North Pack Monadnock

The Wapack Trail runs all the way from Greenfield, NH to Ashburnham, MA. On Saturday, along with my uncle Jason, I got take care of the northernmost part of the trail by climbing North Pack Monadnock.

As with the Monadnock climb the previous week, snow and ice blanketed the path throughout. This posed little problem on the ascent though. The trail winds its way over brooks and wet areas before it really starts to rise. In fact, the slope of this trail is so gentle, you barely know you're climbing before you get to the first lookout. It's nice northerly view that allowed us to see all the way to Mount Washington, although I needed my binoculars to initially discover this.

Its probably another 1/2 mile hike to the next view point which is a little more open than the first. This one looks to the east. Only a few mountains dot the landscape before giving way to the flatter land between south central New Hampshire and the Atlantic Ocean.

Another quick 1/2 mile jaunt to the summit allotted us a breathtaking view of Monadnock and the Vermont mountains west of that. No less than five mountains with ski trails carved into them were visible but I can only be sure that we saw Mount Snow, its sister mountain Haystack and Killington.

A slippery walk down that mountain caused us both to go ass over tea kettle at least once. Serious injury was avoided though. We cut over virgin crusty snow to avoid the ice where possible. Before long we were back on the flatter portion and home free.

North Pack Monadnock is a really nice day hike. The views will definitely bring me back for a return trip this summer.

Monadnock Spring Hike

Every year in March we get a nice warm day before the snow has completely melted. I usually try to take advantage by making a summit assault on Mount Monadnock via the White Dot Trail from the State Park. I was worried that the ice storm of December would force me to wait until 2010, but when I checked the NH State Park site I was greeted with a message saying the trails had been cleared. Some crazy trail-clearing, chainsaw-wielding bastards must have gone to town up there.

Temperatures were around 50 degrees for the whole afternoon. Much of the trail was covered in snow, but it was heavy and wet so it wasn't too hard to plow through. There was also minimal ice which made it an easier climb. We ate lunch on the summit without getting too cold aided by a thermos of hot chocolate. The skies were clear but we could only barely make out Mount Washington and couldn't quite see Boston. Still a stunning view.

Our descent was made speedier by our ability to slide down on our hind parts. Definitely my favorite part of a nice Winter/Spring hike up Mount Monadnock.

Bretton Woods: Way Cooler Than Loon

It is rare these days that I get to visit a mountain that I have not skied. Somehow though, I have not managed to get to Bretton Woods. I had heard that it gets very crowded and the terrain is not very challenging. After seeing that there are four high speed quad chairlifts I decided the 54 dollar discount lift ticket through my stay at Indian Head in Lincoln that it would be worth checking out.

You can't beat the scenery at Bretton Woods. It is across the street from Mount Washington. A cloudy morning threatened to keep us from enjoying the views afforded by this plum location but after lunch the skies cleared up nicely.


For a nice, warm, sunny day, the mountain wasn't particularly crowded in my opinion. The base lodge could use some more room for people that bring their lunches (read: cheap people). In the lodge's defense, we did go to eat lunch exactly at noon. Popular time to eat from what I hear.

The gentle terrain does make this mountain a perfect place to bring a beginner or even an intermediate skier, but that doesn't mean an expert can't have a good time. There are many acres of glades and tree skiing. Bretton Woods also have its fair share of steeps. One unique thing I haven't seen anywhere else is a terrain park in a glades trail that uses downed trees as rails to grind on and jumps. Pretty cool. I didn't get any pictures of this park, but I was able to rip one from their website. There are additional photos there too. http://www.mountwashingtonresort.com/winter_sports/alpine/terrain_park_conditions

I enjoyed a Long Trail Ale at the bar upstairs after our day concluded. It took a little longer to get than I might have like, but again, it was quarter to 4, a popular time to stop in for brew.




I was hesitant to make a visit to Bretton Woods, fearing it would be another Loon Mountain, but I will definitely be making a return trip in 2010.

Ridiculous Ad and a Hilarious Spoof

So this is hardly New Hampshire related, but I've been on a pretty big health kick lately. Results have been modest but I still try. Anyway, this has been bothering me/cracking me up for a couple of days.

These first two commercials actually air on TV and are supposed to prove that high fructose corn syrup is good for you or something.

This one is patently hilarious.

I always say that if you make a Nazi movie you'll probably get nominated for an Oscar, but if you make a Nazi joke, you'll definitely make me laugh. This next one isn't that funny, but is quite informational.

This one is also pretty freaking funny.

NELSAP.org

I'm not exactly sure of the first time I stumbled across the New England Lost Ski Area Project. I seem to remember reading it in a computer lab wasting time at Umass Lowell circa 2004. Whenever it was, I've been checking in on it periodically since then. I was reminded of it this past weekend traveling to Freedom, NH. West Ossipee is home to a mountain with the obvious scars of a former ski resort. The McDonald's there even has a lift tower in the parking lot. Not sure of the name of these dormant slopes, I called upon NELSAP.org to enlighten me. Sure enough, Mt. Whittier closed in the late 1980s and I was even able to view an assortment of old trail maps. Just the info I need for when I hit the lottery and can purchase said mountain.

I was not only greeted with the information I seeked this time though. It seems the creator of the site, Jeremy Davis, fellow Chelmsford High School graduate, has taken the time to put all of his findings in book form. I haven't had the chance to read it yet (or even order it since Jeremy has to be contacted directly for a price quote, somewhere in the range of 25 dollars shipped) but it's definitely on my radar now. I can't wait to learn about what went wrong for the myriad of resorts that sprouted up and failed in New England. Until I can get my hands on a copy, Mr. Davis' website will answer all my questions I am sure.

Can't Judge a Mountain on Conditions

Visited Shawnee Peak on Saturday. Unfortunately, a rain/ice storm had blanketed the slopes the evening before. I am forced to try to be as objective as possible about a nice day of skiing I can only imagine.

First off, Shawnee Peak is in Maine not New Hampshire. That's ok. Since it is about a 20 minute drive from Conway, I am going to grant it honorary NH status along with the section of the Saco River you drive along to get there (which I enjoy canoeing every summer).

According to their website, Shawnee is working with a 1300' vertical drop. Pretty decent by Northeast standards. Comparable to nearby Cranmore. Tickets were purchased on their website using a coupon code (gs2008) slashing the price to a very affordable 42 dollars. Additionally, pre purchased tickets aren't locked in to a specific date, so if you get too hungover to ski Saturday, you can make it up Sunday or even later in the season.

Shawnee's summit is serviced by two lifts that ascend from two separate bases. Neither are high speed, but they move pretty well. The view from these lifts and from the summit are truly incredible. Mount Washington and the other Presidentials are visible to the West while to the east you can almost see to the Atlantic. Saturday's ski conditions were subpar, but visibility couldn't have been better.












A friendly ski patrolman took a very nice picture of Mary and myself with Washington in background.
The mountain's terrain was tough to evaluate, but there seems to be good amount of variety. One summit lift traverses a glades section that would be very fun after a snowfall. Steep sections are common. Many trails are half moguls and half groomed which I believe is a nice feature. I definitely will be taking in another day at Shawnee and I might even hike it this summer to get another chance to drink in those vistas.