Bugs, flies, etc
We normally don't hike in late May and June because of the flies. We backpacked to Imp Shelter at the end of May and had a virtually bug free 3days/2 nights on the Carters and Moriah. In June we did Mount Flume, the Hancocks, the Osceolas and the Tripyramids. Unbelieveably, none of the trips was that annoying. Bugs were present, but not bothersome enough to bother with bugspray. On a couple of the trips, it had rained hard just before dawn. I think this had something to do with keeping them down, everything being wet and all. At the end of June I climbed Huntington Ravine and they were probably the worst there, still, no bug repellent. In past years I have run screaming from the woods when attempting to hike in June. In July we climbed the Twins and Galehead, still not bad. On 7/28 we climbed Washington by Boott Spur. It was hot and muggy and the bugs were bad below treeline. Above treeline there was nothing, then when we came down Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Hojo's, the blackflies at Hojo's were the worst we've had all year. Also, camping at Moosebrook that weekend, the bugs were terrible. Mostly No See-ums, with some blackflies added just for torture. I have noticed many toads along the trails this year, more than usual, but I doubt it has much to do with the amount of bugs out there, I think it has more to do with the weather. Last year's lack of snow didn't leave a lot of standing water in the woods this spring, so fewer breeding areas. It's also been pretty dry, at least in southern NH.
KDT
