Whites rule! ...mtns, that is. :o)

“Ohmagawd!!! What a great trip! What a great group of hikers!
>:D

I headed North a few days early, arriving in New Hampshire Wednesday afternoon. I met up with Pedxing and together we hiked the trail to Lonesome Lake. After a nicely rugged, but fairly short hike, we came to the lake. A beautiful glacial lake at an elevation of about 2800?(?), it was surrounded by majestic mountains on all sides. What a great place to swim and just enjoy life! Since there was an AMC hut up the hill from the lake, we decided to keep going and set up camp at the Kinsman pond campsite...here?s where I should mention that we both forgot the map.

Aside: we didn?t just forget the map, we realized the fact after only about a quarter of a mile in. Did we think we should go back for it? Nope. Heheheh

Anyway, the trail began to get more and more steep and at some point we realized that we were NOT heading towards Kinsman pond, but rather Kinsman Mtns(2). For some reason, when we came to a junction, we decided that the BETTER route(hahaha) was to head up Cannon Mtn. Whoah...most of the way was rock scrambling, which I had never done with a full pack...and certainly not for several miles at a time. Wow, what an experience! Some of the spots were so steep I had to use my arms mostly to pull myself up, since my legs weren?t long enough to make the step. Yeeehaw! The views, which you will see when the pics turn out, were awesome from the top where we camped. It was neat to be able to see across the valley and view the Franconia ridge(which we would be hiking with the TT group). Next day, we packed up and headed down a different trail back to Lonesome lake ? some sections were so steep that we had to descend via ladders that were secured into the cliff! That was a first for me. Awesome!
(pics soon)
A leisurely lunch and swim at Lonesome lake was had and then we went back to the car. Pedxing headed home and I went off to wander solo.

Thursday I did a series of dayhikes, all of them with water as their sedtination, since it was so damn hot and humid! I hiked 3.5 to Campney falls and Pitcher falls. The trailheads were off of the Kankamangus highway, which in itself was gorgeous, winding along the upper ridges of the mountains and providing incredible views of the Whites. The waterfalls were nice, but the pools were barely deep enough to soak in, so I headed off to a place called Diana?s baths outside of North Conway(almost to Maine!) Diana?s was a verrrry used trail, so me being me, I decided to bushwhack a little and turn the ½ mile into 2! Heheheh
It was wayyy to hot to be a wandering fool and by the time I reached the ?baths? I was ready to fall in. The baths are a series of deep, natural pools, formed by beautiful waterfalls that fall on many different tiers for several hundred feet. There must be at least a dozen different swimming spots, made of smooth rock along the ledges. What a decadent place to swim and eat lunch! :o)
Friday I met up with MadRiver first, as I was setting up camp on his property. SirPete arrived later and then Pedxing and his son. While we were waiting(hours), the Madman and I went for a swim in the Mad River, which is adjacent to his property(he has an amzing set up there!) A sign that read ?welcome backpacker TTers? set the tone, as Mad proceeded to be ?the host with the most? providing wine and campfire that night and coffee and belgian waffles in the AM!!
We were packed up and en route to the trailhead by 7, after I cattleprodded a few of the pokeys(we won?t mention any names). ;o)

Saturday destination: Franconia ridge. Some frequent commentary included:
?Just leave me here to die?
?the buzzards are circling, we better start moving again?
?hamburger feet?
?oh my gawd!?
?waaaaa-terrrrrr?gasp, choke, sputter?
?is my face still bleeding?!??
?and various random bouts of delirious laughter. ;o)

I?ll let others post their stories of the ridge hike...I think I have rambled enough. Also, I?ve still got lots of stuff to dry out. Last night, after driving nearly 8 hours straight, I could barely find my bed before I crashed.
goooooooood times!”

“Whoo-hoo!
I REALLY glad that you're enjoying life, Aim...”

“Sounds awesome. I've been up there one time (North Conway area) and know just what you mean. It is beautiful.”

“I would like to once again thank AmyG, Sirpete, and PedXing for all their assistance and encouragements. I did, however, have an interesting side effect of my ill prepared journey up Liberty and beyond. When I finally returned to Connecticut, I weighed myself and discovered to my joy I lost 8 lbs.

For those of you who are trying to lose weight, forget aerobic or the gym, just do the following. The night before a major hike only get 3 hours sleep. Over pack so your backpack weighs at least 60 lbs. Hike up a 4,000+ foot mountain in 100% humidity. Hike an addition 7 miles without adequate food or rest. Have three mouth fulls of food for dinner, and got absolutely no sleep. Hike down the next day in rain without the aid of your glasses over slippery rocks and drive 4 hours home. I guarantee you too will lose weight, if not your life.”

“Great trip report there AmyG, it sounds like you had a pretty good time.

I can`t wait to see the pictures.”

“Which state is that Mad River in?
Vermont???

In '78 my brother and I did 20 miles in the snow somewhere off the Kancamagus Highway with blue jeans frozen to the knees.
Good times indeed!”

“Which state is that Mad River in?
Vermont???

In '78 my brother and I did 20 miles in the snow somewhere off the Kancamagus Highway with blue jeans frozen to the knees.
Good times indeed!

Back then we were rough, tough, and hard to stuff.”

“In '78 I was 24 and indestructible. At 47 I should know better.

The Mad River that I use as my moniker is in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.”

“Great Report Amy!!!!

Oooopss.... I posted my trip report on another thread with a less catchy (read "troll baiting") title and then saw this.

It was great to hike with such genuinely nice people. Everyone was ready to extend themselves to help out the other folk. Geez I only hope my son doesn't get the idea that its OK to hang out with strangers you've met on line! Worse yet, he might start going to the site and reading my posts (what a lousy influence that would be!).”

“8 pounds!!! Wow Mad... how much of that was dehydration.

Mad's pack was heavy. My son, who carried it for a stretch thought it was about triple the weight of his own pack (which would put Mad's at about 70 pounds). But Mad was a strong hiker, he never would have made it for the distance with the weights he was carrying if he hadn't gotten himself into damn good shape.

I'm hoping to get another chance to hike with you Mad (Pete and Amy, too, of course).”

“It would be my pleasure, PedXing. At the time you were giving me some sage advice on weight distribution my cognitive skills were somewhat diminished, so I logged them in for future implementation.

You are probably right on the dehydration. If memory serves, I drank 8 or 9 quarts of water and didn't have to urinate until I got back to Connecticut.

Since my wife and I will be doing an overnighter in the Pemi Wilderness in August, one rule I learned this past weekend is: if it doesn't sustain your life or save your life, it doesn't go in the pack.”

“Sounds like so much fun. I'd love to do the Whites some day. I guess this thread answers my question about pictures, Ped. Glad ya'll had such a good time.”

“Amy...

Enjoyed reading your report. Thanks. Sorry to have had to pass it up (Academics!). Looking forward to seeing the pics.”

“Been exchanging emails with Pedxing.

It's on my calender. Sounds too good to pass up.

(Arclite - hint hint)”

“I can't believe none of you guys told them about Amy talking in her sleep :) hehehe
we can talk about that later.

I don't think there is much to add other than the mutual feeling I have for this group of TTers! I am forever grateful to those who share the wonderful experiences I have in the mountains. Just like the crew I was with in the Savage Gulf this group was top notch. AmyG is all that and a bag of chips folks believe Gojo when he called her "AmyG - Great American!" Pedxing and Kidxing were kick @ss too! Madriver was the host with the most, and MR don't think you got off learning more from us than I learned from you!

I go to the mountains for a couple of reasons; to be awed, humbled and relieved This trip did just that. I was awed by the wonderful views, what a great day Saturday was to be up on that ridge. It looked like the great wall of China, the way it's crested points crossed the sky. As usual the mountains reminded me of how soft in the middle I am. If you ever need to be reminded of how good a shape you are just go climb a steep mountain and she will remind you right quickly. Fortunately I was with good company and Amy stuck with me until I had a full "no more walk strike" and layed down in the middle of the trail, I muttered save youself i'm gunna died, she turned around and said come on Pete. I said NO......o.k. I'll see ya later and off she went. I was less than 1/2 a mile from camp but I had just had it I needed a break.
All that and I was still able to clear my mine of all that bullsh.. that I was carrying when I got up there. Nothing like a good physical work out to get ride of all the mental anguish.

What did I learn...........Well
If we are gunna do this thing in September and there is gunna be a group with varied physical ability we better not plan on days of more than 7 miles if we aren't already up near the ridge. That is really why this trip got planned, to see what would be a good distance to travel and now I think we have a good idea of what to expect.

even if it is hot you still need to eat! food is energy

never look at an "extra" bag of water before a hike and say...na I've got enough....you can never have enough and if you do you can always pour it out on the way back.

In the end I will finish having said this: I haven't met a TT'er yet where I wouldn't gladly give anything out of my pack because they didn't have it in theirs whether they didn't want to bring it or they forgot it...no attitude here!”

“Sounds like my kinda trip. Can't wait till September!”

“Pics to follow! a day or to though”

“Nice post Sirpete! Your attitude was fantastic! I owe you a special set o' thanks for suggesting the trip. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics.

I wuzzn't gonna mention Amy's sleep talking (we had 3 tents on the same platform and we could even hear each other breathe) 'cause then people would wanna know what she said. Now that my son has been hearing about TT, I don't want to be discussing that kind of stuff on any thread he might read.”

“You can get softwear to block this site and lock it off, unless you have a password so he don't read this TT smut.

hehehehhe Gota love this site.”

“Just curious.
Will Everybody that did this trip also be on the September trip too?”

“Goood info folks. Sounds like my kind of adventure! See you in september! Then I am headin futher north and into Nova Scocia! Cant wait! Yo bear!”

“oh Petey honey, I am so sorry that I left you there to die...can you ever forgive me? It was my singing, wasn't it?
;oP

oh yeah...don't listen to anything they say, I do not talk in my sleep...much. heheheh

Besides, how could you guys possibly have heard anything above the snoring coming from certain tents!?”

“were you calling out my name, again, aimeegee?”

“Hey bear... where in Scotia are you going??

I was in Scotia on the Bay of Fundy for four months stayed in (Smith's Cove) and spent some time in Keijimekujik (I'm sure I spelled that wrong).”

“Great report! I'm sorry I missed the trip but I did have fun walking around the Toledo Zoo with the kids. We stopped at that HUGE Cabela's Store in Dundee, Michigan with the waterfall, aquarium and over 100 stuffed animals.

Maybe I can make it out East next year. Can't wait to see the trip pictures!!”

“ok guys, I got some pics back...not all. I didn't finish the second roll yet(this weekend, I promise).

Here are a few Pics
from the hike with Ped to Lonesome Lake and Cannon Mtn, also a few waterfall shots from my solo treks up there. What a great trip!

>:D”

“why Amy you know that your singing was no less beautiful than that of an angel! It was so wonderful to my ears that it brought tears to my eyes. The sweat blinded me so and I couldn't see the trail anymore. I just had to stop and let you move on so I could regain my composure”

“I feel as though I'm going to be sick.”

“Cool shots Amy! I like the lake overlook shot.”

“cool shots Amy can't wait until I get mine back”

“Amy-Nice shots! Will you sing for me?
Ped-Nova, I am gonna hang out whereever I can pitch a tent!Yo bear!”

“thanks fer the pics Amy.”

“hey I think I'm actually getting the hang of this link sh!t”

“Great pics Pete! But looks miserably hot & humid. Saw one guy with a bee net over his head for the bugs.”

“KILLER shots man!!!”

“Thanks for posting the pics SirPete..l. nice shots!”

“Great pics, Petey dear! I love the shots of the overlook. This was my first time...above treeline, ya know. :o)

Whatever happened to the group shot we took? Hopefully mine will come out as nice as yours. That place was sweeet!

Steveroo, it may have looked hot and miserable humid(because it was) but I think we were all having too much fun to let it get us down. well, other than those f@#$% black flies wanting my blood! $%@%!*!

I am still working on finishing up my second roll of film(darn rain foiled my plans today!)

Soon...”

“Keep us posted!”

“Thanks for the photos sirpete. As the rest of you can see, I'm photographically challenged.”

“Oh come on now Mad, you look great in your "wife beater" shirt!

;o)”

“He should complain?”

“AmyG, any more photos? I was hoping to see some more of the Pemi wilderness. Of all the useless things I packed, I should have at least packed a camera. Oh well, next time.”

“I'm still working on that last roll of film...soon.

So anyway, how's that knee holding up these days, Mad?

(stalling for time)”

“My knee is fine AmyG. Sue and I are doing the Tripyramid on July 14th. It's about a 7 hour hike over three peaks. Next time you are in NH you should do that hike, the views are great. We are also doing a Madison & Adams loop in August just before our overnighter in the Pemi.”