a trail to self discovery...

WOW! It's been a while. So long that I actually have much to tell! First, let me start by talking about my hiking since my last post. I haven't done much. I still have four 4k's left. Hopefully I can knock them off sooner rather than later. I have unfortunately been busy with working many jobs this winter. The Valley life never seems to grow old. Work hard to play harder! It's been said many many times before. "Do what makes you happy." I have continuously done all things that make me happy for the last year. It's paying off. As most of you already know I have been working at the Mount Washington Observatory for the last 2 years, as well as trying to peak bag all of my NH48 4000 footers. Things are changing for the better up at the OBS. With the new Museum project underway, come time for the summer season it will be quite the attraction sitting 6,288ft in the sky. A few months ago a friend and I applied for a job as Backpacker Magazines Brand Ambassa...

The adventure for started at 6:30am. Whitney and I hit the trail headed towards Lonesome Lake. Our goal, North and South Kinsmans as well as the Cannonballs. We wanted to be out for most of the day and both knock off some peaks we needed. We headed up Lonesome Lake trail. I have only been down this trail and only in the winter. I knew it was steep when covered in snow so I was expecting it to be super steep when it isn't covered in snow. We reached the lake bright and early and it was absolutely beautiful as well as frozen. It was incredibly chilly so we continued our trek toward the Cannonballs. With the first signs of snow on the trail! I was excited. First snow for me this year!! As we passed the junction for Hi-Cannon and continued on the Kinsman Ridge Trail we knew that the Cannonball that Whitney needed for 100 Highest was shortly after.. We continued up a steep section with some beautiful views as we looked back. At the moment we took a slight left on the...

Well, it's that time of year now. The leaves have fallen, parks are closing, temps have dropped and some mountains are snowcapped. I had my last opportunity of the year to climb Mount Katahdin. I picked the last opening week for them and we had crystal clear skies and I finally made it across Knifes edge and hit all summits. Here is my day in photos there: Overall, I enjoyed myself immensely in Baxter. I can not wait for next summer to explore the rest of the park. With that being said it was back to NH, back to reality. I still am slowly knocking down what i have left of my 48- 4000 footers. So it was time to get back to our mountains. I had mentioned doing the Osceolas within the next few days on Facebook and a friend, Trish, had mentioned she and her girls, Alex & Sage, would want to join. When the week rolled around, the weather was looking pretty yucky. Trish messaged me on Thursday afternoon wondering what the plan would be if I wanted t...

It screams Autumn outside here in New Hampshire. The trees bursting with bright oranges, reds, and yellows, the crisp cold air, and the leaves on the ground. This time of year is one of my favorites to be on trail. However, when it comes to packing my Gregory Jade or my EMS Longtrail pack for a hike, it takes much more effort and thought.  The weather is much colder and you exert more energy in colder temperatures which in return means you should eat more and drink more. I only had a few hours so a friend and I decided to head to Evans Notch in Maine. A beautiful spot for short hiking trails and a few longer ones if you have never been. In my pack you will always find the 2 important pieces of clothing I carry year round, a hat and gloves. Also, I packed my EMS Polartech Fleece, EMS liner gloves, EMS mittens, hand warmers, rain gear, an extra pair of wool socks, and my basic items that never leave year round. ie. First aid, head lamp, batteries, etc. We arrived at the trai...