Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship by Tom Ryan is published by William Morrow. It tells the story of my adventures with Atticus M. Finch, a little dog of some distinction. You can also find our column in the NorthCountry News.

Friday, February 01, 2008

55,716

We never made it up to the Kinsmans yesterday. It was very icy down low and Atticus was slipping and sliding. He doesn't have the traction I do so we weren't going to push it. Today a storm was predicted and it has arrived. It will be snow, the ice and freezing rain before switching back to snow early in the morning. Then I believe it will be a kind weather weekend. Not great, but gentle. I'm just worried about the icy conditions. Today I added up the elevation gain and total mileage for our Bonds Traverse and our total elevation gain for the winter thus far is 55,716 feet. And we're only about a third of the way there when it comes to total peaks we'll do. When I consider that and look to my little hairy friend snoozing dreamily next to me I am filled with even more awe when considering the size of his body and the size of his heart. Think about it...55,716 feet. Kind of neat.