In early summer, when the "7" in King Ravine melts out, Berlin kids know the ponds are ready for swimming. When the "Fourth of July Snowfield" on Mt. Jefferson vanishes, Bicknell's Thrush has had his roll in the hay and the collapse of the Tuckerman Ravine Snow Arch is not far behind.
Every so often, people take notice. On July 24, 1886, 15 year-old Sewall Faunce died when the "snow arch" collapsed on him and ended his curious nature. Back in the glory days of the White Mountain grand hotels, visiting the snow arch was a popular pastime. The Raymond Path, now a buggy, little used hiking trail, was expressly built to provide quick access to Tuckerman Ravine and the Snow Arch for the nearby Glen House clientelle.
Since young Faunce's ill-fated excursion in 1884, over 150 people have croaked on "The Rockpile". Nobody else has met Sewall's unusual demise. That almost happened Saturday. Read about it here:
