6/22/08 Crocker Mountain hike

Jenifer and myself sent Saturday night at Dolly Copp campground. We woke up at 4am, broke down camp, and headed to Crocker Mountain.

We were on the trail by 8am.

The trail was wet and the bog bridges with moss on them were slippery. As we were heading up, we saw many piles of moose droppings, like they had a convention or something. We saw their footprints in the mud and we also saw small tracks that may have been a young moose following its mother.

Soon it started to rain so we took a break and put on our rain gear. Shortly later, it stopped.

The first view that we had was of Stony Brook Mountain just before the AT takes a sharp right turn.

Shortly after, Jenifers ankle was bothering her and she was tired so she said that she was done but I could continue up to the summit.

For the last mile before the summit, I walked the fastest I have ever (peakbagger).

When I got near the summit, the view opened up and I had some views east. In no time, I was at the summit. I took a couple of pictures and finished my Snickers bar.

I started back down very fast so I could catch up to Jenifer. When I stopped back where the view was, I saw S. Crocker, but I couldn’t figure out the names of the two peaks that look like pyramids.

While I was gone, Jenifer had lunch and waited. After a while, she started down the trail.

About a half hour after leaving the summit, I caught up with Jenifer. I took lunch and she continued down.

The descent was slippery in some spots but we had no problems. Jenifers ankle pain started going up to her knee so she slowed down.

By the time we got back to the Vue, it started to rain.

Shortly we were on the road for the 4 hour ride home.

For pictures, go to:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563881330tkJfNI

6/20/08 Parker Mountain backpacking attempt

I loaded up my pack with all the gear that I will bring on July's AT section hike. The pack was 40 pounds. I hiked up Parker Mountain then continue on the Carter Smith Tr. to the end. I was looking for a place to camp but I could not find one. The last time I was on the Carter Smith Tr. was last winter, when I saw a bunch of good camp sites, but it's much different after all the trees get there leaves back and new plant growth.

I ended up coming home and pitching my tent in the back yard. I made dinner on my camp stove and did the dishes, like I was in the woods. I watched a movie, then I spent the night in the tent.

After a night of little sleep, I got up at 4:30am and made breakfast in my back yard.

One of the problems I may have on my section hike is that when I leave camp in the morning, the tent fly will still be wet. Hopefully mold will not start to form on the fly.

Another hobby

Also another hobby of mine is riding road bike. I ride on weekends doing between 12 and 33 miles a day. Someday I'll get a picture of me on my bike, and not in back of my truck.

I would like to do a 100 mile ride around the White Mountains but that will have to wait a while.

July's AT Section hike.

I just bought the 10th edition of the Appalachian Trail Guide for New Hampshire-Vermont. The original 132.4 mile section of the AT I'm planning to hike changed to 134.8 miles. What's a few extra miles.

I have a good idea on the gear that I'll need for the hike. I packed it all in my backpack and it was 32 lb., that was without water and food. The pack felt bulky but I can get use to that. Now I'm trying to figure out what food to bring.

I am planning on camping off the trail every night. I've made plans on where I want to camp but it will be interesting to see if the topo maps and the trail are the same.

It's still a couple months away but I can't wait.

This years hiking schedule.

Besides making plans to hike mountains from the NE67 list, I'm also planning a section hike of the AT.

I'm planning on starting in Vermont from Vt.9 near Bennington and hiking to Hanover NH. It's 132.4 miles and I hope to do it in 7 days. While I'm section hiking the Appalachian Trail, I'll will be going up Stratton Mountains, which is on the 100 Highest list. I'm starting to plan for it now and there's a ton of things I need to get ready.

Killington/Pico hike on 3/6/08.

I was planning on joining several others and hiking up Killington and Pico in Vermont on 3/6/08.

I need Killington for my NE67 list and Pico for my 100 Highest list.

Researching the hike, I found information about the "Spring Mud Season" between early March and late May.

It suggests that you avoid higher elevation trails since snow melt makes trails extremely muddy and hikers avoid the mud by walking off the trails. Plus, I didn't want to drive 3 hours to find a trail too muddy to hike.

I am planning on going up this summer with my wife Jenifer (she is also working on the NE67) and we can bag Pico and Killington.

Welcome to my blog

I have created this blog to share my hiking experiences. I have finished the Four Thousand Footer Club of the White Mountains. I am now working on the New England 67 and the Hundred Highest. I am also section hiking the AT. I have done sections in New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.