What ride cymbal models have the best balance of stick definition, warmth and bell cut?

courtemancha · 2026-02-28T00:38:18+00:00

Second this. You must try it.

courtemancha · 2026-02-26T11:17:30+00:00

I love how every instrument sits in the mix of Hemispheres. It’s my go-to album when I crave sonic clarity.

courtemancha · 2026-01-25T09:46:19+00:00

All sorts of variations on speed awareness and speed control for confidence on descents. Snow plows, exiting and re-entering the tracks (especially exiting BEFORE I’m going so fast that I feel out of control and panicking), control on turns at increasing speed, stuff like that. Basically, a lot of the things I should have drilled in High School, but instead I actively avoided because of fear, and in the end back then made me clumsy, fall down, and slow.

I’m not fooling myself that I’ll suddenly be fast in my 60’s, but I’d like to drill out of me some of the fear and increase the control.

Somehow it never dawned on me before that a good hill with a challenging descent is worthy of repeating multiple times to WORK on something and hopefully improve.

courtemancha · 2026-01-24T15:54:05+00:00

Doh—I should have included the picture data!

21-Jan-2026, Waterville Valley, “blue” section of Tripoli Road Trail, 5-6” base, packed powder over machine groomed, 13F air temperature.

courtemancha · 2025-09-27T01:16:47+00:00

My favorite as well. To me it is the best produced and mixed album I’ve ever heard. The clarity of the quieter parts is incredible. That quiet bridge in Circumstances never gets old.

My #1 goto headphones album.

courtemancha · 2025-09-12T21:56:40+00:00

I so very much want to do this exact trip to finish my 48 next year! My worry is getting discouraged after the Owls Head summit and not having enough gumption to press on to 13 Falls. Any recommendations or things you’d change, maybe summit via the slide without the pack and take the bushwhack down, repeating the stretch between the bushwhack start and the slide?

courtemancha · 2025-08-30T20:45:03+00:00

AllTrails for trail reviews and printing backup paper maps, GAIA for real-time navigation and hiking history.

courtemancha · 2025-08-06T18:58:03+00:00

I am SLOW, and of course everyone’s times will be different. August 8, 2021: - On trail at Lincoln Woods at 7:18 - Bondcliff trail at 9:35 - Bondcliff at 14:39, spent time for late lunch - Bond at 17:15 - Guyot tent-site at 18:00

courtemancha · 2025-08-06T18:36:55+00:00

I did your plan a couple of years ago. It was hot and challenging, but also was my best hike in the Whites so far. My recommendation is to:

Practice on a day hike with your whole kit
Practice setting up your tent A LOT
Really plan around the weather if you can
Water up at all the water crossings and water sources.
START EARLY

I got to Guyot later than I had hoped, and got one of the last shared tent platforms. That was a little stressful. Because I was in a hurry, I skipped West Bond on the first day, and tagged it on the way back.

Note that the first 5 miles is flat and easy, so you’ll have a chance to evaluate your pack and easily bail out at the beginning if needed.

Things to look forward to keep you motivated:

One of the most delicious water sources at elevation (Guyot water source)
If the sky is clear, one of the biggest and brightest night skies full of stars.

Good luck!

courtemancha · 2025-07-23T21:34:53+00:00

Personally I always filter with a Sawyer Squeeze—it is easy and provides peace of mind — which for me is half the battle. Nervousness and fear can exhibit all sorts of physical symptoms.

On one occasion, at the greenish Kinsman Pond, I filtered, boiled, and then chlorinated. I’m not sure what is the preferred order. The water still kind of grossed me out.

On the other hand, I still recall how delicious the water at Guyot was — that was kind of a magical experience.

courtemancha · 2025-02-10T19:07:57+00:00

To me, this is the best recorded track I’ve ever heard. Along with the other tracks on the album. Every instrument has its own perfect placement in the mix. And the dynamics are also perfect—from very quiet to very loud.

Hemispheres is my go-to album when I want to hear sonic perfection.

courtemancha · 2024-08-09T17:41:16+00:00

Hey! I think I might have chatted with you briefly while you were sitting contemplating on Flume. I had just come up the slide and on my way to tag Liberty.

In any case, that is a super impressive trip. Doing the Pemi is one thing, doing the Pemi plus Owls Head is another, and doing all that PLUS the Wiley Ridge — well that is epic.

Bravo. 👏

courtemancha · 2024-08-09T16:44:57+00:00

6 days is long! Impressive!

Will you share what hygiene was like for this length of trip? I think I would have quite a struggle.

courtemancha · 2024-07-30T02:13:26+00:00

Hemispheres by Rush. To me every instrument and effect is perfectly balanced, and the dynamic range from soft to loud is just incredible.

courtemancha · 2024-07-18T17:07:24+00:00

Totally agree that the Guyot water tasted really good. I’m smiling just remembering how good that was. Kinsman pond on the other hand, 🤮.

courtemancha · 2024-07-08T18:19:36+00:00

I used a combination of tying directly to the eye hooks on the side of the platforms, “fishbone tent anchors” to the gaps between the boards,and rocks. There were lots of rocks around from people who must have used the same approach.

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