Archive for the 'Hiking' Category

Ten Years of Paddling Strong – Ryan the Realtor

The Swift River flows east before joining the Saco on its journey to the Atlantic Ocean and has provided countless thrills and wonder during my last ten years in Mt. Washington Valley.

Station wagon boulders, series of ledges pour a cascading maze, and stout waves allow a kayaker to surf in rhythm as the world flows by.

Ice blocks and snow stand ashore as if pushed aside by the hand of a giant. The water runs a mild one foot in depth and today’s danger primarily lies in catching a submerged rock belly up, halting progress and freedom.

We run tight keeping an eye on each other and looking over my shoulder I see my pals outlined in the halo of dazzling evening sun – perhaps this the truest version of ourselves.

Rivers are for running and mountains for hiking; a home in Mt. Washington Valley is a place to sleep and stash your toys. I can help.

Call Ryan today 207-462-3874 // Email Ryan@JtRealty.com

Swfit River Smiles

Left to right: Darron, Matt, Jake, Ryan
Photo courtesy of Darron Laughland

On the first day of our New Year in New Hampshire  I return to my hiking boots and the National Forest certain I will learn a great deal on a trail well known to me and last visited in July. I spend little thought entertaining grandiose illusions of what the next year will bring and I simply seek a simpler need of mountains and wilderness sounds – and this day will be shared with my children, four-year-old Maya and seven-year-old Elias, the most important culmination of my decade in Mt. Washington Valley.

Unseasonably warm, the kids quickly cry foul at the marshmallow snow, pretend legs will give out, and my first lesson of the day is “Dada my W-E-D-G-I-E” is cause to interrupt our progress and rearrange the tangle of cotton underneath pink snow pants (gloved four year old hands are of little use during a  w-e-d-g-i-e  crisis).

My adult legs wish to pump and strain but we make mule progress and I lead just enough to keep our caravan moving on this winter hike, just far enough away so the kids know turning around is not a possibility. I watch the changing summit, shades of light in the sky, trees freshly fallen since my last trip, and pairs of Chickadees while realizing kids allow us to see more.

I am not a tyrant, so flat stumps and fallen trees make good benches for water and granola breaks, but here’s what elevates our experience to heights of child bliss: the plastic sled and strap on skis that have been buoyed and clattering on my back. On an open stretch the kids make a double toboggan and give the sled several ripping rides. Maya knows best and is very direct, “Ewi, you go in front in case we hit a twee.”

At the top we break bread (chocolate), sit, and allow our eyes to wander over afternoon hills and mountains. Eli comments, “This is fun dad.”

“Truly Elias, it truly is.”

We change wet gloves, put our coats back on and descend chasing the light and now the red sled pays its weight in gold: the fabulous brother-sister duo careen like a drunken ping-pong ball down narrow paths, around obstructive boulders, and topple over when I yell “B-A-I-L   O-U-T.”

Close to the trailhead Maya summons me for a secret. I lean down and bring my ear close, “Dada, my sled made me go pee; I think you need a leaf to wipe me.” And who said four-year-olds cannot become seasoned veterans of the trail?

NOTE: Mountain climbing and bombardier sledding are not endorsed activities by Ryan Mahan or JtRealty. There is inherent danger accompanying such activities and roots, rocks, and sharp saplings can cause potential head injury or facial lacerations. PLUS, it’s safer to buy one or even two Mt. Washington Valley homes and stay inside.

Contact Ryan the Realtor today!

– A Mahan Minute

I deceived myself in the shower this morning (purely metaphysical, trust me) but my mind refuted the fact that I was preparing to spend the better part of a day inside an office building.

Instead, I was cleansing tired feet and calf muscles in a remote mountain pond after an arduous climb fraught with liberty and danger. Cowboy coffee waited at the ready to take the chill off my morning dip and I sat and stoked the ringed ashes from the night before simply listening, simply breathing.

You know what, I felt the accomplishments of my daydream exceeded the few text messages and phone calls I made this morning. I felt rather industrious on the drive in to work.  I felt close to nature.

I attribute this day-dream to the soap I use in the shower or in the woods that is none other than Dr. Bronner’s.

Ignore the “hemp” ingredients as an attempt to fly the hippy flag but rather focus on the citrus and fragrant combination that puts you in a grove of Spruce trees and takes your mind to the woods. Thanks Doc Bronner, good medicine.

Get out, be vital, the rivers and mountains wait….

Ryan the Realtor
E-Mail Ryan with your mountain dreams Ryan@JTRealty.com

by Suzie Laskin

One of my favorite summer pastimes is hiking. Of course, you can hike all winter too, but I prefer cross-country skiing in winter. To me, summer is the time for hiking and seeing some of the most spectacular scenery you can imagine.

The White Mountain National Forest has thousands of miles of hiking trails, from extremely easy to extraordinarily difficult. The first thing you need is a good guidebook. I highly recommend the Appalachian Mountain Club’s White Mountain Guide, the hiker’s bible. It has a short description of every single trail and very detailed maps. And now, there’s an online version.

Before you head out on the trail, even if it is the easiest hike in the world, BE PREPARED! Do not leave home without water and food. If you are hiking above treeline, bring long underwear, a fleece jacket or sweater, a flashlight, matches, and a compass. The hottest days can become cold and windy, especially at elevation. If you are hiking above treeline, it is almost certain to be cooler than it will be at the base. Wear wool socks and good hiking shoes with a “sticky” rubber sole. When above treeline, you will be walking on rocks; good shoes are a necessity to help keep you from losing your footing. There are several good outfitters in North Conway: LL Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports, Ragged Mountain Equipment,  a local manufacturer of outdoor gear, and International Mountain Equipment, to name a few. Their staffs are well trained and can help you find just the right equipment so that you are well prepared. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or elegant, just safe.

Here are some of my favorite hikes:

Easy: Black Cap is one of the easiest and shortest hikes above treeline. It’s close to North Conway, and you can attain a spectacular view in a relatively short amount of time. Depending upon your fitness level, you can reach the summit of Black Cap in 30-60 minutes. I’ve hiked Black Cap with my nephews when they were 5, and my dad when he was in his mid-60′s. The view from the summit of Black Cap looks down upon Mount Cranmore and North Conway Village to the west. Beyond the Village, you’ll see the popular climbing areas White Horse and Cathedral Ledges. To the north, the mountains spread out before you, culminating at Mount Washington, and the Maine lakes region is to the east.  From North Conway, travel N on Route 16 to Hurricane Mountain Road. Go R onto Hurricane Mt. Road, traveling up a steep, narrow, winding mountain road to the height of land. The parking lot for the Black Cap Trail is on your right.

Moderate: Mount Willard is a little more challenging than Black Cap, yet not overly strenuous. You should be able to reach the top of the trail in about 45 to 90 minutes. Mount Willard is in Crawford Notch, and the view of the valley below is breathtaking. The drive through Crawford Notch to get to the trailhead is spectacular in itself. At the top of the Mt. Willard trail you’ll see the entire valley spread below, with the railroad  and Frankenstein’s trestle. The wooden trestle bridges a gap on the side of a mountain in Crawford Notch, and appears to dangle precariously on the edge. At the top of the Mt. Willard Trail, you’ll come to a flat plateau on the top of a cliff which is the perfect spot for your picnic lunch. From North Conway, travel west on Route 302, through Crawford Notch to the old Crawford Notch railroad station on the left. Park at the RR station, cross the tracks and follow the signs for the Mt. Willard Trail

Difficult: Mount Jefferson is very difficult, yet nevertheless the easiest way to reach the summit of one of the 4000-footers. The base of the Mt. Jefferson trail starts at about 2000 feet of elevation, so you’re partway there before you even begin. It is a relatively short hike (about 45 minutes) to a huge boulder outcropping where you have a beautiful view, can sit and relax, have a picnic lunch and call it quits right there and be happy, or continue on to the summit. You’ll hike some more in the woods before you emerge above treeline. The entire hike from base to summit is about 3-4 hours, so allow yourself plenty of time to get back down again before dark. The Summit of Mt. Jefferson looks over to Mt. Washington and it is surely one of the most spectacular views you’ll find. From North Conway, travel west on 302, through Crawford Notch beyond Bretton Woods. Turn right at the road for the Cog Railroad (Base Road) and follow signs for the Mt. Jefferson Trailhead. BE PREPARED! This is a very strenuous hike, above treeline.

Plan your route from your home!  This Jackson NH mountain view property gives you enough mountain views to dream up all your hikes!

Enjoy, and if you would like more hiking recommendations, Call me, Suzie Laskin at 603-356-7200 ext. 12 or email me here.