Trail & Snow Conditions: Avalanche Danger in Icehouse Canyon (Mt. Baldy Area), February 19, 2017

Avalanche Conditions As expected, the recent storms have created conditions conducive to avalanches. Some friends from SoCal Hike & Peakbag (S.C.H.P.) were in the Icehouse Canyon area on February 19, 2017. Before reaching their destination, they decided to turn around due to conditions: “Went up Icehouse today. Plan was to climb Timber. Turned back when we saw these avalanche trails and slabs. Told … Read More

Trip Report: Mt. Tecumseh (Waterville Valley, NH)

I had originally planned to hike my first winter 4,000 footer on Friday February 17th. I posted questions on a few Facebook threads asking about general conditions in the WMNF, what trail I should hike as my first winter 4,000 footer, etc. There were some concerns about a very windy system moving into the area, so I decided to delay my hike … Read More

Southern California’s Deadly Winter Wonderland

As a New Hampshire resident, I am surprised that I seemingly hear more about winter-time rescues, deaths, and injuries in the Southern California’s mountains than I hear about similar events happening in the NH mountains. After all, Mt Washington is Home of the World’s Worst Weather. It’s possible that I’m more “plugged-in” to the outlets that report the SoCal mishaps and … Read More

Testing Cold Weather Gear in April… Part 3

posted in: Gear Reviews, Winter Hiking

Since moving back to NH, I’ve put more thought into deciding what gear I’d carry if I were backpacking in cold & rainy weather.  Tonight it is cold (26° predicted, 22° with windchill), so I’m planning to spend the night outside. Here is some of the gear that I’ll be using/testing tonight and that appears in the video below. TarpTent – Rainbow … Read More

Testing Cold Weather Gear, April 4 & 5 2016

posted in: Gear Reviews, Winter Hiking

The recent cold spell in NH has given me the opportunity to test some of my cold weather gear in April. Yesterday I spent the day sledding and tonight I’m planning to spend the night outside. Here is some of the gear I used sledding and while setting up camp, as well as what I’ll be testing tonight:   Overnight … Read More

Register Ridge Snow Hike, January 9 2016

This was a fun day that deserves a trip report that I don’t have the time to write at the moment. I finished editing the photos a couple weeks ago, but haven’t had the time to organize my thoughts on this trip; I’m in the midst of a cross-country move, so my free time is very limited. I’m spending that … Read More

Under Review: Minus33 Merino Wool – Kodiak Expedition Full Zip Hoody & Day Hiker Socks

posted in: Gear Reviews, Winter Hiking

Why Buy? Merino wool is an amazing material. After using it throughout the spring and summer, I was convinced of it’s antibacterial (odor preventing) and wicking properties. Testing mostly socks and shirts in temperatures ranging from the 30s to 90s, I was continually impressed how well merino regulated my body temperature and was especially impressed with how much merino could be worn … Read More

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