I’d been hoping to climb Mt Washington and Mt Monroe early in the month before it snowed and got winter-like above treeline, but winter came earlier than expected this year. But then I sprained my ankle on November 3rd while hiking back …
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White Mountains 4000 Footer Weather Forecasts
A one-page listing of weather forecast and trail conditions information for each of the 48 New Hampshire White Mountain 4000 footers. How many of you spend hours each month searching NOAA, NETC, or Mountain Forecast, typing in mountain names into their tiny …
Read More »Backpacking Across Scotland in the 2024 TGO Challenge
I’ll be backpacking coast to coast across Scotland in the 2024 TGO Challenge next May for the third time. The TGO Challenge is an annual backpacking event started in 1980, where 400 backpackers, hiking solo or in small teams, attempt to hike …
Read More »Backpacking in the Dry River Valley
The Dry River Valley runs through the heart of the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness from Mt Washington to Crawford Notch. It is a wild place and one of the toughest regions of the White Mountains to hike and backpack in. It’s also …
Read More »Hiking a Pond of Safety Loop
The Pond of Safety is located in the area of the White Mountains called the Randolph Community Forest (RCF). Randolph is a small community located just north of Rt 2 across from Mts Madison, Adams, and Jefferson in the Presidential Mountain Range. …
Read More »Backpacking a Mt Moosilauke – Hurricane Mtn Loop
The first trail I ever hiked in the White Mountains, the Beaver Brook Trail, climbs Mt Moosilauke (4803′). The initial ascent is a beast of a climb 2000′ up a cliff with iron bars and wooden steps anchored on the rock next …
Read More »Backpacking a Southern Presidential – Dry River Loop
The Dry River Valley in New Hampshire’s White Mountains can be challenging to access because the trails leading into it and through it are remote, rough, and difficult to follow. Scarred by avalanches, washed out by floods, or ravaged by hurricanes, the …
Read More »Hiking Boott Spur Mountain and the Bigelow Lawn
Boott Spur is a subpeak on Mt Washington’s south face in the White Mountains and the Bigelow Lawn is the grassy tableland between them. It’s not an area frequented by most White Mountain hikers because it isn’t on the official 4000-footer list, …
Read More »Backpacking in the White Mountains: A Quick and Dirty Guide
The White Mountain National Forest is located about 2 and 1/2 hours north of Boston, 6 hours north of New York City, and about 2 hours from Portland, Maine. It’s visited by over 6 million people per year, and provides numerous recreational …
Read More »Do You Need a Bear Canister for the White Mountains?
If you camp or backpack in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, you need to store your food in: a closed motor vehicle (locking is advised) a campsite bear box at a pre-established tent site by hanging your food in a bear …
Read More »Backpacking Mt Parker Trip Plan
Mt Parker is a 3004 ft mountain in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness with expansive views of Mt Washington and the Southern Presidential Range. It’s also on the 52-With-a-View Peakbagging List, which many New Hampshire hikers gravitate to after they’ve completed a round …
Read More »Bushwhacking Millen Hill and Mt Dartmouth
Millen Hill and Mt Dartmouth are two trailless peaks adjacent to Mt Jefferson in the White Mountains Presidential Range. Millen Hill is on the New Hampshire 200 highest list, while Mt Dartmouth is on the 100 highest list and the more difficult …
Read More »A Kilkenny Ridge Traverse Trip Plan: Backpacking the 4000 Footers Guidebook
The Kilkenny Ridge Traverse is a moderate 2-3 day, 27 mile scenic traverse of some of wildest and remote scenery in the White Mountains. It’s a particularly attractive route for backpackers interested in avoiding the crowds of day hikers who frequent the …
Read More »Backpacking a Carrigain Notch Loop
Carrigain Notch is a wild mountain pass between Mt Carrigain and Mt Lowell in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It’s a deep chasm that’s seldom hiked end-to-end unless you want to penetrate deep into the White Mountain National Forest on a backpacking trip far …
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