Ritzhikes

Where: Mts. Whiteface & Passaconaway When: 11/22-23/2003 With: Chip & Dave I'd long advocated a late autumn hike - no crowds, no bugs, no heat, no snow - and Chip had mentioned during the summer that he might be available for just such a trip this year. Following my hike with Andy's Scout troop I was psyched to get out again, so I contacted Chip and we began making plans. I suggested a number of possible routes, all based at Lincoln Woods. They ranged from a long, tough ridge loop to a relatively easy flat amble into the backcountry. I figured trail conditions (snow?) and our mood would guide the final decision. Chip managed to recruit Dave and we started thinking about dates. We started in October but life being what it is, we kept pushing the dates out until finally settling on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Along the way, I continued to look at routes. I began to shift my attention to the peaks between Waterville Valley and Mt. Chocorua, an area we haven'...

Where: Sudbury River to Cedar Swamp Pond When: 10/25/03 With: Brian It had been a while since I last paddled up the Sudbury River, probably the time with Jane & Andy where we just explored the lower section as far as the highway culverts. That trip had proved that the canoe could navigate the waterway, but I still wanted to see if it was possible to make it all the way up to the headwaters. I'd promised Brian a local canoe adventure and decided to use him a crew on my attempt. We met at my house at 8 and were on the water by 8:30. The cool autumn overnight air had frosted the marsh grasses with their own mist but a bright sun promised to melt it all by the time we returned. Though the water level was a bit lower than usual as we set out, the only trouble we experienced came from the rust on our paddling skills and the size of the canoe. We constantly bumped into the bank or drove into brush as we figured out the best way to maneuver the long craft through the river's mea...

Where: Mts. Welch & Dickey, NH When: 10/11/03 With: Andy, Jane, Brian, Audri, Sidni, Jeff I had responded to Brian's call for hikers at work and his first trip was the famous Welch-Dickey loop. It's well-known as a popular hike for beginners, with a short distance (4.4 miles), moderate climbing and great views, but I've never done it. Other than a hike up Mt. Cardigan long ago I haven't done any day hikes in the White Mountains. If I go up there I go for the weekend, and this trail is only a 1/2 day walk. Still, I've wanted to check it out and this seemed like a good opportunity. I even convinced Jane & Andy to join me. We got an early start Saturday morning and arrived at the trailhead at 9:30, getting one of the last spots in an obviously new parking area. Quite a few other folks landed about the same time and they all packed up and started on the trail while we awaited the arrival of the rest of our group. Brian had arranged to meet Audri and Sidni a...

Where: Pemigewassett Wilderness, Wilderness Trail When: 9/26-9/28, 2003 With: Hopkinton Boy Scout Troop 1 Throughout Andy's Cub Scout career I was an active parent, but never served in any official capacity. When he joined Boy Scouts I hoped to become an assistant Scout Master and participate on as many trips as possible but that didn't work out. Schedule conflicts kept me on the sidelines and Andy went on the trips on his own. When this year's schedule came out though, I noticed a backpacking trip in the White Mountains and decided to sign up as a parent volunteer. I knew the area well and welcomed the opportunity to get out hiking. It worked out well, because two Scout Masters were the only other adults participating. We gathered at the usual meeting area Friday night and drove north in three vehicles. Most of the kids were in the Scout Master's (Randy) huge van and the assistant Scout Master (Pat) had another crew in his car. I had Andy and one other boy in my ...

Where: Farmington River When: 7/19-20/2003 With: The Stupids Planning for this trip began in June, when Chip & I started to discuss summer camping trips. Our immediate concern was a trip for the two of us, but Chip mentioned that he might be available for two trips this year and we thought a late summer/early fall trip with the rest of the Stupids might be worth considering. I said I'd been thinking about a return to the Farmington and somehow the planning changed to another Stupid kayak adventure. We contacted the rest of the crew, suggested a couple of fast-approaching dates and by some miracle found that everyone was ready, willing and available for a weekend in mid-July. I volunteered to cook again, and Chip was able to borrow a small kayak from a friend. Since David had two sea kayaks, that meant we could avoid having to rent boats this time. I suggested hammock camping, offering my old army rig for Seth's use. Chip purchased a new hammock of his own and we were a...

Where: Mt. Major, NH When: 7/6/03 With: Solo I'd volunteered to drive Andy and his friend Don to Boy Scout camp up in NH and figured I'd try to get in a little hiking while I was in the area. Pickup the following Saturday was at 9AM and I considered driving up Friday and camping out over night, so I wanted to check out the possibilities for campsites ahead of time. The camp is in Gilmanton, just west of Lake Winnipesaukee and at the southern end of the Belknap Mountains. I checked some maps and noted Mt. Major, rising above the shore of the lake at the northern end of Alton Bay. I'd heard of it, and it seemed like it might offer some easily accessible yet sufficiently isolated spots to suit my purpose. Dropping the boys off took longer than I expected since I wound up carrying their gear to the campsite for them, and I got a late start toward the trails, but I still had plenty of day to work with. It was a fairly direct route to the Lake and then up the western shore o...