A Very Memorial Weekend

First of all, Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all of you.
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I have this habit of repeating things until I know it.  I do it with hiking as do most people. The trails in The Whites are different than most. I did some new trails this weekend as well as some ones I had done before.  I was solo this weekend so I left on Friday and it was raining.  I drove through Franconia Notch and it was very rainy but up towards Carroll, the sun was out. Huge clouds were covering the mountains.  I parked at Zealand Falls, unsure of what direction I would go at the AZ Trail. I could have gone to the hut and gotten dry or bag some 4000 Footers.  I think we all know the direction this went.  The bugs weren't out YET, and the rain wasn't all that bad.  I had been wanting to stretch out the durability of some of my rain gear anyway.  It stayed dry, I sweated a lot so the rain jacket didn't even go on til coming down Willey.  I hit the AZ Trail to Mt Tom and got up to the top very quickly. The AZ Trail is pretty smooth actually, the up hill is gradual til just before the top on the spur.  The Willey Range with Field and Mt Willey is up and down with little views but I am sure that on a clear day it would have been beautiful.  The rain stopped on Field and really started back hard as I came down Willey and that was scary because it is STRAIGHT down with this 12 level wooden staircase that comes off of the ledges.  I was a little nervous coming down but took it really slowly.  I got to Ethan Pond a lot earlier than I thought I would. It stopped raining long enough for me to get my tent set up.  I want to add something about my experience and this is not me complaining. When you walk into a campsite, notice that there is a privy. DO not sit on the edge of the tent pad and use the bathroom because some day, someone is going to be setting their tent up and will step in it.  I used some tree bark and a rock to properly dispose of the mess.  It took me an hour to clean up and disinfect all of my gear and clean my shoes. Thank goodness for denatured alcohol!  Anyway, the rains returned for an hour or so as did more people and the tent pads were full.  After dinner I walked out to the pond and sat on a rock and watched a beaver swim across the pond.  There was another guy there that spotted a Loon. I could not ever get a good zoom on the camera because he was all the way across the pond.  The loon made its moaning call that I haven't heard since my thru hike.

Mt Willey stairs

I retired early and noticed a few passing showers through the night. By the way, my tarp tent is awesome! It was an awesome shelter and by tieing out the doors and adding the little porch is perfect.  I sat under it and stayed dry and had my dinner and some whiskey. I woke up at 4 am and was ready to get up. I took my time, cleaned up the campsite some more and tested some things on my pack. I walked out of camp a few minutes before 6.  The walk was easy but the bugs were going crazy. As I write this, I have learned my lesson about carrying bug spray or some sort of protection as my ear and neck have huge welts from the bites. Anyway, I got to Thoreau Falls quickly and stayed there and cleaned my shoes again just to make sure. I filled up my water jug and went back on the trail a bit and scrubbed the bottom and sides of my shoes with water and some Dr Bronner's. As I walked out I passed a guy, that I would learn at the hut, is a thru hiker.  I was a little surprised to see one so early but with the mild winter the south had, it makes sense. Anyway good luck Peachfuzz.
I was walking along the slides heading back towards Zealand and met Red Devil. He hiked in 1987 during the 50th Anniversary of the trail.  I guess he really saw the first TrailDays. Anyway we hiked together til Guyot Campsite. Really awesome guy and is probably the most knowledgable person I have met thus far when it comes to knowing the trail and ins and outs of The Whites.

Ethan Pond

Zealand had been full and Im guessing we saw the last group leave out.  Everyone was heading for Guyot and they all wanted to get there early to claim a spot.  Red Devil and I were the first one's there and we passed about 10-12 people heading there. When we summited Guyot and had lunch, there were a couple of groups.  I had to water up so I had to make the silly drop down to the campsite.  Its one of my favorites but I wouldn't want to be there this weekend.  I walked out of Guyot Campsite and made the climb back up to the summit.  There was a line of people coming off of the first summit of Guyot down to the junction.  Everyone stopped to ask about the numbers.  I must have passed 20 people before I got back into the woods going to South Twin.  I had thought for a second about going with Red Devil, who was going to camp on the "spot" on West Bond. I talked it over with him and just decided to go to North Twin, since it was only noon. I was going to camp in the woods on the other end of North Twin but would ultimately hitch on the highway and get picked up and back to my car at 7:30 pm. A really awesome trip with lots of lessons! I also met a NH Tramper this weekend from VFTT which was another awesome highlight.

New Hampshire is awesome!!

New Hampshire

I moved to New Hampshire in February 2011. I sort of always knew I would end up here when Jen and I got together.  After hiking The Whites in 08, I expanded my very small horizons.  I had never really been that far out of NC.  So here I am in New Hampshire with all of these fun places to go. It is much more different than I thought it would be.  The scenery down south is great and amazing and I miss it. The mountains and the woods are totally different. The one thing that always amazes me about NH is the way the forest changes as you climb.  The different species of plants and mosses that are across these mountains are unlike anything else in the world. The dirt is different. I live in the center of the state and have had the privilege of doing some traveling in and around New England and I really appreciate the beauty up here.  With that said, we have to protect it.  The main thing that people can do everyday is pick up trash. If you see a wrapper that someone dropped, or whatever, pick it up. With the amounts of people on the ridges and open summits, there was quite a bit of trash scattered across the trail. If you see something, just pick it up and pack it out. Keep the streams clean.  I do not really choose to filter water, especially in the alpine elevations.  I let the moss do the filtering. I do carry Aqua Mira because as precaution, but I have been carrying the same drops for the past 2 years and am probably due for a change out.

So my calves still ache from the hike and the map is out for this weekend. I think I am going to get on a 2 night quest for some of the 4000 Footers I need to complete the 48. I have a figure eight type hike, starting at the trailhead for Mt Hale, and do the side over Hale then take Ethan Pond Trail to the Pond or try to water up and camp somewhere in that area.  Next day will be over Wiley, Field, and Tom, then back to the hut and to the car, its all pretty flat.  I will still have one extra night left so I thought of driving to Haystack road and walking in later in the afternoon on the North Twin Trail and just camping at the bottom area along the river. The next morning I could head up North Twin and get a total of 5.  I have to be in the car by 2:00 at the latest.  I may try and catch a sunrise somewhere depending on weather.

Our summer plans are changing and it is looking like I can't do the Long Trail after all.  We are going to Jonesville, Vermont and will be hiking Mansfield to the border and will be out for about 8 days.

Liberty Springs and Franconia Ridge

Sunset on Mt Liberty

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We ventured out on a beautiful weekend up to The Whites.  We parked at the crowded Lafayette PLace parking lot and walked the Pemi Trail to Liberty Springs Trail and climbed Mt Liberty. We stopped at Liberty Springs Tentsite and set up, ate dinner then climbed the summit for an awesome sunset. The next day we started out early to avoid the heat that was coming.  There was a light breeze on the ridge and we managed to traverse the ridge over to Lincoln pretty early in the morning. Mt Lincoln has always been my favorite spot on the ridge because it is right in the middle and you can see the whole ridge on both sides. Its just a very sentimental spot for me personally. The climb up Lafayette was tough because the temps rose pretty quickly.  The crowds started to increase as we went over Lafayette. We went down to Greeleaf Hut and passed a large crowd of people seeking the summit. It was one of the busiest weekends I have seen since I have lived up here.

We made it to the Hut and rested for a while and fueled up on water.  The view from Greenleaf is so nice.  There is a Eagle Ponds just below the hut.  We took Old Bridle Path down the mountain.  We passed a considerable amount of people coming up.  It was very dry and warm.  I like this trail because of the different view of the ridge you get as you wrap around Lafayette and circle down a ridge that is cut into the side of the mountain and arm of Franconia.  I have been down it twice.  Its a long climb up and there are some very steep spots.  Great trail though.  We made it down to the river and cooled down for a little while before getting to the car.  Overall an awesome hike, one of the best ones we have had since moving up.  I love these mountains and still have hard time believing that we live in New Hampshire.  I love it here!

Zealand Falls and Zeacliffs

Amazing day for a hike. We went with a crew of people from Concord and hiked up to the falls and hut. Perfect day and great conditions.  The views from Zeacliffs were perfect. Did 8 miles total round trip.  Felt great at the end of the day. A little tired but overall, it was good to hike and not be sick.  Great day was had by all
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Last Push...

Im currently buried in school work for the next 7 days but we are squeezing a hike up Zealand Falls this Sunday so I am going to probably carry my pack as a test run and get some more ideas on how I can reduce and be comfortable. I like the way my setup has come along. I have a great pack, all my gear is so basic,  but solid.
Wak is back from Bolivia and is working on a little visual project that is coming along nicely.  She got some great shots and video.  Great experience for all involved.

Hike Fail, but there is always Bolivia

So I bailed on my trip. I started getting a little sick on Thursday and got really sick in my tent on Friday night. I figured doing 45-50 mile sin 2 days was not going to be a good thing for me, especially feeling as bad as I did.  

Wak is doing awesome. She has been sending emails and pictures and we spoke on FaceTime last night. She is doing awesome.  I think she likes the fact that there is fruit growing EVERYWHERE.  This will be an Earth Day she will never forget.  

I hope those of you that got to hike, did so. Looks like winter is going to make one last stand this week and put some snow on the tops.

Market in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Coconut tree

Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail

The Map of The Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail

The weather is playing a role as is conditioning.  I feel like I could handle doing The Whites but the weather is not supposed to be the greatest so I am going out to hike the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail with Guthook (http://guthook.blogspot.com/). We are going to do back to back 20+ days so it should be pretty awesome. Im ready to get out and hike, and just be in the woods. This trail looks incredible and I can't wait til Friday.

Welch Dickey Loop 4-15-12

What a great day for a hike. We arrived at the Trailhead at 9:15am. There were a few cars in the lot. The temps were very unseasonable. When we arrived Id say it was about 60-65 degrees. We headed up the Welch Mtn side of the loop first. There was no ice and the trail was very dry. The only ice we saw was on top of Dickey Mtn but we had to search for it.  The views were awesome. The view of Moosilauke showed snow on the very top and Franconia had snow on it, probably just Lincoln and Lafayette.  Over all, a great day for a hike. When we got back to the lot, it was overflowing with cars.

The map of the loop at the trailhead

The sign as we head up

Wakapak hikin

The Ledges

CHEEEESE

The squeeze going up Welch

The view of Mt. Moosilauke from Welch Mtn
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Mt Moosilauke with snow just at the top

ChacoTaco

Sandwich Dome

Dickey Mtn with a view of Welch Mtn

Heading down

Heading down the trail. Views all the way to the woods

Welch Mtn in the back

Breakin!

Gear Prep

I broke out the tents today and seam sealed the Tarptent. I didn't have to really do anything to the Hubba Hubba. The seam seal video that Henry Shires puts up is awesome.

Henry Shires Seam Sealing Video

I am thinking I will probably need to get some Snowshoes because there may be some snow around Washington.  We will see how the weather pans out

Mt Washington OBS Forecast

I have about 10 days so I figure Ill start getting ready for the upcoming season. SO I have some pictures below.

My Tent, my stove options and my Pack full

The MSR Titan Kettle with Zelph Windscree

The Starlyte. I got this in 2007. I made a fold up pot stand out of Bike spokes and dryer tubing.  It has gotten better with time as the dryer tubing has melted to the spokes. There is still a nice separation so it can be folded at the corners.

The Cat Can Stove (Fancee Feast) on the left and the Starylyte on the right.  Still unsure which one Ill take on the LT. Starlyte is going with me next week.

Next is my tent, all seam sealed up

Henry Shires Double Rainbow. Will be with me on the Long Trail. For now Im rolling with a Hubba Hubba. 

Crampons strapped on, insulated boots, GTX Gaiters as well.  May be strapping snow shoes in as well.  

Developing my stitching skills

So Im getting set. I have to watch the weather. 

White Mountain Jewels!

The AT intersection of The Bondcliff Trail

West Bond looking over at Bondcliffs

When we hiked through The Whites in 2008, we had some amazing days over some of the most beautiful spots. It was also, very crowded being around the end of summer.  There were side trails that we swore we would come back to. Well one of them lies in the Whites and it was so good, we did it twice!.  When you go over The Twins and come out at Guyot, take a little side blaze and go check out one of the coolest trails and campsites.  You come out in the treelike zone at Guyot as well and get full views.  Jump on the Bondcliff Trail and tackle this side hike for maximum views in the heart of The Whites.  Guyot Campsite is just off of the AT. It a hike downhill into a sweet little set up of Tent Platforms and a shelter with a porch. Its $8, has a nice privy and the caretaker is always awesome. Here if you have an early arrival from Galehead, you can set your stuff up and eat and go witness perhaps the most pristine spots in The Whites.  The BondCliff Trail goes up a steep .8 to the spur trail for West Bond. You come out on top and have a really amazing sunset perch overlooking all of the ridges and Presi's.  There is also the top of Mt Bond just a bit further than West Bond side trail along the BondCliff Trail.  Its a fun side trip. The Twins are also impressive from West Bond.

Kearsarge

Wak and some friends of ours Team SNM went hiking yesterday at Mt Kearsarge. They got some views of Mt Washington and they turned out to be some really great shots. Enjoy!
Link to Photos HERE

Ready to go...

Lots of cool stuff happening in our world lately.  The Long Trail is so far off, but I am starting to think about it a little more and incorporating a presentation for one of my classes on the Long Trail or hiking or something. Anyway, our REI dividend came in today so I got a new new rain jacket.  I got the Marmot Precip. You get what you pay for.  Its not the best jacket but it works for me and will last me about 2-3 years, which is just fine with me. I have one now and know that the quality of the Precip is actually better than the one I currently have.  Ill treat it with something.  I learned awhile back that when it comes to rain gear, especially on a mid summer hike, you are going to get wet.Ill also be able to incorporate my layers pretty well and this jacket has worked for me in the past.  It has a tendency to breakdown after about 2 years.  I have my winter jacket but for the purposes of my hike this summer, I want something that I won't really have to worry about beating the crap out of for a solid month.

Next up for consideration is our food.  Wak is going to be joining me at multiple points along the way.  Im leaving on Tuesday July 24. Im thinking about starting on top of Greylock in Williamstown, Mass. If the weather sucks Ill probably just start on the Pine Cobble Trail to go up to the AT/LT Junction.  Im probably going to get some Enertia Meals, I really like the products they put out. I will also just rely on the stores along the way and get Jen to bring any special request I may have. Im going to try to not as much junk as I ate in 2008 but also making sure Im fueling myself.  

My gear list is getting updated and I am customizing my gear a little here and there. Im pretty happy with my pack and have used my gear enough to trust in it.  The only thing I really need to buy besides food is a pair of shoes and Ill probably just get a pair of Merrrels because they last a long time.  I hiked from Waynesboro, VA to Manchester Center, VT in a pair of Moabs. Ill def stay away from the GTX in summer.  

Im starting to look at maps again to plan some hikes close by and maybe jump out for a few days in April.  I am in school full time and working on Saturdays right now so my time is limited. That will change a little when spring/summer REALLY arrive.  

Got tha fevah

So today is beautiful in south central new hampshire. Its about 65 and its March 12.  Last March there was about 20-30 inches of snow on the ground.  Starting to get my gear together and going to update my pictures soon.  Going to start talking about my gear as well. Started looking at the issue with shoes and have just come to the conclusion that Merrells are my shoe. I have tried a few others but I always come back to Moabs. I have been making modifications to my pack to go light and efficient and I think I am there. Just need to drop some of this New England beer weight and get out on the trails.

Welcome to the Team Chacopak Blog

Online Trailjournal- Chaco Taco aka Colonel Chaco
Online Web Album- Picasa Album

Welcome to our blog. After many hours of sifting through pictures, I think I have put together some pretty good reading and viewing. Im working on and off with my Appalachian Trail 2008 Thru hike as I plan an End 2 End hike of The Long Trail this summer. Wak is also traveling to Bolivia in April for an amazing mission trip. Life here in New Hampshire is pretty nice actually. People always ask me why I would leave beautiful North Carolina for New Hampshire. As you will see in some of the many albums linked to their website, New Hampshire is a very beautiful place. We have Vermont next door, Boston to our south, Maine just north and many other beautiful natural areas. We haven't been able to get out as much as we would have liked, but I think we did pretty good in 2011. So the Appalachian Trail section is very much a work in progress but I have read my Trailjournal's and think they are pretty funny because of where I was when I started in April of 2008. It seems like a different lifetime ago. Life in New Hampshire has been pretty sweet thus far for Wakapak and myself. Having lived in an area of beauty in Asheville, I feel like we came to a great area. The White Mountains are pretty amazing. We have been working slowly on our 46- 4000's Footer's. The hiking is much more rugged and has more exposed ridge lines, which is something I have learned is challenging and exhausting, but fun! Also check out the Hiking Gear tab. We have some links to some of the gear and books we carry and love. Its growing as well.The Long Trail 2012 has nothing in it, but is a project for this summer. I have some video's of some of the ridge walks we have done and other good viewings along our travels. We hope you enjoy this blog as much as we have creating it. I also will utilize this blog while I am on the Long Trail to share pictures as I walk to Canada. Sign up to follow this blog.

I figured Id link my trail journal here as well. I haven't really done anything to it. Trailjournals got to be a pain and computer use was so limited in 08. I just never felt like sitting at a computer for too long because, we were just having way too much fun. Anyway, so i am working on a separate Picasa Web Album and removing a good portion of them from here so I don't flood this blog. I have over a thousand pics just from 08. I have a few rolls of film from a disposable cameras that I am going to take to get developed soo. I am afraid of what on them. I think Thor ended up with my camera at one point so I don't even want to know what could be on them. Mudslide may have ended up with it at some point. Anyway, I hope whomever has been looking, please join or follow this blog. I think you have to sign up on the right at The Trailhead tab. We have some pretty cool adventures coming up starting with a possible hike this weekend. The numbers have been really nice in terms of how many views its getting since yesterday. Be patient with my 08 journals, Im working on them.