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This NYT special feature (12/24/23) about two deaths on Aconcagua 50 years ago was quite intriguing. My subscription says I get a free copy and can share it so I hope this opens for you. It's quite a story. A camera belonging to one of those who died has just emerged from the glacier...

I returned to NH last week for my annual visit although I have missed a few years. Though I've never lived in NH, I've been coming back to hike these mountains for 50 years now. The middle of August has been one of the more reliable times in terms of weather over the years, but it was mostly wet...

I don't hear much about the Trailwrights on VFTT anymore, but I assume they are still out there. The TW72 list was the first NH list I discovered after pursuing the NH48 for several years. While I never completed the list, I did get to 66 of them, choosing to forgo the half dozen bushwhacks and...

I just read an article in today's Boston Globe online (it's behind a paywall) about insane crowds on Artist's Bluff because they all want to post Instagram photos from the spot. I guess it's become a complete zoo up there and not surprisingly the area is getting trashed as a result. The scene...

I made it back to NH for my annual visit last week and climbed a little mountain, but I have to back up to tell the whole story. I thought I was taking it easy last year when I did just 3 hikes and climbed 4 peaks, the highest of which was Smarts Mt, a very enjoyable round trip on Lambert Ridge...

I know this has been discussed here in the past but I can't locate the old thread. Anyway this update appeared in the NYT. It is unlikely to satisfy anyone who has studied this famous incident or speculated on it in the past. I've always found it to be a fascinating mystery and one that is...

I just received my Trust for Public Land quarterly magazine and it contains this nice feature article on the Randolph Community Forest. Nice photos too. I really enjoyed wandering around in there a couple of years ago and looping over Mt Randolph and Mt Crescent, and especially the view of the...

What's your preference on climbing/descending Smarts Mt? It would be a summer hike. Looks to me like ascending via Lambert Ridge and descending via the Ranger Trail is the way to go but usually VFTT members have good reasons for suggesting either direction on these loop hikes so I'm curious...

Having enjoyed my two forays into the Nash Stream Forest in recent years to climb the Percy Peaks in 2018 and then Sugarloaf this year, I've been doing some research on the Cohos Trail to see what other peaks might exist north of there. I'm thinking of adding South Baldhead (3097) to my 3K 'to...

Back in May during a discussion of the congestion on Franconia Ridge and the newly implemented parking ban in the notch I said "I will do my part and hike less traveled trails on my visit." For the most part, I have kept my promise. The week just flew by and I was intentionally disconnected most...

Is there a preferred direction for doing the North Moat loop using the Red Ridge and Moat Mountain Trails? My initial thought is to ascend via Red Ridge Trail. I have the Moats on my radar for my upcoming visit and while I'd prefer to do the whole traverse and get all 3 peaks on one hike, I'll...

A friend sent me this great story written by Ty Gagne (Where You'll Find Me, The Kate Matrosova story). I don't recall seeing this posted on VFTT but if you've already covered it here, I apologize and the Moderator can simply delete it...

Since finishing off the 4000 footers a couple of years ago, I have been mostly hiking 3000 footers on my annual trip up north. It has certainly not been a comedown or a disappointment because you have so many interesting and distinctive 3K peaks, many of which involve hikes of equal or greater...

Unlike last year, when I could only squeeze in a weekend and just one hike, I was able to spend a full week in NH this year. I managed to hike on 5 of the 7 days. I beat the rush out of Boston on Friday Am 8/17 and made it to the cabin before noon. I had not planned to hike but it was still fair...

On Saturday 8/18, we climbed the Percy Peaks. I parked at the Percy Peaks trailhead on Nash Stream Rd where there is room for perhaps 5 cars. There is a larger parking area at the Percy Loop trailhead one mile further north. Nash Stream was running fast after the overnight rain which was only...

Is the trail to the summit of Mittersill still officially closed? Its going on 3 years isn't it? If so, can you still climb it without getting your car towed or receiving any other sanctions? Can you park close enough to the trailhead? I will be staying very close by in August and I've meant to...

This op-ed piece appeared yesterday in the Sunday NY Times. The author poses an interesting question with regard to risk and regulation specifically in regard to mountain endeavors...

I convinced my wife to take this drive with me last week and we did a little hiking along the way. The Cherohala Skyway is like a mini-Blue Ridge Parkway, just 40 some miles long vs over 400 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It crosses the Unicoi Mts on the Tennessee/North Carolina border rising...

I did the Castle trail many years ago but recently had a good look at it from the Caps Ridge Trail. Reading up on that route the other day, I have found that the elevations for The Castles vary according to your source. Peakbagger.com lists the NW Castle, aka The First Castle, at 4330 while the...

In light of the passing of Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker, it seems like an appropriate time to inquire regarding the whereabouts of long-time VFTT contributor Dr Wu. Are you with me Dr? Can you hear me Dr? Perhaps he can be found in Biscayne Bay, where the Cuban gentlemen sleep all day. I...