Our two-day “Winter Mt Washington” program is very popular and for good reason. First of all the training is extremely helpful in keeping people on their feet and safe for the climb. Second of all, they look good doing it — versus that first-time-on-crampons awkwardness. It’s win-win. On this tour we had one student/guest, a 19-year-old from Connecticut. When he reached out we noted his address […]
Two days, two hikes, two mountains closer to completion of the Grid (all the 4ks every month). Though there’s not much to see here, folks — no photos on day two — but we do have a few photos below. Day one was Liberty and day two was North Twin. Both involved a lot of trail breaking so if all the summits were in the crosshairs, […]
Our guest, a young man from Ohio, had some experience tramping having hiked in the area of Mt Fuji in Japan. Next up he had his sights set on hiking in New Hampshire, testing himself in the winter White Mountains. He booked and on his form he specifically requested the Hancocks. His first “big hike,” and he wanted to hire a guide to keep him out […]
We sometimes joke that we will ask for a return fee from our hiking guests when standing on a summit somewhere. It’s only a joke, though, as payment for our tours are bi-directional: we bring you up, and we bring you back — fully back. Safe and sound, and in one piece. This is an industry standard and is a given in our eyes, but on […]
Day one was a mixed group adding to a “joinable” Mountaineering Skills training day. Day two, involving only the person who initially created the day one event, was a quasi-mountaineering experience — specifically taking on the Osceolas. On point for both days was Redline Guide Debra McCown with Mike Cherim shadowing on day one only. The training on day one, despite taking place in a snow-starved […]
The winds on Mt Washington can best even the toughest hikers and climbers. Experience can help a little, knowing there be some reprieves, such as those found in the “shadow of the cone,” as some say. Strength and toughness can help, too. But Mt Washington will always win when it unleashes its worst weather. Humans can only take so much and that mountain reminds us often […]
In New Hampshire, in the White Mountain National Forest, on Mt Washington there exists a trail called Lion Head, of which there are two routes. One, the default option, is known by most as Lion Head Trail or by the more informed, the Lion Head Summer Route. So-named for the fact that there is a corresponding Winter Route. In years’ past the Summer Route had a […]
When seeking out an exceptional experience in the mountains, bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s other factors that make it special. One such factor might be the time of day. Such is the case for two people going on a sunrise summit hike on a 52 With a View gem, Mt Willard with Redline Guide Mike Maciel. That said, we will give the stage to Mike […]
He was requested — as he often is — so Redline Guide Mike Maciel led our oft-returning quest on an almost-winter hike with Mt Garfield as the objective. As usual this mountain was in the working list of 48 peaks being chipped away at by this guest. What follows is a guide summary along with some photos of the day. Walking in a Winter-Ish Wonderland Our […]
A returning guest, the “Gridder” Redline Guide Chase Hall accompanies a lot, had us on board for an Owls Head hike. He needed it for December. Unfortunately the river statuses didn’t sign off on this tour and threw high water at the pair, ultimately blocking access to the mountain. We knew this could happen, but it was decided to try. Water levels started off indicating accessibility […]
Cold is a frosty mountain wind, a silent and lonesome vigil atop a dark, rocky, ice-covered lump in the landscape. It’s not a preferable situation. Add other people, though, coupled with an almost full moon on a clear night, and top it off with some Swiss Miss hot chocolate with marshmallows and now you’re talking. Next thing you know, warmed by a hike and a steaming […]
As we’ve done in the warmer months, we offered the Hiking Buddies Non-Profit Group a special Hiking Intro Course — with this one being in winter (even though technically we haven’t entered that season yet). As has been the case other times we’ve done this, the class went off without a hitch, everyone enjoyed themselves, and more importantly, a lot was learned. This full day class […]
