I feel bad.  I thought I had finished the wrap-up for the NH48 project months ago!  Mostly I feel bad because I know that no one else really wants to hear about all these hikes.  This is for me to remember.  Still, I am storing them here.  This final collection features the last push to the finish.  Some of them were very difficult.  Others less so.  I sort of picked up in the middle of Allison's 48 list so had to go back to do the "easy" ones later.  

It was quite a time and quite an adventure.  I am glad I did it.  Anyway...if you are interested...here they are!

Wildcat D and Wildcat (A) #37 & #38
This was quite an undertaking!  We decided to hike up one of the ski trails at the Wildcat ski resort.  I suspect its presence on the slopes of Wildcat D is why the mountain has this strange alphabetized naming system.  Actual Wildcat Mountain is sometimes referred to as Wildcat A.  Anyway, there is a video you can watch if you wish.

POST AND VIDEO

Owl's Head #39
One of our favorites, Owl's head has very little to offer on the face of things.  It is an 18 mile round trip--the longest hike on the list.  The trails up the mountain are not maintained.  Finally, there is no view.  However, the trip is beautiful.  You just need to plan to be out there all day.  If we were to do it again we would take two days and camp along the stream.  It would be a nice place to sit and get away from everything for a while.  There is a video for this one, too.

Post and Video

​West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff #41, #42, #43
In an ideal world we would have ended on this two-day traverse that took us over these three peaks as well as Zealand, which we had climbed earlier.  We also climbed Guyot on our way to the bonds.  We stayed at the Guyot campsite below the peak.  This mountain was probably the best.  Again, we have a post and a video...but this is nearly the last post and definitely the final vid...

Post and Video

Waumbek #44
This mountain is also considered one of the easier ones.  It, too, rather lacks a view.  In order to get to it, however, one goes over Mount Starr King.  Starr King is named after a minister and is referenced elsewhere, particularly in my Hedgehog post.  He had a mountain named after him less for his contributions to American religion and more because he wrote "The White Hills," a proto-hiking manual that popularized the region.

The hike, itself, was pretty straightforward.  This--like Hale--was another one that Allison had already done.  However, she had nothing better to do that day and accompanied me. 

Pierce and Eisenhower #45 & #46
Al had also hiked these two before. You might recall that she started the list while I was rehabbing my back. When I hiked by myself, I frequently chose different mountains, which also put me behind.  It was a somewhat crowded day when we went up.  There had been warnings of thunderstorms--not a good mountain combo--but it became clear that if we got off early, we would be fine.  Others had figured out the same thing.

The climb up Pierce was straightforward and uneventful, though it did feel a bit more difficult that it should have.  When we rested at the top, we met a number of people.  One was from where we live.  Another was an old guy filled with unsolicited advice. Old guys giving advice is a feature of the Whites.  The one from around our part of the world joined up with us for the ascent of Eisenhower. He was a good talker. On the top of Eisenhower, we overheard an extensive debate about where to finish your 48. One side was pro-Isolation.  The other was pro-Carrigain.  We had already figured out that we were going to split the difference.

On the way back to Pierce our companion got ahead of us. We are not fast, so we waved him on as he drifted from our sight.  Anyway, it was a beautiful day on a hike that many people do much closer to the start of their NH48 adventure.  I had wanted to get back up there this winter.  However, I don't see that happening at this point. 

​Isolation #47
This hike was ridiculous.  I don't know how else to describe it.  It was long (about 15 miles) and wet.  There is about a mile or so, in fact, that is a stream you wade up and down.  That said, it was an adventure to remember.  Allison finished on the top and there was much rejoicing. On the way back we switched to crocs and waded for a long chuck in the middle.  We have many stories from this trip that no one who hasn't don that hike will understand...

This is a very popular mountain to end on.  However, I am not sure why.  It does provide a unique view but not a spectacular one.  That said, we will probably do it again some time in the next decade.

Carrigain #48
So we end on Mount Carrigain.  I chose it by process of elimination.  Al wanted to get hers over and done.  She chose Isolation.  Carrigain was what was left.  At the time it seemed a bit anti-climactic for a hike, but it will always be special to me.  It marked the end of the project and a turning to other things. 

I am a trifle annoyed, though. In order to receive the patch, I needed to write a narrative of my final hike.  I posted the narrative here on the web page.  It has been months of waiting now and I doubt that patch is ever going to arrive.  Probably some confusion somewhere...oh well...I still did it right?  

I think of this mountain every day, mostly because we named our puppy after it. Of course, most people we know think we named her after Nancy Karrigan. That's OK.  The mountain has grown on me. Whether it or the dog made that happen is immaterial at this point. It is a nice memorial to a time that I look back on with fondness...

Post

Things have truly been hectic at church.  However, I am enjoying looking back at old hikes as I plan new ones for the future.  Truthfully, the way things are going it may be a while before I head up north again.  Of course, the mountains will be there...and I will bring snowshoes!

As with the previous hikes, some of these hikes have longer posts, which I have linked in the descriptions...

Monroe and Washington  #27 & #28
Longer Post

This trip combined one of my favorite mountains--Monroe--with one of my least favorite...Washington.  This has nothing to do with the relative ease of the climb.  Honestly, while Washington is indeed the tallest.  It isn't much taller than its neighbors.  All the Presidents are big piles of slag. The longer post tells a bit about why I would climb Monroe again...and just look at Washington from there.  This trip helped me refine what I like and don't like about hiking.

​Madison and Adams #32 & #33

This was the hardest hike we did in the Whites.  I have tried to write about it before but just haven't been able to grasp its weight.  Adams is the second tallest mountain on the 48 list and Madison is the fifth tallest.  For comparison, Washington is first, Jefferson is third, and Monroe is fourth.  All of these are pretty much the same height if you are climbing them.  They all hurt, too.

What I do remember is a massive amount of exertion. I had been climbing every day that week--mostly 52WAV mountains--so I was in good shape, but also a bit tired.  That said it was beautiful and I enjoyed the time spent in nature with my brother Dan and my wife Allison.  I would do this again, but only climb one peak per trip.

A few things happened on this hike that are worth mentioning.  First, we were given stern warning at the base of the trail.  This is an unreasonably difficult hike for its level of popularity.  The rangers know this and want to make sure that the people going up know what they are doing.  After that we encountered an entire dog-and-pony show of an influencer, her friends, and some poor guy who actually had to take the pictures.  I think they thought we should know who they were...but we were too old.  They were a bit much, so we got ahead of them as quickly as possible at one of their many stops.

Finally, on the way down the mountain we passed a number of people who should have listened more closely to the rangers.  They were struggling mightily. It was a good reminder that sometimes we think more highly of our abilities than we should.  Humility is a must in the White Mountains.

Lincoln and Lafayette #34 & #35

Mount Monadnock--on the 52 WAV list--may be the second most climbed mountain in the world (after Mt. Fuji) but I have to say that these two peaks have to be up there as well.  They bookend a fabulous section of Franconia Ridge that features breathtaking views all around.  As with Mount Washington, though, I found it too crowded for my taste.  This may be why I did not write a longer post for this hike.  I am glad I did it.  However, there are mountains I would rather climb.

The climb up Lincoln was typical New England.  There we very few switchbacks, just a steep incline that got steeper with time.  The hike goes over Little Haystack--"little" is a misnomer--then up to Lincoln.  The views were indeed spectacular and there were certainly plenty of folks to share them with.  Then came the walk across the ridge to Lafayette, hitting a couple smaller peaks on the way.  The way down was less direct than the way up, presenting a number of different views forward and back before finally dipping into the trees.  I think if I could have found a day just as pleasant with fewer people I would have been more into it.  However, I don't think such a day exists.

So here is the second group of hikes for my New Hampshire 48 4,000 footers.  As I mentioned in the first installment, I started the project before I should have.  These hikes, however, mark the transition from rehab to hobby. I was getting stronger. I also was climbing many other mountains when I could.  I took every opportunity I could get to head out on the trail in Massachusetts.  Also, I would run up to New Hampshire or Maine to climb smaller things when time would allow.  Many of those hikes are documented here in Sabbath Walks.  Perhaps this information will help explain the growing gaps between 48ers.

It also indicates something of my hiking style.  Most of my other hikes were solo endeavors.  On the 48 list, however, I usually had at least one companion.  The mix worked out well, I think.

As with last time I have linked to longer posts on specific hikes when possible and wrote a bit longer where I don't have any other supporting material.  I couldn't always find the time to write, after all. Life has a way of being lived...

Osceola and East Osceola #11 & #12
(October 4, 2021)
Longer Post
​I really loved this hike.  My brother Dan joined me, which gave the whole thing the feel of a family reunion in the wake of Covid.  I also wiped out and broke a pole by landing on it.  The long post has the deets.
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Zealand  #13 (October 7, 2021)
Video (ZBonds Traverse)
This has to be among my favorite hikes.  I have hiked it once since--the video link tells the story--but I can see myself heading up to the cliffs in the future just to take in the view.  It was one of the first climbs I enjoyed for itself.  The process of rehab was far enough along to drift into the background a bit.

Flume #14 (November 11, 2021)
I have no real documentary evidence of this hike up Osseo trail.  This is strange as I really loved it.  The climb was relatively gentle. Allison and I spent time at the top eating snacks and watching the world go by.  On the way down we encountered the honor guard with an enormous American flag.  Flags on the 48 usually has events on September 11.  That year someone was doing something on November 11, too. They looked tired but determined to get to the top in time!

Osseo Trail is the "easy" way up. There is also a slide.  The thing about slides is that you get a fabulous and continuous view while raising the difficulty level a few notches.  I was in no shape for Flume Slide and the hike was so pretty I would probably do it the same way again.

North Kinsman #15 (December 4, 2021)
Longer Post
​The long post here actually records our second summit, which included South Kinsman.  We failed to get to that mountain the first time.  We started later than Al and I usually do and there wasn't really the time to make it out and back before dark.  After hitting the peak of North, we decided to turn around.  Hikers often remind ourselves that getting to the top is optional and getting back to the car is mandatory. Still...it was frustrating.  The good news, though, is that the mountains don't go anywhere.

Liberty #16 (January 16, 2022)
Longer Post
​It was dangerously cold that day.  We got up early and I had trouble moderating my heat.  That said, the hike was beautiful.  There were some folks using the mountain as a massive sled run--buttsliding--which is controversial.  However, after everything ices over it may be the only way down.  This was my favorite hike of the winter.  The long post explains it pretty well.

North and South Hancock #17 & #18
(February 11, 2022)

Here is another hike without any documentation. In this case I know why.  I was so depressed about the steep climb and the deep snow.  A quick butt-slide off South Hancock cheered me up but...still... 

Also, we did this one morning during our annual church ski retreat.  We probably weren't as well-rested as we could have been.

Now I enjoy winter hiking and did quite a bit of it this past winter (2023).  However, I like to keep my hikes a bit more manageable so I can enjoy the views and the weather while also getting home and warm.  Those hikes can be found in other sections--and in the Tecumseh video--as the shorter, more local hikes in the snow fit the bill for me.  Allison reminds me that the Hancocks are supposed to be easier in winter because the trail conditions aren't so great the rest of the year.  Whatever... ​

South Kinsman  #19 (May 7, 2022)
Longer Post
​This is the same long post as North Kinsman.  I loved this second hike with South being one of my favorites.  There was no sadness or defeat this time.  We took the same route over North and then on from where we turned around before.  

There are different kinds of walking pilgrimages.  I certainly know many people who take them.  The traditional Camino de Santiago--in all its variations--is popular among the Christians.  Others--like the Muslim Haj--involve walking of another sort.  That said there are other journeys that are less explicitly attached to a tradition but still carry a special meaning.  For example, a year ago my son finished through-hiking the Appalachian Trail.  The people who I know that have taken that journey describe it as spiritual and life-changing.

The key element is that the walk tells a story with both external and internal elements.  To the extent that it does this, it can be considered a pilgrimage of sorts.  I wrote about this elsewhere so I will cease traipsing down that road.  All I want to say is that--among other things--climbing the 48 4,000 footers of New Hampshire over the last two years (from August 21, 2021 to August 27, 2023) constitutes a pilgrimage for me.  Yes, this project was shoehorned in among other challenges of life.  Also, it accounted for only about half the hiking I did during that time.  Still, it counts as a pilgrimage. There was intention in the undertaking that included a desire to get out in order to take part in Creation.  

I am listing the mountains in a series of posts in the order that I hiked them.  In some cases there are specific articles or videos, which I will link to with minimal comment (the links are in "Longer Video" under the title of each section).  Others I never got to writing about.  They may get a paragraph or two more.  Anyway, it is a record of a pilgrimage of sorts for people who might want to do the same or, at least, to know that it is done.  At the very least I want to remember.  This is the easiest way I can manage.

A Rough Beginning:
One thing that joins this first batch of hikes together is the simple fact that I shouldn't have done them.  Right before the pandemic I injured my back.  As the plague wore on, the pain became so bad that I could not walk more than a few feet before curling up in a ball on the floor.  Many people never noticed, of course.  All the world was separated by a disease.  Technology--like zoom and video worship--meant that no one had to witness anything other than what I curated for the public.  Still--just like everyone else--there was a lot going on.  Also I was depressed...but who wasn't.

Anyway, eventually medical people could see me in person and it was decided that I should have surgery.  I did this and it was a spectacular improvement!  Having spent the previous year or so on my back watching YouTube hiking videos I was ready to go.  However...rehab was slow.  I was weak and there were stitches to worry about.  I really should have taken my time.  That said, Allison--my wife--had been climbing the 4,000 footers of New Hampshire and I wanted to spend time with her.  FOMO is real, folks.  So I began before I should have.  All of these hikes were really difficult.  Still...I made it didn't I?

Moosilauke #1 (August 21, 2021)

Longer Post 

This was a mess of a hike.  I made it to the top OK but felt miserable on the descent.  There is a long post if you want more details.  I am told it is a great mountain and I remember the views being spectacular.  I think it may be a while before I climb it again, however.

​Mount Cannon #2 (August 27, 2021)
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Longer Post
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This hike felt arduous at the time. Mostly I remember the first time involving falling down more than I would like.  This was true for all of these.  I really couldn't twist because of the risk of damaging the surgical area and the still-healing part of my back and spine.  This meant just letting gravity take me and hoping for the best.  The results were--thankfully--mostly comical.  What a sketchy thing to do though...

The Tripyramids #3 & #4 (September 6, 2021)

Longer Post

​All I have to say about this is that I weirdly had a good time.  I must have looked pretty pathetic--I basically crawled up the mountain in the rain--because after we were done Allison suggested that perhaps mountain climbing wasn't for me.  However, it was the first post-surgery hike I enjoyed at all.

Mount Tecumseh #5  (September 10, 2021)

Longer Post (including a later winter video)
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This was my first solo hike of the 48!  Most of these hikes were with people.  However about a third of my hiking is by myself.  I am also working on the "52 With a View" list.  I do plenty of climbing in Massachusetts and some in Maine.  Many of those are weekday trips when I duck out on my "clergy sabbath".  I LOVE Mount Techumseh.

Mounts Tom, Field, Willey #6, #7, #8
(September 27, 2021)

Longer Post 
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​This felt ambitious when we did it.  It was a long loop with limited views.  At the end we added Mount Avalon--a 52WAV mountain--which made the long hike beautiful.  The hike still falls in the "shouldn't have done it" category, but I did feel like I was getting better.