The Wildcat Mountain Range has two White Mountain 4000 footers, called the ‘A’ peak or Wildcat A, and the ‘D’ peak, or Wildcat D. There are actually about 10 peaklets in total along the Wildcat Ridge Trail but those two are the …
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Hiking North Twin Mountain in January
Every day I get a little bit stronger and my breathing gets a little bit easier. But getting Covid in December really kicked my ass. Even worse was the Covid cough that followed, setting me back a month or two in terms …
Read More »Hiking a Franconia Ridge Loop in December
The Franconia Ridge Loop consists of two five thousand footers, Mt Lincoln (5080′) and Mt Lafayette (5242′). In addition to their summits, the highlight of the loop is the above treeline Franconia Ridge Trail connecting Lincoln and Lafayette, with magnificent views of …
Read More »Hiking a Z-Bonds Traverse in December
A Z-Bonds Traverse is one of the more difficult hikes you can do in winter in the White Mountains. It’s even longer than a Presidential Traverse and much more remote. It requires hiking across the breadth of the Pemigewasset Wilderness for 23.3 …
Read More »Backpacking the Bonds in November
The Bonds are a group of three peaks – Bondcliff, Mt Bond, and West Bond – 11 miles from the nearest road in the middle of the White Mountains Pemigewasset Wilderness. They are spectacular mountains to climb with breathtaking views. With daylight in …
Read More »Backpacking Owls Head Mountain in October
Owls Head Mountain is a 4000-footer located deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. While you can hike out and back to it in a long 16-18 mile day, I had a hankering to turn it into a casual backpacking trip for a chance …
Read More »When Does Winter Start in the White Mountains?
Winter isn’t so much of a season in the White Mountains as an altitude. The onset of winter always starts at the higher elevations first with freezing rain and snow before the snow line drops into the mountain passes and valleys below. …
Read More »Tenkara Fly Fishing Diary: 2022
This was by far the best Tenkara Fly Fishing season I’ve had in the past 10 years. Despite a terrible summer drought, I was able to use my knowledge of the White Mountain’s drainages to find fishable water from May through September …
Read More »Hiking Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson in October
Mts Eisenhower, Jackson, and Pierce are three 4000 footers in the Southern Presidentials, west of Mt Washington. I like to climb all at once when because they’re in close proximity to one another, although it can be a big day, depending on …
Read More »Hiking Mt Lafayette and Mt Lincoln in October
The two most popular peaks to climb on Franconia Ridge, are Mt Lafayette and Mt Lincoln, two 5000-footers with stellar views of Franconia Notch and the Pemigewasset Wilderness. These two mountains are sublime and magnificent in their own right, but they really …
Read More »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 »Hiking a North Moat Mountain – Red Ridge Loop
The North Moat Mountain / Red Ridge Loop is a 10-mile loop hike located just outside North Conway, New Hampshire that climbs the steep and rocky summit of North Moat Mountain before descending the Red Ridge Trail down a series of open …
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 »Hiking Mt Madison in September
Mt Madison is the fifth highest 4000-footer in the White Mountains, topping off at 5367′. It’s a beautiful mountain to climb and you can follow many different trails to the top. For this hike, I chose one of the less used ones, …
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