sign in sign up
<<
Home , Crawford Path, Franconia Range, Lakes of the Clouds, Mount Clay, Mount Mitten, Mount Monroe

Notes from the Chair...... 1

Tale of Two Trails...... 1

Creation of the Trail System White Mountain and Beyond...... 2

Footprints in the Snow...... 4 Notes from the Chair A Way to Keep Busy, Discoveries in a Pandemic.....6 the continuing pandemic conditions, we have BY RICK SILVERBERG Trails Less Travelled: reluctantly decided we cannot safely conduct the A Collection of Ideas for Hikes school this year and the “Spring” School has been for Families and Explorers...... 8 As the summer has gone on, many Chapter members have shared their “hike local” stories on finally cancelled. Proposed In addition to cancellation of the Spring By-Laws Amendments...... 12 our FaceBook page and are trying to make the best of the situation. While limited facilities have School, we are all too aware of limited number Winter Hiking opened at some AMC huts, and of Chapter outings this summer. Series Cancelled...... 12 Highland Center and Joe Dodge The few that have taken place have Chapter Slate Lodge and Cardigan Lodge have followed the guidance and special of Candidates/Annual Meeting – 2020...... 12 opened for lodging and restricted protocols received from the Club food service, this has certainly not central office. Reports from trip Where In The Whites?...... 13 been a typical year for outdoor leaders have been that the partici- activities. Unfortunately, these pants on these trips have been very

Protect Our Trails...... 14 changes are going to continue good about following protocols. As into the fall and beyond. we enter the fall we are seeing an New Hampshire Chapter We had to postpone our increase in trips being offered. Annual Meeting...... 16 October 24, 2020 Spring School and had hoped to reschedule it in October. With NOTES FROM THE CHAIR, TO PAGE 2 OUR MISSION The Appalachian Mountain Club is Tale of Two Trails the nation’s oldest outdoor recreation (With Apologies to Fans of Charles Dickens) and conservation organization, and promotes the protection, enjoyment, the week before school begins, most folks would and understanding of the moun- BY BOB MCLAUGHLIN be home getting ready. When I arrived at the tains, forests, waters and trails of the Appalachian region. AMC has more It was the best of times, parking area at Lafayette Place, there were a lot of than 100,000 members, 16,000 vol- It was the worst of times. cars, but also some empty spaces, and I grabbed unteers, 450 full-time and seasonal It was the week before Labor Day weekend one. staff. The New Hampshire Chapter is and I took two hikes. I live in Lincoln at the Starting the hike, I was surprised by the the second largest of the 12 Chapters southern end of , and have a large number of camp sites occupied and even within the Club. multitude of hiking trails from which to choose. more surprised by the number of parties on the In defense of my decision, and possibly trail. Before getting out of the campground, I VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 exposing my naiveté, on Monday, I decided it was passed by 3 groups of hikers. Many wore masks, and all passed by leaving a substantial dis- FALL 2020 would be a perfect day to visit Lonesome Lake. The air was clear and winds calm. I thought, in TALE OF TWO TRAILS, TO PAGE 3 NOTES FROM THE CHAIR, FROM PAGE 1 development of the first hiking trails, some of which are still in use today. We look forward to a vaccine that will bring us to a level of herd • Lu Ann Laquerre presents five lesser known hiking chal- immunity that we will be able to return to our accustomed activities. lenges to explore. Any of these hiking challenges provide a With any luck this may be as early as 2021. We can only watch and great way to discover new trails and avoid crowds. wait. • Following on the topic of avoiding crowds, Bob McLaugh- Looking to the future, Winter School at Cardigan is still sched- lin, contrasts two hikes he took recently in Tale of Two uled, but we will not be able to make decisions on how and what we Trails. A valuable object lesson. can offer for several months. We just cannot have these larger group • Another article, Protect Our Trails, was authored by Bob, gatherings and we are forced to think smaller. but represents the thoughts of many members of the Chap- The New Hampshire Chapter is committed to continue to edu- ter’s Executive Committee. It is worth a read to remind us cate the public, but we just have to rethink how we do that. of what we can all do assure that our trails are protected for We are still exploring the best way to conduct Chapter events that everyone’s enjoyment today and for the future. can provide value to our members at low risk during this time. We • Finally, there is article describing the amendments to the are considering how we can properly manage small gatherings and Chapter By-Laws that have been approved by the Executive how we can provide virtual events that can at least partially make up Committee and that will be proposed for approval at the for what we cannot safely do. Many creative suggestions have been Annual Meeting. made that are being explored. If you have ideas please let me know, We hope you enjoy this issue of Mountain Passages. A big Email at [email protected]. thank you to the authors and newsletter staff who make it all It is a challenging time, but we can make it work if we all try. possible! Your thoughts and suggestions will be welcome. Enjoy the outdoors, but stay safe! In the meantime, we are looking forward to our Annual Meet- ing on Saturday, October 24. For better or worse, this year’s Annual Meeting will be on Zoom. In some ways it will make attending easier and it opens up some possibilities, but we all know what will be MOUNTAIN PASSAGES missing. Take a look at the article by Debbie Marcus in this issue of Volume 46, No. 4 Mountain Passages for a preview and the link to register. Fall 2020 A highlight of the Annual Meeting program is our keynote Mountain Passages is published four times a year by the New Hampshire speaker, Ty Gagne. Ty is the Chief Executive Officer of the NH Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Public Risk Manager Exchange and is an active participant in the Submissions. Members may submit articles or photos (hi-res jpegs) to Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue team. In addition, Ty is the [email protected]. Articles may be edited at the discretion of the editor to meet space and style requirements. Publication is on a space- author of the fascinating book, Where You’ll Find Me; Risk, Decisions, available basis. While Mountain Passages does not pay for submissions; a and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova, and the shorter piece, Footprints byline or photo credit is given. Contact Mountain Passages for in the Snow, which is reprinted in this edition of Mountain Passages. reprint permission. We understand Ty has another book in the works and look forward to Advertising. The AMC NH Chapter members enjoy the outdoors year-round by hiking, paddling, skiing, backpacking, climbing and biking and more. his presentation at the Annual Meeting. For information and the Ad Rate Sheet, send an email to Elsewhere in this edition of Mountain Passages, you will find: [email protected]. • A great story by Tim Kennedy, one of the 50 year honorees at the We reserve the right to refuse any submission, photo or advertising that is Annual Meeting, about how he made use of his “close to home” not consistent with the mission of the AMC. time during the pandemic. Address Changes. Address changes or other changes to your membership must be made through AMC Member Services at 10 City Square. Boston, • Another article by Bob McLaughlin in his continuing series on MA 02129; 800-372-1758; outdoors.org/membercenter the history of hiking in the White Mountains leading up to the 100th anniversary of our Chapter. This time Bob explores the Please note: Member address updates cannot be handled by AMC-NH officers, committee chairs, or the newsletter editor.

Mountain Passages Online. If you’re receiving Mountain Passages through the mail, please consider signing up to get the electronic Advertise Here to Reach Almost 15,000 version instead. You’ll get added resources not available to print subscribers: direct links to Environmentally Active Outdoor Enthusiasts emails, forms and online information, color photos, online registration forms. ISSUE DEADLINE AD SIZE PRICE (per issue) To sign up, go to www.outdoors.org/membercenter and set your AMC-NH Spring March 15 1/8 page 3.5”w x 2.5”h $100 Chapter newsletter preference to online. 1/4 page 3.5”w x 5”h $160 Summer May 15 1/2 page 7.5”w x 5”h $250 © 2020 by New Hampshire Chapter, Appalachian Mountain Club. Fall August 15 20% Discount for advertising in six Winter November 15 consecutive issues, with prepayment Editors: Robert S. McLaughlin & Brett Billings For questions, or to submit ad: [email protected] [email protected] Please send ads as color PDF or jpeg high-resolution files, at correct size. Ads will appear in color in the on-line and print versions. Graphic Design: Jessica Clifford, Graphic Designer, Artist & Photographer. We reserve the right to refuse ads that are not related to the mission of AMC. We [email protected] do not provide proofs and accept no liability for errors beyond the cost of the ad.

2 TALE OF TWO TRAILS, FROM PAGE 1 tance and exchanging a friendly “hello.” Again, I should have known better, but I had not been to Lonesome Lake in over a month and I continued on. The introduction to the hike set the pace for the remainder. While I was able to hike for a few hundred yards at many points, these periods of activity were interrupted by ex- tended breaks standing off the trail as one, two, three or more groups of hikers passed by coming down the trail. At one point, I was even passed by a group ascending while The view of from the shore of Lonesome Lake. Photo by: Bob I was waiting for the groups going in the McLaughlin. opposite direction. The hike was a series of the boardwalk, I found the perfect shot to advice to find the trail less travelled. interrupted bursts of movement. capture the iconic view of the Franconia The next day, my daughter and I head- I eventually reached the lake and Ridgeline reflecting in the placid Lonesome ed off to Mt Martha in Carroll, NH, which started on the Around the Lake trail going Lake. only emphasized the lesson. We climbed up counter clockwise. Fortunately, it appeared Leaving Lonesome Lake, I elected to Cherry Mountain Trail from the trailhead that fewer people elected to take the trail or follow the Dodge Cutoff to the Hi-Cannon on Route 115. The experience could not at least didn’t take it in a clockwise direc- Trail rather than return on the Lonesome have been more different. During the 3 and tion. However, finding a place to get off Lake Trail. While I did not have the trail to ½ hour hike we saw three other people and the trail when you are on a boardwalk is a myself, it was the right choice. By the end one dog. The trail was pleasant and lightly greater challenge. There was a bright spot, of the hike, I still had enjoyed it, but I was used. We walked through open woodlands, however. On one of my departures from kicking myself because I ignored my own were scolded by bluejays, and climbed 1900 feet to a summit which we had to ourselves. While possibly less spectacular than the views from Lonesome Lake, Mt Martha of- fered a great view of the , and, down a side path, a second ledge with a view that stretched from to Franconia Notch and beyond. These views were an ample reward for the effort of the climb. While both hikes were worthwhile, the hike to Mt Martha was certainly more pleasant. I was reminded again of the benefits The view of the Presidentials from the summit of Mt Martha. More distant but still of taking the trail less traveled. Lesson excellent!. Photo by: Bob McLaughlin. learned!

Creation of the Trail System White Mountain and Beyond

to the time when the Chapter was created. The first of the trails that we can docu- BY BOB MCLAUGHLIN First Trails ment which are still used were built by The trail system in the New Hampshire While the native Americans living in the Crawford family. The Crawfords ran mountains sometimes seems to reach every New Hampshire, generally referred to as a series of guest facilities in the Crawford viewpoint, waterfall, and other desirable the Abenaki, or “the people,” undoubtedly Notch and Bretton Woods areas. Starting destination. It is sometimes difficult to real- created the first trails in the Whites few in 1819, Abel Crawford and his son. Ethan ize how much time and work were involved signs of their trails remain. It would not Allen Crawford, began cutting the trail now in its creation. However, the trail system is be surprising, however, if some of the trails known as , to allow their the result of series of events stretching back we hike today follow the same routes as the guests to access the Presidential Range and over 200 years and more. Abenaki’s original trails. The signs of these Mt Washington. While the initial path was As part of our series leading up to the first trails were largely destroyed by logging rough, and probably no better than a herd 100th anniversary of our Chapter, this ar- and subsequent fires, but some may still TRAIL SYSTEM WHITE MOUNTAIN, ticle traces the development of our trails up remain. See if you can find them. TO PAGE 7 3 Footprints in the Snow

Editor’s Note: Ty Gagne, featured ington’s summit and take Westside Trail to the sunshine, and snow shrouded the hem- speaker at our Chapter Annual Meeting, is Crawford Path and down Ammonoosuc lock and birch. the author of the fascinating book “Where Ravine Trail. She still smiled. Above her, thick You’ll Find Me: Risk, Decisions, and the Last She was eager to get out and connect clouds overloaded with precipitation were Climb of Kate Matrosova.” Ty has agreed to with the mountains and had been wait- dropping below ’s allow us to reprint his short piece “Foot- ing for a weather window, however brief, summit, where the temperature measured prints in the Snow” which appeared initially that would allow her to complete the loop. 24 degrees Fahrenheit and the winds blew in the Summer/Fall 2018 issue of Appala- Bales knew the nuances of the Presidentials’ chia Journal. rugged terrain and could hear the weather’s Many of you may have already read early whispers hinting at an approaching this article, but it is worth a reread. Those howl. She had packed extra layers of cloth- of you who have not read it are in for a ing to better regulate her core temperature treat! as conditions changed; the observatory had Enjoy! And Thank You Ty! described conditions on the higher summits Footprints in the Snow as “full-on winter.” The hike up the lower BY TY GAGNE PAM BALES left the firm pavement of the Base Road and stepped onto the snow- covered Jewell Trail to begin her mid-Octo- ber climb. She planned a six-hour loop hike by herself. She had packed for almost every contingency and intended to walk alone. She’d left a piece of paper detailing her itinerary on the dashboard of her Nissan Xterra: start up the Jewell Trail, traverse the ridge south along Gulfside Trail, summit Mount Washington, follow the Crawford Path down to Hut, 9:15 am: Colder air and Pam layers up. descend the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Photo by: Pam Bales. and return to her car before some forecasted bad weather was to arrive. Bales always left about 50 mph in fog and blowing snow. her plans in her car, and she left copies with Sneaker footprints two friends, fellow teammates from the all- At 10:30 a.m., as Bales breached volunteer Pemigewasset Valley Search and treeline and the junction of Jewell and Rescue Team. Gulfside Trails, the weather was showing It was Oct. 17, 2010. She’d checked 8:30 am: Pam Bales at the start of her its teeth. Now fully exposed to the condi- the higher summits forecast posted by the hike. While there is snow on the ground, tions, she added even more layers, including Mount Washington Observatory before the air is warm. Photo by: Pam Bales. a shell jacket, goggles, and mountaineer- she left: ing mittens to shield herself from the cold In the clouds w/ a slight chance portion of Jewell was pleasant. Bales felt winds and dense frozen fog. She made her of showers excited, and her joy increased as she walked way alone across the snow-covered ridge Highs: upper 20s; Windchills 0–10 up into snowy paths. At 8:30 a.m., still be- toward Mount Washington, and began to Winds: NW 50–70 mph increasing to low treeline, she stopped and took a selfie; think about calling it a day. Bales watched 60–80 w/ higher gusts she was wearing a fleece tank top and hiking as the clouds above her continued to Bales knew that the forecast promised pants, and no gloves or hat because the air drop lower, obscuring her vision. She felt low clouds with some wind, but based on was mild. The sun shone through the trees confined — and she noticed something. her experience, her plan of going up Jewell and cast a shadow over her smiling face. She She stared at a single set of footprints in the to the summit of Washington and then had reconnected to the mountains. snow ahead of her. She’d been following down the Ammonoosuc Trail was a realistic Thirty minutes later, at 9 a.m., she took faint tracks in the snow all day but hadn’t goal. Her contingency plan, if needed, was another shot of herself, after she’d climbed given them much thought because so many either to turn around and descend Jewell, into colder air and deeper snows. She had people climb the Jewell Trail. She fixated or if she was already deep into her planned donned a quarter-zip fleece top and added on the tracks and realized they had been itinerary, she would forgo Mount Wash- gloves. An opaque backdrop had replaced made by a pair of sneakers. She silently FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, TO PAGE 5 4 FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, Now she felt genuinely alarmed. She remembered that the observatory’s forecast FROM PAGE 4 was sure the hiker could not navigate in had advised hikers to be careful with foot scolded the absent hiker who had violated the low visibility and was heading straight placement that day, as the new snow had normal safety rules and walked on. toward . Bales stood there, yet to firm up between the rocks, so punch- Now, at 11 a.m., Bales was getting stunned, as she tried to steady the emo- ing through would be an added danger. cold even though she was moving fast and tional weight of this sudden intersection of Bales had also heeded that warning by wear- generating some body heat. She knew she tracks. The temperature and clouds were in ing spikes, but even still, a single misplace- should add even more layers, so she tucked a race to find their lowest point, she could ment of her boot could put her into serious in behind a large cairn on . She see just a few feet in front of her, the winds jeopardy. put on an extra top under her shell jacket were ramping up, and darkness was mere ‘Oh, hello’ and locked down her face mask and goggle hours away. If Bales continued to follow She followed the tracks gingerly for 20 system. Good thing she packed heavy, she the tracks, she’d add risk and time to the to 30 yards. She rounded a slight corner thought. And then, hunkered behind the itinerary she had already modified to man- and saw a man sitting motionless, cradled cairn, she decided to abandon her plan to age both. But she could not let this go. She by large rime-covered boulders just off the summit Washington. She would imple- turned to the left toward Great Gulf and Clay Loop Trail. He stared in the direction ment her bailout plan by continuing to the called out, “Hello!” into the frozen fog. of the Great Gulf, the majesty of which junction of Gulfside and Westside, turn Nothing. She called out again, “Is could only be imagined because of the hor- right onto the Westside Trail and over to the anybody out there? Do you need help?” rendous visibility. She approached him and Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, where she could The strong westerly winds carried uttered, “Oh, hello.” head down the mountain. Having spent her voice away. She blew into her rescue He did not react. He wore tennis thousands of hours in those beloved moun- whistle. For a fleeting moment she thought sneakers, shorts, a light jacket, and finger- tains, Bales knew when to abort a plan. someone replied, but it was just the wind less gloves. He looked soaking wet, and For her, summiting was just an option, but playing games with her mind. She stood thick frost covered his jacket. His head returning to her SUV was a requirement. listening 0.3 mile from the junction of was bare, and his day pack looked empty. Strong gusts of wind screamed as they Jewell and Gulfside and about a mile from She could tell that he knew she was there. exited the fog at full charge and attacked Westside Trail. She turned and walked His eyes tracked her slowly and he barely her back and left side. The cloud cover had cautiously in the direction of a single set of swiveled his head. She knew he could still transitioned from canopy to the equivalent tracks in the snow; her bailout route would move because his frozen windbreaker and of quicksand, and the only thing keeping have to wait. the patches of frost breaking free of it made Bales on Gulfside was the sneaker tracks in As she carved through the dense and crinkling sounds as he shifted. the snow. As she fought with the wind and frozen fog, Bales continued to blow her A switch flipped. She now stopped heavy sleet on the ridge, her eyes searching rescue whistle. Wind gusts now exceed- being a curious and concerned hiker. Her for the increased certainty and security of ing 50 mph rocked her. Even with her informal search now transitioned to full-on the next cairn, the set of tracks ahead of her MICROspikes on, she struggled to remain rescue mission. She leaned into her wilder- made a hard left-hand turn off trail. upright on the rime ice–covered rocks. She ness medical training and tried to get a firmer grip on his level of consciousness. “What is your name?” she asked. He did not respond. “Do you know where you are?” Bales questioned. Nothing. His skin was pale and waxy, and he had a glazed look on his face. It was obvious that nothing was connecting for him. He was hypothermic and in really big trouble. Winds were blowing steadily at 50 mph, the temperature was 27 degrees Fahr- enheit, and the ice pellets continued their relentless assault on Bales and the man who was now her patient. The thought of having to abandon him in the interest of her own survival was a horrifying prospect, but she’d been trained in search and rescue, and she knew not to put herself at such risk that she would become a patient too. She knew she didn’t have much time. She went right to work. As 10:30 am: Above tree line and things are getting cold. Pam adds more layers to he sat there propped up against the rocks, handle it. Photo by: Pam Bales. semi-reclined and dead weight, she stripped FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, TO PAGE 9 5 A Way to Keep Busy, Discoveries in a Pandemic

filled with rock and buckets of gravel that had washed down. The side areas were filled with boulders and brush. I’m hoping that plants will start growing in a year or two. Many of the trails were in need of bog bridges. My friend and I hauled in the base logs and cedar planks to the work sites. That was a chore. I ran two work days to show folks the process of how to build bog bridges. There is a picture of one bridge that I built out of two foot long cedar logs split lengthwise. That was to use up some odd pieces. I did not want to waste anything, although I have a pile of logs to be peeled and a bunch of four foot base logs for more projects. Tim Kennedy: You can always move it if you know how. Photo by: Tim Kennedy. A friend in Pelham found out what I had BY TIM KENNEDY done. He just happened to be the coor- It was the middle of March, and I had dinator for volunteer help in the various already done about six 4K peaks over the town forests. The next thing I knew, I got age of 75. That process came to a screech- an E-Mail. “Tim, we could really use your ing halt when the pandemic hit. How expertise!!” would I fill my time? Shame on me for I have been a trail adopter in the admitting that I had never hiked any of the Whites for nearly 30 years. I also spent a many town forests in Pelham, NH. week each summer for ten years working In the beginning of April I went hiking out of Camp Dodge so I had learned how in Kirby-Ivers town forest. I enjoyed the to do just about any trail repair. hike but the trails had many blowdowns. I was suddenly connected to the chair- I saw a new goal. I went home, got my ax man of our forestry committee and asked and bow saw and returned to correct the to evaluate some of the forest trails. How situation. could I say no? I suddenly found myself Little did I know what this would lead putting in many days of work and meeting me to. many wonderful people dedicated to the Building a log crib solved a chronic worthy goal of providing hiking trails for problem with a gully in the trail. the local population of Pelham. Photo by: Tim Kennedy. My first project was a simple relocation of a section of trail that floods every spring. I still have some projects in mind for the I was able to find some good logs about a fall before the ground freezes. Some are just quarter mile away. The big rocks needed involve simple drainage problems. Some were mined and rolled several hundred are more complicated. yards. It was a good workout. The pandemic forced me to look local We were able to harvest many cedar for some hiking. It did that and more. trees that had been killed in a spring storm Now I’ve met a wonderful new group of last year. Nobody can explain what really people who also love the outdoors. I’ve killed them but the material is great for trail discovered a need and am able to help out work. I ended up with the cedar in my and provide some trail education along the yard to be peeled and base logs to be cut. way. The material was not safe sitting in a pile at So I guess I would challenge you all to edge of a forest parking lot. look for ways to help in the woods in your The next big project was a washed out local area. This bridge was built with scrap wood. section of trail that had become a gully. I Waste not, Want not! humped in the cedar logs needed to create Photo by: Tim Kennedy. a four tier log crib system. Each crib was 6 TRAIL SYSTEM WHITE MOUNTAIN, system in Crawford Notch. ley settled the Waterville Valley as a farmer TO FROM PAGE 3 Similarly, as time went on, the devel- around 1830. In the mid-1830s, after opment of hotels in Franconia Notch lead hosting a convalescent guest, the reputation to the creation of a second trail system in of the valley as a healthful retreat spread, the Whites. The first path to Lafayette was and Greeley started an inn. When the rail- cut in 1826 by Stephen and Joseph Lane road reached Plymouth in 1853, Greeley’s Gibbs. and followed close to the route of inn became a major tourist destination. the Greenleaf Trail from the valley near the Because the railroad never got closer Cannon Tramway to Eagle Pass and on to the site of the current Greenleaf Hut. In 1852, a trail following the route of the Old Bridle Path trail was developed. Trails were also cut to Bald Mountain at the head of the Notch near Cannon. In the 1850s in the southern end of Franconia The Crawford House was built on the Notch, trails were cut to the Flume, to the land now occupied by the AMC cliffs on the top of Mt Pemigewasset, and to Highland Center. Georgiana Falls. path in many places, by 1840 it had been The first path up Moosilauke was cut A party of hikers on the Crawford Path improved and widened so that it could be in the 1840s in an effort organized by a below , N.H., on a clear used as a bridle path. Crawford Path is local innkeeper, William Little. In the summer day 1920s. Photo by: AMC generally considered the oldest continuously 1850s, three additional trails were cut up Archive. used footpath in the . Moosilauke, including one from the North However, Crawford Path was not the Woodstock area. The two trails from the than 20 miles from Waterville Valley, only trail created by the Crawfords. southern side of the mountain followed the Greeley was able to dominate development They cut a second path from the routes of the Carriage Road and the Benton of the area. He cut trails to local water- Bretton Woods area that followed the Trail. The trail from North Woodstock was falls and lakes and to mountain summits, to base of the Presi- known as the Little Path and was erased by including Osceola, Tecumseh and Welch. dentials and then climbed the ridge now subsequent lumbering. As with the other Unlike other trails, Greeley’s trails offered taken by the cog railway. For a while, this trails in the Whites, these trails were used the opportunity for loop hikes as well as second path was the more popular and was almost exclusively as bridle paths. destination hikes. Unlike the other trails, ultimately converted into a bridle path by In 1859 a trail approximately following Greeley’s trails in and around Waterville Horace Fabyan, and became known as the the route of the Hammond Trail was cut up Valley were designed for and primarily used Fabyan Bridle Path. Ultimately, the con- Mt Chocorua. This trail remained the most by hikers, not horse riders. struction of the cog railway displaced this popular route to the summit of Chocorua However, Greeley also cut three long trail. for a couple of decades, but fell into disuse distance bridle paths: one to Crawford In the 1840s, the Crawfords also cut a when alternative routes were developed. Notch through the Pemigewasset Wilder- bridle trail up Mt Willard that is the basis In the , the McCrillis ness, the second lead through the gap be- of the current hiking trail, and the Davis Path was cut by William McCrillis from tween Sandwich Dome and the Tripyramids Path. The Davis Path never gained popu- his farm in Whiteface Intervale to the to the settlements at Sandwich, Whiteface larity as a route to Mt Washington likely summit of Mt Whiteface. The McCril- and Tamworth, and the third lead to Wood- because of its length and fell into disuse lis Path, which is still in use, while it has stock following the route of Tripoli Road. only to be resurrected in more recent times. been rerouted at a number of locations, is While most of Greeley’s trails are now We have the Crawfords and their hos- believed to contain the oldest continuously telries to thank for the construction of the used route in the Sandwich Range, and was trails that are the basis of the wonderful trail described in a contemporary guidebook as “somewhat difficult” passing “over long reaches of ledges and annoying rocks.” Interestingly, modern guidebooks note no difficulties. Development of Trail Networks Up to this point, the trails we have de- scribed were one way, point to point, trails. The next stage in the evolution of the trails AMC Autumn Excursion group at was the development of trail networks. AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut, Mount A view north through Crawford Notch The first trail network was the Water- Washington, N.H., on a clear autumn from the Willey House, Bartlett, N.H., ville Valley Trail System. This trail network day in 1928. Photo by: AMC Archive. on a clear summer day in 1910 (?). was the creation of Nathanial Greeley, for Photo by: AMC Archive. whom the Greeley Ponds are named. Gree- TRAIL SYSTEM WHITE MOUNTAIN, TO PAGE 8 7 TRAIL SYSTEM WHITE MOUNTAIN, FROM PAGE 7 Trails Less Travelled: A Collection lost, he was a leader in developing the trail systems we enjoy today. of Ideas for Hikes for Families The next step in the evolution of our and Explorers trail system occurred with the develop- ment of hiking clubs starting in the 1870s, TheLakes Region Conservation including the creation of the Appalachian BY LU ANN LAQUERRE Trust (LRCT) Explorer Patch Program Mountain Club in 1876. These develop- Climbing lists provide great incen- is a project ments were described in the Summer 2020 tives for visiting new locations and for designed to Edition of Mountain Passages. AMC also getting out on the trails. While we all encourage began construction of it’s high country know the New Hampshire 4000 Footer people to visit huts system. Madison Springs Hut was List, and most of know the 100 Highest a variety of first constructed in 1888, and Lakes of the List and the 52 With a View List, there LRCT conser- Clouds was started in 1901. The other are many other lesser known climbing vation areas huts followed. With the advent of the challenges to explore. throughout the Lakes Region. Enjoy hiking clubs, and the development of the Here are just a few: 20 different trails to earn a patch. Go high country huts, the trail system began TheSociety for the Protection of to https://lrct.org/explorelearn/explorer- to resemble the trails we know today. NH Forests is sponsoring the “5 Hike patch-program/ for more information As described in an article in the Challenge” from 8/29-10/31/20. “Hike regarding the trails. Winter 2019 edition of Mountain Pas- it Yourself” Autumn Adventures include There is also a Castle in the Clouds sages, the next factor forming our current choosing 5 hikes from a list of 20 trails hiker achievement patch program that trail system was logging and logging road has you redlining all the trails in the and railroads running through the White Lakes Region. Go to https://lrct.org/ Mountains. Ultimately, the evolution explorelearn/castle-in-the-clouds/#patch of our trails are the product of the work for more information. of the pioneers of trail development, the TheBelknap Range contains 12 logging roads and railroads, and the forest peaks that one fires that followed logging. Each played a can hike to part in the development of the wonderful receive a hiker trail system we enjoy today. located throughout New Hampshire. achievement Registered participants can receive a patch from special limited edition neck-gaiter or the Belknap “buff” that doubles as a facemask and County bears the Forest Society logo with a Sportsmen’s mountain-themed print, plus trail maps Associa- with directions and hiking tips. Earn a tion. Details can be found at this link: hiking patch for completing 5 hikes of http://4000footers.com/list_belknap. your choice. Registered participants pay shtml $8 per hike or are free with a member- Inspired by the White Mountain ship. Go to Forestsociety.org for more Redlining challenge, the BRATTS information and to register. (Belknap Range Trail Tenders) have creat- Waterville Valley has a Redliner 125 ed a patch for hiking all of the sanctioned A view northeast along the Crawford patch. Discover 19 peaks, 57 natural trails around the Path toward Mount Franklin, Mount range – some 65.5 features and 48 trails covering 125 miles Monroe and Mount Washington, N.H., miles! The “rules” of White Moun- on a clear summer day in 1915. Photo tains terrain. and workbook for by: AMC Archive. Once you have keeping track of completed hik- your completed However, the trail system is not fin- ing all the trails trails can be found ished. Trails are abandoned and new trails send in your at the following created. There are still wonderful locales log and $10 to link: https://www.belknaprangetrailten- to visit that are not accessible by trail, and receive a patch. ders.org/redlining.php some that once had trails which no longer Go to https:// do. wvrd.recdesk.com/Community/ Our trail system is a work in progress Page?pageId=22094 but we appreciate those that have gone be- for more information. TRAIL SYSTEM WHITE MOUNTAIN, TO PAGE 11 8 FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, back of his head with one hand, gripped ness and genuine concern she ordered, “You FROM PAGE 5 the Thermos with her other, and poured the are going to stay right on my ass, John.” him down to his T-shirt and underwear. warm, sugary drink into his mouth. This wasn’t the way she usually spoke to Because he wouldn’t talk and she was in ‘We have to go now!’ people, but she knew she had to be forceful such close contact with him, she gave him All this took an hour before he could now. He seemed moments away from being a name: “John.” She placed adhesive toe move his limbs or say anything. Slurring drawn irrevocably to the path of least resis- warmer packs directly onto his bare feet. his words, he said that when he had left tance — stopping and falling asleep. Bales She checked him for any sign of injury or that morning it had been 60 degrees vowed to herself that this was not going to trauma. There was none. From her own outside. He had planned to follow the very happen on her watch. pack, Bales retrieved a pair of softshell same loop as Bales. He had walked that She figured that the only viable route

11:00 am: Things are getting rough, and Pam decides it is time to turn back, but. Photo by: Pam Bales. pants, socks, a winter hat, and a jacket. He route several times before. He told her that out was back the way they’d come, back to could not help her because he was so badly he had lost his way in the poor visibility and the Gulfside Trail, turn right, head back impaired by hypothermia. She pulled the just sat down here. Even as he warmed up, to Jewell Trail, and then descend. That warm, dry layers onto his body. Imagine for he remained lethargic. He was not actively seemed like an eternity, but a half-mile to a moment the extreme difficulty in com- working against her, but he wasn’t trying to the top of Jewell was much shorter than pleting that task in that environment. help her either. the two and a half miles over to Ammo. Bales next removed a bivouac sack Bales recognized that he would die Bales did not want to head onto Westside from her pack. She held it firmly so the soon if they didn’t get out of there. She Trail or up Mount Washington, where she winds would not snatch it. She slid it under looked her patient squarely in the eyes and feared the storm was even more severe. and around his motionless body, entombing said, “John, we have to go now!” Bales left There was something really unsettling about him inside. She shook and activated more no room for argument. She was going to the sound the high winds made as they heat packs that she always brought with descend, and he was going with her. The roared past them and, off in the distance, her into the mountains, reached into the wind roared over and around the boulders slammed headfirst into the western slopes of cocoon, and placed them in his armpits, on behind which they had hunkered down Washington’s shrouded summit cone. She his torso, and on each side of his neck. Bales during the 60-minute triage. Bales removed had absolutely no interest in taking them always brought a Thermos of hot cocoa and her MICROspikes and affixed them onto closer to that action. chewable electrolyte cubes. She dropped a John’s sneakers. She braced him as he stood Visibility was so bad as the pair made few cubes into the cocoa and cradled the up, shivering, and with a balance of firm- their way along the ridge that they crept, FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, TO PAGE 10 9 FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, no extra clothing with him. an example of your organization/profession- FROM PAGE 9 “Why don’t you have extra dry clothes alism, you must be the best group around. seemingly inches at a time. Bales followed and food in your car?” she asked. Please accept this small offer of appreciation the small holes in the snow her trekking “I just borrowed it,” he told her. Several for her effort to save me way beyond the poles had made on the way in. She wished minutes later, he put his now-dry clothes limits of safety. NO did not seem in her she could follow her earlier footprints, but back on and returned the ones Bales had mind. the winds had erased them. Leaning into dressed him in up on the ridge. I am getting help with my mental the headwinds, she began to sing a medley “Why didn’t you check the weather needs, they will also help me find a job and of Elvis songs in an effort to keep John forecast dressed like that?” she asked him I have temporary housing. I have a new di- connected to reality — and herself firmly again as she had up on the ridge. He didn’t rection thanks to wonderful people like focused. answer. He just thanked her, got into yourselves. I got your name from her pack She was moving them slowly from his car, and drove across the empty lot patch and bumper sticker. cairn to cairn, trying hard to stay on the toward the exit. It was right around that My deepest thanks, trail, and trying even harder not to let John time, at 6:07 p.m., the Mount Washing- —John sense her growing concern. He dropped ton Observatory clocked its highest wind Bales was deeply moved by the man’s down into the snow. She turned to look gust of the day at 88 mph. gesture and his reference to the fact that and saw that he seemed to be giving up. Standing there astonished and alone in she made him feel that he mattered. Bales’s He curled in a sort of sitting fetal position, the darkness, Bales said to no one, “What selfless act and genuine humility struck a hunched down, shoulders dropped forward, the @#$% just happened?” chord elsewhere. Ken Norton, the executive and hands on his knees. He told her he was ‘I am getting help’ director of the National Alliance of Mental exhausted and had had enough. She should Bales would not get an answer until a Health–New Hampshire, is a recognized just continue on without him. Bales would week later, when the president of her rescue expert on mental health issues who speaks have none of it, however, and said, “That’s group, Allan Clark, received a letter in the nationally on the topic of suicide. Like not an option, John. We still have the mail, and a donation tucked between the Bales, he is also an avid White Mountain toughest part to go — so get up, suck it up, folds. hiker. When I shared this story with him, and keep going!” Slowly he stood, and Bales I hope this reaches the right group he captured the gravity of Bales’s interven- felt an overwhelming sense of relief. of rescuers. This is hard to do but must tion on the ridge. They had traveled just under a half a try, part of my therapy. I want to remain “John borrowed a car, got in the car, mile when Bales and her reluctant compan- anonymous, but I was called John. On drove from Maine to Ammonoosuc Ravine, ion arrived back at the junction of Gulfside Sunday Oct. 17 I went up my favorite trail, hiked to this spot where he felt like he was and the somewhat safer Jewell Trail. It was Jewell, to end my life. Weather was to be going to be past the point of no return, sometime around 2 p.m. when they started bad. Thought no one else would be there, contemplating this the whole way, and down. The sun would set in three hours. I was dressed to go quickly. Next thing I along comes this guardian angel out of Although the trees would protect them knew this lady was talking to me, changing nowhere who force-marches him down the from the wind, it was darker under the my clothes, talking to me, giving me food, mountain,” he said. “It is important for canopy. Bales switched on her headlamp as talking to me, making me warmer, and she Pam and others to know that 90 percent they continued their tortuous descent of the just kept talking and calling me John and I of those who attempt suicide don’t go on trail’s tricky curves and angles. let her. Finally learned her name was Pam. to die by suicide. John drove away that day With only one headlamp between Conditions were horrible and I said to and didn’t drive over to the other side of them, Bales would inch her way down a leave me and get going, but she wouldn’t. the mountain to go up the other side and steeper section, then turn to illuminate the Got me up and had me stay right behind finish what he started. He drove home, and trail so he could follow. To help him along her, still talking. I followed but I did think a week later, he felt the need to write in an she offered continuous encouragement, about running off, she couldn’t see me. But anonymous way to the president of Pemi “Keep going John; you’re doing great,” and I wanted to only take my life, not anybody Search and Rescue to share his immersion sang a dose of songs from the 1960s. Their else and I think she would’ve tried to find back into society and his life. His story descent was arduous, and Bales dreaded that me. represents hope and resilience.” he would drop in the snow again and ac- The entire time she treated me with In the eight years since Bales saved tively resist her efforts to save him. care, compassion, authority, confidence and John, she has become something of a White Finally, just before 6 p.m., after the impression that I mattered. With all Mountain legend. It’s a title she never hours of emotional and physical toil, they that has been going wrong in in my life, I sought or wanted, but certainly one she has arrived at the trailhead, exhausted and bat- didn’t matter to me, but I did to Pam. She earned. tered. Her climb up to the spot where she probably thought I was the stupidest hiker Some people have asked me if I tried located John had taken about four hours. dressed like I was, but I was never put down to find John. The thought of searching for Six hours had passed since then. in any way — chewed out yes — in a kind him felt wrong. As I’ve reflected more on Bales started her car engine and placed way. Maybe I wasn’t meant to die yet, I this story and its relation to the issue of the frozen clothing she had taken off John somehow still mattered in life. mental health, my response to the question high on the mountain inside so that the I became very embarrassed later on and about finding John has evolved. I have in heater could thaw them. She realized he had never really thanked her properly. If she is fact found John, and he is very close by me. FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, TO PAGE 11 10 FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, FROM PAGE 10 John is my neighbor, he is my good friend, a close colleague, a family member. John could be me. At some point in our lives, each of us has found ourselves walking with a sense of helplessness along a ridgeline and through a personal storm. Alone, devoid of a sense of emotional warmth and safety, and smothered by the darkness of our emotions, we’ve sought that place just off trail where we hoped to find some way to break free of our struggles and strife. Sadly and tragically, some do follow through. Many are able to quietly self-rescue, and others like John are rescued by others like Pam Bales. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned through this powerful story is to be more mindful of caring for myself and seeking out rescuers when I sometimes find myself on the ridgeline, and to be more like Pam Bales when I sense that those tracks I see ahead in the snow, regardless of who may have made them, appear to be heading deeper into the storm.

TRAIL SYSTEM WHITE MOUNTAIN, FROM PAGE 8

fore and enjoy the legacy they left us. We Northeast Mountains by Laura and can show our appreciation by caring for Guy Waterman; what they left, and pay forward by working • White Mountains Hiking History; Trail- to improve and expand what we have. blazers of the Granite State by Mike Looking to Learn More? Dickerman; and Are you interested in learning more • This Grand & Magnificent Place; The about the development of the trails and the Wilderness Heritage of the White history of the White Mountains? If you Mountains by Christopher Johnson. A line of hikers on the trail, probably are, you might want to explore the follow- Keep exploring! Crawford Path, in the Presidential ing books that are still in print: Range, N.H., on a partially cloudy • Forest and Crag; A History of Hiking, summer day in 1920. Photo by: Trail Blazing, and Adventures in the William F Dawson, AMC Archive

AMC NH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chapter Chair...... [email protected] Mountaineering...... [email protected] Web Committee...... [email protected] Rick Silverberg Kathy Upton, Tom Sintros & Amanda Knight Paul Berry Vice Chair...... [email protected] Newsletter...... [email protected] Young Members...... [email protected] Valerio Viti Robert S. McLaughlin & Brett Billings, Editors Jamie Cullinane & Chelsea Tweed Treasurer...... [email protected] Jessica Clifford, Design & Layout Past Chapter Chair...... [email protected] Kerry Landry Paddling...... [email protected] Frank Miller Secretary...... [email protected] Roscoe Diamond, Robin Diamond & Paul Berry Regional Dir. NH/ME...... [email protected] Debbie Marcus Programs...... [email protected] John Mullens Biking...... [email protected] Susan Zielinski AMC NH Chapter...... website: www.amcnh.org Hiel Lindquist & Felice Janelle Skiing...... [email protected] Conservation & [email protected] Paul Pinkham, Valerio Viti & Thor Smith Address changes and membership renewals: Paul Hopkins Trails...... [email protected] AMC Member Services Excursions...... [email protected] Richie Holstein & Bill Foster 10 City Square, Boston MA 02129 Larry Yetter & Dan Heon Communications...... [email protected] 617-523-0636 or Membership...... [email protected] Christina Cozzens & Jen Kimball www.outdoors.org/membercenter Jamie Gillon

11 Proposed By-Laws Amendments

Chapter and Club matters. However, the for 4 member meetings each year in ad- BY BOB MCLAUGHLIN By-Laws do not provide a mechanism to dition to the Annual Meeting; and In the spring, the Executive Commit- address a situation where the Chapter Vice • Article VI: Creating the Communi- tee appointed a temporary committee to Chair resigns or is otherwise unavailable cations Committee and deleting the consider the need for amendments to the and the Chapter Chair is serving their sec- Newsletter Committee which will be Chapter’s By-Laws. I chaired the com- ond term. We face that exact situation this part of the Communications Commit- mittee and the other members were Paul year. tee. Berry, Wayne Gortrel, Frank Miller, Debbie In addition, while reviewing the The By-Laws may be amended only by Marcus, Eric Savage, Larry Yetter, and Rick By-Laws other desirable changes were a vote of the members present at an Annual Silverberg. identified. In summary, the following Meeting or other regularly scheduled Chap- Our primary focus was addressing a amendments are proposed: ter Meeting at which a quorum is present. problem that arises if there is no available • Article IV § 2: Providing a mechanism You will be receiving a full copy of the pro- candidate for a term limited office. There to elect an officer who otherwise would posed amendments prior to Annual Meet- are four term limited offices under our cur- be term limited, and defining how term ing and will be asked to vote to approve rent By-Laws, the Chapter Chair and the limits will be calculated when an officer the amendments as the initial matter in the Chapter Vice Chair may not hold the same is appointed between annual meetings; business session. The text of the amend- office for more than two consecutive years, • Article IV § 9: Clarifying and modern- ments is also posted on the Chapter website and the Chapter Secretary and Chapter izing procedure for votes of the Execu- at https://amcnh.org/chapter-bylaws. Treasurer may not hold the same office for tive Committee between meetings; Please make sure to attend the Annual more than five consecutive years. Tradition- • Article IV § 4: Changing the quorum Meeting and vote “yes”! ally, the Chapter Vice Chair is nominated for Executive Committee from 4 to 8 for Chapter Chair after serving for one or members present; two years to gain necessary experience in • Article V § 2: Eliminating requirement

New Hampshire Chapter Winter Hiking Slate of Candidates/Annual Series Cancelled Meeting – 2020 The Nominating Committee (Sam Jamke, Terri Wilson, Eric Savage, BY LARRY YETTER & John McHugh) presents the final slate of nominees for the Execu- tive Committee: For the first time in 20 years, the AMC NH Chair - Rick Silverberg Chapter will not hold its annual Winter Hiking Vice Chair - Valerio Viti Series this winter. The challenges of offering a Secretary - Debbie Marcus safe program to 24 students are insurmountable Treasurer - Ron Janowitz in this time of Covid-19. We hope that we can Immediate Past Chair - Frank Miller again provide the series in 2021. We understand Bike - Felice Janelle that more and more people are getting outdoors and hitting the trails and do hope that they do so Communications - Jennifer Kimball safely. and Bob McLaughlin To do our part for winter hiking we will try Conservation & Education - Paul Hopkins to hold smaller educational programs this winter. Excursions - Larry Yetter and Dan Heon Look for articles in the next issue of Mountain Membership - Jamie Gillon Passages, webinars and perhaps a classroom semi- Mountaineering - Amanda Knight nar in January if travel and group size restrictions and Tom Sintros permit it. Paddling - Robin and Roscoe Diamond Hike safely this fall and winter and if you and Paul Berry are inexperienced in winter hiking, please be sure Programs - Sue Zielinski to do your research to ensure you have the right Ski - Valerio Viti and Thor Smith gear, clothing and information to plan and safely Trails - Richie Holstein and Bill Foster complete the hike. This is not a time to take un- Twenties and Thirties - Jamie Cullinane necessary chances. Website - Paul Berry

12 Where In The Whites?

Last month’s photo is reprinted here. It • Alan Stein; and BY BOB MCLAUGHLIN is of the face of Cannon taken from the the • Susan Wentworth In the Spring Edition of Mountain Greenleaf Trail at the pass below Eagle Cliff. Congratulations! You know your Passages we introduced a new photo Specifically, I scrambled onto the large White Mountain Trails! identification contest, Where in the Whites?. erratic in the pass and set up my tripod to I suspect this month’s photo may be another We asked readers to guess where the photo capture the shot. easy one, but I know the answer. Again, was taken and what mountains were in the We received six correct answers from: please identify the mountain in the photo photo. We promised to print the names • Marc Rubenson; and where it was taken. Be as specific as of the first 10 respondents with the correct • Ian Ayer; possible! Take a guess and submit your answer. • Steve Zimmer; answers to [email protected]. • Joe Philips; We look forward to seeing your submis- sions. What are the mountains in the photo and where was it taken? Be as specific as possible!

Photo by: Bob McLaughlin.

Last edition’s photo was of the face of Cannon taken from the large erratic in Eagle Pass on the Greenleaf Trail in Franconia Notch. Congratulations again if you got this correct! You know your White Mountain Trails! Photo by: Bob McLaughlin.

13 Protect Our Trails

happening in the Whites, it is happening to side damaging the surroundings, use the BY BOB MCLAUGHLIN throughout the northeast. stairs. Trail crews worked long and hard to This hiking season has been hard on This overuse results in damage to the build these structures to protect our trails. our trails. trails and the surrounding environment just It is up to all of us to use them. There are many reasons for this. First, from the traffic. As hundreds and thou- However, while the increased traffic on it appears that more people are staying sands of hikers walk around a wet spot in a the trails results in damage, this is aggra- closer to home in the pandemic and for trail, the trail, and ultimately the wet spot, vated by the lack of care of some hikers and better or worse New Hampshire trails are widen and the environment around the trail the amount of litter they leave behind. We a few hours’ drive from millions. Second, suffers more degradation. People also walk have all seen it, and the reports of tissues, campaigns on social media platforms have around rocks or start entirely new trails off water bottles, candy wrappers, discarded been promoting outdoor activities, and to the side. Trail widening destroys vegeta- clothing and equipment, and especially face people have been responding, but not tion and often leads to more erosion and a masks are commonplace. always with the knowledge they need. whole new round of trail widening. Stay on Most people just don’t realize how long Third, it is simply a continuation of the ever the existing trail! this litter will remain in the environment. increasing number of hikers on our most If there are stepping stones or log We all know that plastic will last a long popular trails. I am sure you can think of bridges, they have been put there for a time, but how many of us realize it will still other reasons for the uptick in use. It is reason. Use them! Similarly, when stairs be present in the environment for more have been built up steep pitches, don’t walk than 10 years. A Styrofoam coffee cup

Here is an example of well established herd path to avoid stairs built on the Mount Pemigewasset Trail. Why? Photo by: Bob McLaughlin. PROTECT OUR TRAILS, TO PAGE 15 14 PROTECT OUR TRAILS, FROM PAGE 14 can last as long as 50 years, and an alumi- for all of us. You don’t num can up to 200 years and plastic bottles have to collect garbage 450 years! Cigarette butts will be with us on every hike, but what- for 1 to 5 years, and tissue for a month or ever you can do “will more. Even an apple core will last up to 2 move the ball forward.” months on the side of a trail. If you drop it, If you see someone it will stay there unless someone else comes dropping some waste to pick it up. Do your part, don’t drop it in on the trail, you might the first place! also try to find a gentle Adding to this, our trails are fac- way to bring it to their ing other problems. As a response to the attention. Maybe, ask- Covid-19 pandemic, NH State Parks and ing “Have you dropped the White Mountain National Forest closed something?” or some- trailhead rest rooms. In addition, high thing similar might be country huts and other facilities are subject enough. to restricted access. In compliance with If you want to be the “Law of Unintended Consequences,” more overt, taking the problems have arisen. I won’t describe them time to greet people at in detail here, but anyone who has visited the trailhead and asking a popular trailhead this summer has likely them if they are pre- seen ample evidence that many people ap- pared for what is ahead pear to believe the trail is their toilet. and gently encourag- There are solutions. Check out the ing them to carry out Leave No Trace website at https://lnt.org/ what they carry in may why/7-principles/dispose-of-waste-proper- help. Maybe it is time ly/. Find the solution that works for you to restart organizing a and follow it. regular team to staff the In addition, there seems to be an popular trailheads to increase of dog excrement, and of “doggie spread the “Leave No poop” bags on the sides of trails. Really!?!? Trace” doctrine, and While stepping in dog poop is unpleasant (I introduce hikers to the When Christmas arrives, will we be hanging these on the have had to clean my boots twice this year AMC. In past years, the trees? Well some folks have started early! so far), packaging it in a plastic bag that will AMC members staffed the Photo by: Bob McLaughlin. last 20 years and leaving it on the side of a White Mountain National put your finger down. Find a less travelled trail is not the solution. Dogs are great, and Forest’s Trailhead Stewards Program at trail that fits your ambition and meets your can be wonderful companions on a hike, the Welch and Dickey, Old Bridle Path, desires, and go off to explore new terri- but if you bring your pet, it is on you to Appalachia, Champney Falls, and Ammo- tory. If you find a new area, take the time clean up after them and carry the waste out. noosuc Ravine trailheads. Unfortunately, to explore it thoroughly. Your effort will be The problems facing our trails are real the program has been inactive this summer rewarded. New Hampshire is a beautiful and seem overwhelming. because of the pandemic. It may be time state full of great places to visit! What can we do? to restart it and think about expanding it. Protect our trails. It is a big job, but if As an organization, the Appalachian I suspect the Forest Service and NH State we all try, we can do it together! Mountain Club and our Chapter can Parks would appreciate the assistance. enhance our outreach efforts to introduce Do what you are comfortable doing, hikers to the “leave no trace” ethic and to but if we all try to do something, conditions techniques to reach its goals. While this is a will improve. challenge in the current environment, it is a One thing we all can do, and do all time to be creative and seek to reach a new of the time, is to follow the leave no trace audience through social media. Something principles ourselves. By providing a good to think about. If you have ideas, reach out example, other hikers might catch on. If to the Chapter Communication Committee nothing else, we will be following the prin- and share them. ciple of “first, do no harm.” It works for As individuals, we can also make a dif- medicine, and it works for life. ference. When you put together your pack, Finally, try to diversify your own consider including a garbage bag and a pair hiking. Don’t always go to the popular of gloves. If each of us does our part to trailheads. Open a guidebook at random or clean up the trails, it will be more pleasant spread out a map and with your eyes closed

15 Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID Manchester NH Permit No. 417 Appalachian Mountain Club NH Chapter PO Box 1348 Lincoln, NH 03251

‘Mountain Passages’ is only the beginning… From hiking to biking, AMC’s New Hampshire chapter has it all. Visit our website at amc-nh.org and read more about us and our many year-round events.

New Hampshire Chapter Annual Meeting October 24, 2020 ic. The agenda will include a short business Register in advance for this meeting: BY DEBBIE MARCUS meeting to consider amendments to the https://amcnh.org/annual-meeting For the first time in 99 years the New Chapter By-Laws and to formally recognize After registering, you will receive a Hampshire Chapter of AMC will hold its and elect the Officers and Executive Com- confirmation email containing information Annual Meeting as a large-scale “virtual mittee members. Then we will recognize about joining the meeting. event” via Zoom technology on October 25-year and 50-year Members in a unique 24, 2020 at 7:00 pm. Yes, we would rather and memorable way! be at the Grappone Center in Concord Our Keynote Speaker, author Ty enjoying a fine buffet dinner and the fel- Gagne is someone well acquainted with lowship of our NH Chapter members and the challenges associated with managing guests. However, this year our concern for uncertainty and unpredictability in the the Covid-19 virus made holding a large White Mountains. Ty is the Chief Executive indoor social event an undertaking with too Officer of the NH Public Risk Management high a risk for all. We hope we can gather Exchange, and the author of Where You’ll together again in person to celebrate NH Find Me: Risk, Decisions, and the Last Climb Chapter’s 100th Anniversary on October of Kate Matrosova and the widely read essay 23, 2021. Footprints in the Snow, which is reprinted in From the comfort of your home, please this issue of Mountain Passages. He will also plan to join us on October 24th. Here’s a discuss his forthcoming book, due out this preview: Chapter Chair Rick Silverberg will fall, which tells the story of another large review this challenging year and how AMC scale search and rescue mission in the White and the NH Chapter has acted to promote Mountains. our enjoyment of the outdoors and ensure Expect a creative way for the Chapter Ty Gagne, the featured speaker for our our safety during the Coronavirus pandem- to award “Door Prizes” to Zoom attendees! Annual Meeting on Zoom.