Fair weather hiking is the norm for many people, and is all that they know, but in the case of guides, search and rescue volunteers, and other mountain professionals, the conditions can be anything but fair. But as you’ll read in the summary below — written by Redline Guide Debra McCown — occasionally pushing on can offer some unexpected rewards as they learned taking on Mt […]
Serving the ravines on the east side of Mt Washington is the John Sherburne Ski Trail. It is the usual winter exit for skiers playing in Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines. This CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) ski trail also goes by “The Sherbie” or just “The Sherb” to keep it real short. An even shorter word we’ve heard time and time again is “fun.” That’s what our […]
Having never winter hiked, our most recent guest decided to hire a guide so as to learn the ropes while being safer in the process. He knew there were things he needed to learn. With us to took our Hiking Intro Course (with winter focus at this time of year). Prior to the hike he purchased some of the gear he needed so was just about […]
Is child care interfering with your ice climbing? Try what this couple did: Day one mom (and a friend) headed out for a day of climbing on the ice while dad watched the kids. On day two mom watched the kids while dad went out on his own ice adventure. Quite the solution if you ask us, offering something to everyone. Leading both days was Redline […]
This father-daughter team had booked with us before, back when the little girl was only eleven. At the time they took on and beat Mts Monroe and Washington via the west side of the range. We heard all about the little girl’s big mountain ambitions during that time with us last year and we knew she’d be back. And true to their word, they reached out […]
A returning guest and his son wanted to do a little top-roped ice climbing — another intro-level course — while in the area. Last time they were up we took them to the Cathedral Ledge North End. This time, Redline Guide Will Murphy decided to take them to Barking Dog off the backside of Humphrey’s Ledge. They had terrific weather for it , warmer and sunny, […]
Climbing Mt Katahdin, 5,270 ft (1,610 m) located in Baxter State Park in Maine is otherworldly, remote, and demanding, and that’s in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter these attributes are even more pronounced. Even getting there is a trial unto itself. Moreover, being that it’s in Maine some will tell you that “you can’t get there from here, ayuh.” But we know better […]
Five people were supposed to join this class but one succumbed to a flu-like illness making its way through the northeast so only four made it. This Hike Intro (winter version) Course was a fun and informative class and everyone had a terrific day. The forecast called for clouds but full sun and pleasant temps were the order of the day. Leading was Redline Guide Mike […]
Sometimes Owls Head is a nice walk in the woods. And sometimes it’s a challenging slog. Funny the difference armpit deep snow makes. Okay, the last comment is an exaggeration, but there was snow, it was deep, and it was a challenging slog. But the team — one oft-returning guest and Redline Guide Chase Hall — did make it… well, to the base on the Brutus […]
Mountains of snow atop mountains of lost rock defined the story and set the stage. Not all was lost, though. Out of three mountains in their sights, two were successfully summited. And the third, you may wonder, will indeed be there another day. This task was broken into two days led by Redline Guides Chase Hall (three guests) and Debra McCown (one guest left), respectively. What […]
A couple from Mass have some big plans to hike the Continental Divide Trail soon. They wanted to get some mountaineering skills training in so as to be prepared for some of the conditions they are expecting to have to deal with. Another couple was supposed to join in and planned to tackle Mt Washington tomorrow but the weather got the better of them — but […]
About a week ago we were able to get a returning couple to the summit of Mt Washington in some gnarly conditions allowing them the finally tick that box. On this trip they wanted to do some ice climbing and Redline Guide Glenn Van Neil had one of his favorite spots in mind: Parasol Gully. It was a beautiful day in a great location. The team […]
