White Mountains, New Hampshire

[dirtbag]

Companion forum thread to: White Mountains, New Hampshire

Its true everything you hear about the Notorious White Mountains of New Hampshire! A beautiful warm, sunny day can quickly turn into a dark,  cool, windy, treacherous thunderstorm with heavy rainfall, in  mere minutes up on those mountains.  I knew what we were in for and I gave fair warning to the kids all about it. We have never hiked in the White Mountains, let alone been in New Hampshire, so tbis was certainly a special adventure for all of us.

[Thom]

Thanks

[Greg Pehrson]

Dirtbag, thanks for this wonderful trip report! It’s been a few years since I did the Pemi Loop and with your video the memories came flooding back, so I have to return soon!

Some things I appreciate about this trip report:

• hearing your kids’ reactions to and appreciations of  the beautiful landscape—A minute in—“this is nice already!” And later, “it was nice to watch the sunrise here.”
• I really appreciate how you keep it real in terms of the difficulties: “I’m bonking… I’m cramping up…this was a long hard day.”  I think it’s great modeling for kids that things can be hard and you can name that and yet still do it. No need for macho posturing.
• your assessment of the weather conditions and willingness to shift plans.

You got the full White Mountains experience! Blazing sun on the ridge, “atrocious”bugs, wind, weather changes, rocks, roots, no switchbacks just up up up, sleeping under a tarp on an incline, constantly wet feet, trying to figure out where the trail is on the other side of a stream crossing…whew!

I definitely agree with your assessment, “don’t buy carbon fiber poles if you’re hiking in the Northeast!”

How are you managing the camera without tripping? Are you holding it while walking or is it attached to you somehow?

Thanks again for sharing your experience; I enjoy all your trip reports but this one, since the terrain is so familiar, really resonated with me.

Wishing you much more happy hiking with family, friends, and solo.

-Greg

[dirtbag]

Thanks man!! About everything!! I use my phone to record everything.. holding it in my hand! Sometimes I trip a bit, lol and it does make it hard to hike/climb at time with 1 hand!  The Whites are tough.. but yeah, im already looking forward to getting back out there!!!  New Hampshire was beautiful and next I wantt to check out the beaches and shore line..  thinking I could live there.. beaches and mountains… hmmm..

[Dan]

Many thanks as always for posting your adventure, @dirtbag. It was great to see you include your family.

My trips rarely go as planned, so like you, I don’t let it bother me. It’s much better to stay flexible and make the most of what the wilderness gives you. It sounds like you got a good taste of the area, and if it’s still on your list, you’ll have other opportunities to complete the loop, or try something different.

[dirtbag]

@ Dan.. thankyou! Exactly how I feel. Rarely does any trip go as planned, and thats one of the best things.. the unexpected!!! As long as we are prepared.. heck,  its better when it doesnt go as planned.. we are out there  fulfilling a passion.. in the wilderness at the mercy of the mountains and mother nature.. take it as it comes and go with it!! Live the moment!

[Bill in Roswell]

I grew up hiking in the southeast Apps, then took a summer job in Maine. A naturalist for AMC was on staff and led us up Washington via Tuckermans on Fathers Day. Being June, we started in shorts and t-shirts. I wondered why I was carrying a zip-t long sleeve, 300 wt fleece, rain jacket, wind pants, wool hat and gloves. Little did I realize the Whites in spring can get 2 cold fronts in a day. Just above treeline lighting starts popping on the ridge. A brief downpour soon turned to hail. The temp dropped 20 degrees within minutes. Precip became sleet. As we took shelter to don warm clothes rime ice was growing before my eyes like an animation. As we stepped into the wind (I grew up sailing and knew wind speed) gusts were knocking us down, 50+ mph. As the gust front passed precip turned to sleet then snow. Thus a southern boys intro to real mountain weather. That experience served me well for years of hiking CO, NM, UT, WA, CA and others. No wonder they get so many rescue calls in the White Mtns of NH! And this year record rainfall!

[dirtbag]

@  Bill. Interesting story and experience you had there.  That sums it up very well from other stories I have heard and kind our experience.. though not as severe and not on MT. Washington.. but the insane weather patterns.. hard to believe it unless you actually witness it first hand!

[Jeffrey H]

I alway’s enjoy your trip reports – thanks. That slide at the end absolutely cracked me up!

[dirtbag]

Jeffrey.. HAHAAAA!! Had to throw that in there and I’m glad you watched  it until the very end, as most don’t!  People always ask me how I keep in shape.. And nowadays a lot of people I talk to are losing weight incredibly fast, but not eating the proper nutrients, not doing resistance training, not doing any cardio whatsoever.. Yup Ozimpac.. The shot.. Whatever it is. To eaches  own.. But I know when I look in the mirror I earned my physique.. Over time, hard work, dedication and willpower. No I am not near perfect shape or bodybuilder physique, but I take care of myself,  put the hard time in, mentally as well as physically, I eat healthy ( track my macros ),  get my daily cardio and weight training in and do what I have to do to keep hiking for as long as I can and to keep myself looking healthy and feeling healthy.. Consistently for last 10 + years now..

 

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