Many years ago, a few friends and I had planned on going to MT Washington to do some ice climbing.....we were friends with some people who did it regularly and agreed to take a very small group of us novices. They knew us and our abilities and thought we were ready......I don't remember what year it was but that year there was a bad storm (isn't there always a 'bad storm' on that mountain?!?)....this one had already claimed the lives of several people....well the weather seemed as if it would get better so we called to check it with the local mountain rescue group.....they gave us the 'real' report...

"It is so bad here that we are telling the expert climbers.....you want to go up...fine. We are NOT COMING for you! That is how bad it is."

Needless to say....trip canceled. (We're crazy....not stupid.)

Unfortunate too....none of us ever had the chance again....not complaining though....we are all alive to HAVE another chance.....I'll take THAT.