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 […]
Looking at the photos posted below you’d be hard pressed to convince anyone these are fall scenes, but they are. Winter has seemingly landed in the mountains, but looks can be deceiving. The guest on this hike was an oft-returning Gridder — working on doing the 48 every month — and as usual in this case, Redline Guide Chase Hall took the lead. The objective on […]
Two couples from New York City reached out. One had some winter experience, and all were self-professed “slow hikers” who sometimes needed encouragement on exposed vertical segments — like many of us. They planned to be in the North Woodstock area and wanted to bag at least one 4000-footer in that general area each day over a two-day period. After discussing a few options — with […]
A returning guest came to us looking for a companion for her 48 4000-footers finish. On the job for this hike was Redline Guide Eric Hansen. Being that the access road on the south side was closed for the Osceolas, they took on this project from the north (the Kanc). For the details, check out this post from Eric along with some of the photos of […]
Hikers have to start somewhere when taking on the 4000-footers of New Hampshire in winter-conditions and Mt Tecumseh is a good choice. And doing it with a guide is better still. So many harsh lessons await hikers taking on such a hike. But with a guide, myriad lessons are learned the easy way. On the job for this particular hike was Redline Guide Hayley LaPoint and […]
Taking time off is a double edged sword, so to speak. Sure, the rest up is nice, it helps us heal, but too long a rest can make starting back up a rough proposition. No different than taking a break on trail. We cool off a bit, we rest up a bit, but if we take too long a break we end up have to start […]
People hike for a variety of reasons. Topping the list is probably fresh air and exercise. Sometimes it’s a competitive thing and other times it’s contemplative thing. And for some it helps them forget, like a temporary escape from reality. But in some cases, it helps them remember. What they are remembering can be incredibly personal and often sad. In any or all of these cases, […]
We had a couple of tours going yesterday and both had in common phenomenal conditions and wonderful weather. At some point nature’s going to throw the switch and winters going to smack us happy, but until then, we’re out to enjoy the day that is. Life’s short so there’s no sense in wishing it away as we reach for the next big thing. This hike was […]
It was one of those anomalous mid-November days where it was pretty much perfect. The leaves now long gone, ground conditions at lower elevations pretty much back to summer normal, and winter, well, it’s right around the corner but it’s not here yet. On this day it was neither too hot nor was it too cold. It was, as Goldilocks exclaimed, “just right.” Our returning guest […]
When you’re hiking the GRID — you know, tagging all the 4000-footers every month — the total summit count ends up at 576. We think in anyone’s estimation, that’s a considerable number of mountain summits. And with hiking being such a terrific low-impact workout, the affect it has on the cardiovascular system, the quadriceps, and the calves is significant. As a result, hikers often joke when […]
