The Old Man is gone

imported
#1

Just saw a news item that the Old Main of the Mountain in Fraconia Notch, NH has collapsed.

"FRANCONIA, N.H. — New Hampshire awoke Saturday to find its stern granite symbol of independence and stubbornness, the Old Man of the Mountain, had collapsed into indistinguishable rubble.

It was unclear when the outcropping actually fell from Cannon Mountain because clouds had obscured the area Thursday and Friday. A state park trails crew reported Saturday morning that the Old Man of the Mountain was gone."

A pity.

SD

Saluki Dave

#2

Well that sucks. Now what do we do? Being a native of that fair state I will now cry, uhyuh yuh.

Bushwhack

#3

Yeah,i couldn’t believe it. Memories of my childhood came rushing back to me the second i heard the news. I remember my parents bringing my brother and I to that spot a few times when I was younger, and now it’s gone. I can never go back. ((sigh))

C-Giddy

#4

i just moved to the White Mts a year ago, and this loss has hit me hard. some of my local friends whose families have been here for generations simply have no words for this right now.

spike

#5

It’s a freakin rock. The recent troops who died in Iraq are real losses.

reality

#6

Yeah, but most people don’t personally know troops who died and many folks have come to love the “freakin rock”.

Bump

#7

Time waits for no man and the loss of the of the Old Man is merely a reminder that we too face our final day. Live not to regret the thongs you could have done, but live your dreams.
Sheltowee
www.sheltoweehikes.com

Sheltowee

#8

Time waits for no man and the loss of the of the Old Man is merely a reminder that we too face our final day. Live not to regret the things you could have done, but live your dreams.
Sheltowee
www.sheltoweehikes.com

Sheltowee

#9

Ya think it could ever be reassembled or reproduced?

Bucky

#10

Believe it or not, they were actually talking about some sort of restoration. As an engineer, I have my doubts as to feasibility or cost. Maybe it’s best left to memory.

As far as a “loss”, I’m just about as strong a supporter of those wearing the uniform as there is, based on personal experience. That doesn’t mean I can recognize the value of a natural wonder, or the effect of its passing on those who had seen it (I’m not one of those, unfortunately).

Saluki Dave

#11

Bucky, I have a minature reproduction in my pocket.

Mike

#12

Give it a minute, you’ll make a fortune.

Bushwhack

#13

Rumor has it that the AMC is collecting all the rocks and will attempt a re-assembly at their new Highland Center in Crawford Notch.

Tenter

#14

Er, since it only looked like a man from a centain angle which five-hundred tons of rock are they going to put together? How 'bout a nice bronze jobbie from a local artist.

Bushwhack

#15

I was initially surprised when I saw this posting. Then I remembered reading last summer that this landmark had been structurally reinforced in the past to prevent it from shifting/collapsing. Though the mountains may seem forever, it’s a reminder that all things pass. It will be missed.

Doonabeth Stewart

#16

Sure it is unfortunate but at the end of the day it’s just a rock. Lets just thank god that there were no climbers coming over his chin at the time. Don’t get me wrong I loved it just as much, if not more, than the average passer by, but we knew from NH public television specials that his days were numbered. Let this be a reminder to us all that we have to live for the day and appreciate the fact that nothing is forever. Let us move forward.

CropDuster

#17

Miss the rock since I was hatched in NH but i also miss those super long days at dusk when the gnarly old oaks look like animals and dragons. Just out of Hanover I swear a saw a chicken looking at me out of tree, scared the crap out of me I actualyy got spooked and had the wife walk in front for a while…I also had the runs and was sick as hell so maybe that was it.

Bushwhack

#18

Ya, yo’ve got to look out for those trail chickens.

Farther