Saying goodbye to Bearmagnet

“Jackstraw and I headed to Shenandoah this weekend to climb Old Rag Mountain, one of Phil's favorite places to hike.

It was very emotional. When I got to the trailhead, I remembered a TT trip to Old Rag with Phil and there is a large boulder ajacent to the parking area and as I got to the trailhead, he was sitting up on top of the rock. I could still picture him sitting there and I could still hear his voice ragging on me about the plan I had hatched for the hike.

As we started up the trail, I reflected on many memories I had of Bear, Masten, The Hawk and Dove, talking to him on the phone, trying to find the bear cellar, him apologizing to the Shenandoah Ranger for leaving our bear cans out over night in bear country and getting us out of trouble, many many more. It was difficult to hold back the tears.

The heavans were dumping buckets on us, crying as we climbed up higher. I kept thinking that somehow the sun would poke through the clouds and it would be Phil smiling down on us.

We printed a few photos of him to take to the top of the mountain one last time. Our plan was to toast him from the summit.

The higher we climbed, the icier the mountain and trail became. The trees were lined with ice and it mountainscape was turning into a veritable winter wonderland. I thought about the time Bison and Bearmagnet climbed Old Rag in February and encounted ice and their funny trip report. I think Bearmagnet even got a speeding ticket on his way to meet Bison at the trailhead. Many times, I was cracking up at the memories, lots of times holding back tears.

When we got to the first rock scramble, the rock was glazed in ice and was difficult to get through, but we worked our way through it, the next couple scrambles were the same.. We came out to an open ledge, that looks the peidmont to the east and again I could remember Phil in the same place.

Jackstraw and I stopped to take some pictures, the mist was rolling off the mountainside and the fog was lifting on the upper reachs of the mountain and it had stopped raining for a little.

I looked up at the sky and it seemed as if the clouds were thinning. I thought, Phil was a fighter in life and he's not given up yet and never will. I started yelling "Phil, show me the sun, show me the blue sky, Phil!" As I said it, the sky opened up and there was lovely blue radiating through the clouds and then the sun poaked out from the east. I couldn't back the tears anymore. I really miss him.

We tried to hike further, but it started getting too dangerous. There were places right along cliffs, glazed with ice. We had crampons, but felt it was best to turn around.

We found a nice spot, got the photos of bearmagnet out and held them up for the camera and then toasted him.

Sorry we didn't get you to the summit, dude, but I know you would want us to turn back too.

We descended the mountain, had awesome lunch in Sperryville and headed to DC for an emotional service.

Everyone reflected on Phil and there wasn't a dry eye to spare. Everyone talked of his wit, humour, smile, charm and most of his love and kindness. It was great to meet Dani. I am glad Phil had her and she had him.

It was a beautiful service and everyone on TT was there in spirit and at every campfire from here forward, bearmagnet will be with us.”

“great report ENS....thanks for sharing”

“very nice”

“Thanks for sharing.”

“Nice report, thanks.”

“Hugs ENS..did you get my mail?”

“Thanks for physically helping out with what we were feeling.”

“That's a nice way to say farewell.”

“Thank you”

“Well done guys.”

“:)

Nice ENS. Thanks.”

“The best trip report I've read here on TT, great job, mucho' gracias!”

“That was amazing ENS. thank you”

“great tribute.”

“Great Job Rob, I'm sure it was an emotional hike.”

“Raising my glass to all involved, especially bearmagnet. Well done.”

“Well put Rob.

Heres the pics.

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561796894nXmpQy”

“Great Tribute! Raising my glass too.”

“Great Pics --- Thanks, Guys.”

“[img][/img]

Great Pics Guys”

“Cheers and thanks guys...”

“Thanks, boys!”

“In the Cumberland mountains, we had just finished with a powermeal Friday night and were standing around a blazing campfire. Very much like the trip to Masten. The mood was jovial, but at 2235, we all quieted and hoisted a drink in memory of bearmagnet.

All in all, I think we did it the way he would have wanted. A short tribute, then we hiked on.”

“wonderful..great pictures, great idea...thank you...”

“Aww, the pics of you holding bearmagnet's pics came out great...you guys are so sweet.”

“I think bearmagnet would have wanted you to take another shot; this one facing the other way with your pants down.





But cereally, thanks for doing that, guys.”

““In the Cumberland mountains, we had just finished with a powermeal Friday night and were standing around a blazing campfire. Very much like the trip to Masten. The mood was jovial, but at 2235, we all quieted and hoisted a drink in memory of bearmagnet.

All in all, I think we did it the way he would have wanted. A short tribute, then we hiked on.”

Hopefully bearmagnet would have wanted you to put the fire out! lol”

“There was the appropriate interlude between the toast and the hike. Normally, I don't start a hike at 2235 or later.”

“:) You guys are so awesome. I love the picture.

It was great seeing ENS and MarkO again and very nice meeting Jackstraw. Next time we meet up, it'll have to be under better circumstances.

Thanks again guys :)”

“You're welcome, Katie.”

“What a great hike! Thanks for shareing! All that ice in the rocks had to be beautiful :)”

“Thanks for the trip report ENS. I thought about you guys yesterday. Bearmagnet had a good friend in you.”

“thanks everybody.”

“Nice report and memorial.”

“Nice report and the photos are beautiful--a wonderful tribute...”

“Way to go, nice tribute.”

“great report and great pics guys. Thanks for doing that. Very nice.”

“I wish I could have met Phil in real life other than on a computer screen. I'll have to admit, his sarcasm was hard to deal with at first but the dude kinda grew on ya!

Rest easy my friend.”