Glen arrived and then others filtered in, this would be a compilation of "Bruttie Brigade" members and "Mountain Beaver" Brigade members. I hope I get everyones names, there were Al Dwyer, Steve and Glen and Cath. Sherpa John and Prof Drewski were the founding members of the Mountain beavers, MEB from Maine and me, Jim Lombard.

I'd always wanted to hike with the Bruttie Brigade since hearing of their exploits all over the news and various hiking forums when Brutus the Newf and Kevin Rooney climbed all the NH 48 highest in one winter season. I finally got the chance last March going with the brigade to the summit of Cannon to celebrate.

Today was nice, standing in the parking lot was comfortable, temps were in the 30's. Everyone was there, getting geared up and ready. This was snowshoe day with a heavy drape of snow over the hills....we put them on in the parking lot and they would remain on our feet for 10 hours!

After chatting, and meeting some new folks we headed up around 8:30, the grade was nice and the trail was well packed. As usual we stopped, took off a layer then Sherpa John led the way. SJ was tired, his White mountain odometer was pushing 700 miles for the year. The group was cheerful, I was glad to meet Glen, Steve and Drew for the first time.

John gave a little disgusted sound, here was the end of our packed trail. Snow wasn't too deep and it was nice and dry, I was glad for the snowshoes and poles. Moving up we took turns breaking trail up the persistant hillside. I always thought Rocky branch was more flat, but this was my first time. Up and up we went, the snows grew deeper and the trail harder to break. Cath led for a little while with me just behind, I was enjoying our conversation when a Ruffed Grouse exploded from the snow at the base of a fir tree. Wow, what a ruckus!

At elevation 3,100 Al piped in and Cath prepared us for the Engine Hill bushwhack. I'd heard about this and was anxious to attempt it. Cath asked us if we'd brought compasses. Ughh, mine was in a ziplock back in my summer pack. I had another cheap one but she let me borrow hers and we were off through the wilderness on a bearing of 330.

Winding through saplings and conifers we did our best keeping to the bearing, the snow here was heavy and deep and we all took turns out front trying to keep to the compass bearing while avoiding spruce traps. I discovered one but MEB found a real nice one and went down WHOOOSH, she popped up laughing and I took a picture.

We were in great spirits going through that wooded glen, I felt privledged to be a part of this group. We came across an area of what Cath called Striped maples where the Moose were feeding, plenty of fresh tracks. Drewski pointed out which direction they were heading. When we came across the place where the moose had bedded down for the night I felt like a witness to something few see. I noticed their great body heat had melted the deep snow down to bare ground and also the outline of where they lay their heads down on a soft pillow of snow.

We rejoined the trail richer for the experience and happy to have avoided some stream crossings. The group was a team now, all doing their part to achieve a goal of a summit. Now I should stop here for a minute because I had a dillema. My wife and I were supposed to finish our 48 here on Isolation together, for one reason or another trip after trip was postponed and she who loves hiking, is not so crazy about it in winter.

So, what to do? I asked the group about it. Cath said, "you're surely not going to walk all that way and not go to the summit?" "So how about if we make it winter #24 instead?" "How about if I stop just short of the summit?" I said. Al said "If you make it all that way, we're going to push you to the top!" So I agreed, this would be winter #24, that's it, end of story.

The brook crossing ahead was interesting, snow draped over rocks and questionable ice bridges. There is nothing quite like going over an ice bridge where you hear water rushing beneath. We made it, poking poles in the snow and ice, trying to find rocks. There was another beyond and everyone made it across dry.

After was an area of deep snow and slush underneath. We all took turns breaking through that and finding water and slush which attracted snow making the snowshoe feel like lead. Bang it on the tree and keep going. Cath led us through another bushwhack, this time leading the whole way through, I marvelled at her strength. The bushwhack avoided a low drainage area.

After was an area of deep snow and slush underneath. We all took turns breaking through that and finding water and slush which attracted snow making the snowshoe feel like lead. Bang it on the tree and keep going. Cath led us through another bushwhack, this time leading the whole way through, I marvelled at her strength. The bushwhack avoided a low drainage area.

The Mountain Beaver brigade did their good work near here as we rejoined the official trail again. Sherpa J and Drews wicked saw made short work of some nasty blowdowns. I was happy to stop and rest

Another brook crossing was mastered, it was dicey and I didn't really look forward to re-doing these later in the afternoon. We hit Davis Path and now saw glimpses of Isolation, or was that a false ridge?

Cath explained about a clearing and Al told how windy it could be in this spot. I was tiring, my body was asking for fuel and so I gave it some candy I dug from a wet pocket. Up and up we went, it felt like a long time but really wasn't. Then Cath pointed out the spur, Drew lead the way, I was right behind him. It wasn't long before we were on a clearing, I saw some Rocks on the top. A gray curtain shut out any views. Everyone congratulated me on my Winter #24, it was Drew's 3rd in winter and Sherpa was somewhere around 20 I think. Steve, Cath and Al had done it before, many times and it was a new one for Glen.

Some took pictures, a group photo was taken, I didn't explore, didn't find the summit marker...so I guess I will have to come back next summer with my wife

Steve was cold and headed straight down to his pack and dry clothes. I left quickly too, my wet gloves were icing up. It was great to eat and relax for a minute, the hour was late though, past 3:15 and another hour of good light left. We all wanted to get across those streams before dark so we were off again. I was glad we only had to follow our tracks and also glad of the LED headlamp hanging on the inside of my pack.

The downhill slope was a welcome relief, I love sliding along in the snowshoes. I can almost fantasize that I am skiing although me and skis are like sardines and chocolate, we don't go together. We were shooshing along, blazing down Davis, across that brook where a snowbridge finally did collapse when Glen stepped on it He went in both feet over his shins while I watched helplessly perched on a rock behind him. His snowshoes were caught and it took him a little while to wriggle out of the brook.

Good thing it was warm or he'd have been changing socks right then. Wool is nice and warm even when it gets wet. I then crossed over finding a rock where the snowshoe crampon bit in nicely and then vaulted the last bit over. Al and Steve crossed behind me with some difficulty also. The gloom of a winter afternoon was pressing on us, darkness was beginning to fall.

The bushwhack around the drainage went incredibly well and fast, as did the other two brook crossings afterward. It was dark when we re-entered the Engine Hill bushwhack. I was grateful of this bushwhack as it would save us some 300 feet of elevation gain and the crossings in darkness.

Soon we were back on the Rocky Branch trail, headlamps were blazing and all the group was happy. I sat back in the group a little with Al and watched the string of lights go along the trail. Cath pointed out the lights to our right were those of Mt Cranmore when Drew asked. Down we went, just floating along through the beautiful evening woods.

I heard a few faint whoops as our advance speedy members reached the trailhead. What an incredible experience this had been. Al and I had a nice conversation along the way and then we were back to our cars, the promise of a warm heater, some good food and rest. Cath poured some sparkling cider and they toasted my 24th winter peak. I felt really lucky to have been a part of this great group, a team that accomplished a goal of reaching Mt Isolation in winter. Thanks to Cath for leading this hike, and to the team that made this day a very rich experience in my life.