I’ve always found my best inspiration in the wild—especially in the mountains. Below is a collection of posts shaped by time on the trail: reflections, stories, and moments pulled from the ridgelines, woods, and summits that continue to influence my writing.
Dispatches From Higher Ground
Middle Sugarloaf: Dusting off the Hiking Boots
Been doing a lot of writing and book “stuff” lately. Couple that with the deluge of rain these last few weeks, and there hasn’t been much time to hit the trail. [Read More →]
Cheating on Middle Pack Monadnock
I cheated the other day. Well, kinda. Sorta. But you can do that when you’re seeking out the forgotten Monadnock peak known as Middle Pack. [Read More →]
Ice Climbing Kinsman Notch
For twenty-five years, I waited to do this. Whenever I came across a small group of ice climbers exploring the lesser-known regions of the White Mountains, I always stopped and admired them. [Read More →]
No, the Other Black Mountain
Black Mountain, a ski destination in Jackson, NH, rests fondly in the hearts of many New Englanders. It’s quaint size and beautiful location speaks to the adventurer in all of us, nostalgic for a time most of us can’t remember. [Read More →]
Hillman’s Highway: Learning and Earning Late-season Turns
It’s been a year of bucket list items. Ice climbing for the first time was at the top of my list, but second was a wish to return to Tuckerman’s for a shot at skiing the ravine. [Read More →]
Not Smarts Mountain
Some days, nothing goes as planned. I was supposed to ski Tuckerman’s, but then the weather didn’t look right for it. Then I was supposed to hike with a buddy, but he had to cancel. [Read More →]
New Trails and a Happy Return to Winter Hiking
It’s been a while since I needed to don spikes. I’m not sure exactly how long, but it feels like years. Well, for hiking anyway. [Read More →]
They Call Him Bilbo Baggers
One of my favorite hiking developments in recent months is finding more buddies to explore the White Mountains with. I tend to squeeze my climbs in during the middle of the week, so it’s hard to come by others who have the same work flexibility. [Read More →]
Misdirection on Mount Percival
One of the inevitabilities I’ve found when it comes to hiking is that no matter how experienced you are, or how good you get at it, you will eventually have a hiccup and take a wrong turn again. [Read More →]
Looking for Frank on Mount Chocorua
I’ve been knocked out by a brutal cold for the past week, unable to do much in terms of climbing or writing—only able to focus on boring, old regular work. But my head is starting to clear now, and while I don’t have enough energy to get back out there yet, I figured I’d take advantage of my grounded vessel to reflect on some of my most recent climbs. Chocorua seemed like a good place to start. [Read More →]
New Looks at Old Faces
I’ve been climbing the 4000-footers again, partly out of motivation from the book, and partly because of some friends who are interested in pursuing bigger mountains. I don’t have a specific goal of climbing all of the 48 again (it would take a lot to convince me to return to Hale) [Read More →]
When the Heart Is Bigger Than the Head
We thought we knew what we were doing. We thought, hey, this will be a great bonding experience for the family, and the kids will someday thank us for taking them. [Read More →]
A Celebratory Return to the 4000-footers: The Osceolas
A couple of weeks ago, when I finished 4000s by 40 and it was finally published, I decided I needed to celebrate. But where does one go to celebrate after writing a book about climbing the 4000-footers in New Hampshire? Hmm, let me think… back to the mountains, of course! [Read More →]
Getting Back Out There – Mount Cube
It feels so good to be back out on the trails again. The book is out, my health is almost back to 100%, and I can finally return to the mountains—not with the need to conquer a set of peaks, but only a desire to meet them again. [Read More →]
One Step, Then Another
This week I managed to get back to the top of a mountain. It wasn’t the biggest mountain nor was it the smallest, but it was a mountain nonetheless. [Read More →]
Why Climb Mountains?
Why do this to myself? Why, why, why?! Why suffer the weight on my back, still bent on standing on the highest point of the mountain, conquering it, though neither man nor beast would be present to bear witness to my accomplishment? [Read More →]
More Stories
Like stories about hiking and the great outdoors? Check out 4000s by 40 — a tale of missteps, adventure, and plenty of laughs along the way.