Recent content by forty8

Well this is really important information to have. Sorry for your misfortune, but thanks for the warning. Write to the company and complain; maybe they'll replace them.

I've been pursuing these peaks on and off for ten years. Last week, I completed numbers 46 and 47 with a thru-hike of the Kilkenny Ridge. That leaves just one: Carrigain. I've been told that the Desolation Trail is a lot of fun and so I'm thinking about taking my time and making a loop using...

I'm soooo sorry I missed it! Congratulations!

"Is that a real poncho? I mean is that a Mexican poncho or a Sears poncho?"

Oh my, something else to watch out for in the backcountry!

I also have two pumps working all the time, and added a third on Saturday; they have kept the basement mostly dry. According to a local weather station, we got 3.2" on Saturday and another 1.8" yesterday. It's still raining today and we're hoping to see some sun on Wednesday (fingers crossed).

I tend to spend very little on gear on a yearly basis; the stuff lasts a long time! The biggest expense in the last few years has been an annual hut to hut trip with the kids. But I do love the huts.

About 'whackin, if you're practicing good LNT, you're really not travelling in a straight line because you won't want to create a trail where there wasn't one, and so there's no one behind you to hold branches for.

Usually, I try to avoid walking through branches that are apt to whip. When I can't avoid it, I'll hold 'em. Of course.

I participated in this program last year and found it to be interesting and rewarding. I learned a lot about each target species and got a lot of satisfaction in contributing to the body of knowledge.

Thanks for all the kind wishes. (And, yes, I did write the poem.)

Bright sunshine and wind in trees, Standing on the summit, enjoying the breeze, It just doesn't matter how far I roam, White Mountains are where I'm always at home. Roots and rocks are catching my feet, Enjoying winter's cold and summer's dry heat, I stepped out for a minute, but I think now...

1. Finish the NH48. (What's the hurry? I've only been working on it for 20 years -three to go!) Hmm, I think that's it.

This is an excellent discussion! It's especially poignant to me having had a first winter hiking experience recently. One of the things that really struck me about it was how thirsty I was! I couldn't drink enough. I never get that thirsty in the summer. My reaction seems to be the opposite...

I'm good at going up, especially when it's real steep. I get a rush out of the sense of accomplishment with every step. I'm not so good at estimating "when are we gonna get there?" for occasional companions that don't hike very much (ie, relatives that will remain nameless).