Ron Chase: Wintry surprise on Little Jackson By Ron ChaseSeniors Not Acting Their Age Contributed photo It was a beautiful late fall day on my drive to the mountainous community of Weld in western Maine. The forecast was sunny with seasonal temperatures and light winds. My rosy weather prediction had helped convince retired New Hampshire friends Laurie Wunder and Tom Meredith to join me for a hike on Little Jackson Mountain. Their first climb of the impressive peak, they were looking forward to spectacular views on the barren summit. Motoring north on Route 156 a few miles south of Weld, I eagerly awaited my first glimpse of Little Jackson and its alpine sidekicks, Jackson and Tumbledown Mountains. When I crested the pass between Bald and Crockett Mountains, instead of the usual impressive vista, I was confronted with sinister storm clouds enveloping the entire range. To add insult to my injured psyche, it began to snow. I didn’t want to think about conditions at 3,500 feet. Worse than the weather, I had some serious explaining to do with what might be my former friends when we met. I started practicing my alibi.