There were some great pictures we took but some times, pictures just don't capture the true visual and the moment like a video can. And luckily MacGyver brought his GoPro camera and captured some unbelievable footage. A few of the video snipets I already embedded in some of the pages but to make it easier to review and find them, I have created a page just for Videos :).... I just created this so it is a work-in-process. More videos to come soon!!...also keep in mind that these were taken with a GoPro while hiking so some of the footage can be a bit shaky (like the Blair Witch Project movie :). But heck, I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. MacGyver was hiking over rocks, boulders, logs, roots, in the rain up and down the hills...AND chewing gum...all while filming!! He should start a new career as a cameraman for a Sylvester Stallone action movie!
This was one of the first summits we were on (Match Patch).
Which way to go? Survivor is checking his compass! And MacGyver is relying on his trekking poles to lead the way!
Beautiful panoramic view!
Hiking across a series of Balds in the rain...with an ominous storm coming our way.
MacGyver deep in thought contemplating life....or thinking about what he is going to have for dinner. Mash potatoes and summer sausage!! Yummmm:)
More beautiful views. But why is Survivor always checking his phone?? GPS of the trail...to make sure we are still on the trail :)
Roan Mountain hostel where we took a zero day.
Great drinking water source!
Quite a long and treacherous descent..on a lot of rocks!
Another rocky and tricky ascent....with a river on our left for good measure!
FINALLY some flat land to walk on! (it was short live though...)
This was a crowded camp site/shelter. No more reservations available (MacGyver and I got the last 2!). And this was the shelter where a large black snake took up residence in the rafters of the privy. Now that was interesting...one certainly didn't dawdle while doing their "business".
Thumbs Up on another 360 degree view.
So close but so far away.....we crossed anyway!
Latest comments
27.09 | 17:20
Hi Possum! MacGyver and I finished up on Sept.7th with 351 miles in this year. False alarm on MacGyver taking ill. He was dehydrated but recovered in about 2 days. Was great to meet you this year!
27.09 | 17:16
Hey Pinnacle! Great to meet and hike with you also! And great advice on the next section we did. Thanks!
06.09 | 16:10
Great meeting you and your Brother at Eagles nest.
06.09 | 16:07
It was great meeting you and brother at Eagles nest
Pinnacle
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Great views from the top of South Twin Mtn!
Okay....starting on June 21st we decided to do a bit of "Platinum Blazing" at the AMC Huts. It was not the plan at all in the beginning for various reasons.....but the bad weather we are experiencing and lack of camp sites in the Whites; it made a lot of sense :)
Stayed at the AMC Highland Center June 21st and it was quite a place......and we celebrated MacGyver's Birthday!
On day 11, on the way to "Lake Of The Cloud" Hut, we had some good views around, of, and on top such mountains as Mt. Webster, Mt. Jackson, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Franklin.....and a pile of snow!
Day 12, June 23rd's highlight was summitting Mt. Washington. Its legendary for having very unpredictable, sometime dangerous weather but we hit it on perfect day...and definitely perfect compared to what we have already been thru in New Hampshire!
From the summit of Mt. Washington to the Madison Hut (where we stayed tonight) was only another 6 miles but the rock scrambles down were brutal...but the Hut they had Veggie Pot Pie for dinner!
Day 13, June 24 we hiked up, over and down Mt. Madison! Pics to follow shortly but let me just say that this was one of the toughest descents so far. Jagged black rock proved very difficult! Made it to Gorham for the night...thinking about the pending "Wildcats" ahead!
Day 14, June 25 we did the Wildcats. That first day wasn't too bad but that did change! This is MacGyver and I enjoying our first summit......forgot to mention that the Wildcats had 4 summits! But also, some good views
Stayed at Craford Notch Hut after the Wildcats for a much needed, inside a building, rest! Also met NOBO Thru Hiker "Big T" from Mississippi.
Well....the weather had been generally bad the whole hike; but things got much worse the next days (June 26 and 27).....dangerously worse
This is not a picture that we took (because we were too busy trying to stay alive!) but almost like one of the crossings we made (but ours was in deeper rapids). We crossed a flooded Rattle River several times with one crossing getting worse than the other. Made us pause a bit.......
June 27th we slipped and limped, soaking wet to U.S. 2 in Gorham and stayed at the Barn Hostel managed and owned by Paul. But about 2 miles or so before we reached U.S. 2 we passed by the Rattle River Shelter....and it looked like this....
Of course, our initial reaction, cold and tired, was "What Kind of Long-Distance Hiker" would violate so many unwritten rules of hiking etiquette!!!
Then we found out that those staying in the shelter (for multiple days at a time) were AMC trail volunteers and State Park staff helping out to shore up the trail as best they could during the unprecedented flooding that was going on.
MY TOTAL APOLOGIZE for jumping to conclusions without know the facts. Thank you for what you do!!
Okay...coming back to The Barn Hostel.....MacGyver and I fell in love with it at first glance! Growing up in the 60's and early 70's, this Hippy vibe that we saw and felt, made us feel right at home :). In fact, I think I stayed at a place like this when I hitchhiked to Southern California in 1972! :)
Best laid plans??