Southern Presidentials + Isolation Overnight – 3/31 – 4/1/2012

This past weekend I joined an AMC led trip for my first trip in the Presidentials to bag four peaks.  Meeting at Crawford Notch at 9:15am Saturday, the leader decided to reverse the original route to take advantage of the weather as snow was predicted for Sunday.  After car dropping at Rocky Branch Trailhead at Rt. 16, we returned to the Highland Center and began our six person trek on the Crawford Path at 11pm.  The temperature quickly rose to near 40 degrees and the 3 or so inches of snow that had fallen the night before began to melt off the trees.  We set a slow but steady pace up to Pierce and were greeted with blue bird skies and a great view of the path ahead of us.

The Presidential Range from Mt.Pierce

The Bonds: Solo In & Out and Overnight at Guyot Campsite…

Bondcliff & West Bond (L to R)

It’s always difficult to decide which peaks to bag as I have a large amount left.  With this hike however, I went straight for the most recommended peaks, the three peaks that make up the “Bonds”.  This also let me stay within the Pemigewasset Wilderness, my go-to White Mountains area and a place I plan on redlining.  One of the things I love about the Pemi is the remoteness of some of it yet it is still close to 93 and a quick hop back to civilization when you get out.  It also has some great camping options if you backpack. On late Friday arrivals, I camp at Hancock Campground the Friday night before a hike.  I got the last walk-in spot, and posted up for the night.  I knew that the area would be busy due to “Flags on the 48”; a tribute to those lost on 9/11 where hikers sign up to climb each of the 48 4,000 footers with a flag and raise it from 12-2pm.

North & South Kinsmans via Lonesome Lake & Fishin Jimmy Trails…

After reading and planning hiking trips all winter, I finally tore myself away from the city for a night to bag some new peaks.  I decided to head up to Lafayette Campground Friday night and do a North & South Kinsman plus Cannon Mountain loop on Saturday.  The 100ish site campground was entirely empty when I arrived so I picked out a choice spot on the little river that runs through it.  This is a top campsite for access to trails, with many that start here.  Its open year round but they don’t turn the water on until May 19th or 20th so before that its pretty deserted.  If you can handle the cold, might be fun to ski/ride Cannon and stay here.

Lonesome Lake

Due to a chance of rain and shivering to death all night by the river in new untested gear, I decided to cut my aspired 16 mile trek down the morning of and I started on Lonesome Lake Trail instead of Pemi Trail to Cascade Basin.  I’ve heard Lonesome Lake is an extremely popular destination for day hikers and I can see why.  A quick 1.2 mile trudge uphill to a great lake loop doable for small kids and fat people.

Mt. Flume via Osseo Trail + Franconia Falls…

This September, I decided to hike Mt.Flume (4328 ft.) as my first 4000 footer due to the trailhead being 100 yards down the road from Hancock Campground on the Kancamangus Highway where I stayed.  I didn’t actually do any research on this peak as I had planned on doing Mt. Lafayette, but it was closer and smaller and a better peak to start with.

The trail starts at the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, a two minute drive from Hancock. A suspension Bridge crossing the East Branch Pemigewasset Rivier and runs 1.4 miles on the Linclon Woods Trail, a nice flat and wide trail running parallel to the river.  Lots of people were out enjoying the sunny early fall weather and light foliage, many riding bikes.  The trail turns left at a brook and heads up the Osseo Trail.  The actual peak is out of your site the entire time but you can view Potash Knob (2684 ft.) and Whaleback Mountain (3586 ft.) most of the way up this time of year.  This was a bit intimidating for a first time climber as Mt. Flume is 1k feet higher and Whaleback which loomed menacingly tall.

Review: Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Poles…

These are the first poles I ever bought or even tried. Next to getting hydraulic Cyborg legs these are the best thing for hiking.  Ever. They instantly turned me into a four legged mountain goat.

Took them on a 7 mile fastpack initially, and I was flying down wet rocky trails faster than I could free fall. These give you the balance and confidence to make some INSANE steps and jumps you would have never tried without them!  If your into crazy technical hiking  these are must haves.  I also have a questionable ankle that always gets sore and this negated that completely.  Also great for skirting around a large muddy or wet section of trail and for water crossings.

Upper body workout is impressive as well, I read they take 25% of the work off of your legs.  Spreading out the exertion kept me from taking breaks every 20 minutes. The shock absorption is a nice bonus, grips are great. On downhills I was putting 20-30 lbs of pressure on each pole and they held it like champs. Putting that much weight on them GREATLY diminishes leg impact. Pairing them with my Osprey Aether (60) with its pole storage straps made coverting to scrambling or walking flats super fast.

Some tips I picked up: Use the wrist tethers correctly and spread your weight through your wrist as well as your hand; you can make your lead pole longer than the other; sometimes using one pole is better than both; alternating your leg and pole arm on hills is clutch – try to maintain that form and you will crush uphills and get a serious workout.

If you are on the fence with a pole purchase ask yourself this: Would you go skiing without poles?  Its really the exact same difference.  Also if you go hiking with a friend that doesn’t have poles or good gear, letting them use one will greatly improve the odds of them hiking with you again.

Review: Red by Burton, Mutiny II Snow Helmet…

 

This is my first helmet and I’m glad I decided to invest in one as I’ve been fighting it for years. I wear a Marmot DriClime helmet liner with it, the only time I didn’t, I got really sweaty and cold, the helmet liner is a nice insulator.

I have a big dome and this was one of the best fitting XL helmets I tried on. The brim style means it doesn’t ventilate like others do but it still has interior vents that work good enough.  Also no holes in the exterior to get packed with snow if you crash or let in water if its raining or snowing.  This helmet saved my ass in the glades when branches and sticks are clawing at your skull and I was in the glades a lot this year.

Best part about this (and most helmets) is the headphones in the earpads. I can listen to my music softly on the chair and conversate or blast it on the ride down. I can fit this helmet in the nose end of my snowboard bag for easy travelling also.  I pack my goggles in them so they won’t get crushed.

The ear pieces also are removable for either warm spring skiing or cold weather mountain biking.  I biked with it this winter and it worked great without the ear muffs.

Review: REI Flash 18L Pack…

 

Very Versatile Pack…

I bought this for a Montana snowboarding trip after I realized my beloved REI Traverse 30L was just too bulky for riding on chairlifts and too heavy when full. I really just needed something for water, snacks, a scarf or facemask if it got warm, and other small things.  XC skiing in Glacier National Park it was PERFECT, nice and lightweight. Snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain, I strapped my helmet to it at the bar at the end of the day and threw my goggles and gloves in it.  I get antsy about losing my gear so this is my new BFF on the slopes.

Honestly most of the time I forgot it was even on my back which is perfect when you are riding or skiing.  Plus it has a built in chest strap whistle that is loud as all hell in case of a backcountry emergency.

When my trip ended, I turned this inside out and packed all my dirty clothes into this and put it in my suitcase, segregating it from my clean clothes. The stuff sack dual-functionality make this a genius little bag and the price is nice at around $30.

5 stars already and I haven’t even used it for hiking yet!  This is also hydration compatible (probably could handle 1-2L) and has two small interior mesh pockets.  Will likely use it for a reserve pack for friends when day hiking or a beach bag for sure.  Recently been using this as a gym bag for my keys and jump rope.

Hellroaring Peak, Whitefish Montana

Review: Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX Trail-Running Shoes

These are so comfortable that they’ve replaced my come-home-from-work slippers. The shoelace system is the SHIT.  One pull and they STAY PERFECT, pop the lace cinch into the hidden tongue pocket and it doesn’t bounce around, get loose, or get snagged.  I have had mega issues in the past keeping my shoes and boots tied while hiking and snowboarding.

I’ve taken them trail running and boulder scrambling and they’ve been great; lightweight, breathable, and awesome grip.

Just did some post blizzard city running and they performed impressively.  Sprinting on ice and snow, I hardly slipped once and feet did not get wet. Only thing to watch out for is getting sweaty feet in the cold, they are so breathable my feet get chilly, not a fault of the shoe though and a positive in the summer when it will be hot.  Another option is the midtops of the same design.  I tried these on as well and they are very light and just as comfortable but not high enough for good ankle support.  After getting these I also got the Salomon Quest 4D boots which are incredible as well as a great pair of Salomon Boa Snowboard boots (to replace my old Salomon boots).

Appalachian Trail Conservancy…

AT info and maps

Definitely an awesome resource for anyone interested in backpacking or just casually hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail.  The Interactive Map is an awesome feature and you can filter the trail by Parking, Vistas (not the best pictures), and Shelters.  If you click on the shelters you can even see a thumbnail and some basic info on them.  Another great feature is the break down state by state on mileage, range of difficulty, and general advice on when optimal times to hike certain areas are.  While backpacking the entire AT has always been a day dream of mine, looking at their Interactive Map really gives a sense of scale to this 2,179 mile, 14 state journey.  If I survive section hiking the NH section this spring, maybe I’ll consider the rest…

The 4000 Footer Club… An Introduction…

Recently I discovered something called “The 4000 Footer Club” after perusing some hiking and backpacking websites.  If you’re neither from New England nor an outdoor enthusiast, this is a group of people who have hiked all  48 New Hampshire peaks  over 4000 feet above sea level. 

Thankfully, this discovery has inspired me to get back outdoor after living the city/college life for the last decade.   Thinking I needed some kind of physical goal since I can’t run road races for shit, I decided to take a run at my first 4k and I’m now determined to crush this list in 2011. 

Among other things fun, this blog will hopefully encourage others to bag some peaks of their own as well as document progression and highlight some of the gorgeous vistas along the way.  If you’ve experienced these peaks yourself, I would love to hear any comments, suggestions, and stories.  See you on the trail!