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Snow conditions essentially the same as yesterday (see my report for 12/18). Most of the alternative routes to the summit from the Park HQ have now had at least one hiker break trail (I noticed that someone had snowshoed the White Cross). It is still possible to free boot the White Dot to the...

Sunday's snow on top of last Thursday's gave the mountain a good cover. The usual icy spots on the White Dot (just below "First View", just below the junction with the Old Ski Path, and just below the "Chute") were covered with firm snow and it was possible to bare boot it all the way to the...

Point Reyes National Seashore!!!!! Oops! Wrong coast. Sorry. :D

Sadder Note He was luckier than the 13-year-old kid in Orange County, NY. He was hunting on Thanksgiving Day, was shot (also by a relative, I think) and died in the hospital.

FYI: I bought the new Gregory Baltoro pack during this October's 20% off sale at EMS. I used it three times and loved it. Pros: It has that great Gregory suspension and plenty of room. Cons: No daisy chain and few tie on spots for snowshoes, crampons, etc. Then the fourth time I put it on...

Sounds Good Great. I'll be in touch a little closer to the time. - MonadnockVol (aka Steve Clark)

Wanted: Hiking partners for doing one or more NH 4k footers in early January. Me: 50-year-old, experienced winter hiker, slow-but-steady pace, emphasis on safety and getting back in one piece. Looking for hiking partners, NOT romance, new best friend, roommate, etc. :) I'm seeking...

It's cold out there This time of year my only ritual is to start putting on layers ... lots of layers.

New Mix of an Old Favorite In the winter I carry a Thermos of hot tea and trail mix. (Uh, the trail mix isn't in the Thermos :rolleyes: ) Recently I found a new mix in my local supermarket. It's by Ocean Spray and contains dried cranberries, chocolate chips, peanuts, almonds and cashews...

Having it both ways I feel fortunate to be able to both climb one mountain over and over AND also to climb lots of different mountains. Like BrianW, I live near Monadnock (Brian, I met you once on the summit a few years ago). I've been up the mountain around 75 times. But I'm also working on...

Pro's and Con's I just (Wednesday, Nov. 23rd) got back from Monadnock and I wore my Stabilicers (original model, 3 years old) from the spring on the White Dot Trail up and all the way down. I was thinking about this thread as I was hiking and I have the following thoughts. Stabilicers are...

Okay, I know I'm going to get flamed for this post, but I've been thinking about this issue for a long time and I'm a glutton for punishment. So flame away. The issue is climbing with infants strapped to one's front or back. If you climb/hike long enough you fall. I climb every weekend of...

Stabilicer tip I've been using Stabilicers for about three years now. Here's a tip: when the screws wear out, replace them with the screws made for racing motorcycles on ice. They are the same size but hardened and much more durable. IMHO Stabilicers are no substitute for crampons, however...

Bushwhacking at night I have both hiked and bushwhacked at night. My biggest piece of advice for bushwhacking at night is to wear clear glasses or googles to protect your eyes from unseen branches.

A different kind of memory When I was doing the Catskills for the Catskill 3500 Club I felt like I would never forget any of them. I could sit on any summit and name every peak I saw. Now I live in New Hampshire and I'm working on the 111 (115) 4k's and when people write to this BB asking...

More on blackflies swarming the highest point Years ago, I visited Storm King Art Center in NY State. This is a large outdoor sculpture park. It was blackfly season and I noticed that all the docents were holding umbrellas. The blackflies swarmed the umbrellas but left the people alone. I'm...

One Time Donation Darren suggested that I also make it possible for people, who did not want to donate over a period of three years, to give a one-time donation. I would be happy to accept any such donations and pass them on immediately. If you care to give a one-time donation, checks should...

One more thing If you want to pledge, please do so by sending me an email, not by posting here as I will not be checking this thread.

I've read the site rules and I believe this post is in accord with them, even though it is asking for money. I sent an email to Darren last week, asking for advice/permission. I haven't heard back so I'm posting this and if he feels that it isn't a proper use for VFTT, he can delete it. Ken's...

Poles I used to take my son on my back all the time. He's 20 now, so I think those days are over. I second BrianW's comments about poles. A 30 pound kid is SOOO different than a 30 pound pack. The packs don't suddenly decide to lurch to one side. It is really easy to stumble when they do...