We had a lot going on this past weekend. It began with a postponement of a Backcountry Ski Tour because… well, no snow. It also ended with a postponement of an Ice Climbing Intro because… well, too much snow (driving considerations forced the change). And snow, the lack or abundance thereof, only started the challenges. The forecast alpine winds and bitter temperatures added to the logistical […]
We could re-tell this story of trial and triumph supplied with such telling information, but we’re instead going to let Redline Guide Mike Maciel convey his information directly to you. His narrative will be followed by a few photos that he took of their trip. A many time returning seasonal guest has come back for another winter season as she works towards her 48 4000-footers. […]
The snows came just in time, allowing us to finally exhale, albeit tortuously in the eleventh hour. We were counting on it, we needed it, as did our guests from North Carolina. They were visiting the area and wanted to partake in a couple backcountry adventures with us. Specifically they wanted to try some Nordic (cross country) skiing and to test themselves a bit snowshoeing up […]
The transformation from the warmer weather stuff to the colder weather stuff is upon us. It’s almost like glitching between two distinct seasons. Sure, there are technically four seasons, but really, we know, there is only winter and not-winter. The fissure between them a fine one to be sure. Our guest hoped to hike Franconia Ridge but due to the conditions and our guest’s inexperience on […]
Doing a Presi traverse is always a challenge. Choosing to do so in mid November always ups the ante. With reducing daylight and changing weather, ‘threading the needle’ is part of the plan. —Redline Guide Will Murphy Down in the Mt Washington Valley fall is faltering on most days right now as winter is trying to push it aside. But fall in the Valley puts up […]
On January 14th, 1942, a crew of seven were returning from a WWII coastal patrol aboard their B-18 Bomber. They encountered bad weather, became disoriented in a blizzard, and found themselves besieged by wind and ice as they lost elevation. The plane crashed into the flanks of Mt Waternomee in Woodstock, NH that night. Of the seven Army-Airmen on board (this was pre-Air Force), miraculously five […]
Although this is subjective, one of the sketchiest slides in the White Mountain National Forest is the so-called “North Slide” on North Mt Tripyramid. The bottom quarter, specifically, can be very slippery and sliding from position there could be painful… at best. Unlike many of the slides people will explore, this one is the actual hiking trail. Despite this, though, some hikers are pretty wary of […]
Winter is coming, ice is on many of the higher elevation trails and it’s creeping its way downward. It’s not full-on winter, not in nature just as it’s not on the calendar, but it’s closing in. Fast. Now there are frosty mornings, clearing opaque windshields, turning on the heat or firing up the wood stove, and all the rituals of the impending season. Many are hanging […]
A returning guest came to us hoping to grab a few more of our 4000-footers as he works on this list. Up for grabs on this three day trip were North and Middle Tripyramid (4180′ and 4140′, respectively), Mt Moosilauke (4802′), and both North and South Kinsman (4293′ and 4358′, also respectively). On lead for this trip was Redline Guide Mike Maciel. Mike provided a number […]
One of the New England Hundred Highest mountains — the final peak for one of our many returning guests — Boundary Peak (3855′), also known as “Panther,” eh, was 100 out of 100 for the finish. The team, led by Redline Guide Ken Hodges, went in from the Canadian side. They had dotted their Is and crossed their Ts in terms of paperwork, both vaccinated, they […]
A returning guest asked for company on the 4700′ Mt Carrigain — one of NH’s 4000-footers. Her regular hiking guide is Redline Guide Mike Maciel and he again enthusiastically took the lead. Initially Isolation was on tap, but that changed to Carrigain. Mike had provided some photos and a short video clip of the trip. And as a way of further detailing the story, Mike also […]
AT 3772-feet (or 3774-feet, depending on where you look), Maine’s Elephant Mountain is on the list of New England’s Hundred Highest peaks. Needing this summit were two individual guests — both returning — and since they were willing to go on the same trip, they both got it done. We felt the two would be a good match on the hike together, and so did the […]
