We were greeted with another remarkable late-winter day when six of us arose in the bunkhouse at South Branch Pond on the third day of our Baxter State Park expedition. Based on a forecast obtained the day before on North Traveler Mountain, this was the last quality weather of our six-day trip. We were committed […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Traversing the renowned Traveler Loop
On the second day of our recent winter expedition into Baxter State Park, six of us awoke early in the bunkhouse at South Branch Pond Campground. The goal for the day was an attempt to climb North Traveler Mountain. If conditions and time permitted, some intended to complete the famed Traveler Loop. Coping with an […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Entering Baxter State Park in winter
Perhaps the best-kept winter mountaineering secret in Baxter State Park is South Branch Pond. Most skiers, ice climbers and mountaineers focus on Chimney Pond with their sights set squarely on Mount Katahdin. Many peak baggers trek into the hut at Nesowadnehunk Field to access the four high mountains located in the northwestern sector of the […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A glorious day on South Moat Mountain
South Moat Mountain near Conway, New Hampshire, is one of my favorite mountain hikes. I included it in my book, “Mountains for Mortals – New England,” a mountain guidebook that features what I consider to be the 30 finest, most scenic mountain hikes in New England. The 2,749-foot peak is particularly beautiful during winter. My […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: The relative risks of winter mountaineering
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my son, Adam, and me climbing Williams Mountain in western Maine. The trek occurred on the first day of winter and, as I described, we encountered strong winds and severe wind chills. One reader submitted a comment about the article: “Projected icy trails, high winds and […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Snowshoeing to Stratton Brook Hut
For many years, my wife, Nancy, and I contemplated spending a night at one of the huts in the Maine Huts and Trails network. About a decade ago, we snowshoed to Poplar Hut but didn’t stay. More recently, I skied there with friends. That visit stimulated a decision to plan an overnight trip. Our choice […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Skiing the Maine Huts and Trails
My friend, Brent Elwell, is a frequent skier in the Carrabassett Valley region and more familiar with the trails in that area than anyone I know. While we were skiing together at Rangeley Lakes Trails Center recently, a discussion about Maine Huts and Trails ensued. The conversation evolved into a decision to ski to Poplar […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Cold and blustery Burnt Mountain
My son, Adam, and I made several attempts to plan a climb of Burnt Mountain in Carrabassett Valley over a two-month period. At every juncture, our competing schedules interfered. Finally, on Jan. 21, we were able to connect. There was a downside: powerful winds and frigid wind chills were forecast. After some deliberation, we decided […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Nordic skiing finally arrives at Harris Farm
Fans of Nordic skiing at Harris Farm are legion. I’m one of them. After weeks of waiting through a succession of rainstorms and unusually warm weather, I was pleased to learn the family farm in Dayton was receiving heavy snowfall on Jan. 7. I checked the Harris Farm website during the day of the storm. […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Howe Hill — the little Camden Hill
The Camden Hills are a wonderful place to hike. I began trekking in the scenic, coastal mountain range with friends and family when I first moved to the Midcoast area almost 50 years ago. Like most hiking enthusiasts, we started out climbing Mounts Megunticook and Battie in Camden Hills State Park. Outings to Bald Rock, […]