Skydiving on Emily's 21st B-day

Emily turned 21, and her birthday wish was to go skydiving with ME. So this Thursday, we camped out and had a steak dinner before heading over to Shain's of Maine for some AWESOME ice cream. Good quality daddy-daughter time!

Friday morning we strapped on chutes and had the time of our lives!

Emily went just before me. Then.... there was just no turning back....

Support Your Local AMC Caretaker!

Dylan from Dartmouth

Many people find themselves despairing when it comes to today's youth. Not me. Head out into the backcountry and stay at an AMC hut or shelter and you'll meet some great young people who will restore your optimism for our future.

Case in point: Dylan, the caretaker at Nauman tentsite, which is right next door to Mizpah Spring hut in the southern Presidentials. Dylan recently graduated from Dartmouth College and is spending his summer in the White Mountains, welcoming and educating hikers. He's a roving caretaker, which means he hikes to different sites to give the "regular" caretaker a few days off. Another part of his job is sifting the outhouse compost that can be converted into soil. Yuk. While he's hiking between sites, he carries an axe and clears trail.

He's full of exuberance AND full of tact/grace and people skills. I witnessed this first-hand when a scout group of 19 (Yikes-- 19 is a big-- and illegal- group to take into the backcountry). They slid into Nauman during the afternoon while Dylan was out, and kind of took over the tent platforms. He didn't let this phase him in the least, and was extremely gracious.

I had the pleasure of talking to him about his college days, his major, his European travels, and where life might take him after the summer.Plus, he's got really cool hair.

Do yourself a favor and plan at least one overnight hike that takes you to a backcountry shelter. You'll meet some "interesting" people and some great caretakers. Plus, if it's a shelter you're visiting, you can skip the tent (weight!). 

How to Poo in the Woods

I've got to say it. And many friends and family members think it sounds crazy... but there is nothing more satisfying than a good poo in the woods.  The sense of accomplishment, knowing the angst from which the urge began, to the scouting, preparation, to finally walking away from a "job well done" is one of my simple joys. Yet I find many people freak out about all sorts of issues surrounding this most basic of human bodily functions.

So how does one approach such a potentially satisfying and successful chore?

1.  Have the right tools.
You're going to need a trowel, TP, hand sanitizer, and, not pictured, a STICK. Make sure you take the TP OUT of the ziploc bag before you use it....

2. Find a good spot.
It's like buying a house-- location, location, location!

Get off the trail, out of sight of any passers-by, where you have some privacy. Also, do NOT get close to a water source. Leave no Trace guidelines dictate that you're at least 200 feet from a water source, trail or campsite.

I recommend a tree or log cross-wise to lean your back on. You DON'T want to lose your balance during a critical time. Having something to lean on takes some of the pressure off. I chose a rock to lean against (bottom photo). The green moss was soothing to my soul and provided a nice peaceful place.

3.  Dig the Hole.
How big a hole? As big as it takes.... You want an easy-to-hit target.
The depth is far more important. 4-8 inches is ideal. This will aid in decomposition. Plus, it's better to discover you dug too deeply than to realize you were too shallow...

4.  Prepare Yourself.
Have your TP ready. When you drop your drawers, I've found it helpful to remove one leg from your shorts/trousers and pivot the shorts around and off to the side of the leg that's still in said shorts. That way the clothing is out of the way. Rocket science, huh?

5.  Do Your Business.
If you need instructions here, my only suggestion is to NOT go into the woods.Stay at home. Really.

6.  Stir, compress.
Use your stick (not your trowel) to "fine tune" the contents of the hole. Use the stick to move the layer of soil back over everything, and then poke/bury the stick into the hole. This way your trowel stays sanitary-- you use it only to dig the original hole.

7. Cover. Spread forest duff, leaves, sticks over everything-- in general, do some landscaping so that no one could tell what-all has gone on. Even CSI should not be able to tell...

8. Sanitize. Now is the time to use your hand sanitizer... BEFORE you dig into your friend's GORP! (And by the way-- never dig into your friend's GORP-- pour it into your sanitized hand.)

9. Stand back and admire a job well done.. Take a picture if you want. I'm telling you-- it's one of backpacking's simple pleasures.

Take a Break

Everyone takes a break on the trail-- water, snacks, pack adjustment, clothing adjustment, "personal business".... this list goes on and on. Sometimes you're just pooped and need to collect yourself.

What you DON'T want to do is just drop your pack and lie down in the middle of the trail. I know-- nobody will be coming along, and you'll "just be a minute." Yeah-- that's when someone shows up, and has to navigate through your "yard sale."

So what does the well-behaved hiker do?

Identify a nice rock, stump or downed tree on the SIDE of the trail to park yourself. Sit down, smile at people as they go by, and enjoy the scenery.

Be #2

On the trail up to Mt Kinsman, Kinsman Pond and Lonesome Lake Hut, I was reminded that it's not always the best idea to be in the lead or first on the trail (#1). It's much better to be #2....

Early in the morning, the first person on the trail has the "honor" of finding all the spider webs that have mysteriously been created across the trail during the night. Although not usually dangerous, it's always disconcerting. And it's your face that always seems to find those things. If you wear glasses, the webs cling to your lenses. Much better to let someone go in front of you- preferably one who is also taller than you.

There's another time when being #2 is also a good idea. That's during spring hiking, when you're trying to get away with not using snowshoes, and you inevitably "post hole," one leg going straight through the soft snow like a post being set. It's a pain in the butt (sometimes literally). I always like to hike behind someone else who "finds" these soft spots :) Does this strategy always work? No, but it allows you to make some adjustments.

Now you know one of my secrets. Make it your secret... unless you're hiking with me...

 Kinsman Pond was beautiful. The snow is all gone, and at 88 degrees, the water was very inviting!

The view across Franconia Notch from North Kinsman was awesome. However because of the humidity, pollen and pollution coming across from our western neighbors, you can really see the haziness.

Kinsman Shelter. It really doesn't lean this much-- just a poor camera shot. Two levels inside to accommodate the hikers. There are also tent platforms at the site.

Bark chips and propane delivered by the helicopter. The caretaker should be onsite soon! The bark chips are for "flushing" in the outhouse-- do your business and then "flush" by throwing a handful of bark chips on top. Composting at its best!

Another view across the Notch