A many-time returning guest came to us for help with some mountains in Baxter State Park way up yonder in Maine. She actually only needed help with one of them, but the others are on the way so we guided. Namely, she wanted help with the 3867′ Fort Mtn — one of the New England Hundred Highest peaks — but Coe and the Brothers, South and […]
A fellow came to us looking to do several things. To learn some skills and do some training over the winter. To prepare him for more of the same to come. We started with a single hike — because you have to start somewhere — and with this we could see where he was at and, knowing this, what path would be best for him to […]
Serendipity said no to that… Our guest accidentally found us, then the accidents just kept right on happening. Well, maybe that’s not the best way to put it. They were all happy accidents (minus the knee, but we’ll get to that). The original plan was to traverse the Presidential Range, pick up a food cache in Crawford Notch, then continue on the Appalachian Trail through Zealand […]
This isn’t the first time we’ve done this: guided a one-way trip up the infamous Mt Washington. And, honestly, it’s a grand idea if you’re not counting mountains for some peak bagging list and don’t need to follow rules which would prohibit such activities. You hike up the mountain with a guide, then grab the Cog Railroad train for a ride down the mountain gaining both […]
They came to us from lands to the south and to the west that are flatter. They weren’t unfamiliar with our offerings, but they knew what they knew only scratched the surface of what there is to know. They hired us to fill in some of the blanks. One-point-five days, they indicated, is what they had in their time budget. For now (they have promised to […]
Our guests wanted a trial by fire. To be thrown to the wolves, so to speak. Left to fend for themselves or to perish while trying… okay, okay, we’re exaggerating. They, did, however, mention the word “extreme.” But by this they really meant to make it real — to not hold back and offer a legitimate experience they could take to the bank for years to […]
White Cap/Kennebago and Cupsuptic Snow — parts of the Rangely “Six Pack” — were needed by this frequently returning guest so he once again called on us to lend a hand, to serve as companion. On lead with him, as on previous trips, was Redline Guide Ken Hodges. The whole trip was fairly standard, no headlines so to speak, but it should be noted, the colors […]
Our guest needed two of our taller 4000-footers — Mts Adams and Jefferson — for her list. We were there to help. Being that she already hiked Mt Madison on another excursion, this Northern Presidential traverse could be abbreviated at the start so Redline Guide Arlette Laan lead her up Valley Way. Perfect. So that’s what they did. Adams fell, and so did Jefferson. There was […]
Redline Guide Mike Maciel led these trips — a Bonds-Zealand Traverse and a day on the southern end of Franconia Ridge to summit two more 4000-footers, Liberty and Flume — and Mike also provided a nice summary of their time together in the wild. (Thank you, Mike.) So, without further ado, let’s embark on their journey together. A story of gain fueled by loss in the […]
When Redline Guide Nico Dubois “checked out” using our safety-focused online system early that morning, the email we received said he was going to lead the typical “Classic” north-to-south Presidential Traverse to Mt Pierce covering several “4000-footers.” And his “Plan B” was to tack on Jackson and maybe even Webster if our guest was feeling good. As it turns out, he was feeling great, so the […]
Show me something, teach me something, push me to my limits. She asked, we agreed. On point for this one was Redline Guide Ken Hodges. Originally we were thinking Mt Washington might be a good choice for her. After Ken spoke with her at length, however, he decided a trip into the wilderness on his trail — Rainbow Trail — would be a good option. This […]
We have long recommended Mt Pierce as a New Hampshire hiker’s first 4000-footer, this was time to put that to the test. Would it be enough? Too much? Too little. Based on what knew about this returning guest, this should be just right. Let’s check it out. The day started cloudy but the sun worked its magic and eventually came out. The wind was blowing so […]
