Extreme Camping

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10 years 5 months ago - 10 years 5 months ago #40420 by mlotziii
Extreme Camping was created by mlotziii
Ever been to the White Mountains in New Hampshire? This past weekend I traveled there with a few friends for a backpacking trip to a remote pond. None of us were prepared for what this journey was going to entail.

We set out knowing we were going to be bushwacking for a day to reach Carrigain pond at 3,200 ft elevation. The path started out as an old road and quickly changed to a slog through dense fir trees and blown down trees.

After a few hours the terrain started to get very steep and eventually we were on all fours crawling nearly vertical. That day it had rained for several hours in the morning so everything was soaked and made traversing obstacles very dangerous.

We finally made it to the pond by around 8pm just in time to gather some soaked firewood and get a fire built. By luck we were able to get a fire going and dry off. Drenched in rain and/or sweat there was not a dry spot on anyone.

We dined on rabbit, blood sausage, grits and various hard cheeses. We also carried in a 3L bag of wine and some moonshine which helped to raise spirits.

We set off the next morning for the summit of Mt. Carrigain. This time we had to bushwack 2 miles and then intersect a trail which would take us to the top. It took us 5 hours to cover 1.75 miles which tells you a little bit about the terrain. We then climbed 1,500 feet in just over an hour to reach the summit.

Similar to an Everest climb, by the time we reached the summit we had only a few minutes before we had to begin our descent.

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The trail down the mountain was rocky but clear. We were not quite sure what to make of not being smacked in the face by a branch every step of the way and being able to see the ground in front of us. It was only 3.3 miles to the car from the summit and all on established trails. The trails had extensive switch backs which made the distance covered on foot more like 4.5 or 5 miles. The last 1.7 miles we timed and it took us exactly an hour to cover it walking at a very brisk pace.

We made it out without losing any limbs. The blood, blisters, sprains, strains, and crushing blows to our egos were all cured with a few 30-packs, Manhattans, and a secret blend mixed in a pitcher.

It is a trip that will never be forgotten!
Last edit: 10 years 5 months ago by mlotziii.
The following user(s) said Thank You: jtallen83, OleCowboy, Libertarian623, NightForce

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10 years 5 months ago #40421 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic Extreme Camping
Good write up...took me back to a younger time in my life when challenges like that were a regular occurrence. Started many a fire from wood soaked with a weeks worth of rain...TIP pickup dead wood and see if it will SNAP when broken, then smell for resin. If you get a snap and smell than that wood will burn quickly no matter how wet its been.

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10 years 5 months ago - 10 years 5 months ago #40425 by NightForce
Replied by NightForce on topic Extreme Camping
You're in my neck of the woods and I have hiked a lot of trails in New Hampshire over the years and especially Mt Washington.

Mt Washington is absolutely gorgeous and the trails leading from the Cog Railway Station go from very mild to very challenging. While you can do the summit and back in one day you're hauling ass. Several times I've hiked up to the AMC Lake of The Clouds Hut and spent the night then ascended to the summit and hike back the second day...

Thanks for sharing!! :thumbs:
Last edit: 10 years 5 months ago by NightForce.

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10 years 5 months ago #40427 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Extreme Camping
Most my extreme stuff was in Northern Minnesota or Yellowstone in my younger days. Always good to hear your pushing it.
:thumbs:

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10 years 5 months ago #40436 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic Extreme Camping
For years I vacationed up in the NE (Maine, Ver, NH, Mass and Canada). I had a IT conference every year in Boston, plus lots of advanced classes at MIT etc. I was stationed at Ft Monroe Va and would drive up the E Seaboard in my Jeep, no top, no doors, SCUBA gear in the back, Mt Bike hung on the front, hit my IT conf, head N, into Ca, then S on either side of the Appalachians down to Atlanta FORSCOM HQ, then down to Ft Benning, then my other office in Ft Lauderdale, all for meetings. Then S to Key West, SCUBA, then up the costal to Ft Monroe.

Single, no child support, no alimony, no ties, out about 6 weeks, those were the days my friend...

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