Recent content by Bob Kittredge

I was coming down the Twinway up around Zealand Pond one day when I saw a flash of fur on the trail below me. I froze in the hope that I could get a better look at it. Indeed, it came up the trail towards me and was within 10 feet of me before he noticed me and disappeared into the...

I did my 3-day Pemi loop back in September of 2015 with overnights at Greenleaf and Galehead huts. Nice weather the first and third days. Scarcely saw the sun on the middle day while I was shlepping along Garfield Ridge. Bagged the ten 4000 footers for my 48 Over 70 list.

I've never been to Los Angeles and I had never heard of nearby Mount Baldy til I read this article. Sounds like Mt. Washington on steroids. https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/rescuers-prepare-california-mount-baldy-snow-17801899.php

I've always done it clockwise. Red Ridge is a great place for blueberries, so you can stop, catch your breath, take in the views, and nom some berries at frequent intervals.

I haven't seen anything to indicate whether he was an "experienced" hiker. He might have been one of those people who say "Let's see. 30 miles at 3 miles per hour. How hard could it be?" At age 70 I managed to complete a 3-day with overnights at Greenleaf and Galehead huts. I have since...

About 60 on the Nelson Crag trail up above treeline. Pushed me around some. But the worst was up on Madison when they were near 70 one snowy October. The last twenty yards weren't so much hiked as they were staggered, lurched and crawled.

Yep. It was rebuilt.

I'd bring traction (microspikes, etc) and a few extra layers. Summit tends to be cold and windy, 'specially at this time of year.

Try googling "Pemi Loop". It's around 30 miles, though the elevation gain may be more than you want to bite off. Campsites available at Liberty Spring, Garfield, and Guyot. I did it four years ago in three days with overnights at Greenleaf and Galehead huts (closed now, I think).

I've had a torn medial meniscus in each of my knees. An MRI of the second one revealed a "complex tear", but the orthopedist suggested I try watchful waiting. It took a while, but both have healed and I hike in comfort once again. Your mileage may very. I would suggest cutting back some...

I'm 74 and hike regularly. I'm pretty sure I'll know when to start cutting back and when to quit altogether. I'm thinking 80. It didn't sound like the people in this incident were particularly experienced. Or that the "leaders" really knew their job. Their initial plan of a 30-minute walk...

Start thinking about a less exposed Plan B?

Coming up the Kinsman Ridge Trail from the ski area in winter can be present difficulties. When you get up to the "glade" ski trail that crosses the hiking trail you may have trouble following the hiking trail, particularly if there's been any fresh snow. On one attempt, I turned back at that...

Jefferson was my bete noir. I signed up for numerous hikes to it only to have them canceled, or to get sick, or to get turned back halfway there, or to find at the last minute that I'd forgotten some crucial piece of equipment. But I did eventually bag it; it was my last one. My advice is to...

Most people start hiking casually with friends or to get exercise and gradually realize they really enjoy it. Then they're just interested in hikes with good views, fun scrambles, or which push them a little harder. Hike to Mount Zealand? What for? For a long time I said "I'm not really a...