The White Mountains from a Hiker's Point of View

An expanded edition of the definitive guide to name origins in the White Mountains of New England.

"Through interviews with New Hampshire notables at their homes and offices and in important places in nature, authors Doug Mayer and Rebecca Oreskes capture the truly human stories of pioneering people of the North Country. With humor, wit, and unforgettable personal style, the accounts—recorded from 1994 to the present and including historical photographs—invite readers into the lives of these important figures in White Mountain history. From the early days of AMC’s high huts and trail crew work, to the U.S. Forest Service and the creation of federal wilderness areas, to world-class mountain climbing and search and rescue, each captivating profile reveals the strength and character of the human spirit." 

"Now that New Hampshire's dominant White Mountain peak can be climbed relatively easily in a long day, or more comfortably ascended by car or cog railway, it is easy to forget that it was once considered by Native Americans and most European settlers to be too sacred and formidable to attempt. In fact, mountain climbing was relatively rare until recent times, making the fifteen ascents of Mount Washington between 1632 and 1804 all the more remarkable. Passaconaway's Realm is a concise, historically and scientifically correct, and very dramatic story of Mount Washington's earliest climbs and the men who made them in pursuit of botanical specimens; meteorologic, geographic, and geological data; and personal adventure."

"Featured in the book are informative pieces on early White Mountains explorations, winter life atop Mount Washington, and several high profile mountaineering accidents from recent years. The author also delves into the pressing hiking issues of [1997], including the use of cellular phones in the backcountry, and the controversial repermitting of the Appalachian Mountain Club's famous backcountry hut system."

"A misread map, a sudden storm, a forgotten headlamp--and suddenly a leisurely hike turns into a treacherous endeavor. In the past decade, inexpensive but sophisticated navigation devices and mobile phones have led to alarming levels of overconfidence on the trail. Adding to this worrisome trend, the increasing popularity of ventures into mountainous terrain has led hikers seeking solitude--or an adrenaline rush--into increasingly remote or risky forays. Sandy Stott, the "Accidents" editor at the journal of the Appalachian Mountain Club, delivers both a history and a celebration of the search and rescue workers who save countless lives in the White Mountains--along with a plea for us not to take their steadfastness and bravery for granted. Filled with tales of astonishing courage and sobering tragedy, Critical Hours will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and armchair adventurers alike."

"Among the most dangerous mountains in the world, Mount Washington has challenged adventurers for centuries with its severe weather. From the days when gentlefolk ascended the heights in hoop skirts and wool suits to today's high-tech assaults on wintry summits, this book offers extensive and intimate profiles of people who found trouble on New Hampshire's Presidential Range, from the nineteenth century through present day."

"On Feb. 15, 2015, Kate Matrosova, an avid mountaineer, set off before sunrise for a traverse of the Northern Presidential Range in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Late the following day, rescuers carried her frozen body out of the mountains amid some of the worst weather ever recorded on these deceptively rugged slopes. At thirty-two, Matrosova was ultra-fit and healthy and had already summited much larger mountains on several continents. Her gear included a rescue beacon and a satellite phone. Yet, despite their best efforts, more than forty expert search and rescue personnel, a New Hampshire Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, and a Civil Air Patrol Cessna airplane could not reach her in time to save her. What went wrong? Where You'll Find Me offers possible answers to that question, demonstrating why Matrosova's story--what we know and what we will never know--represents such an intriguing and informative case study in risk analysis and decision-making."

"The heart of New Hampshire, the 6,000-acre Franconia Notch nestled deep in the majestic White Mountains, has been a well-loved summer resort and tourist destination since the nineteenth century. When, in 1923, a devastating fire destroyed the famous grand hotel the Profile House and the hotel owners decided against rebuilding, lumber companies eagerly moved in to evaluate the timber in the region. A vigorous campaign to save the pristine Franconia Notch wilderness rapidly galvanized around the efforts of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Granite State's premier force dedicated to conservation. Support poured in from local, state, regional, and national sources as the Franconia Notch campaign gathered steam in a bid to acquire and preserve the Notch. The New Hampshire Federation of Women's Clubs was a particularly spirited participant - and a key to the campaign's success."

"For native and visitor alike, the New England landscape has a rich allure. This grand sweep of land is a living tapestry woven of interconnected bioregions and natural communities whose compositions of plants and animals have evolved over time. In more than fifty essays, Michael J. Caduto brings readers into the complex stories to be found in nature. Drawing on first-hand experiences and reflections on the relationship between the natural world and humans, Caduto explores some of the plants, animals, natural places, and environmental issues of New England--from dragonflies, cuckoos, and chipmunks to circumpolar constellations and climate change. Stunning illustrations by Adelaide Murphy Tyrol illuminate these elegant and humorous essays."

"In this masterful and elegant book, Michael J. Caduto tells the complete story of the land of New Hampshire--starting with the formation of earth 4.6 billion years ago and continuing with changes to its peoples and the environment through the seventeenth century. Part I offers a comprehensive look at every aspect of the ancient natural world--including geology, glaciology, botany, climatology, ecology, zoology, and paleobotany. It describes the formation of the land hundreds of millions of years ago as a result of major movements in the tectonic plates; chronicles the rise and fall of reptiles, mammals, birds, and plants and other life forms stemming from climatic changes; and explores the arrival of human beings during and after the relatively recent ice age. The rest of the volume immerses the reader in the history of the human populations in New Hampshire, beginning with the Paleoindian period of hunter gatherers over twelve thousand years ago and continuing through the arrival of horticulture among the Alnôbak (Abenaki) and beyond."

A compelling look at hiking in the White Mountains during the backpacking boom of the 1970s.

"This comprehensive guide, from the nation's oldest outdoors club, covers the essential skills every hiker and backpacker needs to know. Novice and experienced outdoorspeople will appreciate this authoritative resource on trip planning, gear, food, navigation, and mountain safety, as well as ways to be an active steward of our trails and natural resources."