This past Friday was the first day of the rest of my year.
I was at a business function for most of the day. People I'd not seen for a while would come up to me and ask, "What's new?" All I could think to say was, "It was an awesome summer, but sadly, it ended yesterday."
Given that Friday fell in the fourth week of October, more than one person was left scratching their head.
Thursday, you see, was the last day of the 2009 Bagger Challenge. For most of the past 6 weeks, I had either been playing in the sunny mountains with my friends or planning adventures on sunny mountain peaks with same friends. With the competition over and the monsoon season upon us, it was now back to business in earnest.
I was feeling the same as I did after completing Ironman Hawaii, the Western States 100-mile run or the Ultraman triathlon. It's over. Now what?
Well... it wasn't quite over. The Baggers Banquet was Friday evening. The "official" end of the Bagger Challenge. I envisioned a Scottish medieval feast of epic proportions complete with wine, women and song. The awarding of the much coveted Quaich. Lusty tales of brave deeds and the occasional folly. My day was a blur of anticipation...
18:00. Three of the 4 baggers in my immediate family walked up the path to the Lawn/Crerar residence. We knew we were at the right place because there, as large as life on the front door, was a poster of Bagger Glenn pointing to a mountain peak. 
Kids bounced about as a large goblet of wine was thrust into my hands. "Welcome to the first annual Baggers Banquet!" quoth my host.
The room was decorated with maps. Google maps with pins identifying the 44 peaks of the bagger challenge. Topographical maps. Satellite maps. GPS maps of yellow routes on green and white mountains. A slide show of familiar photos of stark mountain peaks against blue skies played against the wall. My attention, however, was drawn to the silver Quaich in the center of the room.
One by one and in merry groups, the baggers and their clans arrived. The banquet hall was loud with laughter and backslapping. But suddenly, the conversation came to an abrupt and respectful silence. The master bagger had arrived.
All eyes turned toward Ken Legg. I confess there was a touch of envy as, dewy-eyed, I listened to accounts of his deeds and watched him receive the Quaich. An athlete. An alpinist. A strategist. A delightful Scotch whiskey was poured into the Quaich with much ceremony. Ken touched it to his lips and savored victory. Hip hip, hurray!
Whiskey flowed like water as everyone in turn drank from the Quaich.
But there was more! Our host called the baggers to order and reverently held high a second silver Quaich... the Twisted Quaich. As the story unfolded, I knew it would be mine.
Yet more! As the spokesperson for Fat Asses present and those out running on the trails, it was my pleasure to award David Crerar, our esteemed host of the Bagger Challenge, a small token of gratitude for the gift of this competition.
And more! Our host and I were both given small tokens of recognition in the form of helicopters.
And more! Our spouses and significant others were acknowledged for their thoughtful contributions to the challenge, be they encouragement, "get out of jail free" cards or other.
As both Quaichs continued to make the rounds, a draw was made for a baggers bag of the highest quality... a prize that went to one of the younger baggers at the banquet.
Looking back at the 2009 Bagger Challenge, I have to say it's been one of the most fun and rewarding events/competitions I've ever been involved in. If you'd have asked me at the start of August if I thought I'd bag 40 peaks, I'd have honestly responded, "In my dreams!" I plan to get at it a bit earlier next year. I hope you do, too!
Some acknowledgements:
- Congrats, Ken, first bagger of the Bagger Challenge!
- Thanks for the support, Sibylle, Johanna and Erik
- To the significant others of those who returned tired, bloody and late after going bagging with me: "Sorry!"
- To my fellow baggers and baguettes: "Thank you!" for the good times.
- Much obliged for the lift, Tim.
- to you, Julia: Thank you for your wonderful hospitality and your good humor
- and to you, David, thank you for all you did to host this competition (and for a memorable evening up on Brokeback Mountain!)
