I’ve been leading Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society whitewater paddling trips on the St. George River for many years. Organizing one this year wasn’t easy. My outing was originally scheduled for March 24, but that was canceled due to one of many March bad weather days. My second choice was March 30. Then I learned […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Whitewater paddling is a challenging rite of spring
I’ve been paddling Maine’s whitewater rivers and streams in the spring for almost 50 years. For me, the sport is a rite of spring. Over the years, I’ve managed to associate myself with many friends who have the same passion. Since the ’90s, I’ve done most of my whitewater boating with the Penobscot Paddle & […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Hiking into the path of totality
I was skeptical about making the effort to view the total solar eclipse on April 8. After several months of wet, stormy, very cloudy weather, I expected another gray, bad-weather day. About a week in advance of the eclipse, meteorologists with the local television stations began predicting a fabulous, warm, sunny day. After an Easter […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Stormy days in Baxter State Park
Following three days of remarkable spring-like weather, the final three days of our six-day Baxter State Park expedition in the South Branch Pond region was dominated by challenging weather. On day four, six of us awoke in the South Branch bunkhouse to a rainy forecast. After enjoying exceptional mountain hikes during the previous two days, […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A glorious climb of barren Barrel Ridge
We were greeted with another remarkable late-winter day when six of us arose in the bunkhouse at South Branch Pond on the third day of our Baxter State Park expedition. Based on a forecast obtained the day before on North Traveler Mountain, this was the last quality weather of our six-day trip. We were committed […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Traversing the renowned Traveler Loop
On the second day of our recent winter expedition into Baxter State Park, six of us awoke early in the bunkhouse at South Branch Pond Campground. The goal for the day was an attempt to climb North Traveler Mountain. If conditions and time permitted, some intended to complete the famed Traveler Loop. Coping with an […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Entering Baxter State Park in winter
Perhaps the best-kept winter mountaineering secret in Baxter State Park is South Branch Pond. Most skiers, ice climbers and mountaineers focus on Chimney Pond with their sights set squarely on Mount Katahdin. Many peak baggers trek into the hut at Nesowadnehunk Field to access the four high mountains located in the northwestern sector of the […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A glorious day on South Moat Mountain
South Moat Mountain near Conway, New Hampshire, is one of my favorite mountain hikes. I included it in my book, “Mountains for Mortals – New England,” a mountain guidebook that features what I consider to be the 30 finest, most scenic mountain hikes in New England. The 2,749-foot peak is particularly beautiful during winter. My […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: The relative risks of winter mountaineering
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about my son, Adam, and me climbing Williams Mountain in western Maine. The trek occurred on the first day of winter and, as I described, we encountered strong winds and severe wind chills. One reader submitted a comment about the article: “Projected icy trails, high winds and […]
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Snowshoeing to Stratton Brook Hut
For many years, my wife, Nancy, and I contemplated spending a night at one of the huts in the Maine Huts and Trails network. About a decade ago, we snowshoed to Poplar Hut but didn’t stay. More recently, I skied there with friends. That visit stimulated a decision to plan an overnight trip. Our choice […]