Connect with us

New Hampshire

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.  

Advertisement

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.  

Advertisement

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.  

Advertisement

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.  

Advertisement

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.  

Advertisement

 





Source link

New Hampshire

Meet Garret, Your Newest Morning Show Host on 97.5 WOKQ

Published

on

Meet Garret, Your Newest Morning Show Host on 97.5 WOKQ


Are you ready for your mornings reimagined?

Hi! I’m Garret Doll (like Ken, but less hair and not as handsome), and I’m teaming up with Katie Killourhy for 97.5 WOKQ’s new morning show, Garret & Katie in the Morning!

You ready to join us?

So, Who Is Garret Doll?

Advertisement

I’ve learned something about myself… I don’t like clutter. Unless it’s my clutter. Then it’s not clutter, it’s a system.

That’s probably a pretty accurate starting point for who I am. A little self-aware, a little stubborn, and definitely someone who knows what he likes. I like tacos, steak tips and lobster rolls. (Fun fact: I’ve never had a lobster roll until moving here.)

How It All Started

This whole radio thing started for me when I was 15. My mom helped me land a job at a radio station in my hometown (cause she worked there), and I fell in love with radio. I’ve never left this career.

I’ve spent my entire adult life doing this job, and I still feel like I lucked into the best job in the world. No two days are the same. One minute you’re talking about life, the next you’re playing your favorite songs, then suddenly you’re out in the community meeting people who feel like friends you’ve known forever.

Advertisement

Most of my career took me to places like Denver, Charleston, and Richmond. Now, somehow, it’s brought me here to New Hampshire.

Honestly, I look at it like a “this is exactly where I’m supposed to be” moment. It’s a new start on life, so to speak. You will learn more about that as we get to know each other and you listen to the show on 97.5 WOKQ.

Why WOKQ Matters to Me

WOKQ is one of those stations you hear about in radio. It’s got history. It’s got heart. And it’s built around a community that actually cares about local connection and country music throughout New England.

That matters to me.

Advertisement

I don’t want to just “be on the radio.” I want to be part of what’s happening here. The towns, the events, the random conversations at a bar, the places you tell your friends they have to check out.

That’s the fun part of all of this.

What I’m All About

I’m a pretty simple dude:

I’m the guy who would give you the shirt off my back

Advertisement

Glass half full (even when it probably shouldn’t be)

Always smiling

Authentic… sometimes too authentic

And yeah, there are definitely moments where I say something before thinking it all the way through.

So if you ever hear me and think, “Did he really just say that?” There’s a decent chance the answer is yes.

Advertisement

Some Quick Hits About Me

Coffee order: Americano

Drink Order: Old Fashioned or just a good local beer

Favorite food: Tacos (not even close)

Guilty pleasure show: The Big Bang Theory

Advertisement

Pet peeve: Close talkers… and people who are late

Random fact: I once got a tattoo of Dopey from the Seven Dwarfs because a girl I was dating wanted one. We got them together. (Don’t worry, it’s been covered up by a microphone and a rose… and I haven’t heard from her in about 20 years)

Let’s Do This Together

I’m new to town, which means I could really use your help.

Where’s your go-to spot when you just want to get outside? Best place to hike? Kayak? Local bar? Just disappear for a few hours?

Advertisement

READ MORE: Hidden Gems in New Hampshire: 5 Secret Places Worth Discovering

Drop me your favorites, because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the best recommendations don’t come from Google… they come from you! The ones who actually live it.

And I’m ready to start exploring and getting to know you. So make sure to tune in to Garret & Katie in the Morning! See you there.

BankNH Pavilion: Summer Show Lineup, 2026

Gallery Credit: Sarah Sullivan





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Hampshire

2 Hudson, NH, residents arrested after cats found abandoned

Published

on

2 Hudson, NH, residents arrested after cats found abandoned


HUDSON, N.H. — An animal cruelty investigation led to the arrest of two former tenants who police say left three cats behind in the apartment they were evicted from.

The Hudson Police Department said officers responded to 19 Oliver Drive on Nov. 25 after the town’s animal control officer received a report that multiple cats had been left behind in an apartment previously occupied by Faith Byers, 48, and Kevin Greene, 57.

The pair had reportedly been evicted a week earlier, on Nov. 18.

Police said that attempts to reach Byers and Greene by phone were unsuccessful, and the property owner later confirmed that the two had moved out without taking the cats or arranging for their care.

Advertisement

With the owner’s permission, police entered the apartment and found three cats alone inside the unoccupied residence.

Police said they determined the cats had been left unattended for several days in conditions lacking adequate airflow, sunlight, litter and consistent access to food or water. Police added that no care plan had been made for the animals, and neither former tenant indicated any intention to return for them.

The animals were safely removed and transported to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford, where they are now receiving care.

Arrest warrants were issued for Byers and Greene, who are each charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor. They were arrested on Friday and released on personal recognizance bail.

They are scheduled to appear in 9th Circuit Court Nashua District Division at 1 p.m. April 28.

Advertisement

Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.



Source link

Continue Reading

New Hampshire

Pakistan hosts diplomatic discussions on ending war

Published

on

Pakistan hosts diplomatic discussions on ending war


Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad today in an attempt to come up with a plan to de-escalate the Iran war.

The meeting comes as several thousand more U.S. troops arrived in the region and after another group got involved in the expanding conflict: Yemen’s Houthis.

The Iran-backed Houthis launched missiles towards Israel, and there’s concern their involvement could threaten another vital global shipping lane in the Red Sea.

Here are more updates on day 30 of the Iran war.

Advertisement

Diplomacy Push in Pakistan

The four foreign ministers from regional powers will meet in Islamabad today and Monday for a push towards diplomacy to end the war.

In a statement ahead of the meeting, the Egyptian government said: “Discussions are expected to focus on recent developments related to regional military escalation and ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain tensions and promote de-escalation.”

“The talks come amid heightened concerns about regional stability, with participating countries seeking to coordinate their stances and support political solutions to emerging crises,” it added.

Whether whatever consensus the countries known as “the quad” come up with will be accepted by the US, Israel, and Iran is another question.

Pakistan has emerged as a possible peace-broker in the conflict, passing messages between the U.S. and Tehran. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Saturday that “dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”

Advertisement

Dar also welcomed the fact Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistan-flagged ships – or two a day – through the Strait of Hormuz.

Houthis enter war

Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen launched the first missile they have fired since the war began toward Israel on Saturday. Israel’s military successfully intercepted it but the Houthis’ attack opens another front in a war that has now moved into its second month.

Up until Saturday’s missile launch the Houthis had stayed out of this war. But a Houthi spokesman said attacks will continue until “the aggression on all resistance fronts stops.”

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AP

/

Advertisement

AP

In this photo released by the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, left, meets with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The Yemen-based rebels were active during Israel’s war in Gaza, firing on cargo ships in the Red Sea and disrupting global commercial traffic.

With Iran essentially blockading the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global oil prices, there are concerns that if the Houthis start attacking ships in the Red Sea again global shipping will be even more disrupted.

Iran also hit multiple sites around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Saturday and Israel’s military says Iran is increasingly using cluster bombs.

Designed to detonate at high altitude the munition disperses dozens of smaller bombs that are more challenging for Israel’s multi-layered air defense system to intercept and can cause damage over a wider area.

Advertisement

Dozens of countries have signed onto a cluster munitions treaty banning the weapons – except Iran, Israel and the U.S.

Iran threatens U.S. universities in region

Iranian authorities and residents say more airstrikes hit them overnight. Social media videos from across Iran showed strikes hitting all over the country.

Israel’s military said it had completed what it called a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting weapons production and storage sites.

Iran claims U.S.-Israeli strikes hit a Tehran university over the weekend and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened American university campuses in the Middle East in retaliation.

“We advise all employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas” to stay a kilometer away from campuses, the statement, carried by Iranian media, said.

Advertisement

Several US universities have campuses in the Gulf, including New York University in the United Arab Emirates and Texas A&M University, among others, in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to fire drones and missiles at Gulf countries, with Kuwait saying it was intercepting missile and drone attacks early Sunday. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed ten drones.

Iran also claimed it had attacked two major aluminium sites in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Emirates Global Aluminium confirmed an Iranian attack wounded several and caused significant damage to its plant.

U.S. Troops injured, more arrive

At least 15 U.S. service members were wounded Friday in an Iranian strike on a Saudi air base that hosts American troops, according to the Associated Press, including at least five in serious condition. The missile and drone strikes targeted Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base, located outside the capital Riyadh.

A first responder assists an injured boy following a strike that hit a residential building amid the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 28, 2026.
A first responder assists an injured boy following a strike that hit a residential building amid the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Iran has targeted U.S. service members at bases throughout the region since the war began a month ago, in retaliation for the U.S. attacks and seeking to drive troops out of the region. Overall, the Pentagon has put the U.S. casualty toll at 13 killed and more than 300 injured.

Advertisement

On Saturday, troops from the Japan-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, made up of around 3,500 sailors and Marines, arrived in the Middle East, according to U.S. Central Command.

The U.S. military will not say where and how they might be deployed. Thousands more soldiers from the U.S. military’s 82nd Airborne Division are also expected to be deployed.

Journalists killed in Lebanon

Three Lebanese journalists covering the Israeli invasion of the country’s south were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Jezzine.

Women hold posters showing Al-Mayadeen TV reporter Fatima Ftouni, left, and, in another poster, Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoeib, center, and cameraman Ali Ftouni during their funeral at a temporary cemetery in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Women hold posters showing Al-Mayadeen TV reporter Fatima Ftouni, left, and, in another poster, Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoeib, center, and cameraman Ali Ftouni during their funeral at a temporary cemetery in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, March 29, 2026.

One of them worked for a TV channel affiliated with Hezbollah and Israel accuses him of being a militant rather than a journalist – but has not provided evidence. The journalist Israel says it targeted was Ali Shaeb, a veteran TV correspondent and household name in Lebanon. After killing him, Israel’s military issued a statement accusing him of exposing the locations of Israeli troops.

The other two journalists killed were siblings, TV correspondent Fatima Ftouni and her cameraman brother, Mohammed Ftouni. Afterward their father appeared on TV, saying he was proud of his children.

Advertisement

All three had been covering Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.

Lebanese officials called the attack a flagrant violation of international law, and said they’re complaining to the UN Security Council. Hundreds of fellow journalists marched at a protest vigil in Lebanon’s capital.

The three journalists were among at least 47 people killed Saturday in Israeli attacks, according to Lebanese health officials.

Nine of those killed were paramedics, which the head of the World Health Organization called “a tragedy,” noting health workers are protected under international law.

Residents inspect their home after it was struck by an Iranian missile in Eshtaol, central Israel, Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Residents inspect their home after it was struck by an Iranian missile in Eshtaol, central Israel, Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Israel has intensified its attacks across Lebanon, mostly in the South, where Israeli ground troops are moving northward to try to oust Hezbollah militants.

Advertisement

Another Israeli soldier was also killed in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing his condolences on X over the weekend.

Developments in Syria, Iraq

The war is spreading to more parts of the Middle East. On Sunday, Syria said it had intercepted a drone strike from Iraq targeting a U.S. military base. Pro-Iran Iraqi groups have claimed responsibility for some attacks on US interests.

Separately, the Syrian and UAE governments condemned an attack targeting the residence of the Kurdish region’s president Nechirvan Barzani.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack saying: “The sovereignty of Iraq, and of Kurdistan within it, is essential to regional stability. Everything must be done to prevent Iraq from being drawn into the ongoing escalation.”

On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had launched its “first” attack into Lebanon from Syria.

Advertisement

Jane Arraf in Amman, Emily Feng in Van, Turkey, Lauren Frayer in Jezzine, Lebanon, Carrie Khan in Tel Aviv, and Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 NPR





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending