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Letters to the RMC... Dear RMC,
When I was working at Crag Camp in the summer of 1957, I heard from Chris Goetze and Brian Underhill, the trail crew, that there used to be an organ at Crag some time in the distant past. When my mother remarked that we didn't really need our pump organ at home anymore, I knew immediately what to do. My brother and sister disassembled it and drove it over to Randolph, where Brian, Chris and I met them. The date was August 17, 1957. We loaded it on the pack frames, about 60 or 70 pounds each. When we were loaded, my brother took the picture with my camera. We took other pictures on the hike up, but you have the picture that best tells the story. We were accustomed to the weight, but the loads were more awkward than usual. It took 3 hours to come up. The stops were to retie the loads more than rest ourselves. We were successful in assembling the organ, even though we were not the ones that took it apart. Yes, once in a while on a nice day, we would roll it out onto the porch, so everyone in King Ravine could benefit. I don't know, but I suspect it succumbed to winter campers desperate for dry firewood. It was no longer there by the mid-1970's. I was very happy to see that there is a new one. Michael T. Field Dear RMC: Just a quick note to let you know how much my father, nephews, wife, and I enjoyed our trip to Crag Camp in August. I hadn't been to Crag since it was rebuilt, and I confess I was somewhat nervous about this visit. The old Crag had such a cozy "favorite old shirt" feeling that I was afraid to find lacking this time. But I must say that the RMC did a fabulous job with the project! The new building manages to be both new and old at the same time -- combining the best of both. I also wanted to say how impressed I was with the bilingual alpine education display, which the RMC produced with a grant from the Guy Waterman Alpine Stewardship Fund. As some RMC members might be aware, the alpine display was the first project supported by the Waterman Fund. As President of the Fund, I had wanted to see the display for several years now. It was great to see it in such a prominent position, and to see other guests reading and enjoying its photos, illustrations and interpretive text. I don't know any French, but I'm sure having this information available in two languages will go a long way towards educating the full spectrum of Crag's visitors. On top of that, it was very nice looking display. (You could be excused for thinking that the primary goal was to make the wall look good!) Thanks to all of you at the RMC for your great work. It won't take 15 years between visits next time. Chuck Wooster |
The
last thing I expected to see while wandering on the internet
was my own picture. But there I am, on the front page of the
Winter 2004-2005 RMC Newsletter, Mountain Hut Hosts Sounds of
Music, carrying part of a pump organ.