New Hampshire

Welcome to New Hampshire, The White’s Introduction, and other Observations – The Trek

Published

2 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Welcome to New Hampshire, The White’s Introduction, and other Observations – The Trek

As we take our first steps in Maine, we look back on our journey through New Hampshire. This portion of the trail was easily the most challenging. Our last days in Vermont included three 20 mile days. Soon after entry into New Hampshire these big mile days all but ceased and continued to drop until we were regularly in the single digits.

Just as rocky as Pennsylvania sometimes – Yes, this is the trail.

Just as muddy as anything in Vermont and I never did find the bottom – Yes, this is the trail.

The trail is steep – Yes, this is the trail.

New Hampshire describes their trails as rugged. I tend to use more colorful terms, which are best left out of print. The views were often spectacular though, easily some of the best we have seen on the entire AT.

Mount Madison

Franconia Notch

Welcome to New Hampshire

Weather Welcome

Within a couple of days of entry, we found ourselves on Smart Mountain on some rock ledges near the ridge. We knew there was a small chance for rain, so were unsurprised when the shower started. The lightning, however, was most unwelcome. We began to move quickly to get off the ridge, what we thought was our safest bet. This process was slow as the rocks were very slick. Things started to get ridiculous though when the winds and the hail started. Pea sized hail is awful but once it got to quarter sized, it was time to run.

Moving to the tree line, we found shelter under a large tree with a low branch near the trail. Within a few minutes, it was over, but we were soaked. We headed to the summit and found an old fire warden’s cabin, completely enclosed. This allowed us to dry out and plan our immediate future. Ma Wampus found that we could have a hostel pick us up nearby or we could go an additional 25 miles. I voted hostel.

Meeting a Legend

We arranged to meet the hostel’s driver at the trailhead. On our arrival, we found the driver to be none other than “Miss Janet”, probably the most famous trail angel on the Appalachian Trail. Miss Janet has helped thousands of hikers with everything from providing actual resources or services, like a ride or a stay, to advice on safely completing the trail.

Miss Janet agreed with our plan to “slackpack” Mt. Moosilauke to get an idea of the challenges the White Mountains presented. Generally used in combination with a multi-day stay, slackpacking allows the hiker to carry less on their actual hike. In my case, my pack goes from 35lbs to somewhere around 8lbs because I can discard my tent and a bear can filled with several days worth of food.

Introduction to the Whites

Mt. Moosilauke

Our “slack pack” began on the South side of Mt. Moosilauke in the rain. Immediately, we noticed that the trail is rugged and steep, but beautiful. Much of the trail up sided a waterway full of cascading waterfalls.

Once we reached the summit, at 4795ft, we noticed a general lack of trees, major decrease in temperature and increase in wind, and many stone cairns. The stone cairns replaced the white blazes as the physical direction for those attempting to follow the AT. We walked 9 miles in approximately 8 hours.

Advice Not Taken

Miss Janet advised us to carry 4-5 days of food and provided an itinerary to get through the White Mountains in approximately 11 days. She also advised to avoid a slack pack plan offered by other hostels that involved a 16 mile hike in one day.

We moved on and found, as Miss Janet stated, a plan to hike 16 miles in one day. On review, it looked doable. In weighing our options, carrying a 35-40lb pack for the next 5 days at 9-10 miles per day or carrying a lighter pack again, we decided to go with the lighter pack. The 16 mile plan would be difficult but, barring any difficulties, entirely possible. The AT is funny though. There are always difficulties.

The Kinsmans

Our hike up the Kinsmans began without issue. Soon after our arrival to the trailhead, it began to rain. It never stopped. The trail turned into a creek.

On the crest, the rocks were slick and wet and the going was slow. By the time we reached the bottom again, we had been hiking 11 hours. The entire plan called for a 10 hour day. We were almost home though and a nice hot chocolate and a warm shower awaited. A little brook with a rock hop and a paved section of state park was all that stood in our way.

Difficulties

11 hours of fairly heavy rain had turned the babbling brook into a roaring cascade. Ma Wampus and I had to yell to each other over the noise of the rushing water. Fortunately, there were five of us, one of which was a Southbounder. The Southbounder had completed Maine, which involved multiple river crossings. “I’ll find the way”, he said, as he stepped into the roaring cascade.

The Southbounder yelled instructions as he tapped his way forward to the middle of the brook, the water reaching almost to his chest. It was like watching a DIY Youtube video. “Here, we can cross here”, he yelled. The water was a good four feet high where he stood. I looked at my 5’2” wife and thought “No @&($@&$ way”. Shaking my head no, I pointed over to Ma Wampus. I walked upstream. The cascades were stronger but I could see the rock bottom and it looked to be a little higher than my knee.

I tapped my way toward the cascade, surprised of the force of the water. I braced against a rock to stabilize myself. Once secure, I motioned for Ma Wampus to cross. While it did get to thigh level for her, she managed to cross without incident. As she touched the shore on the other side, I turned and saw that the Southbounder had stayed in place the entire time. I waived but he had already started walking as well. Ma Wampus and I agreed we would avoid climbing these mountains in heavy rain.

Our journey through the Whites had just begun.

Other Observations

With a state whose motto is “Live Free or Die”, one could expect a few stories. We were not disappointed. Here are but a couple that provide some flavor of this magical place.

Sarah and the Bear

1783 Warren NH – about 3 miles from the AT. Four year old Sarah begs her parents to let her go with them to visit her uncle on the mountain. Sarah’s father declines. The parents visit the uncle and then return a day or so later. On their return, Sarah’s siblings ask the parents why they left Sarah at her uncle’s place.

The parents freak out, as one would do, and get together a search party from Warren. Eventually, a famous tracker comes down from the mountain some four days later and helps with the search. He is the one that finds Sarah’s bloody footprints some distance from the house and that of the large bear that was clearly following her. The search turned into a somber recovery mission.

The next day men of the search party heard firing – Sarah had been found. The rest of the story was relayed by…..Sarah. The bear had indeed found her. She had cut her feet on the rocks and was crying. The temperature had dropped and she was cold – freezing, probably. The bear licked her and then layed down, affording her a very warm place to lay as well, which she did. The bear watched over her, only leaving when the search party got close.

This story is famous in New Hampshire and has been featured in several regional books. Sarah went on to marry and have children of her own but was often asked to retell the story, which apparently she happily did.

Going Ballistic

1971 Warren NH – 3 Miles from the AT. The United States used the Redstone Missiles as nuclear weapons, space launch rockets, and sounding missiles in the late 50’s and early 60’s. As with all weapon systems, they have a shelf life and by the early 1970s the missiles were mainly in a field with their engines, guiding systems, and weapon capability removed, slowly rusting away. Enter Army Sergeant Ted Assalin.

Assalin loved the history of the rocket, and thought it would be a swell idea to put one up in a public park in the metropolis of Warren NH, population 900. The rocket would be an educational memorial to the Cold War and the early US Space Program. He gave his plan to the Army. He told his plan to the town of Warren. Nobody said no. He got a 60ft trailer and put the 8 ton rocket up in the park, where it sits today.

Next Chapter

The next days would be the most challenging we had seen on the trail. Fortunately, several unexpected allies helped us through. More on them and these challenges in the next issue.

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New Hampshire

Holy Cross football falls to New Hampshire

Published

9 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Press Room

Holy Cross football falls to New Hampshire

WORCESTER, Mass. — Holy Cross football played their first game of the season at Fitton Field on Saturday. It was a game you could see live on Spectrum News 1.

The Crusaders were looking for their first win of the season against the University of New Hampshire.

It was a low-scoring first half, but Holy Cross bounced back in the third quarter.

Senior running back Jordan Fuller scored on a nine-yard run to give the Crusaders a 13-7 lead.

Then, senior quarterback Joe Pesansky, who finished with 301 yards on the day, connected with senior tight end Jacob Petersen for a 71-yard touchdown. Petersen finished with a career-best 110 yards on six receptions.

The Crusaders were up 20-14 in the fourth quarter until UNH regained the lead. The Wildcats would go on to win 21-20. Holy Cross falls to 0-2 on the season.

The team is back on the road next Saturday to take on Bryant University. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

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New Hampshire

Forecasters: It Will Be A Dandy Weather Week In New Hampshire

Published

17 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Press Room

Forecasters: It Will Be A Dandy Weather Week In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — The weather this week in New Hampshire appears to be fine, including on Tuesday, the state primary, which means there will be no excuses for not getting out and voting.

The chilly spell continues Monday, with temperatures in the lower 70s in Concord, the capital region, and on the Seacoast, and slightly higher temperatures in Nashua. The skies, though, will be sunny, and wind gusts will be as high as 20 mph across the state. Overnight lows will be in the low 50s.

Early commuters can expect patchy fog between 3 and 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Highs will be in the upper 70s, and skies will be mostly clear. Overnight lows will be in the upper 40s.

A warmup begins on Wednesday: Sunny skies, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s and lows in the lower 50s.

It will be slightly warmer on Thursday, with more sunny skies, highs in the mid-80s, and lows in the upper 50s.

Similar weather is expected on Friday and Saturday.

For your convenience, the most up-to-date weather conditions are readily available on every Patch.com site in the United States. This includes the 14 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites for Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Salem, Windham, and Across NH. We post local weather reports for New Hampshire every Sunday and Thursday and publish alerts if needed.

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New Hampshire

2024 NH state primary is Tuesday: Here’s our voters guide

Published

24 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Press Room

2024 NH state primary is Tuesday: Here’s our voters guide

The 2024 New Hampshire state primary is upon us. From the governor’s race to U.S. House and state representative battles, the Seacoast will see plenty of contested races on the ballot with the winners advancing to the general election.

Here’s what you need to know.

When is the New Hampshire state primary?

The state primary is on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

How to vote in the primary

New Hampshire residents can vote at their designating polling place on Election Day.

More: Seacoast polling times and places listed here

Registered Democrats and Republicans must vote in their respective party’s primaries. Undeclared voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot.

You can find sample ballots here, and you can check your voter information here.

If you are at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and domiciled in a New Hampshire town or city ward, you may register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. You must fill out a voter registration form and show proof of identity, age, citizenship and having established a domicile. If you don’t have the documents with you on Election Day, you may prove those qualifications by completing an affidavit.

If you meet certain qualifications, you may also vote by absentee ballot.

Here is a guide.

U.S. House primary elections in NH

First Congressional District

The Republican primary for New Hampshire’s First Congressional District features seven candidates: Russell Prescott, Joe Kelly Lavasseur, Chris Bright, Walter McFarlane, Hollie Noveletsky, Andy Martin, and Max Abramson.

The winner will face incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas.

Second Congressional District

Maggie Goodlander and Colin Van Ostern are vying for the Democratic nomination for New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District.

There are 13 candidates on the Republican side. They are Tom Alciere, Gerard Beloin, Michael Anthony Callis, Randall Clark, Casey Crane, Robert D’Arcy, Bill Hamlen, William Harvey, Vikram Mansaramani, Jay Mercer, Jason Riddle, Lily Tang Williams, and Paul Wagner.

What voters need to know: NH races for governor, Congress get heated and personal

NH governor’s races for Democrats and Republicans

There is a contested primary in both the Republican and Democratic primaries for governor.

In the Republican primary, Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse lead a crowded field that includes Shaun Fife, Robert Wayne McClory, Richard A. McMenamon II, and Frank Negus Staples.

Whoever wins will face either Joyce Craig, Cinde Warmington, or Jon Kiper, all running in the Democratic primary, in November.

More: NH races for governor, Congress get heated and personal: What voters need to know

NH Executive Council

The Republican primary for Executive Council District 4, which includes Lee and Barrington, features six candidates: Terese Bastarache, Robert Burns, John Reagan, John Stephen, Ryan Terrell, and Ross Terrio. The winner will face Democrat Jim O’Connell in the general election.

Contested NH State Senate race in greater Seacoast

Bill Gannon and Emily Phillips are facing off in the Republican primary for State Senate District 23, which represents Brentwood, Chester, Danville, East Kingston, Epping, Fremont, Kensington, Kingston, Newton, Sandown, Seabrook, and South Hampton. The winner will meet Democrat Brenda Oldak in the November election in a heavily Republican district.

Contested NH House races in greater Seacoast

There are several contested state representative primary races.

In Rockingham County District 6 (Brentwood), Allen Cook and Thaddeus Paul Riley are facing off in the Republican primary for who will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Eric Turer in November.

In Rockingham County District 32 (Brentwood, Danville, Fremont), Republicans Melissa Litchfield and Scott Wallace are competing for the nomination to face Democrat Diana West.

More: Brentwood Republicans face off in two competitive NH House primaries

In Rockingham County District 10 (Newfields, Newmarket), Democrats Michael Cahill, Ellen Read, Lela Porter Love, and Toni Weinstein are running for three spots. Those who advance will appear on the November ballot with one Republican candidate, Jeanene Cooper.

More: Democratic voters in Newmarket, Newfields have 4 choices for 3 spots in NH House primary

In Rockingham County District 11 (Exeter), Linda Haskins, Julie Gilman, Gaby Grossman, Mark Paige, and Katrina Heinrich are running for four spots in the Democratic primary. The winners will face Republicans Robert Goeman, Brian Griset, and William Smith.

More: Exeter voters: to choose from 5 Democrats running for 4 NH House seats

In Rockingham County District 29 (Hampton), the Republican primary features Nicholas Bridle, David Hagen, Ken Sheffert, Bruce Theriault, and George Attar. The four candidates who garner the most votes will compete against Chris Muns, Mike Edgar, Alan Scott Blair, and Erica de Vries in the general election.

In Rockingham County District 40 (Hampton, Seabrook), Linda McGrath and Richard Sawyer are facing off in the Republican primary. Whoever comes out on top will run against Democrat John Patrick Carty in the general election.

In Rockingham County District 30 (Seabrook), Republicans William Fowler, Jason Janvrin, Aboul Khan, and Matt Sabourin are running for two spots. The winners will face Democrats Bob Albright and Justin Gregory Packard in November.

More: Hampton and Seabrook Republicans face off in competitive NH House primaries

In Strafford County District 10 (Durham), Timothy Horrigan, Loren Selig, Marjorie Smith, Wayne Burton, and Gale Bailey are running for four seats. There are no Republicans running, so the four winners will be unopposed in November.

More: Durham has 5 Democrats to choose from for 4 seats in NH House

In Strafford County District 11 (Dover Ward 4, Madbury, Lee), Democrats Erik Johnson, Thomas Southworth, and Janet Wall are running for three spots in the primary. It is no longer a contested primary after fourth candidate Andrew Kennedy suspended his campaign, but he will still appear on the ballot due to his late exit. They will face Republicans Joe Bazo, Denis Grenier, and Bill Taylor in the general election in November.

More: NH House candidate in Dover area who faced police investigation drops out of race

In Strafford County District 15 (Dover Ward 2), Alice Wade and Lucas Veitch are vying for the Democratic nomination. Whoever wins will face Republican Keith Mistretta.

More: Alice Wade, Lucas Veitch compete for Dover Ward 2 state rep Democratic nomination

In Strafford County District 19 (Rochester Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6), Daniel Fitzpatrick, John Larochelle, Melena Lugo, and Seph Warren are competing in the Democratic primary. The three who advance to the November primary will be running against Republicans Kelley Potenza, David Walker, and Jenny Wilson.

More: What Rochester voters need to know about 4 Democrats in NH House primary

Strafford County sheriff

Three Democrats seeking to become the next Strafford County sheriff nominee are competing in the primary: Steven Bourque, Tracy Hayes, and Kathryn Mone. Voters will decide which will be on the ballot in November against Republican Scott Tingle.

More: Here are 3 Democrats running for Strafford County sheriff

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