BOOTPRINTS Volume 11 Issue 4 July 2007 the trailhead. Between 7:30 and 7:45, we set out from the Trailhead and NH – 48 Peaks proceeded to what was cautioned as wo More Club Members Complete being a difficult hike due to the the New Hampshire 48 Peaks! prospect of difficult water crossings TCongratulations to Richard Harris and the elevation gain. and Tom Pedersen! The weather was ideal for the hike. Mild temperatures and no rain. The water crossings on Gale River Trail were a breeze. Richard doubted Bob when Bob said that we had traversed the difficult water crossings – Richard was prepared for challenging crossings with the prospect of having to wade through waist high water and White Mountains had told everyone to bring water shoes and changes in socks, etc. due to the Sampler – The Difficult reports of high water. He was, in short, anticipating a John Klebes water Hike crossing. That was not to be on this By Richard Harris trip. Mt. Carrigan – Richard Harris As part of Al Goodhind’s White Mountain {Sampler –continued on page 2} On separate hikes, during the past two Sampler, I offered to lead a difficult hike. months, Richard Harris and Tom Pedersen Even though I have reached the completed the 48 peaks in New Hampshire summit of all 48 of the 4,000-foot that are over 4,000 feet. peaks of New Hampshire, I still On May 5, 2007, Richard Harris, joined want to help others reach the by John Klebes, Shari Cox, Rick Briggs, summits – that is part of what Allison Cook, and Bob Morgan hiked Mt. being in this club is about, helping Carrigan in very snowy conditions. Five of others enjoy the outdoors. us (Rick Briggs joined us on the trail on This year’s difficult hike was a Saturday) stayed at the Shapleigh Bunk 12-mile traverse that included House in Crawford Notch on Friday, May 4th, 3,900 feet of elevation gain and so that we could get a reasonably early start crossed over three 4,000-foot the next morning. summits (Galehead, South Twin, Since the Forest Service had not opened and North Twin). Having done the road to the trailhead, the normally 10- these summits in different times of mile hike became a 14-mile hike. But, the the year, this traverse, especially road walk was pleasant as the road was dry North Twin (did this one with Bob, and easily traversed. The five of us that PVHC Trail Maintenance Shari, and Laurie in subzero temps started out together elected to do a in February 2006), Work at the Falls Brook bushwhack around the stream crossings on gave me a real the way in as we had read that the streams Shelter Trails –May 12 appreciation for the were high (Rick Briggs elected to traverse differences which a the streams, so we did the same on the way change of season out). can mean for trail Shortly after leaving the road and conditions. beginning the hike on Signal Ridge Trail, the Nine of us bare ground began giving way to occasional (Norma C., Bob spots of snow and melted snow. Half way Morgan, Carol V., from the trailhead to the summit, the snow Allison Cook, became much deeper (as much as 4 feet) Kathleen Damon, and Allison and Richard switched from bare Bert McDonald, Beth boots to snowshoes (Richard had new Case, Mike Carrier, snowshoes he had to try out). The others and myself) set out continued to bareboot and posthole their way from the motel up towards the summit. Shari Cox required around 6:20 a.m. for assistance to extricate herself from one of the 1+ hour drive to {NH 48 Peaks - continued on page 2 } Page 2 their boots wet. However, at He considered joining the Sampler that point (slightly over 2 miles and hiking Saturday, but decided to the cars and less than a Friday evening that he was “hiked out” quarter mile to the access for a few days. I am sure we will seem road), Richard and Allison him on another trail soon. proceeded to take the shortest, Congratulations Tom. most direct, but wettest route ~Richard Harris across (well, through) the stream. Once back at the cars, we celebrated again with some Belgian chocolates before heading home and stopping for dinner – remember, this is the hiking, camera, and eating club. We all had a good time and great views. A word of thanks. I could {NH 48 Peaks - Continued from page 1} not have completed the quest for the 4,000- the posthole – Rick Briggs took a small foot summits of New Hampshire without the {Sampler – continued from page 1} scoop and spent a bit of time digging out help and support of the numerous members The trail up to the Galehead Hut Shari’s foot. of the club. Some of you that helped me was terrific. The footing was excellent, Signal Ridge was spotty with snow, but were on some of these hikes – Allison, so much so, that one unnamed offered terrific views of the looming summit Kathleen, Shari, Laurie, Bob, Tom, Rick, participant who was worried about the and the lower valleys. John, Juliana, Rob, (I hope I did not forget hike, told Richard that this was no The day was gorgeous – could not have anyone). But, many of you helped, even more difficult than Monadnock. He picked a better day to complete the list of 48. though we have never hiked in the Whites noted that we had not climbed South together. Whether it is learning from you on Twin yet. my first hike with the club on Mt. Tekoa, or After reaching the hut, the hike hiking in Robinson State Forest, Poet’s Seat, leader reminded all that we still the Mount Holyoke Range, etc., I have needed to hike up to the summit of learned about friends, things to do and not to Galehead – one person responded, do, the right clothing to wear or wrong “this isn’t the summit?” After a little clothing not to wear (Ed and John), etc. – the water and prodding, we hiked the half- things that are necessary to achieve any goal mile up to the Summit of Galehead of this nature. I want to thank all of you for and returned to the hut for lunch and helping me. some rest. After a 30-45 minute lunch ~Richard Harris break (too long for this type of hike), we set out in groups for South Twin Mt. Moriah – Tom Pedersen with Richard leading from the rear. We reached the summit by early afternoon. Tom Pedersen took a different approach The sky was beautiful on South The wind was gusty, but the sun and sky to completing the 4,000 footers of New Twin – the only one of the 3 summits were wonderful. The summit offered terrific Hampshire. Whereas Richard took 5 years that was above treeline. After enjoying views from atop the tower, which even to complete all of the 48, Tom did the 48 in the views and taking some more Richard climbed (he does not like towers). 52 weeks. He completed the last 6 in a 3- nutrition, the last group began to leave After celebrating Richard’s completion of day backpacking traverse of the Wildcat- the summit when the weather gods the 48 summits and enjoying a bit of lunch, Carter-Moriah ridge beginning on gave encouragement - there was a we headed back towards the trailhead and Wednesday, June 13, 2007 and completing rumble of thunder – so we hiked off the the cars. The descent was a bit faster as the traverse on Friday, June 15, 2007. exposed ridge a bit faster. there was some sliding down portions of the Tom hiked up the Wildcat Trail from The hike was very enjoyable. Most trail. Richard and Allison were last in coming Pinkham Notch, traversed the Wildcats on of the participants have already down the summit and slopes. As they June 13th, and stayed at the Carter Notch indicated they would more than likely approached the last and deepest of the Hut. On the second day, Tom hiked over do the 4,000 footer hike which Richard water crossings, John Klebes showed them Carter Dome and Mt. Height (not a 4,000 will lead in the 2008 Sampler. how to get across the stream without getting footer – but reported to have the best views Most of us went to the Flatbread in the White Mountains) before proceeding Pizza to use the coupons, which Al over South, Middle, and North Carter before had arranged for us. That was a camping at the Imp Tent site. He finished his terrific way to cap off a very enjoyable traverse with a hike up Mt. Moriah and day in the White Mountains. descending to Gorham, NH where he then Note: Despite rumors to the hitchhiked back to Pinkham Notch. contrary, there were no serious injuries Tom reported seeing few people on the nor did anyone have to be carried trail. However, he also reported (and his down the mountain. We all hiked out pictures testify) to seeing wonderful views all safe and sound. along the trail. The photos from the morning Al, thanks for a terrific Sampler at Imp tent site, makes one want to backpack Event!!! Looking forward to next year. the ridge. Of course, “fair weather” Tom had ~Richard Harris wonderful weather for the entire hike. Page 3 Summit House. Again, the weather had not As there were several hikers who improved appreciably, so the normally indicated a desire to have breakfast enjoyable views on Bare Mountain and before the hike, we left around 6:20 Mount Hitchcock were not available.