King Pine, the Little Mountain That Could
Here we are in the depths of January, and more than six weeks have passed since a major snowfall. Up north, snowmakers and groomers bust their tails trying to work […]
Bretton Woods: birches, beautiful snow, and bargains
In this new year, I’m taking some time away from longer projects to write about New England ski areas. I’ve been skiing since junior high (back in the days when […]
Intersecting slopes on Mount Chocorua, New Hampshire
As we hauled ourselves up the granite cone of New Hampshire’s 3,478-foot Mount Chocorua, a middle-aged woman picking her way down the granite ledges groaned as she stretched out her […]
Up in the air at Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory
The clearing weather presented both a threat (mostly to our wallets) and an opportunity. As we pulled into Haines Junction, we debated our options. The circle was nearly complete. Along […]
A trip to Bennett Lake, British Columbia, then, and now
In 1986, when I arrived at Bennett Lake, my body was beat up, but my spirit was soaring. After four days of backpacking on “the meanest 33 miles of history,” […]
A slew of seals at LeConte Glacier
The blue icebergs bobbed and floated seductively, dangerous but enticing, clues that somewhere upstream lay a glacier. But in Southeast Alaska, navigating a field of icebergs field is dangerous is […]
Bears, bears everywhere: AnAn Alaska adventure
From the platform, we could see the drama at the outhouse unfolding, predictably, almost comically, if not for the fact that the climax could be a dangerous human-bear encounter. The […]
Spooky solitude: The lonely trail to Owl’s Head
When I finally arrive at the rock slide, after six miles of hiking, I hear a tiny voice in my head: “Maybe doing this hike alone wasn’t a great idea.” […]
If People Magazine existed in 1776: cast your ballot for the hottest Patriot!
Patriot John Hancock is the King of memorable signatures, so much so that his name has become synonymous with signing a document. As President of the Continental Congress, he was […]
Moriah, my Moriah: Why did I wait so long to climb thee?
As I hike through a lacy hemlock forest, I wonder why I have waited so long to hike 4,049-foot Mount Moriah. The Carter-Moriah Trail climbs 3,400 feet from its base […]