Today, 50 years ago, on Appalachian Trail

 The first day of September 1974, Avery LT was our camp after a 21 mile day.  Several nice views from the mountains along the way including mine, the same as Avery’s Silver Aisle picture.   Several LT’s are now found next to the pond.

Except for the lack of backpackers in the shot, this view has to be one of the most iconic views found along the whole AT.  I think it might top McAfee Knob!

The Bigelow Range was initially blazed by Helon N. Taylor, then Game Supervisor in Maine.  The trail was later improved in 1934-36 by the CCC.

A current map of the Mountain can be found here.

A highly recommended hike!

Shelters in the White Mountain National Forest

  A document prepared for the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources is a 152 page report on Lean-tos and shelters in the Whites.  It has area maps and historic photos and it is a wealth of historic information.

Check it out at fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd649771.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0FNhd8rEcZ4JJJaijcFV5BfMqQoUjoLdBi-aU15yYe75VmMmt0XZqNcps

Here is a shot of Imp Shelter found between 1938 and 1980, where I camped in 1974.

Enjoy!

25.5 mile hike to Fingerboard LT on AT (3 June 1975)

 Yes, my historic longest hike day that took me 12.25 hours.  "The bugs are eating me alive." This was 3rd of June 1975.

Here is a link to a Backpacker article about hiking to Fingerboard to see a pic (I have one somewhere, but I guess I have yet to digitize it).  The floor was rock.

I climbed through Lemon Squeezer earlier that day.

Now, I hadn't planned to finish my AT on this trip since I hadn't planned on hiking so far each day.  But at this Lean-to, I played with the idea.

Maryland Appalachian Trail 1972 thru 1978

 I hiked the whole AT in Maryland at least twice in the early 1970s.  And if you count the loops I did north of Harpers Ferry, WV for backpacking trips when I taught at Harford Community College, you can add another 3 or so.

How about some pics?

Several of these shots are no longer on the AT due to a relocation through Harpers Ferry.

October Mtn LT (16th October 1974)

 After leaving Williamstown, I climbed Mt. Greylock.  On the south flank I stayed at Kitchen Brook LT and met a private school camping trip.  One day south and 16 miles I camped out 3 miles south of Dalton, MA.

The next day I hiked a short 7 miles, in the rain and cut the day short to stay in the old October Mountain LT.  I followed the old AT, since I either lost the new relo or couldn't see the blazing.

I somehow got a fire going to help dry out my clothes.  On the 16th, I wrote nearly two pages in my diary. 

I noted that "I really do miss something to read, that is why I'm keeping my letters a little longer, so I can read them again."

Seven States down, Six to go.

 At this point of my hike, as I crossed the Connecticut River between NH and VT, I had seven states hiked on the AT.  Vermont was next and the famous Long Trail, but first I had to hike west to the Green Mountains.

I arrived at Cloudland LT, in a light snow, and played cards with Mike.  I also slept with all my clothes since it was cold.  

Here is a shot of the pretty Vermont country side.

I believe this "snip" of the USGS map shows the shelter.