Critical thinking while simplifying complexity, and discovering a usefulness for the skills learned, better allows our students to keep them fresh (plus we give supported homework that is meant to help). These are some of what we strive for in our Wilderness Navigation course. We want our students to be able to think on their feet. Redline Guide Mike Cherim just taught two individuals, each with […]
We noted in our last blog post that the team ventured to the edge of the mist, everything above it obscured, but didn’t really venture too far beyond that point. Meanwhile, one returning experienced backcountry ski guest also on the mountain, enjoying his own tour with Redline Guide Phoebe Seltzer, pushed further. They entered VertigoLand where ground meets sky at some ill-defined point. Just like a […]
Humans will often fear the unknown. Our imaginations can run wild. New places with new challenges will often equate to new mental foes with which we do battle. There’s no shame in this. It’s completely normal. Especially given some circumstances, it’s entirely expected. To not feel trepidation, in fact, might be a cause for concern in some cases. So, within the context of this blog posting, […]
For those looking for something so incredibly civilized it’s absolutely wild, a wedding at the Omni Mount Washington Resort might just meet the requirement. What follows are a couple of scenes from a wedding in said location officiated by Redline Guide and JP, Mike Cherim. This wedding was designated private so the scenery is all we can offer but we did offer our video and photographic […]
As the team powered up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail the day felt like summer. Not only was it fairly warm to begin with, coupled with the exertion of going up with heavy gear, it ended up feeling pretty hot. A sweat-inducing hot. As they rose in elevation, however, spring took over, the heat breezily whisked away. And by the time they landed in the alpine, it […]
This post is another weekend re-cap, albeit for a fairly slow weekend. We just lack material — one guest opting out of photos — so we decided to consolidate the events. Up first was Redline Guide Howard Aronson teaching a full-day Hiking Intro course. Having been out there on the trails for more than a decade, we know he has lots to offer. Next up was […]
Working on her 52 With A View list, taking on the Doubleheads in Jackson brought here two peaks (albeit just one spot) closer to the finish line for our oft-returning guest. It was a gorgeous day, sunny, clear, and unseasonably warm, almost too warm to hike. Yet, despite appearances, the deep snows on the ground told the true story: it’s spring. The team, led by Redline […]
Spring backcountry skiing is upon us. Even though snow depths are reducing in the brilliant April sunshine, there’s a ways to go. People know this, and seeing that the whole Presidential Range is in the green (denoting a low danger of avalanches at the time of this writing… see image inset (dated 4/11)), and observations of cracking or avalanching are also reducing, folks are getting after […]
For some hikers it’s Owl’s Head or Isolation. For others it’s Hale or Zealand. Seems like in almost every case there are mountains on the 4000-footers list that people simply aren’t fond of — not their favorites. In the case of Redline Guide Mike Maciel it’s the Carters: Middle, South, and the big one, Carter Dome. They’re all “The Effing Carters” to him. So, long story […]
More and more people come to us every year looking for backcountry skiing instruction and backcountry ski tours — often with teachable moments taking center stage. Many we find just want to get up there and check it out with no agenda in mind. They seek a knowing companion. With respect to avalanche, hangfire, and sliding fall hazards, we’re that companion. As backcountry skiing looks to […]
Contrary to the advice of Redline Guide Dominic Torro, one guest bailed on his planned backcountry ski tour due to iffy weather and questionable ground conditions. We get it. But another person — at the right time and place — was eager to fill the sudden void left behind. The replacement skier was less concerned about the weather and ground conditions and just wanted to get […]
The word “extremely” defines the day on many levels. It was extremely wild, yet extremely mild, all at the same time. Redline Guide Will Murphy summed it up in a message sent near the end of the day of their planned Mt Washington ascent. The short message simply read: “60+, 2deg, -33F” which we took to mean the winds were cranking at over sixty miles per […]
