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  1. Bob Kittredge

    American Marten in VT

    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...
  2. Bob Kittredge

    Pemi Loop: September 8-10, 2022

    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.
  3. Bob Kittredge

    Mount Baldy accidents

    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
  4. Bob Kittredge

    North Moat Loop Direction

    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.
  5. Bob Kittredge

    Busy SAR 2019 Season Continues

    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...
  6. Bob Kittredge

    Strongest winds you’ve experienced on Mt Washington?

    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.
  7. Bob Kittredge

    Mt. Cardigan

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

    3 day 2 night loop in NH?

    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).
  9. Bob Kittredge

    Meniscus surgery

    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...
  10. Bob Kittredge

    Too Old to Hike?

    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...
  11. Bob Kittredge

    High/Moderate Winds on the Presidentials

    Start thinking about a less exposed Plan B?
  12. Bob Kittredge

    Which Trail? (Cannon Mountain)

    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...
  13. Bob Kittredge

    Winter hike route

    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...
  14. Bob Kittredge

    Does long-term hiking have to involve a list?

    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...
  15. Bob Kittredge

    Boot and crampon selection help

    1. I bought a pair of Koflachs, took them to the gym, and spent 30 minutes on the treadmill. I returned them the next day. Too damned heavy. (I don't overnight and I don't ice climb.) Bought a nice single layer boot that served me well on my winter day hikes. 2. Crampons don't always come...
  16. Bob Kittredge

    Franconia Notch parking survey

    The problem is that there are just too many GD hikers these days. Time to cull the herd. Maybe not a shoot-to-kill hunt, but shooting-to-cripple would serve the purpose of easing the overflow parking and overcrowded trails.
  17. Bob Kittredge

    Wet & Slippery

    Another vote here for Salomons. Their Contagrip soles do the job. But the best thing for wet roots is to stay the hell off them. Don't care to use poles in the summer. Like having my hands free. Once you actually start to slip, poles seem like they'd be a liability, not an asset. But I do...
  18. Bob Kittredge

    Winter Day Pack

    When I bought my winter pack, I gathered up all the gear I thought I might want to put into/onto it; first aid kit, extra water, down jacket, extra layers, snowshoes, crampons, etc. and took it all to the store. There I proceeded to make sure it all fit in/on the pack I was interested in.
  19. Bob Kittredge

    Most Difficult Trail In The Northeast

    I've never done Cathedral so I can't compare. I was comparing Mahoosuc Notch to the middle mile of the Hunt for which had the honor of being the toughest mile on the AT. Today I'd have to say the Notch is tougher, but then I think through hikers may tend to slackpack the Hunt. I can't even...
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