Veterans Appreciation Day at Bretton Woods

Another weekend and another free day of skiing for military veterans. Today was the annual Veterans Appreciation Day at Bretton Woods and they were offering free lift tickets to military active duty and retirees. This is a great show of support for America's veterans and this is one veteran that appreciates it. I would be joined today by my son Brandon who was looking forward to shredding the new powder with his snowboard.

Annual Military Salute Weekend at Attitash

This was the 8th Annual Military Salute Weekend at Attitash and Wildcat. These ski areas were offering free lift tickets to active duty, veterans and retired military members. Today I would be hitting the slopes of Attitash with my youngest son Brandon and middle son Ryan along with his girlfriend Jen. I'm retired from the Navy and both Ryan and Jen are in the Air National Guard so we enjoyed the free lift tickets. Brandon has a season pass.

A Hike to Mount Waumbek Before the Rain

There was a storm on the way and it was forecast to be a nasty one. Rain and freezing rain was to begin midday. I wanted to hike a 4,000 footer and Mount Waumbek seemed to be the perfect summit for today's conditions. The plan was to leave early and be back down around noon hopefully before the coming precipitation. When leaving the house before daylight this morning there were clear skies and stars above but I could see clouds moving in from the west.

Hiking the Carter Moriah Trail to Mount Moriah

After yesterday's winds the weather was looking a little more favorable although still cold. The temperature at the house as I was leaving read -5°F and I could see scattered clouds through the dark sky. Now I've gone hiking enough to know that the weather conditions at the house are no indication of what they will be on the trail. A good rule of thumb is to be prepared for the unexpected. Today's hike would take me up the Carter-Moriah trail to Mount Moriah. The last time hiking this trail was on a nice Fall day in October 2013.