth Heights Club at about 8am on Saturday. We arrived in Campton NH around 10:30 and began setting up our camp site. After the tents were up and everyone had some lunch we began to prepare for the hike. By noon we were at the trailhead and ready to go. It was a warm, clear day and the bugs were of no issue at all. Conditions were perfect. The Welch/Dickey loop is a very well maintained trail and the hiking was fairly easy. After about 90 minutes we had arrived at the first of many great views. The great slabs of granite gave a nice place to relax and take in the scenery. We had broken into two groups; a "fast group" that moved a little more steadily, and a second group that preferred a slower pace. The first group stopped along the way to pick up a geocache, so the second group actually made it to this area first. Everyone shed their packs and took a breather as we prepared for the steeper work that was ahead of us. After a rest we moved on to conquer Mt. Welch, the first of our two peaks for today. The way to the top was steep at times, with monolithic faces of granite to make our way up. Other times we were scrambling up and around boulders. Along this stretch, some started to develop some leg cramping from the work and possibly due to lack of water. The openness and height made others nervous at times. We also had to treat a couple of cases of blistering and hot-spots. But with work and determination, we all arrived at the summit. At the top of Mt. Welch we took another rest. Everyone found a spot to enjoy this new view, at 2600 feet above sea-level, and have a drink and maybe a snack. After a while we headed off for Mt. Dickey. Going down the back of Mt. Welch was steep at times, but fortunately we did not have to go down too far. The saddle between Welch and Dickey meant we only had to go down about 180 feet and then up about 320 feet before we were at the top of Mt. Dickey. Another short rest here at 2730 feet and we were ready for the descent. On the way back down we broke up into two groups again. Derek, Joe, Paul, PK, Antonio, Matt, Mitchel and Tim took the lead along with Mr. D Chase, Mr. Cowels and Mr. Keenan. AJ, Jackson, Nick and Tom followed in the second group, along with Mr. B Chase, Mr. Kelley and Mr. O'Brien. The way down was often across impressively large sheets of granite. The trail was marked by painted yellow blazes and also large cairns. When the treeline opened up, we could look back and see the two summits we had just visited. About 4 1/2 hours after we first started, we were all together again at the trailhead. Everyone was worn but in very good spirits. Our goal for the day had been met; 12 scouts had put the work in and now had two new peaks to add to their list of accomplishments. At the campground, everyone headed to the nearby Mad River for a splash. We cleaned up and cooled off and then made our way back for dinner. For dinner, the boys all prepared "one-pot" meals - quick food with a minimum of prep or equipment needed. After dinner, we cleaned up and made ready for a campfire. Nick and AJ lead us in some campfire activities until Mr Kelley called for lights-out. We were in our tents by 9:30. Grunts of soreness mixed with snoring from the men's tents, until sunrise. We were up early and made quick breakfasts of oatmeal or bagels. The entire camp was packed up and we were on the road by 8am, headed back to Weymouth. Another successful Troop 2 adventure was done.