Galehead, South Twin, The Bonds - September 4-5, 2018

On September 4, Ellen and Sharon hiked in the Gale River Trail to the Galehead AMC hut, did the short trip up to Galehead, and back to the hut for the overnight stay. Meanwhile, Doug went in the North Twin Trail, did the Twins, went down to the hut and also bagged Galehead before spending the night at the hut. The next day, Ellen and Sharon left early, hiked up to South Twin and on southward, picking up all three of the Bonds (West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff). From Bondcliff, they continued down the four miles to the old railroad bed and the final five miles out to the Lincoln Woods trailhead on the Kancamagus Highway. Doug left the hut later than the girls, caught up and passed them, and also did the Bonds on the way out to the Kanc. (no pics available). While the girls and Doug were doing S.Twin and the Bonds, Dick was doing the Twins, solo due to unavailability to do the two-day trip.

Mt. Chocorua & Middle Sister, Sep 13th, 2018

A group of us headed up Mt. Chocorua from the Kancamangus Hwy, taking Champney Falls trail.  We checked out the water fall, then headed up to Chocorua.  On the way down, we decided to add First Sister and Middle Sister, then take the cut off trail to get back over to Champney Falls.  It was a spontaneous decision, but a couple of us needed it for our 52 With a View List, so we figured what the heck.  "We're right here!"  It was a beautiful hike!

The view of Chocorua from Middle Sister

Tracy

Bob, Deb, Ginger, Ruth and Shirl at Champney Falls

The summit of Chocorua

Middle Sister summit

Sept 6th, 2018 Is that Thunder?

Today, a group of five of us set out to hike one of the 52 With a View, Mt.  Pemigewasset.  It was a hot and humid day, seems like we've been having a lot of those lately... but we were all happy to be together and "blow a little stink off us", as my neighbor use to say.  

About a 1/2 mile to 3/4 mile up, someone says, "is that Thunder?"  Why, yes it is!  Here, check out the radar!  (a cell phone was passed around). About the same time we all start to hear the rain come in from the background.... we scurry to decide, raincoat or not, put the electronics away, pull out the pack cover, and decide, do we turn around or not.  

We ultimately decided to turn around, despite our disappointment of not making the summit.  The thunder was not a good sign, and the rain had no appearance of "lightning" up.

It was a good decision to turn around, although I couldn't help think about the AT hikers that are out there, and how they just "tough it out".  When we got back to the car, we were drenched!  Our boots had puddles of water in them, the clouds were still very dark, and the rain was just as heavy.  I'm happy we're heading home.  The mountain can get climbed another sunny day.

Cheers!

Sept 4, 2018 Turtles hiked North & Middle Sugarloaf

The Turtes climbed North and Middle Sugarloaf on a beautiful day.  John and Ricky, Judy, Terry and Betsy made the climb.

Squam time

Kayaking on Squam will always make you smile.

Hot and humid hike up Mt. Israel, Aug 30th, 2018

A large group of us tackled Mt. Israel on a HHH morning. Perhaps if we waited a few hours to start after it cooled down, then more than 4 would have reached the summit. It was a successful day for foraging for mushrooms again. This time we collected 3 bags of black trumpets and white lions mane.

Mt Isolation - August 28, 2018

On a day that was hot and humid elsewhere, Dick and Doug did Mt Isolation, down along the Montalban Ridge to the south of Mt Washington. The Glen Boulder Trail takes you up steeply above treeline in a mile and a half. Further up, at over 5100 ft, it ties into the Davis Path, which is taken south almost three miles and down to Isolation at only 4003 ft. Up high, the wind was blowing perhaps 35-40 mph, temperature was around 70, and we couldn't see far through the fog. We had to layer up to keep warm. On the return path, the skies had cleared, giving wonderful but hazy views. Below are Doug at Glen Boulder, then a shot from up at the high junction.