“Standing on top of a mountain that tested your body and spirit gives you the sense that there are adventures to be had in this life, and you are the kind of person that can have them.”
— from 4000s by 40
Journeying through New Hampshire’s 4000-footers provides plenty of opportunities for great photos. Since publishing 4000s by 40, I’ve received numerous requests for pictures that correspond with each chapter, so I put together this visual companion. I hope you enjoy it (please tell me you do, because it took me FOREVER to put this together)!
A Photo Gallery Companion to 4000s by 40 (by Chapter)
Chapter 1: A Plan Awakens
(Failed Attempt at Mount Moosilauke)
My first attempt at Moosilauke didn’t go as expected, but sometimes failure is a good place to start. That’s what I like to tell myself, anyway.
Chapter 2: The Nudge
(Mount Moosilauke Revisited)
Knowing I was eager to get back out there, my wife helped officially kick off my quest by making sure I finished what I started on Moosilauke. On a beautiful, crisp day, we tackled the same trail that turned me back months earlier. With no winter storm to contend with this time, we had no problems.
Chapter 3: Spikeless
(East Osceola)
With one successful ascent behind me, I headed out to the Osceolas, believing I’d have no problem climbing two peaks in one day. I found out I still had much to learn.
[Mistakes on East Osceola]
Chapter 4: The Lonely Backpack
(Grand Teton)
Grand Teton was a great training ground for future climbs, and it had plenty to teach me. Some lessons you never forget.
Chapter 5: Wogging
(Mount Tom)
My first ascent without any issues was on Mount Tom—hallelujah!
Chapter 6: Want-To-Be
(Mount Waumbek)
As I became more attuned to the demands of winter hiking, my mind was free to fully immerse in the experience of Mount Waumbek—and for the first time, my journey felt like it was unfolding the way I had envisioned.
Chapter 7: Naked
(Cannon Mountain)
My comfort level in the mountains accelerated quickly—so much so that I was willing to bare it all in the parking lot at Cannon Mountain.
Chapter 8: Uncashed Checks
(South Hancock and Mount Hancock)
Spurred on by the checks I received from a customer who had passed away, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to go climbing and headed to South Hancock and Mount Hancock (the Hancocks).
Chapter 9: Not Golf
(North and Middle Tripyramid)
Sometimes it’s who you meet on the trail that’s more memorable than the trail itself. While North and Middle Tripyramid are the only two mountains I don’t remember much of in terms of landscape, I’ll never forget the people I ran into.
Chapter 10: Chasing Tecumseh
(Mount Tecumseh)
Ever since I failed to reach my skiing objective on Moosilauke, I was anxious to try again. When I found a day in early March to try it at Waterville Valley (aka Tecumseh), I couldn’t wait.
Chapter 11: Kinsmen
(North and South Kinsman)
There is so much to see when you hike North and South Kinsman. Not only do you get two great summits, but if you take the loop route, you’ll pass Lonesome Lake, Kinsman Pond, and so much more.
Chapter 12: Lock-steps
(Murdock Peak, Utah)
As 40 approached, I thought about taking more time with everyone I cared about—friends and family alike. A ski trip with pals was in order, where—you guessed it—we still did a little climbing.
Chapter 13: It’s the Climb
(Mount Passaconaway and Mount Whiteface)
Looking to practice for bigger climbs ahead, I added some peaks to this loop hike of Passaconaway and Whiteface. I got pretty beat up along the way—and loved it.
Chapter 14: The Gift
(Mount Kilimanjaro)
The mountain that truly initiated my love for climbing wasn’t in New England but Africa. And it was an arduous climb halfway across the world that made me so sick I couldn’t see straight.
Mountain Kilimanjaro: Where it All Began
Chapter 15: Lost and Found
(Mount Flume and Mount Liberty)
Mount Flume and Mount Liberty are two of my favorite mountains that I don’t think get the attention they deserve. But maybe it’s better that way!
Chapter 16: Noobs
(Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln)
The Tripoli Road was still closed for the winter, forcing me to call another quick audible on my plans to climb Mount Osceola. Instead, I took on the classic Franconia Ridge Loop—an epic hike with a concerning number of unprepared hikers.
Chapter 17: Hunted
(Mount Willey and Mount Field)
I’ve seen gray jays in so many places, but I’ve never seen any as forthcoming as the ones on the trail to Mount Willey and Mount Field.
Chapter 18: Climbing Fast
(Mount Osceola: An Underappreciated 4000-footer)
Mount Osceola illuded me for too long, but I finally got my chance on a beautiful day in May.
Chapter 19: A Pile of Rocks
(Mount Hale)
I’d like to tell you that Mount Hale offered me a rewarding hike, but I’d be stretching the truth.
Chapter 20: Alone in the Dark
(Mount Garfield)
My first ascent of Mount Garfield was the first one where I ended up hiking alone in the dark. This took a little adjustment.
Chapter 21: A Moose in the Path
(North Twin, South Twin, and Galehead)
After getting caught in the dark on Garfield, I was ready to take on some longer hikes. I was ready to try North Twin, South Twin, and Galehead.
Chapter 22: #Instagame
(Monadnock and Carrigain)
Mount Monadnock isn’t a 4000-footer but climbing it with my daughter was my favorite hike during my yearlong quest to climb all of them.
Trying to climb a whole bunch of mountains in one year makes it very difficult to get out on the trails with friends. But after so many solo hikes, I was lucky to get this stretch where after getting to climb Monadnock with my daughter, I got to climb Mount Carrigain with an old friend.
Chapter 23: Saint Dale?
(Through Hell and Back on Mount Cabot)
Some days are too crazy to explain in a simple web post, but here are some of the events from my climb up Mount Cabot. I DO NOT RECOMMEND doing what I did. Especially if you don’t want to find your head on a spike next to a decapitated moose head.
Chapter 24: Pushing the Limits
(Moriah, the Carters, and the Wildcats)
The hardest climb I ever had in New Hampshire was the day I hiked the Carter-Moriah Range. I was grateful for the experience, but I also knew that from that point on, I wanted my relationship with the mountains to run differently.
Chapter 25: The Presidential Traverse
(Jackson to Madison)
It wasn’t as hard as the Carter-Moriah experience, but it was close. And longer. But with my family coming to greet me at Mount Washington’s summit, and then again on the last mile, the single-day Presidential Traverse attempt was a success.
Chapter 26: Thoughts Over Ice Cream and Beer
(Learning About the 4000-footers)
Not much need for a gallery here, unless you want a lot of pictures of Friendly’s Black Raspberry Ice Cream! But after so many big climbs, I took some time reflecting on what all this was about and grabbed some reading at The Mountain Wanderer.
Chapter 27: Identifying the Enemy
(Getting Back in Shape on Rowe & Gunstock, Failing on Isolation)
Gunstock Mountain and Mount Rowe
After such monthlong break, I wasn’t ready to get right back out on a 4000-footer. I needed a warmup and chose Gunstock Mountain and Mount Rowe for my quarry.
Mount Isolation (First Attempt)
I wanted to get back out there and tackle a big one before my fitness levels declined too much, but it was too late. So exhausted by the time I reached the spur trail for Mount Isolation’s summit, I failed to recognize it. I blew right past it without so much as a glance.
Chapter 28: Where the Path Leads
(Owl’s Head, Frankenstein Cliff’s, Artist’s Bluff, and Potash Knob)
Owl’s Head
Climbing the Owl’s Head, I felt centered again. It eased my frustration with failing to summit Mount Isolation, and I fell in love with hiking for the sake of hiking again. The peak foliage helped with that!
“On Owl’s Head I became enamored with hiking for the sake of hiking again… The list was losing relevance.” -4000s by 40
Artist’s Bluff, Frankenstein Cliffs, and Potash Knob
My quest for the 4000-footers was winding down and it was almost time to celebrate. After so many climbs where time played a critical function, it was so nice to get out just for the sake of hiking again.
Chapter 29: Over the Hill
(Zealand, the Bonds, and for Good Measure, Guyot)
I can think of few places more inspiring and beautiful than the mountain ridge hosting “The Bonds.” Making the journey is no picnic, but worth every step.
Chapter 30: The Last Twenty Feet
(Completing the 4000-footers on Isolation!)
If I didn’t come back to climb Mount Isolation and take care of the last twenty feet I missed on my previous attempt, I don’t feel like anything I say would be worth the words. Twenty feet shy of the summit was twenty feet shy of the truth.
Chapter 31: What a Nutjob
(AMC Award Night)
No 4000-footer journey would be complete without getting to experience an AMC Awards Night. Truly humbling to see so many people out their enduring the elements. And for a little bit of unintended humor, after about 900 names were called up, they announced my name last.
Chapter 32: The Hardest Mountain
(An Eight-Year Climb)
Not long after climbing the 4000-footers I began a critical health journey that has taken years to recover from. A more detailed and reflective account is at the end of 4000s by 40, but in the early going, I shared some of my experience here.
Epilogue: A Letter to My Kids
(You’ll have to read the book!)
Looking at all of these photos together, I have plenty of favorites among the 48—some because of the views, others because of the stories. Every peak has its own story. If one of these brought something to mind—or sparked something new—leave a comment below. I’m curious what people enjoyed the most, and the least (if you’re like me, it was Hale!).
heard you on the SLASHER pod cast just found this podcast so I’m catching up on the past shows. just ordered your book. Im trying to do the 48-a bit tough since I live near Philadelphia and all my climbing partners fell by the wayside due to physical issues. I’m at 27-did Tecumseh last month. looking forward to reading your book
Thanks Mike! Hope you like it! And good luck on the 48! Yeah, that’s a tough haul from Philly. I met a guy on the Osceolas this year from NC, who drives up for a week each year to climb 3 or 4. A weekend sprint from Philly is tough. I just did that drive and sitting in the car that long bangs me up more than climbing a mountain! Hope you get back up here soon. And thanks again for the shout-out.