The family had done some hiking through Scouting and personally, just for fun. It’s something they really enjoyed. The most recent hike was Moosilauke. And that was back in September. The family’s matriarch decided a winter trip in the mountains, complete with some critical training, would be both adventurous and fun. She decided that this would be a perfect gift for herself and two teenage sons. […]
This backcountry skiing intro class took a little while to come together but finally it did, and it was held on a gorgeous day telling us it was probably worth the wait. The last attempt to make it happen didn’t go as planned. Not sure what the issue was, but probably weather — it’s a theme around these parts. Originally Redline Guide Pat Ferland was going […]
It was a last minute thing. The message came in, a hiking companion had to bail (the daughter), and going it alone in winter conditions just wasn’t going to happen because, quite simply, it’s more dangerous. A companion was needed! We answered the call. Redline Guide Chase Hall was available and ready to take the lead. Stunt Hiker, at your service! Our guest, actually returning to […]
Are you ready to ski in the backcountry this spring? Mother Nature has been signaling to us that the time is here. New snow in the mountains as of late is being measured in feet. So, if you’re sitting at home right now, the brown grass starting to green up, it may be a mental challenge to get into ski mode, but in the gullies and […]
This one was it. This was our last hiking trip of the winter (Glenn’s was second to last). For those working on winter lists, we’ll hopefully see you again after Dec. 21st later this year. For now, let’s get the goods from this hike of the Tripyramids. Here are a few more words and photos from Redlne Guide Chase Hall. March 18th, Triprymids: Got the early […]
The day before spring will often reveal the beginning of things to come. The crocuses pushing upward, shrinking patches of snow reveal standing water and mud, and one may hear bird chirps amid the dripping sounds and gurgling. It’s usually less cold, less windy, and less snowy at this time. Unless you’re up there (author points to the mountains). Up there we’ve encountered a delay. Up […]
This will be one of those joint or combo posts. We had two teams doing the same thing which was basically our two-day winter Mt Washington epic — with exception to one student who was only there for the mountaineering skills training on day one. These teams were led by Redline Guides Pat Ferland and Glenn Van Neil. Neither team summited. As is sometimes the reality […]
What began as a group outing was unfortunately whittled down to a one-on-one ski tour due to unforeseen circumstances. But fun was had, nonetheless. The primary objective for the day was to shred Tuckerman Ravine and that part would stay indeed intact. On lead for this cloudland tour was Redline Guide Will Murphy and, together, they booted up Right Gully, skied it, then did the same […]
Combining all our resources allows us to teach many snow-oriented classes well into the spring. There is a little awkward in-between time, to be sure, and we’re in it, but we manage. This is great for people with bigger objectives this spring and summer who want to get in some last minute training. This class was a half day Mountaineering Skills course and was led by […]
Cool air warmed by sunshine and it sure feels nice. Unless you’re snow. If you’re snow it feels bad. It makes you melt and fade away. Snow longs for winter but spring will win the battle and the snow will go away. For now, though, we will enjoy what’s left. Though don’t ask us to define “enjoy.” Redline Guide Chase Hall lead this trip to Mt […]
[…] heights were reached that most cannot reach. It was one of those days, to be sure, and we had more than one party on Mt Washington. Also up there, climbing the same route, aiming for the same summit — and also running the same two-day program — was Redline Guide Ken Hodges. The training in his case was done over a week ago. Another difference […]
Many of our guests complete our two-day program with a near-summit of Mt Washington, happy nonetheless stoked by witnessing truly crazy weather. The mountain’s an ill-tempered character and it yells at us kids to get off its lawn. It’s an experience. On some days, however, if you tread lightly and think good thoughts, the old man sleeps. The kids scamper freely. This was one of those […]
