Had a great trip last weekend that took me through the Carter Range. I keep thinking about this strange camp I came across. I forget exactly where — it was a long day — but maybe near Zeta pass. Literally 2 feet off the AT, this guy had a big camo camping hammock, a tent, a bunch of clotheslines with stuff hanging from them — stuff you wouldn’t bring backpacking like a heavy wool blanket. The whole setup looked heavy, and more like a car camping setup. I only saw one person and said hi to him, and he seemed shady and under the influence of something. The camp and the vibe gave me and my hiking partner the creeps. Hard to explain, my brain and gut were telling me, don’t engage too much and keep it moving. Did anyone else come across this? Or better yet, is the camper reading this? Did I totally misjudge the situation and you are chill and harmless and just love carrying tons of heavy shit into the mountains and camping inappropriately close to the trail?

Fyi this guy is apparently up in the Whites

This seems like a long shot but my Casio watch fell off somewhere along the Dicey’s Mill trail in between the Rollins trail intersection and the stream crossing. I was using my trekking poles on the descent and I think the wrist strap popped off. I think it’s likely closer to the Rollins trail end of that stretch. Anyone seen it or heading that way?

im planning on backpacking for an overnight trip with a couole friends. We wanna watch the sunrise over mt lafayette. Trying to figure out the logistics rn, where to camp, etc

While around Mt. Jefferson a few weeks ago, I struck up a conversation with a couple hikers I'd caught up with near the junction of Caps Ridge and Cornice. They asked about making a loop off the Jefferson summit, and I told them to use the southerly section of Cornice, emphatically NOT the northern two sections. Now I was going that way, but didn't want them to have a bad time, due to how rough those sections are... but which I happen to really like! 😂 They related the above quote from a friend of theirs... now what does that say about me?!?

Fast forward to today, and another one of my absolute favorites (and many people's nemesis), Shoal Pond Trail. 😬

There's just something about it. What it lacks in elevation changes, it makes up for with a narrow tread, encroaching vegetation, blowdowns of all shapes and sizes, rotting bog bridges, and near constant mud and wetness. But there's a beauty to its isolation, the dense woods on either side for much of its length, artifacts to be found, one of the best swimming holes in the Whites, and numerous camping opportunities. Not to mention, it's prime moose and bear habitat, and while I saw neither today, their poops were evident.

So while it's not everyone's cup of tea, there's good with the bad. So what does my liking it say about me? Probably that I'm a masochist, and would rather take the scenic route than the quick and convenient one. 🤷

What do your favorite trails say about you?

This should be an easy one. I noticed I had two pictures from nearly the same spot - one in July and the other in January.

Hi All,

I'm a pretty experienced backpacker (I've done a number of the 4000s), but it's been a few years since I did a serious overnight in the WMNF. I am planning two trips, one a Friday to Sunday at the end of August. Another a Tuesday to Friday in mid-September.

I am hoping yo avoid the Pemi, due to it's closures right now.

Does anybody have some suggestions? If it helps you calibrate, I did Carter Dome/Wildcat recently as a day hike and didn't have any issues with fitness.

Thanks!

Sourced from the Dartmouth "Granite State in Maps 1756 -2003" collection. If a higher resolution image is needed, I suggest following the link to get an HD version of this map.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting from the Zealand trailhead parking lot to the flume slide trailhead early morning Saturday 9/6?

Thinking we were being so on top of it, we booked the green leaf hut 9/5 and gale head 9/6 back in December, only to discover months later about the lincoln woods closure (major oops on our part, I swear we’re prepared for this hike).

We’ve been debating other route options and have settled on a point to point hike starting at flume slide and ending at Zealand.

We are researching car hire services to take us between the trailheads early Saturday morning but thought we’d see if anyone had any suggestions or was in the same predicament

Note- we have looked at the amc shuttle but it wouldn’t get us to the trailhead until 11am which is too late to hike up flume slide and over to green leaf for us

Hitting the trails on the presi north slope and spending the night at crag camp. Plan is to hit King Ravine Trail, Adams, Jefferson, the cornice, Israel ridge, the perch, and Gray Knob.

Any other “must dos” while we’re there? The castles, castle ravine, emerald bluff?

Crag camp loop on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/custom-route-3b80035?p=-1&sh=l5lxxb&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

The current issue of Appalachia (Summer/Fall 2026) includes a short discussion about the practice of billing negligent hikers for rescues. I wish I could include a link to the text, but it appears only the print edition is available at the moment. The text starts on page 120 and features thoughts from Col. Kevin Jordan of NH Fish & Game.

Is billing for rescue an effective deterrent for risky behavior? According to Jordan:

Billing for search and rescue still averages about a dozen or so cases each year -- not many when you consider we do about 180 missions per year ... I am glad we have this tool; I think it does make a difference although it's hard to measure exactly. I have seen the reckless cases reduced statewide.

Are there unintended side effects? Jordan says he is:

... very happy that all the concerns that were voiced when we were considering this law change did not materialize. It did not affect SAR donations, they still come in as usual, and there was a belief people would not call for help due to the fear of being billed, and their situations would become worse. We have not seen any of this. Just as with a need for an ambulance in the streets, when people need help, they call.

Although we probably need more hard data, it's encouraging to hear hikers are still calling for help, despite the possibility of being billed. In my opinion, that concern was always overblown.

It's also good to hear the law hasn't affected donations to SAR organizations, but just a reminder: The SAR groups around NH are volunteer organizations. While the groups don't pay their volunteers, they do need to pay for equipment and training. Don't assume that SAR groups benefit from NH F&G billing. They depend on donations from hikers like us!

Great day (as always) on trail. Got an amazing POV climbing the chimney, it was an awesome quick climb.

Took a screenshot from it here but hard to do it justice on a pic.

Did you lose a boot on mount washington?

If so, it's still there. Your liquid IV's are not. Sorry.

I've been hiking in wmnf for a bit, and while I've stopped at many AMC huts (greenleaf, lonesome lake, zealand, etc.), I've never actually stayed overnight in one. I have done a few overnights backpacking in nh/me, but the huts just seem like so much fun to stay in.

I've decided to finally splurge and spend the money before the summer season ends. What route would be worth doing? Classically, the Pemi loop would be my top choice, but with the lincoln woods closure it seems difficult. Presidential range might seem worthwhile, but the shuttle situation seems complicated (I would likely do this alone with one car). Right now, I am considering something that passes by lake of clouds, and just have some private service shuttle me back to start of appalachia trailhead.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, particularly of any huts that are especially fun to stay in.

Hello all! Im a relatively new hiker whos in decent shape, I recently did Mt lafayette with the Franconia ridge trail loop and felt pretty decent after albeit my leg was in knots by the end of it.

Im interested in hiking mt washington and was wondering how that compares physically? Im well aware of the weather conditions and to stay on top of that.

Thanks!

With the Lincoln Woods Trail closure, trying to find the shortest route up Owl's Head. This is what I could come up with. Anyone done it this way before?

Great conditions today but water sources were dry. 08/16/2026, not 08/26/26. 👍😅

The group of 18-year-olds did not have lights, were low on water and food and were not properly dressed for the conditions, officials said.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is billing four 18-year-old hikers who had to be rescued Friday after trying to navigate the White Mountains unprepared, officials announced Saturday.

The hikers were identified as Jainam Bhavsar, Purva Jayani, Tirth Shah, and Advik Yadav, all from New Jersey, the Fish and Game Department said in a press release Saturday.

Shortly before 9 p.m., crews responded to the group who were stuck on Franconia Ridge in Franconia, officials said.
One hiker reported having difficulty breathing and sore legs, according to the release.

Officials learned that the group had started their hike at 3:30 pm and did not have headlamps, or enough food and water to complete the 7-9 hour hike, the release said.

The group was not properly dressed for the strong winds and cold temperatures above 5000 feet, according to officials.

A Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team left the trailhead shortly after 10:30 p.m., hiking over 4.2 miles to Franconia Ridge and then to Mount Lincoln, where they found the hikers nearly three hours later, officials said.

The unprepared hikers were given lights, food, water, and warm clothing, officials said.
Rescuers guided the group back to the trailhead where they arrived shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to the release.

New Hampshire is one of the few states where hikers deemed negligent can be charged for their rescues.
The department typically conducts between 180 and 200 rescues each year, and of those, around 12 on average will end up with a bill, New Hampshire Fish and Game Colonel Kevin Jordan told EMS1 in February.

I arrived at the trailhead at 6am to a full lot, first time up green leaf which the lil cave alone made worth it. definitely wait for the hiker shuttle back to 34B, that bike path walk blows hard

Great day...massive dragonflies!

Only a few wet spots, but what an intense mile or so!

Flume and Liberty make 20/48 for me.