Lichens in Carter Notch

Carter Notch Hut

Three Toads in the White Mountains, NH

Looking North-east From Wildcat A, NH

Cumulus Over the White Mountains, NH

Garter Snakes in the White Mountains

An extended family of garter snakes live in the retaining wall in front of AMC's Zealand Falls hut, offering endless opportunity for close looks and speculation about how deep into the wall they are able to go to withstand the cold of White Mountain winters.

High Peaks in the Whites

Treeless Mt. Washington, looking east from Mt. Tom. Washington is in the clouds more time than not. This break lasted 3 or 4 hours. 

North and South Hancock, looking south from Mt. Tom.

Mt. Washington was my first peak in the Whites, with a camp group when I was 12 or 13. 

I had already been up it in the car with my parents. We stayed on top in the hotel, now long gone. 

More recently I went up it in winter in a snow cat with a group for an overnight at the Observatory, a wonderful experience with some education thrown in.

There are 48 peaks officially over 4000' in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I readily admit to being a peak bagger. On this trip I hiked up my numbers 32. Mt. Waumbek, 33. Mt. Tom, and 34. Cannon Mountain, over 6 days. I am feeling pretty happy about that, and wishing I had done them all when I was a lot younger.

Remaining? Carrigain, Willey, Isolation, Wildcat, Wildcat D, Carters Dome, Middle and and South, Moriah, Osceola, Tripyramids North and Middle, Cabot, and Owl's Head.

Yep. I left some doozies till last.

Somebody just recently asked me why I would hike up Cannon when I could go up in the aerial tramway.  

Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods NH

Always a stunning sight, this historic hotel remains an icon in the near view close to the western flank of Mt. Washington in the White Mountains of NH. I come here for the hiking.

Google it for some interesting history.