Author Archives: Daren Worcester

Let’s first make one thing clear: Flume Gorge is a bonafide nature walk, not a hike. Hiking requires a trail that’s not navigable by a golf cart with at least the threat of breaking a sweat. Not to mention the optional shuttle bus, which shortens the “trek” to .7 of a mile round trip, is an automatic disqualification. As far as nature walks go, Flume Gorge is exceptional.

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A year after hiking the Maine Appalachian Trail, my brother Brad and I set out to tackle the New Hampshire section. This blog post chronicles our adventure from the southern border crossing over the Connecticut River to Smart Mountain. In between we survived a close encounter with the Hanover wildlife.

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Frozen Krummholz on Mt. Lafayette Old Bridle Path

It was nine degrees in the Lafayette Place parking lot and the car was getting blasted by wind. At a little past seven on a February morning, I had a good mind to retreat home to the warmth of my down comforter. Fortunately, common sense was in short supply.

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You can’t sleep. You toss. You turn. Visions of the “world’s worst weather” pummel the sugar plum fairies trying to dance through your head. Bitter cold. Biting winds. Fickly visibility. Winter hiking Mt. Washington—New England’s highest peak at 6,288 feet—is all fun and games with the added disclaimer of avalanche danger.

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At 281.4 miles, Maine accounts for only 13 percent of the 2,178.3-mile Appalachian Trail. Statistics, however, are for maps. Ask anyone who has completed the entire trail and they’ll likely tell you Maine is the toughest state of the 14 trail states.

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The White Mountain Guide describes Lowe’s Path as the “easiest way to climb Mt. Adams.” There’s an important distinction to be made here: easiest doesn’t exactly equate easy, especially in the winter. The 4.7-mile climb to New England’s second highest peak, 5,799 feet, will beat your legs into submission like a drill sergeant at boot camp. Don’t worry, though, it’s jolly good fun. And the rewarding views of neighboring Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Madison, and big brother Mt. Washington will quickly cleanse any residue of a pre-dawn rise and shine.

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