When setting off on a long-distance hike, I’m often asked by my friends if I am afraid. The question is a direct response to the media’s daily onslaught of horror. In their minds, why should the trails be any different? Women usually …
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Beginner Hiking Trip/Leave No Trace Workshop to Mount Pemigewasset
I led an Appalachian Mountain Club Beginner Hiking Trip and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop on Mount Pemigewasset (also called ‘Indian Head’) in Franconia Notch on Saturday that was a lot of fun. We had great weather and clear views from the …
Read More »Boot Spur – Gulf Peak Loop
I’ve spent so much time hiking above treeline this year that I will soon qualify for a pilot’s license. I’ve got the bug bad. Standing among the cairns in the howling wind under brilliant blue skies, dwarfed by immense piles of rock and dust, there are few …
Read More »On the Shoulders of Giants: Climbing White Mountain Sub-peaks
There are many mountains in the world and mountaineering traditions where it’s common to climb the major summit in addition to its sub-peaks. That’s not the peakbagging tradition in New Hampshire’s White Mountains however, where most hikers concentrate all of their energies …
Read More »Mount Moosilauke and South Moosilauke Loop
My friends Claudine, Marlene and I co-led an Appalachian Mountain Club hike up Mount Moosilauke (4802′) on Saturday, the westernmost 400o footer in the White Mountain 48. Climbing this peak has a special significance for me because it’s the first 4,000 footer …
Read More »A Presidential Solstice
On Sunday, I co-led a mega-hike called a Presidential Traverse for the Appalachian Mountain Club. This is a very long one-day hike, on or close to the summer solstice for maximum daylight, that is started before dawn and usually ends after sunset. …
Read More »Bondcliff, Mount Bond, and West Bond
Have you ever had a perfect day in the mountains? I had one of those days yesterday, on an epic 23 mile day hike to Bondcliff (4265′), Mount Bond (4698′), and West Bond (4540′). The weather was so fine, with bright sunshine and …
Read More »Mount Clay and the Great Gulf
June is the best time to climb the peaks in the Northern and Southern Presidential Ranges in the Whites. The days are long, providing ample daylight for big climbs and long routes, and sunny days are simply glorious. Some of my most …
Read More »AMC Beginner Backpacking Trip to the Hancocks
As we were breaking camp, my friend Ian said “This would be a good day to take a Zero.” He got that right. The weather forecast was for 2-6 inches of rain in the next 36 hours with temperatures in the 40’s …
Read More »Backpacking Duncan and Strickler Knob in Virginia’s Massanuttens
Five of us from the DC UL Backpacking community got together for a moderate 19 miler through the Massanutten’s in Virginia this past weekend. The primary loop has been dubbed the Wil Kohlbrenner Memorial Circuit by the folks at www.midatlantichikes.com, in honor …
Read More »Mount Osceola and Middle Osceola Bushwhack
I popped up to New Hampshire for a quick hike last week, climbing two 4,000 footers, Mount Osceola and and bushwhacking to Middle Osceola. The first time I climbed on Mount Osceola, this was a few years back, I met a guy named …
Read More »Scaur Peak and The Fool Killer
I am really good at finding summit signs and canisters on trail-less bushwhack peaks. I have an uncanny ability to find herd paths, clear water sources, and even parking spaces in Harvard Square. I’m not sure if it’s attitude or karmic alignment …
Read More »Zealand Mountain: Back in the Whites
It was fine day for a hike, blustery with 40 mile per hour winds, but plenty of sunshine. My destination was Zealand Mountain in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, approaching from the north along the Zealand Trail and The Twinway and returning via the …
Read More »Trip Plan: Scaur Peak, North and Middle Tripyramid, and The Fool Killer
I’m leading a challenging day hike in the White Mountains on Wednesday May 2, 2012 (you can still sign up) and thought I’d publish my trip plan to show you what goes into planning a hike like this as an Appalachian Mountain …
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