What does a person do when they have a credit with us and have already hiked New Hampshire’s 48 4000-footers? There are many options like working on other lists, for example. Another is to enlist others. Stoke the passion. Spread the word. That’s what one returning guest did. She came back with friends. We approve. We helped her along the way on her journey, and she got them done. Now it was time to bring some friends to get their hike on and grab a couple of those peaks themselves, namely Mts Whiteface (4018′) and Passaconaway (4079′). Not to mention taking on Blueberry Ledge Trail — one of those on the “Terrifying 25” list. Sounds innocent enough, but put the emphasis on “ledge” and give this ascent the respect it deserves. It is the main reason we were employed to help.
On lead for this trip was Redline Guide Chase Hall helping with this wilderness loop, adding Rollins and Dicey’s Mills Trails. They wanted the safety net of a guide who knows the trails and could give them confidence in hiking the ledgy bits. And they did just that, trusting Chase as he helped them with foot work, leading them up, pitch by pitch, so to speak.
It’s a fun hike/climb, though not an easy one. But the hard work paid off as the team was awarded with amazing views. The trails are rugged, and the ledges can be slick on wet days in addition to the ascent being a little exposed and “heady” as they say, but today was awesome, the ledges stayed dry, heads stay screwed on tight, and all the good parts just fell into place. Here are a few photos of their day.
