Its been 20 years now. As a New Yorker, I am Privileged , and honored and humbled that I could say that I was a (New Englander) NH resident for 3 years (2002-2005). I am fortunate to have seen him and I am blessed that I was a NH resident when It happened. It hurt me too Captain. The first written mention of the Old Man was in 1805. The formation was first noted in the records of a Franconia surveying team around 1805. Francis Whitcomb and Luke Brooks, part of the surveying team, were the first two to record observing the Old Man. It became a landmark and a cultural icon for the state of New Hampshire. It collapsed on May 3, 2003. RIP Old Man (AKA "Stone Face")1805 - May 3, 2003. Ingrained the hearts and minds of all New Hampshire residents and the USA. 😢
I cried the day he fell, 8 years of waving to him but years of missing him. It's not the same going up in NH and not seeing him greeting us on the trip... not yelling "Hi old man we're back" even as an adult now it's a weird and somber feeling.
TH-cam: the best place to read stupid comments from ignorant people. The Old Man was awesome, and still is awesome in pictures. Those who make fun of him for being just a bunch of rock don't seem to understand what it was like to gaze up at him. I saw him at age 5 in 1952, and will never forget that day. He freaked me out!!! I loved it. Have never been back there, but wish I could see the place again.
I remember driving by back in the 70s.looking up at this face of man .I didn't know what to think.it was very interesting .but I didn't know at that time what he meant to the state of new Hampshire.and although it was just rock .he was a big part of new Hampshire.I guess you could say he was like there hero .he was there for hundreds of if not thousands of years .you couldn't talk about new Hampshire without mentioning the old man .no he was not a God .but he was a very important part of new Hampshire .so it is understandable that people would cry. he was and will always be very well loved .I think losing the old man. was like losing a family member .to some .I'm not from new Hampshire .but even I miss him .I watch videos of him even now .because he brings back so many wonderful memories .RIP.old man .
Till today i think about this tragic loss..and i live in New York. I have so many Souvenirs of the Old Man..was there last in 1972 with family...The welcome center near the old man had a fantastic display diorama of the old man that lit up.....and low and behold on January 1st 2004 Garth Millett Auctions of Concord NH. had the same display for auction and I was able to place the winning bid of $250.00...I still have it to this day....I love "The Old Man of the Mountain" Amen.
I still recall hearing about the Old Man's demise on the midday news the day it happened. Up to that time, I never knew that the rock formation was endangered and always assumed the Old Man would be there for thousands of years to come.
I only became interested in hiking the White Mountains last year and was only about a year old when he fell. I wish I was able to experience the old man, all of these stories make me understand how important he was.
The Old Man likely would not wish to be placed in the same company as battlefields. He might not have been able to save face, but at least he didn't have any blood on his hands...✌👍🕊
Seems like they would just replace with a traced outline image made of stainless pipe. Sure, it would be a tremendous job of great cost, but the Old Man was obviously important enough to that many people, why not?
Peter- don't know if you ever found out, but yes, there are a couple trails. If you look at the White Mountain Guide, you'll be able to plan a hike. Couple difficult spots on the trail if you're carrying a heavy pack, but all in all it's classed as a moderate difficulty hike. You can't actually see where it collapsed, but the views are fantastic from a spot called The Ledges on the ascent.
The trail to the top of the old man site isn’t in the AMC’s White Mountain Guide, on any official map or marked by any official signs. It’s mostly used by rock climbers to return to the valley after a climb.
lets get the facts straight.edward h geddes was the first caretaker of the old man of the mountains.i know as I have a book bought from the profile store that shows pictures from around the 1910s to the 1920s that have him in it.
Me too. I studied geology a bit and i know how geology can sometimes affect local culture and customs . At least the old man lasted long enough for people to see and photograph him and pass the legend along .
Its been 20 years now. As a New Yorker, I am Privileged , and honored and humbled that I could say that I was a (New Englander) NH resident for 3 years (2002-2005). I am fortunate to have seen him and I am blessed that I was a NH resident when It happened.
It hurt me too Captain. The first written mention of the Old Man was in 1805. The formation was first noted in the records of a Franconia surveying team around 1805. Francis Whitcomb and Luke Brooks, part of the surveying team, were the first two to record observing the Old Man. It became a landmark and a cultural icon for the state of New Hampshire. It collapsed on May 3, 2003.
RIP Old Man (AKA "Stone Face")1805 - May 3, 2003.
Ingrained the hearts and minds of all New Hampshire residents and the USA. 😢
I cried the day he fell, 8 years of waving to him but years of missing him. It's not the same going up in NH and not seeing him greeting us on the trip... not yelling "Hi old man we're back" even as an adult now it's a weird and somber feeling.
TH-cam: the best place to read stupid comments from ignorant people. The Old Man was awesome, and still is awesome in pictures. Those who make fun of him for being just a bunch of rock don't seem to understand what it was like to gaze up at him. I saw him at age 5 in 1952, and will never forget that day. He freaked me out!!! I loved it. Have never been back there, but wish I could see the place again.
It’s quite moving how the Old Man is still spoken of as an unseen presence, or a grandparent who has passed on.
I remember driving by back in the 70s.looking up at this face of man .I didn't know what to think.it was very interesting .but I didn't know at that time what he meant to the state of new Hampshire.and although it was just rock .he was a big part of new Hampshire.I guess you could say he was like there hero .he was there for hundreds of if not thousands of years .you couldn't talk about new Hampshire without mentioning the old man .no he was not a God .but he was a very important part of new Hampshire .so it is understandable that people would cry. he was and will always be very well loved .I think losing the old man. was like losing a family member .to some .I'm not from new Hampshire .but even I miss him .I watch videos of him even now .because he brings back so many wonderful memories .RIP.old man .
I was a kid in the 70’s when I saw it on a family vacation. It was pretty cool to see. Sad to think it’s been almost 20 years since it fell.
I am so glad I was able to see it with my parents as a child. Great memories
Till today i think about this tragic loss..and i live in New York. I have so many Souvenirs of the Old Man..was there last in 1972 with family...The welcome center near the old man had a fantastic display diorama of the old man that lit up.....and low and behold on January 1st 2004 Garth Millett Auctions of Concord NH. had the same display for auction and I was able to place the winning bid of $250.00...I still have it to this day....I love "The Old Man of the Mountain" Amen.
Almost 15 years ago now. Rest in Peace Old Man. You are missed dearly.
Mythology Guy I was never a fan
@@MrJlove67 getchewboi
20 now
I still recall hearing about the Old Man's demise on the midday news the day it happened. Up to that time, I never knew that the rock formation was endangered and always assumed the Old Man would be there for thousands of years to come.
Well, I hike these mountains a lot, and I'm old as sin, so I offer myself as a replacement. I'm beginning to petrify, anyway....
The old man in the mountain will always be missed 😔💔😭
I still miss him to this day 😢 a icon in nh
@@michaeljenkins746 I know 😔 and I completely agree with you ❤️ he is an icon
I'm in the notch all the time! I Allways pay tribute to The Old Man! Hes with me everyday.i got a Tattoo of him on my calf!
I miss the old man of the mountain
I'm sorry 😔 I'm here for you 🙏
@@justinea4480 ty my best friend 🌹
@@michaeljenkins746 u r very welcome 🙏
Maybe you shouldn’t have knocked it down
I only became interested in hiking the White Mountains last year and was only about a year old when he fell. I wish I was able to experience the old man, all of these stories make me understand how important he was.
I'll never forget the Old Man.
i remember the commemorative quarter, the old man of the mountain came out shortly before the collapse of this iconic structure.
The day a park ranger became an historic reenactor.
The Old Man likely would not wish to be placed in the same company as battlefields. He might not have been able to save face, but at least he didn't have any blood on his hands...✌👍🕊
Seems like they would just replace with a traced outline image made of stainless pipe. Sure, it would be a tremendous job of great cost, but the Old Man was obviously important enough to that many people, why not?
Does anyone know how to get to the top of the site? Is there a trail?
Peter Gnade just climb
Peter- don't know if you ever found out, but yes, there are a couple trails. If you look at the White Mountain Guide, you'll be able to plan a hike. Couple difficult spots on the trail if you're carrying a heavy pack, but all in all it's classed as a moderate difficulty hike. You can't actually see where it collapsed, but the views are fantastic from a spot called The Ledges on the ascent.
The trail to the top of the old man site isn’t in the AMC’s White Mountain Guide, on any official map or marked by any official signs. It’s mostly used by rock climbers to return to the valley after a climb.
Carl Munck knows why the Old Man was there
very very old granite
He fell, or so we assume 3 days before my son was born.
lets get the facts straight.edward h geddes was the first caretaker of the old man of the mountains.i know as I have a book bought from the profile store that shows pictures from around the 1910s to the 1920s that have him in it.
I was born on may 3rd 2003, after 12am yikes ig it was me
Yeah but frost breaks granite
HE GOT DESROYED
Collapsed*
Wow I just learned about this...
Read more
Me too. I studied geology a bit and i know how geology can sometimes affect local culture and customs . At least the old man lasted long enough for people to see and photograph him and pass the legend along .