Madison Hut, the oldest hut in the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) system, is being rebuilt for the next 9-10 months. Though the hut has burned down at least once and been rebuilt a couple times, this is exciting because they will be modernizing the facility (ie. putting in insulation). Yes, this will involve lots of new materials (hopefully as many reused as possible) and lots of helicopter flights and lots of money, but for a facility that runs off of propane, wind, and solar this is a step forward because now it will run off of wind, solar, and propane only as backup. It is a methodology we all can learn from. If they can use less for a group of 50+ on top of a mountain, I think we can all cut back.
Last night was the final night of operation for Madison Hut as-we-know-it.
A Cold and Rainy Afternoon Dedicated to the Fourth President
With sore muscles
Squat down and rest on the bench
Head turns to the left and say hello
Hips shift, right hand on right thigh
Laughter, raised eyebrows
Right leg up and over the saddle
Sitting at the table "properly"
A smile.
Reach right, like a lunge
The laminated map comes to the center
Pointing, furrowed brow, insight
and discussion. Stories of the past.
Of woes and wonder in the wild.
A steaming cup of...anything.
The first white stuff of the Fall descends from the sky
The last night of 69 years for the hut nestled in the saddle.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment