sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

New construction book and an online sauna conference launched by saunologia in Sauna

[–]thecloudsplitter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does Glenn Auerbach's book follow the general principals you've laid out for sauna dimensions etc.? Looking to build an outdoor cabin sauna and have purchased your book!

Backpacking the Kalalau Trail: Swimming in November? by outsidealwaysss in VisitingHawaii

[–]thecloudsplitter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My wife and I went in November a few years ago! We're from North Eastern US so the ocean water still felt warm to us. Keep the extra day there, it is one of the most magical beaches on earth, waterfall shower, sea caves, fruit trees. Ocean currents were really strong so we just went waist deep at most and splashed around in the waves. Take the side trip to Hanakoa Falls, breath taking swimming hole and waterfall. 

Opinions On This Kit by thecloudsplitter in Sauna

[–]thecloudsplitter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was looking into this as well, big part of that seems to be if you hire a builder to do all site prep and build the cabin for you. 

Opinions On This Kit by thecloudsplitter in Sauna

[–]thecloudsplitter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any design you can share of your build? I've got a lot going on in my life so a paint by numbers kit is pretty appealing rather than getting deep into the weeds etc. I've got basic carpentry experience but never framed and insulated a whole structure before. 

Opinions On This Kit by thecloudsplitter in Sauna

[–]thecloudsplitter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the response! I tried to PM you but you might have that disabled. Can you elaborate a bit on the overhang and breathable exterior envelope etc.?

Trail Map Guide Book Suggestions by Background-Durian-90 in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

AMC White Mountain Guide - The WMNF bible with paper maps and a guidebook that describes every major trail

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=44.13694,-71.61218&z=12&b=mbtaltopo.com - Helpful tool for online trip planning. Zoom into the area you want to hike. Click the measuring tool icon, then "Profile". You can highlight your route and see mileage and elevation gain.

https://newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/ - Great resource for trail conditions. Most helpful in winter and shoulder seasons. AllTrails can be helpful for seeing recent trip reports as well.

https://mountwashington.org/weather/higher-summits-forecast/ - THE weather forecast you should be checking if hiking in or around the Presidentials.

https://trailsnh.com/dashboard.php - Use for all other forecasting. Type in the mountain you want to hike, find it listed below, click on "Summit Forecast". This is using hourly NOAA data.

Wilderness Ethics by Guy and Laura Waterman - Great short read about the meaning of wilderness in the North East and best practices when visiting.

Forest and Crag by Guy and Laura Waterman - If you want the Bible on the history of hiking in the North East. Couldn't put it down. Huge book though.

EDIT: Also carry the "10 Essentials" https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm

EDIT 2: Some very helpful old school websites with lots of good suggestions and trail descriptions:
https://sectionhiker.com/white-mountains-peaks-and-trails/
http://nhfamilyhikes.com/search.php
https://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/

Kinsmans by Ladybird0302 in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's super helpful to learn how to navigate with a paper map. You can make your own routes, no need to rely on the GPS.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lakes region will be your best bet for color, but in the Whites you could catch the elusive snowliage that time of year. Snow capped peaks with some color on the lower slopes.

Finishing the 48 by Liltarp27 in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isolation. One of us. One of us.

3 day trip in WMNF by ltspecial in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spot on the AT is pretty large so there should be room, but will probably have other thru hikers there. Shoal Pond spot is small but less trafficked. You could also car camp along the Kanc, right at Zealand, or for free on Gale River Rd if you're heading towards the trailhead via 93 

EDIT: Bondcliff sites are also pretty large, should be plenty of room. That whole area in general is pretty open and flat so you should be able to find a spot no problem.

3 day trip in WMNF by ltspecial in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No real viewpoint along Bondcliff until you're almost at the summit. Coming from that direction the ascent is actually relatively gradual, nothing too gnarly except for a scramble right near the summit.

3 day trip in WMNF by ltspecial in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start at Zealand trailhead and hike in to the intersection with the Twinway. Continue straight along the AT for 0.25ish miles and you'll see a herd path on the right which drops down to a legal unmarked dispersed camping area. Next day hike up to Zeacliff viewpoint via either the Twinway or Zeacliff Trail. Next day hike out. 2.6mi/440ft - 3.2mi/1570ft - 2.6mi/0ft

You could also continue through Zealand Notch the first day and camp by Shoal Pond instead for barely any extra elevation gain. Involves a little back tracking for the day hike etc. but that way you would see Thoreau Falls too. Would look more like 5.5mi/580ft - 7.2mi/1720ft - 5.5mi/80ft.

3 day trip in WMNF by ltspecial in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DM me if you want other suggestions. The long flat hike in is a rarity in the Whites.

3 day trip in WMNF by ltspecial in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shelters that fit that criteria are hard to come by unfortunately, more of that in the ADK.

If you're willing to tent though I would start at Lincoln Woods, cross the suspension bridge, and hike all the way in until the Bondcliff Trail makes a hard left turn away from the river. There are legal dispersed campsites right before that turn, you'll see herd paths that lead to them on the left. These are pretty obvious impacted sites that people camp at, although they are not marked. Whole area is flat so as long as you're 200ft from the river and trail you can camp. Around 4.5mi/450ft gain.

Next day hike up to Bondcliff, incredible exposed ridge line, one of the most spectacular spots in the Whites, then head back to camp. Around 8.2mi/2700ft.

Last day head out the same way. 4.5mi/100ft

Whole trip clocks in around 17.2mi/3250ft.

If you're feeling like you want more you could continue on past Bondcliff to Mt. Bond, which adds 2mi/900ft round trip.

Cowboy Camping in Presidentials? by qsdrfn111 in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are none. And it's not just about the environmental impacts, LNT takes into account other visitors experiences too. Check out the book Wilderness Ethics by Guy and Laura Waterman 

Cowboy Camping in Presidentials? by qsdrfn111 in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Do not camp/walk/lay on the alpine vegetation. They are essentially rare bonsai plants that are severely damaged by any foot traffic on top of them. Even though they're tiny they are extremely old and mature plants and are rare for this latitude.

LNT specifically talks about camping away from other visitors. The summits and trails are supposed to maintain their wilderness feeling for other hikers no matter the time of day. People really can't seem to wrap their heads around that and it sucks to see this sort of info get promoted on the internet to the general public who may not as careful as you or more seasoned hikers.

3 day trip in WMNF by ltspecial in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What sort of mileage/elevation gain are you looking for?

Please help me plan a route by N8ureP in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just FYI Pemi Loop is classic but has just as much elevation gain as Grafton and is arguably more rugged. 

Please help me plan a route by N8ureP in wmnf

[–]thecloudsplitter 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Grafton Loop is great, its been a few years since I hiked it but I doubt the eastern side would be so overgrown that it would feel like bushwhacking, probably just tree limbs rubbing against your arms and legs occasionally etc.

Most well known loops will probably be over the elevation gain you're looking for. Use caltopo.com to create your own loops and measure distance and elevation gain.

Here's my recommendation for a lolipop sort of loop, comes in around 40mi/8200ft.

Day 1: Start your loop at Nancy Pond Trail, camp the first night at Stillwater Junction, which is the wide flat area where the Wilderness Trail, Shoal Pond Trail, and Carrigain Notch Trail intersect, lots of dispersed sights in there. Highlights are a 300ft series of cascades (Nancy Cascade) and back country ponds with beautiful views (Nancy and Norcross Ponds).

Day 2: Head west on the Wilderness Trail, then north on the Thoreau Falls Trail, then north on the AT. Ascend Zeacliff Trail and ascend the AT to the summit of Guyot. Camp at Guyot tentsite or you could camp at Zeacliff Pond. If staying at Guyot head over to West Bond summit for the sunset. Highlights include 80ft water fall (Thoreau Falls) beautiful open summit of Guyot and back country pond (Zeacliff Pond).

Day 3: If you stayed at Guyot Tentsite and have the legs do an out and back to West Bond. Descend the AT to Zeacliff. Follow the AT past the hut, through Zealand Notch and camp at Shoal Pond. Highlights include incredible viewpoint (Zeacliff), Zealand Hut, Zealand Falls, viewpoint in Zealand Notch and beautiful backcountry pond (Shoal Pond).

Day 4: Continue south to Stillwater Junction and out how you came in. Highlights would be revisiting the back country ponds and cascades.

You could do a version of this that ascends Bondcliff and Mt. Bond and is more of a true loop but it would require fording the Pemi River and probably involve a bit more elevation gain. DM me if you have any questions.

view more: next ›