The Great Cabbage Rebellion

2011-04-01 10:00:05.000 – Rebecca Scholand,  Summit Intern

Briggs Stratton and Lord Shawshank

I have mentioned previously that one of my rolls as an intern on the summit this winter is to document the pitot-static anemometer system. In working on this project I have had to do very in depth research about the mountain and its history beyond the Observatory’s existence. It is in this research that I have come across a very interesting historical finding.

Today marks the 164 year anniversary of the Great Cabbage Rebellion that took place at the top of the Valley of Soles on the summit of Mount Washington. The Valley of Soles was the original name of the Great Gulf at the time of the rebellion in 1847. It was on this day in 1847 that the guileless forces of Lord Shawshank, marched up the rocky northwest slope of Mount Washington with hundreds of cabbage farmers with packs of cabbage on their backs. Nietzache would have called it an outlet for “internalized aggression;” the authorities called it “A Conspiracy of Salad”. When they reached the summit cone the sun was just about to rise and the Lord was confronted by Briggs Stratton, local gadabout and candidate for local judgeship.

With the rising of the sun the Lord’s forces began to receive fire in the shape of green and purple cabbage, and the Great Cabbage Rebellion had begun. For 13 hours until the sun set, heads of cabbage flew. The cabbage rounds largely sailed and tumbled. It was a cabbage massacre. Shreds of cabbage fell to the slopes and littered the summit. As the sun set the Great Cabbage Rebellion saw its last efforts. As the cabbage shreds settled the destruction could be seen. Numerous farmers had suffered from minor injuries and there was not a single head of cabbage left in tact. It was in the next hour of twilight that was most historical.

Lord Shawshank and Briggs Stratton banded together to gather shredded cabbage and made what is said to be the most historically delicious slaw. Unfortunately this slaw would only live on as a legend. As the banded forces sat on the summit looking down into the Valley of Soles eating their slaw, a gust of wind blew the most delicious slaw recipe into the mountains. Despite expansive expeditions in the White Mountains to find the recipe it was never discovered.

To this day numerous chefs volunteer at the summit in search of the legendary Great Cabbage Rebellion Slaw. All that remains on this April 1st is a ghostly image of the Great Cabbage Rebellion.

Rebecca Scholand,  Summit Intern