Mt Washington Valley Vibe - Spring 2021

Spring 2021 | Volume 4: Issue 15

artsSpringculture 2021

food

health

history

libations

music

outdoors

people

shops 1

Drive to the Highest Peak in the Northeast

MOUNT WASHINGTON Just 25 minutes north of North Conway on Rt. 16 in Pinkham Notch

MtWashingtonAutoRoad.com 603-466-3988

DRIVE YOURSELF

SUMMIT VIEWS

ENJOY SHORT HIKES

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Located at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, The Glen House hotel offers fine accomodations, an award-winning tavern, and great food at The Notch Grille.

Book your stay online at TheGlenHouse.com or call 603-466-3420.

MWVvibe.com

DELIGHT FRESH AIR, LOCAL FLAVOR & YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS

Settlers Green has top outlet brands, local restaurants with great patios, and public art and gardens. Discover tax-free shopping deals while enjoying fresh air, stunning views and endless activities in North Conway.

White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, New Hampshire Spring 2021

settlersgreen.com

888-667-9636 3

SPRING 2021 • CONTENTS 36 - PEACE IN THE MAPLE GROVE

44 - BEYOND THE BOWL

Wiseguy Creative photo

54 - THE DANCE OF LIGHT

Wiseguy Creative photo

Mount Washington Observatory photo

FEATURES 16 WHITE MOUNTAIN

BREWS & NEWS

28 PLANTS WITH

A PURPOSE

44 BEYOND

THE BOWL

66 BICKNELLS IN

THE WHITES

20 SWIFT RIVER SANITY

By Jake Risch

32 FUELING UP ON

RAW & LIVING FOODS

52 MORE THAN

MEETS THE EYE

70 THE RAISING OF

A LOCAL ICON

24 CHANGE FOR OUR

VALLEYS FARMERS

36 PEACE IN THE

MAPLE GROVE

54 THE DANCE

OF LIGHT

42 WINTER TO SUMMER

SPORTS SAFELY

60 BLUELINING FOR

WILD TROUT

By Clem McAuliffe

By Olivia Saunders

By Jeff O’Donal

Dr. Trish Murray

By Lori Steere

By Dr. Hilary McCloy, PT, DPT

By Kurt Niiler

By Mike Cherim

By Birch Malotky

By Thomas Costello

74 CLARKS’ SLED DOG

TEAM SUMMITS WASHINGTON

By Nate Iannuccillo

By Dan Szczesny

By Dominic Lentini

Premier Edition

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS 8 10 12 16 24 32 42 74

SPRING EVENTS SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT ART IN THE VALLEY WHITE MOUNTAIN BREWS & NEWS LOCAL FOOD & FARMING HEALTH & NUTRITION SPORTS FITNESS HISTORY - DID YOU KNOW?

ON THE COVER “Springtime in the Ravine” 30”x40” oil on canvas Chris Muzerall Location: A look over Hermit Lake towards Tuckerman Ravine See page 15

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Spring 2021 | Volume 4: Issue 15

artsSpringculture 2021

food

health

history

libations

music

outdoors

people

shops 1

MWVvibe.com

WELCOME TO PROFILE POWERSPORTS LET THE FUN BEGIN

ProfilePowerSports.com We are the area’s leading powersports store! Stop by to check out the latest products, parts, service, repair, or maintenance.

(603) 447-5855 • 1319 WHITE MOUNTAIN HWY, CONWAY, NH A Choice of Heritage and Scenic Train Rides!

• Weekend Valley Trains to Conway and Bartlett begin April 3rd!

• The scenic Mountaineer over Crawford Notch begins regular operation in June.

All Aboard!

• New lunch-time Pub Train to Sawyer’s River begins June 26!

All trains depart from our 1874 station in the center of North Conway Village.

Food and beverages available for sale on board trains!

Choose from Conway and Bartlett Valley trains or our Mountaineer

wford Notch.

ic journey over Cra The Mountaineer offers a supremely scen

Spring 2021

Call or Book online

ConwayScenic.com • (603) 356-5251 38 Norcross Circle | North Conway Village

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THOUGHTS FROM THE PUBLISHER

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER/CREATIVE Dan Houde dan@wiseguycreative.com MANAGING EDITOR Cam Mirisola-Bynum SALES MANAGER Chris Pacheco ads@mwvvibe.com DISTRIBUTION / CIRCULATION Mt Washington Valley Vibe is published four times annually and is available for pick-up, free of charge, in over 250 locations throughout the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire and into the communities of Western Maine.

MWV Vibe is also available at many New Hampshire Welcome Centers throughout the state.

MWV Vibe can also be found in select retail shops, dining establishments, lodging properties, and grocery stores throughout the same area.

If your business, or one you know, would like to make MWV Vibe available to customers, please contact us.

Last year around this time we were living in a world of scary, unsettling questions with vague, disheartening answers—and clearly more questions than answers in general. Schools, events, sports, and the most common everyday activities were canceled. But we were home with our families and had the outdoors to keep our hopes positive. Listening to—or reading about—the rest of the world around us, I can recall thinking how fortunate we were to live in the Mt. Washington Valley.

This year, we still have questions about the new “normal,” but as we get back out there, it feels like my appreciation for common, simple things has grown. A recent trip out to one of our favorite Valley Original restaurants during quieter hours was the highlight of the week compared to it being just another good meal out not too long ago. Volunteering for the 20th running of the Tuckerman Inferno Pentathlon in late March and seeing athletes in action again was more inspiring than ever. Even just watching the kids practice for school sports again has brought on a re-energizing sense of comfort … and hope.

While it’s safe to say that it’s likely going to be a while before life is completely back to normal, it certainly feels good to experience the simplest of activities again. The saying that you don’t realize how good something is until it’s gone has never been truer. Wouldn’t it be nice to hang on to this level of appreciation as we move forward and truly redefine a new normal for ourselves, our families, and our community.

Here’s a friendly challenge: this spring and summer, as you set out to enjoy your favorite activities that might have been out of reach just a year ago, remind yourself just how lucky you are. And perhaps make this your default mindset—I hear it’s contagious.

Please be well this season, be smart, and be respectful of those around you.

Dan Houde dan@wiseguycreative.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written permission of: WISEGUY CREATIVE MEDIA 126 Allens Siding Road, North Conway, NH 03860

Spring 2019 | Volume 2: Issue 8

Winter 2018/19 a rts

culture

events

food

history

people

s h o p s1 Premier Edition

Summer 2020 | Volume 4: Issue 13

Spring 2021 | Volume 4: Issue 15

Winter 2020/21 | Volume 4: Issue 14

ADVERTISING For advertising, feedback, and subscriptions, call (603) 986-5761 or email info@mwvvibe.com www.mwvvibe.com

arts

culture

events

food

history

libations

music

people

shops

arts

culture

food

health

history

libations

music

outdoors

people

shops

artsSpringculture 2021

food

health

history

libations

music

outdoors

people

shops 1

SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK-ORDERS: www.mwvvibe.com/subscribe

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Jake Risch, Conway, NH As a North Conway-based freelance writer, backcountry skier, and whitewater kayaker, Jake is also a founding member of three MWV non-profits, president of Friends of Tuckerman Ravine, vice president of the White Mountain Swiftwater Rescue Team, and on the board of the Granite Backcountry Alliance.

Thomas Costello, Eaton, NH Thomas is an independent builder and restoration carpenter, working from Eaton, NH for 35 years. Thomas’ 17-year-old son Aidan, and their Labrador Parker keep watch over the Eaton Center School, a restored one-room schoolhouse originally built in 1818, which sits near their home alongside Glines Brook.

Mike Cherim, North Conway, NH Mike is a trailwork- and SAR-volunteer in the WMNF. His passions are primarily hiking and skiing (plus biking and fishing)– and he also loves to write.

He makes his living, however, running a local guiding company, Redline Guiding out of Intervale.

Jesse Wright, Conway, NH Jesse is a conservation planner, working with farmers and forestland owners across the State of NH in partnership with the County Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Lori Steere, Conway, NH Lori is a front yard gardener, health coach, and Justice of the Peace. She teaches cooking and fermentation workshops, and enjoys sledding in the moonlight on pizza pans with friends.

After living in the Valley for 20 years, she can finally get down the mountain with grace on a pair of skis.

Hilary McCloy, Jackson, NH Hilary enjoys trail running, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking in the surrounding White Mountains with her partner Andrew and dog Squall. Hilary has a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owns her own practice.

Dominic Lentini, Conway, NH Dominic Lentini, Owner of Fly Fish NH, is a licensed New Hampshire fishing guide. He’s driven by wild fish, and captivated by the rivers they’re found in.

When he’s not on the water, you can find him in the woods climbing boulders. He’s also the largest consumer of cheddar cheese in the state.

Sabastian Wee, North Conway, NH Hailing from Atlanta, Sabastian Wee is Drive Brand Studio’s director of public relations. As a former reporter, editor, and college newspaper advisor, Sabastian continues to be a die-hard advocate for journalism. When he’s not working, he can be found wandering around with his doting pit bull, Lexi Mabel.

Nathan Iannuccillo, Conway, NH Nate currently works as a weather observer at the Mount Washington Observatory. When he is not on the summit, he lives in Conway village and delights in spending time in the Mt. Washington Valley. He really enjoys drinking good coffee slowly, reading classics, climbing rocks, and telemark skiing.

Kurt Niiler, Freedom, NH Kurt grew up ski racing in the Mt. Washington Valley and for Bates College’s NCAA team before transitioning to backcountry skiing and mountaineering.

Kurt’s entire professional life revolves around skiing; beyond skiing in the Presidentials, he also coaches alpine ski racing at Gould Academy in Bethel, ME.

Dan Szczesny, Manchester, NH Dan is a long-time journalist, author, and speaker who has written several books of travel memoir, fiction, and poetry. His book on Mount Washington, The White Mountain: won the 2019 New Hampshire Writer’s Project award for outstanding work of non-fiction, and won the People’s Choice award for non-fiction that year, as well. Dan writes a syndicated column on fatherhood called “Transcendental Dad.” More on Dan’s work can be found at www. danszczesny.com.

Olivia Saunders, Conway, NH Olivia works for UNH Cooperative Extension in the Food & Agriculture Program as a field specialist. Olivia and the team she collaborates with help NH farm and food businesses on all aspects of their operation—from production to profitability. Olivia is based in Conway, and works throughout Carroll County.

Birch Malotky, Laramie, WY Birch is a freelance writer and MFA candidate in non-fiction at the University of Wyoming. She writes at the intersection of science, conservation, and recreation and has been published in MWV Vibe, New Hampshire Magazine, and Wild Northeast, among others. Follow her @birch_breeze.

Additional Contributers - Jesse Wright, writer - JP Goodwin, writer - Dr. Trish Murray, writer - Jeff O’Donal, writer - Carol Felice, writer - JP Goodwin, writer - Nancy Cassidy, writer - Will Broussard, research - Joe Klementovich, photography - Nicole Handel, photography

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE VIBE TEAM?

If you reside locally or have ties to the Valley and would like to offer your creative talents, please contact us at info@mwvvibe.com.

Spring 2021

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SPRING 2021 EVENTS There’s nothing quite like springtime in the Mt. Washington Valley! We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, please call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Spring Stories in the Park • Conway Public Library Wednesday, April 14 and 28; 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Pull on your puddle boots and come prepared for stories, songs, and activities outdoors in the library park on Wednesdays.

BYO lawn chair if you would like. www.conwaypubliclibrary.org • (603) 447-5552

Mt. Washington Observatory photo

Virtual Book Discussion Group • Conway Public Library Monday, April 19, 2021; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

The Conway Public Library Book Discussion Group meets on the 3rd Monday of each month from 10 - 11:00 a.m.. Attend in-person or over Zoom! Event location: Ham Community Room www.conwaypubliclibrary.org • (603) 447-5552 Black Fly in My Eye • Great Glen Trails 10- or 3-Mile Run and Relay June 12 • 10 a.m.; INTERVAL START Tackle single-track, 10-mile course: muddy bogs, carriage roads, and a river crossing in this course made up of three loops run in sequential order. Challenge yourself to run it as an individual, or run with a team of three (each to run one loop)! For trail running novices and experienced runners alike. www.greatglentrails.com/blackfly

Seek Your Peak • Mt. Washington Observatory July 17 This is the largest annual fundraiser for the Observatory, highlighting the amazing outdoor recreational resources of the White Mountains. This year, Seek Your Peak will create an inclusive opportunity for supporters. Local outdoor professionals come together in the Mount Washington Adventure Expo, and will host opportunities for everyone, from the seasoned trailblazer to the uninitiated explorer. This expanded concept will include in-person outdoor adventure with COVID protocols in place this summer, or a chance to explore your own area as a virtual event. Either way, there will be chances to win prizes, get gear, and make a difference while supporting MWO’s important work in weather and climate. www.secure.qgiv.com/event/stp2021/ Light Up Pride • Settlers Green Streetside June 1 through 30; 9 - 10 p.m.

Take an evening stroll and watch the buildings at Settlers Green Streetside light up in rainbow colors nightly in celebration of Pride Month.

Look for additional Pride Month specials and promotions this spring! www.settlersgreen.com/events • (603) 356-7031 Touch-A-Truck! • Conway Public Library Wednesday, April 21; 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Children and their caregivers are invited to come and safely explore town trucks! Remember to bring your phones or cameras for taking adorable photos. Masks are required for all over the age of 3, and hand sanitizing stations will be on site. This program is a partnership between the Conway Public Library and the Town of Conway Public Works Department. www.conwaypubliclibrary.org • (603) 447-5552

• (800) 450-7784 8

MWV Farmers’ Market Tuesdays, 4 - 7 p.m.; beginning June 28 and through October 5 The new market will be held weekly outdoors at the North Conway Community Center. There will be a wide variety of local agricultural products available, as well as prepared foods and crafts.

A time to connect with friends and farmers and share food and fun! SNAP benefits welcome. www.northconwaycommunitycenter.org/farmers-market MWVvibe.com

DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE OF VIBE MWV Vibe is printed quarterly and makes a great gift for those who love, or live away from the Valley!

SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK-ORDERS An annual subscription is just $32, and single or past copies are $10 (includes postage) TO SUBSCRIBE: • Visit www.vibe.com/subscribe • Email info@mwvvibe.com • Mail a check to 126 Allens Siding Rd, North Conway, NH 03860

Help us send good Vibes to family or friends out of the Valley!

Spring 2021 Spring 2020

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SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Wiseguy Creative photo

DRIVING MARKETING IN A POST-2020 WORLD

By Sabastian Wee, Drive Brand Studio

A family rides through the center of North Conway Village on Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend, 2020.

Businesses in the Mt. Washington Valley and beyond have much to look forward to in the upcoming year. Will your marketing plan be ready for the new “normal?”

There’s a lot to like about 2020, despite … everything. On the upside, 2020 helped us pivot our businesses and discover new ways to interact with our customers. We found new ways to socialize and entertain ourselves. For business owners and marketing strategists, we were given a golden opportunity to wipe the slate clean, lead new initiatives, and try new and bold ideas—because in 2021, everything is on the table.

With that in mind, here’s how to look at your 2021 marketing strategy with fresh eyes.

BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING

Crisis management was front and center throughout 2020 and continues to be a key component of communications in 2021.

The good thing is you’re a lot more prepared than you realize.

We all made it through Boot Camp 2020 for those inexperienced in crisis communications.

For businesses, big or small, the precautions now in place (social distancing, mask-wearing, and deep cleaning) are not going away for the duration of 2021, and maybe beyond. At any given moment, your business may be shut down if just one of

YOU HAVE A NEW STORY

Your business overcame a lot in 2020. Talk about it. Be authentic. Show customers the good, the bad, and the ugly. There’s no better time for a feel-good story, especially when pretty much everyone can relate to struggles when it comes to life in a global pandemic.

By telling your new story, you’re refreshing your content strategy. How will your story translate across mediums? This means new messaging on your website, new types of content creation on social media, how you produce your email content, blog posts, videos, etc. Your business is more than an entity. It’s a vibe. The words you choose and the way you use them matter.

Additionally, chances are your local media outlet (think radio, podcasts and local TV, in addition to the local paper) will be interested in your story—especially if it’s a story of hope, positivity, and overcoming adversity. Think beyond your situation: did you help a customer overcome a daunting situation or discover a new way of doing business? Tell that story. Everyone loves an underdog story.

So ask yourself: How did you overcome the struggles of

Your business overcame a lot in 2020. Talk about it. Be authentic.

Show customers the good, the bad and the ugly.

your employees gets COVID. It’s nerve-wracking. This is why having a plan B, C, and D is vital.

Set up messaging for a variety of scenarios and revisit them from time to time. Communicate with your staff frequently about what could happen in the event things take a turn. How you handle a crisis will go far in the eyes of your employees and customers—and transparency adds a level of security in unpredictable circumstances. Plus, there’s just nothing like the feeling of knowing that you’re prepared for anything thrown your way.

2020? What new initiatives have you undertaken for the new year? Do you have anything new on the horizon that could excite—or even better—help your community? The answers will give you a start for a solid media pitch.

BE SOCIALLY AWARE

People will engage brands that align with their values. This helps them self-identify with your brand and who you are as a company—they see you as an extension of their values. This sentiment was apparent before the pandemic, but it became a

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solidified consumer behavior in 2020. You can’t make everyone happy and you’ll never be able to truly walk a mile in their shoes, but you can be empathetic to what’s happening in your consumers’ (and employees’) world.

Racial justice and DEI efforts.

To appropriately address diversity, equity, and inclusion as a business, it’s far more important to take action and avoid tactics that can be perceived as performative. Take the steps to create a truly inclusive environment, partner with minority-run and -supporting organizations, or develop hiring policies that will diversify your workforce. Celebrate your diversity, but do so with actionable progress. For a subject that is sensitive to large segments of the population, it is vital to be patient, listen, and dig deep to understand the issues before you can effectively take part in DEI initiatives.

Environment. Remember when wildlife roamed the streets in 2020? Or how pollution plummeted during quarantine? People became much more aware of environmental impacts in the past year. Take stock of your energy-saving practices or any upcoming green-friendly upgrades to your business. Partner with environmental nonprofits or local groups.

RETHINK SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is your direct line to speak to your audience; like a customer service desk. Your Facebook page acts as a business listing, so be sure to update if you have new hours, bios, links, etc. And perhaps it’s time to invest in fresh photography to enhance your Instagram presence. Or maybe it’s time to engage in Twitter chats. If this sounds overwhelming, focus on one platform—the one where your customers engage with the most— and work on it for 2021.

It’s also likely time to dust off your social media policy. For example, if an employee says something inflammatory on their personal platform, it could be used against your business—so letting your staff understand your position on these kinds of scenarios will be important.

PRINT IS VERY MUCH ALIVE

Don’t be fooled: print is still alive and well. We may be consuming all things digital, but there’s still tangible appeal in turning the page instead of limitless scrolling. Magazines, in particular, have great shelf life and can hang out on coffee tables for months. Local publications are often highly beneficial for small businesses, as they offer digital ad placements in addition to their print products.

2021 AND BEYOND

Your actions are more important than what you say. In a world where we’re all having to be distant and isolated because of the seemingly never-ending pandemic, people want truth, comfort, kindness, and transparency.

Because, let’s face it, there’s no going back to the good ole’ days of 2019. We’re going to have to fully accept this brave new world, if only so we don’t have to use phrases like “unprecedented times” and “new normal” for a long, long, long time. Like, ever again.

Drive Brand Studio Drive Brand Studio, located in the Mt. Washington Valley, is made up of an adventurous team of marketers who defy the norm to create something meaningful. As a full-service marketing agency, their wheelhouse is vast and ever-evolving—from branding, strategy and public relations to creative design, web development, and digital advertising. Give them a call at (603) 356-3030 or online at www.drivebrandstudio.com.

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESSES WORK REMOTELY

LET’S GET DIGITAL

Consumers are spending more time online, so it makes sense that digital advertising spending will be up this year. Every digital component—from Google SEM and social media to podcasts and streaming services, and digital direct email and programmatic to e-commerce and artificial intelligence—are all in play, so choose wisely.

Online shopping will be the buzzy thing of 2021.

Shopify, Facebook, and Instagram Shops are going all in for e-commerce. In-store shopping is likely to continue to dwindle through the year; thus, it’s a no-brainer that social media is going to be more important than ever to keep your audience engaged with your brand.

Email marketing will remain strong.

More consumers are choosing to engage in email more than social media ads. This allows plenty of opportunities to grow and engage your audience with fresh content and announcements on a regular basis.

Spring 2021

Serving our Valley for over 20 years Business & Home Technology IT Systems & Tech Support Smarthome Integration VOICE, DATA, & VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS VoIP Phone Systems featuring Voicemail to Email • Smartphone & Computer Apps • Mobile Office

NORTHLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES INC. (603) 383-4030 • www.northledge.com 11

ART IN THE VALLEY By JP Goodwin and Nancy Cassidy Our Valley’s Evolving Artists Creating a Bright New Path Forward There are many of us who have used this cloistered time of safe distancing to create and recreate our future as artists.

A visit with three very different local artists offers insight into the reinventing of their creative process and the fruits of their labor. As it turns out, artists are healthy and productive during these trying times—and their creative resourcefulness has garnered some surprisingly

ing and teaching local artists.

After canceling in-person classes and refunding fees, she downloaded Zoom and began offering online painting opportunities, which actually increased her business. She also focused on building Jackson Art’s online gallery and virtual events on social media through Instagram and Facebook. It seemed to her that people were hungry for a place to create and/or purchase artwork. The ease of

A visit with three very different local artists offers insight into the reinventing of their creative process and the fruits of their labor.

welcomed results during a time that had them initially doubting a path forward.

With the COVID shut down, Melanie Berash Leavitt, Rhode Island School of Design graduate and owner of Jackson Art Gallery, realized she had to act fast to stay afloat for herself, and her 25 exhibit-

students working from home on their own schedule and pace made the experience more appealing for many.

The other opportunity this pandemic brought to Melanie was more personal time to paint. Plein air painting has always been her true passion. She likes to be outside feeling and seeing the landscape. She called on some fellow artists to join her this past winter where there is no distraction or distortion of light and color. The “great joy of creating out of doors has lessened the anxiety of COVID” for her.

During January, she participated in the Strada easel online challenge, painting each day for all 31 days outside. Winter plein air challenges are many—including keeping warm and dry.

She dresses in many layers, uses hand and foot warmers, stands on a bath mat occasionally under cover of her tailgate to get out of the rain, snow, or wind–even painting in the car during bitterly cold spells. This schedule requires paint and brushes to be brought in and cleaned up indoors nightly. She was motivated to find new venues and vistas and has a few tips: sketch first, paint fast, have hot drinks on hand. To learn more, contact her at www. jacksonart.com, or find her on Facebook.

By late February, Grant Hacking had finally returned from two very successful internationally known wildlife shows in Las Vegas and Charleston, which had required months of preparation and nonstop salesmanship. He had planned to take a time out to rest and regroup. But

MWV ARTISTS & GALLERIES Artworks 132 White Mountain Highway, Chocorua, NH (603) 323-8041 www.chocoruaartworks.com Bill Fein Gallery 106 Fein Lane, Center Conway, NH (603)-356-7943 Cassidy Gallery 28 Main Street (Majestic Theatre Building) Conway Village, NH • (603) 662-2074 www.cassidygallery.com Cook Memorial Library 93 Main Street, Tamworth, NH (603) 323-8510 www.tamworthlibrary.org Edge of Maine Art & Framing 182 Main Street, Brownfield, ME (207) 935-2817 www.edgeofmaine.com Erik Koeppel Fine Art P.O. Box 325, Jackson, NH (603) 383-7062 • www.erikkoeppel.com Fryeburg Harbor Antiques and Fine Art Gallery 506 Harbor Road, Fryeburg, ME (207) 925-2848 www.fryeburgharbor.com Gallery 302 112 Main Street, Bridgton, ME (207) 647-2787 • www.gallery302.com Gateway Gallery & Gifts 32 Exchange Street, Gorham, NH (603) 466-9900 • www.gatewaygallery.biz Harvest Gold Gallery 1082 Main Street, Center Lovell, ME (207) 925-6502 www.harvestgoldgallery.com Jackson Art Studio & Gallery 155 Ridge Road, Jackson, NH (603) 387-3463 www.jacksonartnh.com Jesse Mixer Metalsmith North Conway, NH www.jessemixer.com Karen Eisenberg Designs North Conway, NH • (603) 662-9887 www.kareneisenberg.com

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JACKSON

ART CLASSES & CAMPS

studio & gallery

ART GALLERY

CONTEMPORARY ART & UNIQUE GIFTS FROM OVER 25 LOCAL ARTISTS

Open Weekends with our “Artists at Work!” ART CAMP FOR KIDS & ADULT CLASSES!

JANET GILL/ PASTELS

BYRON CARR/ OILS CHRIS MUZERALL OILS

LORI STEARNS MOSAICS

NATHAN MACOMBER GLASS

JOELLE GOFF / OILS MARGARET DRIES ACRYLICS

REBECCA KLEMENTOVICH OILS

CONNIE DEFLITCH WATERCOLORS

MELANIE BARASH LEVITT OILS

JUNE MCLEAVEY MIXED MEDIA

JACKSON ART STUDIO & GALLERY (603) 387-3463 WWW.JACKSONARTNH.COM 155 RIDGE RD. JACKSON, NH 03846 LOCATED 1 MILE N. OF JACKSON VILLAGE Spring 2021

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driven by uncertainty, he stretched and prepped a number of small canvases, beginning a series of paintings he harbored little expectation of selling.

Primarily a studio painter, Grant began the process of lovingly depicting his wild subjects in natural settings. At some point, he decided to post progress images of the work, thinking most of us were missing the gallery experience. So impressed and intrigued were his clients and followers that the pieces sold before they were even completed. Then, New Hampshire Chronicle featured his newfound process, which sent sales through the roof.

He is extremely grateful for all the interest and support, and his heart goes out to the many people who are struggling in these crazy times. Grant is always a wildlife painter, and sometimes a landscape painter, trained by his own hand and in the studio of his parents where he grew up in South Africa. Now a Valley resident, he has an amazing grasp of African animals. Take a moment to browse his work at www.granthacking.com.

Nancy Cassidy—fine artist, illustrator, designer, and gallery owner—often found herself torn between commitments, spreading herself thin. Shutting

28 Main St.

Conway, NH

down the recently opened Cassidy Gallery in Conway Village during the pandemic was a bit unnerving. She began devising ways to reach her clients with curbside service and some online postings.

It didn’t take long to realize this shutdown was a blessing for the artist in her.

The time away from gallery responsibilities allowed her to begin larger paintings, experiment with different techniques, and create new work. “Odd how the universe has a way of giving you exactly what you want,” even when you don’t realize it at first.

One new project with which she is very involved is designing decorative panels for a series of chandeliers in collaboration with a metal artist. Having this creative time has pushed Nancy in new directions in her studio and at the gallery. The reinvention of Cassidy Gallery and her work are evolving even as I write. Stay tuned to enjoy the fruits of her COVID-driven time-out by visiting Cassidy Gallery online.

And remember, we artists are out there in different spaces creating work, trying unconventional marketing strategies—while keeping us all safe—to bring you experiences in art right at your fingertips. Take the journey with us.

(603) 662-2074

Visit us online at:

www.shopcassidygallery.com

LOCAL & NEW ENGLAND ARTISTS paintings jewelry suncatchers scarves ceramics glass wood & more Check our website (or call) for current hours as they have changed due to COVID. Please wear a mask when visiting us!

JP Goodwin lives on an old farm in Silver Lake where her tiny studio is simply her warehouse and frame shop. JP is a plein air painter throughout all four seasons, and always has been. She has degrees in fine art and residential design. Having been a principal in three galleries in Massachusettes and one in Colorado over the years, she now is associated with the Mt. Washington Valley Arts Association and ArtWorks Gallery/ Chocorua Creative Arts Center. She hikes, gardens, as well as paints, and during the winter, she also teaches skiing.

League of NH Craftsmen North Conway 2526 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH • (603) 356-2441 www.northconway.nhcrafts.org Louise Perry of Vintage Frameworks 28 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH (603) 356-7711 www.vintageframeworks.com Main Street Gallery/MWVArts 16 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH (603) 356-2787 • www.mwvarts.org Nathan Macomber Glass Studio 480 Eaton Road, Conway, NH (603) 447-1825 www.macomberglass.com Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery 69 Maple Street, Center Sandwich, NH (603) 284-7728 www.patricialaddcarega.com Robert Gordon Gallery Kancamagus Hwy, Conway, NH (603) 356-7943 Roger C. Williams Fine Art 125 Main Street, Lovell, ME (207) 925-3380 www.rogerwilliamsfineart.com Skyforest Gallery 407 White Mountain Highway, Conway, NH 760-770-3777 Surroundings Art Gallery 12 Main Street, Sandwich, NH (603) 284-6888 www.surroundingsart.com Stained Glass Shack Studio 63 West Main Street, Conway, NH (603) 447-4949 www.stainedglassshack.com St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts 155 Emery Street, Berlin, NH (603) 752-1028 www.stkieranarts.org White Mountain Artisans Gallery 3358 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH • (603) 356-6546 www.whitemountainartisansgallery.com White Mountain Photography 95 Main Street, located inside Snowflake Inn Jackson, NH • (603) 374-6050 www.whitemountainphoto.com With These Hands Pottery 397 Tasker Hill Road Conway, NH (207) 256-2522 www.withthesehandspottery.com Report corrections to info@mwvvibe.com.

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ON THE VIBE COVER “First Snow in the Ravine” 30”x40” oil on canvas by Chris Muzerall Chris has resided in the Mt. Washington Valley for most of his life. He is the great-grandson of skimobile inventor George Morton and the son of wellknown Jackson artist, Myke Morton. An avid skier, hiker, and mountain biker, his time in the outdoors inspires his art. His goal in his work is to bring you into a moment or place—hopefully one that resonates.

Although he did study art at UNH, he is mostly self-taught, along with guidance from his mother and family friends, David Baker and Ernie Brown, all artists of note. He is constantly reading and researching to improve his technique. Chris has recently made the switch to working in oils, although he does still work in watercolor, pastels, and acrylics, depending on what will capture the subject the best.

Chris shows his work at Jackson Art Studio & Gallery located in Jackson, NH. This is his first year as part of the studio/gallery; you can often find him there on a Saturday painting.

To see more of his work, visit www.jacksonartnh.com or contact Jackson Art at (603) 387-3463.

Over 80 different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. Non-GMO, gluten free, and no preservatives or added sugar.

Visit us in North Conway Village or Settlers Green next to the White Mountain Cupcakery!

FIND SOME FASCINATING OLIVE OIL FACTS AND OUR RECIPE COLLECTION AT WWW.NCOLIVEOIL.COM

(603) 307-1066 • www.ncoliveoil.com Two Stores! At Settlers Green and at 2730 White Mountain Highway, No. Conway, NH Spring 2021

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By Clem McAuliffe

MAKING LIFE A BIT MORE BEERABLE It’s a Beer Thing, naturally.

Over the last year, I’ve witnessed a number of bizarre phenomena that mystically matched up with the beer in hand that made these moments unforgettable. Starting last spring, when my patchy brown and green lawn was speckled with such a nefarious number of rotund robins, it felt like I was part of a Tippi Hedren nightmare. Those pot-bellied birds looked like a hundred hopping Hitchcocks primping and pouting for their big screen cameo. I raised my can of Combover and toasted the iconic director who once said that the length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.

My next macabre encounter with nature and my 16-ounce nurture came at the end of fall during a particularly windy day. The swirling gusts were blowing the leaves off the ground and back up into the trees! As if tied down with

eyes pinned open, I couldn’t look away or even blink while reality ran backwards. Luckily, an insatiable urge forced my gaze to the vibrant can-o-rino of Clockwork Mandarina in my clenched fist. I gulped down the Moat’s triple dry-hopped NE Pale Ale, akin to Popeye and his can of spinach. It gave me the strength to break the spell and bring me back to reality before I lost my sanity—or worse, spilled the beer.

Lastly, this past winter, I was welcoming the day with an early morning walk in the woods after an icy rainy night in the hood. The sky was as clear and cloudless as the Kolsch from Tuckerman I had tucked in my carryall (fanny pack). As the sun snuck over Bear Peak, the forest began to shine and shimmer as if the trees were shrouded in sequins. Liberace would have loved it! But, before I could rub my magic candelabra to summon him, the scene began to change. Tiny crystal-clear rain fell out of the blatantly blue sky from what I guessed were either invisible clouds or droplets from the ice-cov-

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The ongoing expansion at Saco River Brewing in Fryeburg will add an additional 1,600 square feet of production area.

Constructed by local builders, LA Drew, the new space will be used for fermentation and canning, and will allow increased distribution in New Hampshire. ered trees melting in the direct sunlight. I Googled “invisible clouds” and there is no proof that they don’t exist, so I’ll never know for sure. What I do know is that pairing beer with nature can be lager than life and unbelievably brewtiful.

Now here’s a bunch of local beers for the outdoors, indoors, or in doorways that just need a helping hand to make many memorable moments more magical.

Let’s start at Saco River Brewing in Fryeburg where Mason has brewed the perfect beer buddy. Ha Ha is a Nelson Sauvin-hopped DIPA that is both delicious and hilarious. An homage to the Simpsons character, Nelson, famous for his sarcastic “Ha Ha!” laugh, the beer does justice with its tonguein-cheek title and artwork. With an equally savvy name, the Ephemeral experimental series of brews will only be around for a short time, fittingly. The next frothy friend will be a DIPA dry hopped with Strata.

Spring 2021

The Moat Mountain Brewery is letting winter go, as well as their Imperial Stout. The next seasonal sud is the new Slow Chair Belgian Tripel. This Belgian-style strong ale is mildly hopped, slightly sweet, with complex aromas and flavors derived from the yeast—giving notes of banana, clove, and bubble gum. The happy gnomes on the cans are a tribute to Brasserie d’Achouffe, a famous Belgian brewery. You could end up a lawn gnome yourself after a night of riding this Slow Chair, so be sure to bring a blanket. Also keep an eye out for Old Man of the Mountain, bourbon-barrel-aged imperial red ale, another collaboration with Tamworth Distillery. The one thing Moat won’t be releasing is CO2. A new recovery system captures the equivalent amount of CO2 by 1,500 trees per year. That’s good and good for ya’!

Tuckman’s Summer Pils is like the swallows returning to Capistrano. You know summer is on its way. At 4.5%, this single-hopped Pilsner-style beer is brewed with Citra hops

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Kolsch Our take on the old world German style brew. It has a crisp flavor with subdued malt and a slight toast that gives way to the most delicate flavors and a refreshing finish.

..

Available year round, find Kolsch in stores across New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.

Visit our brewery located in Conway, NH A local brewery in White Mountains, NH. Founded in 1998 with a love for the surrounding landscape and a desire to create fine crafted beer.

tuckermanbrewing.com

COPPER PIG BREWERY

WHITE MOUNTAIN BREWERIES

SCHILLING BEER

IRON FURNACE BREWING

LEDGE LEDGE BREWING BREWING COMPANY WOODSTOCK INN BREWERY

MOAT MOUNTAIN BREWING SEA DOG BREWING SACO RIVER BREWING TUCKERMAN BREWING

TWIN BARNS BREWING CO.

Moat Mountain Brewing Co. www.moatmountain.com

Intervale, NH (603) 356-6381

Saco River Brewing www.sacoriverbrewing.com

Fryeburg, ME (207) 256-3028

Tuckerman Brewing Co. www.tuckermanbrewing.com

Conway, NH (603) 447-5400

Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Co. www.hobbstavern.com

West Ossipee, NH (603) 539-2000

Sea Dog Brewing Co. No. Conway, NH www.nconway.seadogbrewing.com (603) 356-0590

REK’•LIS BREWING

ONE LOVE BREWERY

and orange peel. Light, refreshing, and a kiss of orange zest puts this Pils on the top of my swallow to do list. The latest of their limited release series will be Doublehead DIPA. The New England-style double IPA (8% abv) features Lotus and Citra hops that burst with tropical citrus flavors, proving that two hops are better than one.

Hobbs has a new head brewer, Mike Frothingham. My idea to make sure the new brewer’s name was Calvin was shot down. A barrel-aged maple wee heavy called Sugar Moon will be released with blossoms blooming at their Sugar Moon fest. Their latest flagship beer coming down the road is Route 16 Pale Ale—a classic American pale ale with balance and purpose. There are two ways to get your Hobbs on now: the original tavern and the new taproom.

Try one or both, or pick up some Hobbs at your local beer store. They still self-distribute locally, so you’ll find sameday cans occasionally. Now that’s fresh and correct.

Rek’lis keeps it fun in the sun, made in the shade, and proudly when partly cloudy. A perfect example is their Kolsch night every last Friday of the month. Serving traditional 7-ounce glasses of their Kolshershock saves me the trouble of traveling to Cologne, Germany, where Kolsch was invented. Offering fondue on those nights makes it a can-do for a perfect après indulgence. Choosing rek’lis is easy to visit. Choosing which beer, not so easy. With 23 handles to decide from, you have the pick of the litter every time.

With an inn featuring 40 uniquely styled rooms, award-winning restaurant with multiple bars, and live

HOBBS TAVERN & BREWING

Rek’•lis Brewing Co. www.reklisbrewing.com

Bethlehem, NH (603) 991-2357

Ledge Brewing Co. www.ledgebrewing.com

Intervale, NH

Woodstock Inn Brewery No. Woodstock, NH www.woodstockinnbrewery.com (603) 745-3951 Iron Furnace Brewing www.ironfurnacebrewing.com

Franconia, NH (603) 823-2119

Schilling Beer Co. www.schillingbeer.com

Littleton, NH (603) 444-4800

Copper Pig Brewery www.copperpigbrewery.com

Lancaster, NH (603) 631-2273

One Love Brewery www.onelovebrewery.com

Lincoln, NH (603) 745-7290

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music on weekends, the Woodstock Inn Brewery can service you better than Vishnu giving a body massage. Lemon Blueberry Pale Ale, Honey Lemon Blonde, and the new Mountain Haze (NEIPA) are just a few of the potent potables available.

Even Vishnu would wish for more hands to enjoy them all.

Get off the Ledge and get over to Ledge Brewery on Route 16 in Intervale.

Dunkel) and Foxhound Brown Ale, a smooth full-bodied brown. Their brandnew tasting room has rotating food trucks and an easy, beer-garden vibe.

A quick shout out to my friend Randy Booth, the head brewer at Twin Barns Brewing Co. in Meredith, NH. This impressive new brewpub is just a short hop from Lake Winnipesaukee in an 1850s barn.

Formally of Hobbs and an award-winning

A quick shout out to my friend Randy Booth, the head brewer at Twin Barns Brewing Co. in Meredith, NH. This impressive new brewpub is just a short hop from Lake Winnipesaukee in an 1850s barn. Formally of Hobbs and an award-winning brewer, Randy has always put great brews on my shelves.

On top and on tap are As You Wish, the flagship NEIPA, Hobo Joe, a coffee stout infused with a medium roasted Columbian cold brew from Frontside Coffee Roasters, Gnarcolespy, a double-dry-hopped IPA, and One Trick Pony, a single-hop IPA brewed with Mosaic. Lager lovers can take a Pleasure Cruise (IPL) or try delving deeper with Wunderkammer (a Munich

brewer, Randy has always put great brews on my shelves. I look forward to them distributing their juicy IPAs, a classic Dunkel, and their full-bodied pale lager.

Beer is my life, and my life is good, thanks to the breweries giving it their all.

V

S TA

(603) 356-5084 • Intervale

Cheers, Clem

PLEASE CHECK

Come by to say hi to BOOMER!

Clem McAuliffe, owner of Vista Bev & Market, loves beer. He loves talking about beer, reading about beer, writing about beer and, of course, drinking beer.

All who enter the store quickly understand the benefit of asking, “Clem, what am I drinking today?”

FOR OUR DAILY SPECIALS

Where Life is Good!

• Over 500 Craft Beers • Make Your Own 6-Pack • Just South of Storyland

OPEN DAILY FROM 11:30AM

779 ROUTE 16, GLEN, NH (603) 383-4800 Spring 2021

Almost There Sports Tavern & Restaurant (603) 447-2325 • 1287 Route 16, Albany, NH Just south of the Kancamagus Highway

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Jake Risch Photo

Swift River Sanity

By Jake Risch

Unchartered Adventure to Reset the Soul

In April 2020, as the world was shutting down, events canceled, and travel restricted, the adventurer’s mantra became “Socially Distant, Stay Local, and Step it Down.” With the spring ski season cut short and the Tuckerman Inferno canceled, a few of us paddlers started to think creatively about how to responsibly adventure locally.

W

e were looking for roadside adventures with a wide margin of safety, local places that we had thus far not yet explored. On April 15, 2020, three of us—Darron Laughland, Brain Fitch, and I—paddled the Swift River’s entire length “Source to the Saco”—nearly 26 miles from the top of the Kancamagus Highway to the Conway covered bridge in a single day.

The criteria for our pandemic adventures included maintaining social distance, staying local within the Mount Washington Valley, and stepping down the difficulty to well within our ability.

Maintaining social distance meant that normal group shuttles were out; we would have to contemplate runs with human-powered shuttles or enlist shuttle help from within our own households.

Staying local limited us to rivers and paddling companions from within the Mt. Washington Valley. Stepping down the difficulty (and exposure) meant choosing comfortable Class III and IV whitewater, rather than pushing our abilities on the Class V steep creeks in the area. Stepping down also meant choosing runs adjacent to a road to minimize our impact on search and rescue resources should

something go wrong. We were also looking for a worthwhile adventure, something new and exciting to break up the early COVID pseudo-quarantine doldrums.

We settled in on a full descent of the Swift River to meet all of our pandemic criteria. The Swift River is a Northeast, classic whitewater run. Continuous whitewater starts at Rocky Gorge and follows the Kancamagus Highway eastward past the “Darby Field” billboard sign. Various put-ins and take-outs in this section allow paddlers to put together top-quality Class III and IV whitewater runs. Upper Falls at Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls provide easy-to-portage Class V action for experts. The three of us collectively have had hundreds of runs on this main section of the Swift, but had never explored the rest of the river farther up the Kanc. We had heard tales of long granite waterslides from a previous generation of paddlers who had explored the headwaters and of a scenic flatwater/ quickwater canoe section somewhere around Sabbaday Falls. A Google Earth scout identified a large log jam that might require a significant portage. All-in, this would be a worthy adventure, one that was new to us, and one that still met all of

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Jake Risch Photo

our early COVID safety criteria.

The stars aligned on April 15th. With three inches of rain in the previous 24 hours, and warm temperatures melting a still deep snowpack at elevation, the Swift was primed and flowing for our attempt.

Darron and I enlisted the support of our spouses to drive us to the put-in. Setting out at daybreak, we dropped Brian’s car at the Bear Notch Road bridge, roughly

that we could easily drag our 60-pound kayaks the half-mile down to the river.

We were even able to use the boats as a sled for a portion of the descent. Arriving at the river, we discovered we had enough water to float, but just barely. We had a quick snack, zipped up our drysuits, donned our spray skirts, personal floatation devices, and helmets, and shoved off, headed downstream.

the halfway point, and he jumped in the back of my pick-up truck for the ride up to the top of the Kanc. Criteria one, socially distant shuttle logistics accomplished.

Emma and Suz dropped us on the side of Route 112 at Lily Pond. We geared up, shoved drybags with extra layers and food into the back of our kayaks, and started portaging down the Nanamocomuck Ski Trail. The snow on the trail was just soft enough for some good old-fashioned post-holing, but it meant

In its upper reaches, the Swift is a small babbling brook. There was just enough water to float our whitewater kayaks. We had to carefully route-find through gravel bars and boulder gardens, stopping periodically to avoid downed branches and trees blocking the channel.

Soon enough, we found the object of our exploration, the fabled granite water slides. The cobble and boulder riverbed gave way to smooth granite bedrock waterfalls broken up by deep emerald pools.

We had heard tales of long granite waterslides from a previous generation of paddlers who had explored the headwaters, and of a scenic flatwater/quickwater canoe section somewhere around Sabbaday Falls.

LEFT: Brian Fitch finds enough water to float his boat in the uppermost reaches of the Swift River.

ABOVE: The Nanamacomic Ski Trail was a perfect bobsled run to access the Swift River.

Float To Your Car

Shuttle Service D O G FR IE N D LY!

Find your own private beach this summer on the Saco!

FAMILY KAYAK PACKAGE

Just $100 midweek and $130 weekend!

Inc kayaks, paddles, life-vests and shuttle

SACO RIVER TUBING

Relax on a 1.5, 3 or 5-mile float with

clear water, rope swings, and sandy beaches!

(603) 447-4275 • www.SacoRiverTubing.com 558 White Mountain Highway (Route 16), Conway, NH Spring 2021

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START

SWIFT TO SACO MISSION 25 miles of Class I, II, and III whitewater, leading up to the Class V rapids.

Jake Risch Photo

We settled into a rhythm, paddle up to the edge of the falls, whoever was in the lead would jump out to take a look and signal the line back to the other two. We made good progress using this method through a series of Class III and Class IV slide rapids until we approached a horizon line where the river looked like it fell off the face of the earth.

At this point, we all exited our boats to scout. We quickly decided that this section exceeded our “step it down” criteria, so we started portaging. We rejoined the river about a quarter-mile downstream, bypassing a series of stout waterfalls that would likely be rated Class V or even VI on the six-tier international scale of river difficulty. We did spend a bit of time in this section scouting for a potential post-pandemic mission. After spending a bit too much time scouting theoretical lines through the Class V drops, we set off downstream again. The river returned to its boulder garden and cobble bar characteristic, mellowing out to calm waters and sand bars. Even though we were never more than half-mile away from the road, the river retains a wilderness feel with occasional views of the Tripyramids, Moats, and the Three Sisters. The meandering sand bars transitioned into a boggy beaver swamp that required navigating through multiple channels and extensive blowdowns. We stopped for lunch at a river-wide logjam.

More scenic, placid waters brought us to the Bear Notch Road for a snack and a time check at Brian’s car. It was early afternoon, and we were roughly halfway through by distance.

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FINISH ABOVE: Google map showing the distance covered along the Kancamagus Highway’s Swift River. FAR LEFT: Finding the goods on clean, granite bedrock water slides. LEFT: Social distant selfies after portaging around a Class V waterfall section.

LOWER LEFT: Big smiles at sunset after a long day on the river.

The route ahead was familiar, and we felt confident that we could get it done before nightfall, so we pressed on.

A mile or so of flatwater led into the start of the classic whitewater section. The difficulty ramped up through the Class I, II, and III whitewater, leading up to the Class V upper falls at Rocky Gorge. Darron and I decided to portage and set safety for Brian, who felt confident and ran the falls. The main Swift was running at a perfect flow, and being our backyard run, we made quick time through the remaining 12 miles of continuous Class IV whitewater, arriving at the confluence with the Saco River just before dark.

Pulling onto the beach at Davis Park, I couldn’t help but feel satisfied. We had completed a worthy adventure. We had witnessed the full life cycle of a river from its birth as a tiny mountain stream; continuing through its tumultuous drops that cut through granite bedrock and shaped mountains; its meandering riverbends, pristine beaches, and beaver terraformed bogs; and finishing through continuous exploding whitewater as it drops down to join its older sister, the Saco.

We found an uncharted adventure in our backyard and found sanity in challenging times.

PADDLING RESOURCES

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center www.greatglentrails.com Beginner whitewater kayak lessons Sawyer River Group www.sawyerrivergroup.com Swiftwater rescue courses White Mountain Swiftwater Rescue Team www.wmsrt.org Support river search and rescue Spring 2021

Since 2014 thanks to the patronage of our guests we have donated over

$1,808,000!

to worthwhile local charitable organizations!

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Has Forced Changed Influenced Permanent Change for Our Valleys Farmers?

By Olivia Saunders, UNH Extension, Field Specialist

I

n the farming profession, we often wax philosophical around the word resilience. Are our soils resilient to drought and to flood? Is our crew resilient to long hours? Are the crops resilient to pest pressures? This past year it felt like, on some days, the entire food system was in a stress test.

Farming is hard in any given year; throw in a global pandemic and one of the worst droughts we have seen in a long time, and you have the makings of a remarkable year.

The drought felt like cruel punishment on an already difficult season. Not all crops survived the dry weather, not all produce was brought to market; there were many pinch points. In some ways, it felt like a year of opposites.

Consumer demand skyrocketed when the stay-at-home orders hit; suddenly, farm stores were en vogue and farmers had to develop strategies to improve customer flow to meet demand. Shoppers loved the option of a quiet off-the-beaten-path farm to get meat, produce, dairy, and eggs. Many farms started

I will grow in November to seed in February so I can harvest them in July. Significant effort is put into planning the cropping year, what to seed, how much to grow. It is a dance between what worked last year, your anticipated customer demand, and what will be popular next year. When the pandemic started, most farms had to rework their deeply thought-out farm plans and adapt to an unknown future. It was a gamble, as farming always is.

It is incredible how the local food scene shifted in 2020.

While many of us thought demand in the Valley for local food was waning in recent years, the pandemic changed all that.

Customers were eager to find products locally, and they wanted that community connection. Suddenly, in true New England style, neighbors were helping neighbors, and shoppers wanted to know they were supporting their community. The crisis also drove innovation. Online ordering platforms were added to many local farms or farmers markets’ webpages. Curbside

to add other grocery essentials, such as flour or lemons. Seeing how the pandemic induced demand, farmers wondered, “Should I be buying more seed?” Then, with all the free time people had at home, many planted a garden for the first time.

Being a farmer means always looking towards the future.

How will this head of lettuce look next week—will it be ready for harvest? If I seed these leeks today, will they be ready for Thanksgiving in three months? I need to decide what tomatoes

pickup and pop-up markets were another new feature. At pickyour-own farms you can now reserve a picking time, and many farms plan to keep this feature when all this is over.

Looking ahead, many farmers and those who work in agriculture and forestry understand they hold the solutions to global problems. As we improve our soil management techniques, we can become a major sink for carbon, helping to curb the impacts of extreme weather and a warming climate.

Consumer demand skyrocketed when the stay-at-home orders hit; suddenly, farm stores were en vogue and farmers had to develop strategies to improve customer flow to meet demand.

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Please stay home feeling well and if your not wear while not at your a mask table.

Thank you!

Over 20 locally owned & operated restaurants

1

Almost There

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Black Cap Grille

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Albany • 603-447-2325 2

North Conway • 603-356-0401

N. Conway • 603-356-2225 3

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When managed correctly, our soils take in floodwater like a sponge, helping mitigate storm damage for our residential and commercial properties. As we maximize soil microbiology and diversity, we improve the health of our plants and the nutrition of the food we eat. Healthy soil translates to healthy communities.

We cannot talk about health metrics such as food insecurity, diabetes, or obesity without also talking about how we manage the soil. When we grow food in a way that enhances the health of the soil, we also improve human health.

We live in a land of great abundance, yet food insecurity is on the rise. Local farmers recognize their role in this. The Mt. Washington Valley Eaters and Growers fundraised to offer community supported agriculture (CSA) shares at a free or reduced rate to families in need. Other farms participate in Veggie Volunteers, a gleaning program that provides fresh vegetables to local food banks. UNH Master Gardeners volunteer their time to grow “food bank gardens.”

All of these solutions, and more, are needed to transform our world. Not only so our farms can be prosperous, but so our health metrics improve, so that diabetes rates decline, so that we can sequester carbon and help mitigate the local impact of extreme weather events. When you support a local farm, you aren’t just supporting a local family, but doing immeasurably much more. The pandemic brought so many new local food consumers to the table. We hope you see that local food is not just a trend, but a way to a greener, healthier world.

Spring 2021

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Cafe Noche

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Jackson • 603-383-4313

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N. Conway • 603-356-9231

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Deacon Street

Delaney’s Hole In The Wall Horsefeathers

Joseph’s Spaghetti Shed J-Town Deli & Country Store

Jackson • 603-383-8064 10

The Shovel Handle Pub Jackson • 800-677-5737

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Thompson House Eatery Jackson • 603-383-9341

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White Mountain Cider Company Glen • 603-383-9061

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Wildcat Tavern

Jackson • 603-383-4245

Glen • 603-383-6680 9

Shannon Door Pub Jackson • 603-383-4211

N. Conway • 603-356-6862 8

Shalimar Of India

North Conway • 603-356-0123

N. Conway • 603-356-7776 7

Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub Glen • 603-383-4344

Conway • 603-447-5050

Christmas Farm Inn

Priscilla’s

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302 West Smokehouse & Tavern Fryeburg • 207-935-3021

Max’s Restaurant & Pub at Snowvillage Inn

In addition, the VO also donates over $13K in member McGrath’s Tavern N. Conway • 603-733-5955 gift certificates to over 180 Merlino’s Steakhouse Organizations/Charities in the N. Conway • 603-356-6006 MWV area, each year! We Moat Mountain also strive to work with local Smokehouse N. Conway • 603-356-6381 farmers and local producers Notchland Inn of high quality products Hart’s Location • 603-374-6131 whenever possible.

Oxford House Inn Eaton • 603-447-2818

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Fryeburg • 207-935-3442

theValleyOriginals.com

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C

B

A - Bridgton Farmers’ Market B - Bethlehem Farmers’ Market C - Gorham Farmers’ Market D - Lovell Farmers’ Market

Community support agriculture, or CSAs, are a relationship between a grower and an eater in which the eater invests early to help with the start-up costs of a new growing season. This investment is paid back throughout the year with weekly shares of the farm’s harvest.

Check out many different CSA options at www.mwveg.com.

E - Tamworth Farmers’ Market F - Wakefield Farmers’ Market G - Wolfeboro Farmers’ Market

Please note that MWV Vibe has created this list with the help of MWVEG. Some farms or markets listed may not be actual members of MWVEG, and therefore, may not be found on the MWVEG website. Please contact MWV Vibe with corrections and/or suggestions.

TH

FA DR

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A

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SH DO SO

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NH RG WG

MB

E RM TF MB

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BK DR

DN

LH MV BK

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MO AT

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TO

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ML

MWVEG (Mt. Washington Valley Eaters and Growers) has launched www.mwveg.com—which offers a searchable database for farms and local food in the MWV.

AN A New Day Farm* Conway, NH AB Abundant Blessings Brookfield, NH AA Apple Acres Farm Hiram, ME AT Athena’s Bees Apiary* Ossipee, NH BF Behr Farm Tamworth, NH BK Berry Knoll Eaton, NH BF Bly Farm Wolfeboro, NH DN Davis Natural Produce* Eaton, NH DO Densmore Orchard* Conway, NH DV DeVylder Farm* Wolfeboro, NH DR Double Rainbow Farm* Eaton, NH DR Dundee Ridge Farm Intervale, NH EF Earle Family Farm* Conway, NH FA Fly Away Farm* Stowe, ME FM Full Moon Farm Wolfeboro, NH GB Good Buddy Farm & Flower* Hiram, ME GC Goshen Corner Farm Conway, NH GV Grand View Farm* Conway, NH HO Hatches’ Orchard Conway, NH HI Highwater Farm Bartlett, NH HF Hosac Farm* Cornish, ME LH Lily Hill Farm Tamworth, NH LP Loon’s Point Honey Bees Madison, NH MF Meadowfall Farm & Forage Porter, ME MB Merrybrook Farm Tamworth, NH MV MiVida Gardens Madison, NH MO Moonset Farm & Floral* Porter, ME MB Mountain Breeze Farm Sandwich, NH MN Mountain Flower Farm Intervale, NH MH Mountain Heartbeet Farm* Effingham, NH ML Mountain Laurel Farm Sanbornville, NH NH NH Mushroom Company* Tamworth, NH PF Patch Farm* Denmark, ME PH Pork Hill Farm* Ossipee, NH RG Red Gables Farm Tamworth, NH RM Remick Museum & Farm* Tamworth, NH SH Sap Hound Maple Co. Brownfield, ME SC Schartner Farm North Conway, NH SF Sherman Farm* Conway, NH SB Snow Brook Farm Eaton, NH SO The S.o.L Farm No. Conway, NH SW Spider Web Gardens Tuftonboro, NH TF The Farmstand Tamworth, NH TH Thompson House Farm Stand* Jackson, NH TR The Farm by the River Effingham, NH TO Top of the Hill Farm Wolfeboro, NH TU Tumbledown Farms Brookfield, NH WM Waxing Moon Gardens* No. Sandwich, NH WE Weston’s Farm* Fryeburg, ME WG White Gates Farm* Tamworth, NH WP Whispering Pines Farm Effingham Falls, NH WF Wotton Farm Ossipee, NH * CSA’s Spring 2021

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(603) 356-4747 • ChefsBistroNH.com 2724 White Mountain Hwy, No. Conway Village, NH 27

PLANTS WITH PURPOSE Learning Your Landscape’s Stories By Jeff O’Donal and Carol Felice

I

t is said that farming is agriculture that provides food for the body, while horticulture is food for the soul. In actuality, all agriculture is closely linked. If ornamental plants are not planted to enhance pollinators, pollination of fruiting plants can be greatly reduced. There are a host of plants that do double-duty: offering ornamental features while providing herbal or edible characteristics. While most people are used to visiting

For spring blooms, no other native tree signals spring more than shadbush: so-called because they bloom at the time that “shad are running.” When you do notice shadbush blooming, take a good look at where these trees are, because you will notice that they are primarily in low wetland areas. If your property is high and dry, it’s best not to plant shadbush. Instead,

nurseries and garden centers to find plants of different shapes and colors to decorate their property, provide shade and to grow food, plants can also fulfill many other needs.

We can focus on plants as food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators, plants as medicine, as dye source and scent, as well as to provide protection from erosion or pollution. Many of our native plants are often overlooked in landscaping, but provide birds and wildlife with their preferred menu. Remember seeing those beautiful Christmas cards of cedar waxwing birds on orange berry-like clusters? What are those trees, anyway? The fine-leaved mountain ash, believe it or not, a member of the rose family, produces red-orange fruit which so many birds enjoy. As an autumn bonus, its leaves turn yellow to red with red petioles. And for the pollinators, plant shadbush, bee balm, echinacea, and asters to cover the season.

if you’re looking for a small flowering tree, perhaps consider a flowering crabapple or a common fruit tree, such as apple or pear.

Native Americans survived by using parts of every plant that grew around them.

They understood that chewing willow bark relieved pain. We now know that the inner bark of willow contains the active ingredient of the original aspirin.

HEALING PLANTS

Plants are not just helpful to wildlife. For example, if you have a repeating or constant discomfort that you just live with–such as an achy sore joint for example–you could grow a lovely bed of arnica. Then in the kitchen, turn those yellow daisies into a cream that helps soothe away aches and pains. Or maybe you have a nervous stomach. Grow a cherry bed of chamomile flowers to later dry and make into a calming and settling tea.

The simple recipe: dry just the flowers when full and bright. Put about 10 blossoms into a tea strainer and cup. Top with boiling water. Cover tea while steeping for 10 minutes, then strain. Add honey to taste. So easy!

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Native Americans survived by using parts of every plant that grew around them. They understood that chewing willow bark relieved pain. We now know that the inner bark of willow contains the active ingredient of the original aspirin. We think of willows as a graceful ornamental weeping tree—but it is actually a large herb. When European sailors in the St. Lawrence River became sick with scurvy, natives taught them to chew portions of cedar, which healed them. This led to the name arborvitae, which translates to “tree of life.” We use cedars as hedges and screens to block sights and sounds, but they are much more important than that. There are so many plants that provide beauty—and also are hard at work for us in many other ways.

PLANTS WE LOVE FOR THEIR SCENT

Are you aware that running your hand through a lavender bush has a relaxing affect, or that rustling lemon balm helps focus the mind? How about the scent of rosemary relaxing tight muscles, or that inhaling a bayberry leaf helps warm you? Walking through sweetfern plants will fill the air with a pleasing aroma. Sweetfern foliage also provides excellent relief from the rash caused by poison ivy. This wonderful native plant is rarely planted because of its lack of “beauty,” but it is unrivalled as a natural groundcover in very dry soils. A garden designed for scent can also be beautiful to look at, adding to its healing properties.

STORIED PLANTS

Each plant comes with a history—a story—if you will. Knowing the story behind the plant provides so much more satisfaction when we use them. The native Canadian hemlock is extremely important in the wild, as it is a major contributor to keeping natural trout streams cool and protective of the trout population.

Our native hemlock forest may be in peril because of the arrival of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), a sucking insect brought to New England from the Mid-Atlantic states by the force of Hurricane Gloria in the 1980s. This pest led to the death of mature hemlocks in Connecticut within three years.

Luckily, its spread has slowed because, as you come north, winter gets colder, and our harsh winters have been known to kill HWA. When we have warmer winters, HWA not only survives, but spreads; but even this natural spread has slowed because our hemlocks are in their preferred environment here, and as a result, are much healthier than even those in Connecticut or Massachusetts.

They have a better ability to fight off the damage by the insects. However, with the existence of climate change, the possibility of this insect continuing its spread, and perhaps making it necessary to spray tall mature hemlocks in our landscapes, has led horticulturists to hybridize or discover dwarf growing forms of hemlock. Although discovered well before HWA became known to be a danger, an excellent dwarf hemlock was found near the base of Mount Madison within the Presidential Range of New Hampshire. Known as “Cole’s Prostrate” hemlock, this is an outstanding evergreen groundcover with excellent hardiness and extremely dark green needles. While it may not be physiologically resistant to HWA, it is such a diminutive plant that if the insect managed to find it, which would be rare, caring for such a small plant would be much easier than spraying 75 feet up a mature hemlock.

Not a native, but New Hampshire gold forsythia was Spring 2021

‘Cole’s Prostrate’ Canadian hemlock is a dwarf prostrate conifer which fits well into the smaller garden, in a rock or alpine garden, or especially to provide evergreen effect. It is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers.

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LEFT TO RIGHT: “PJM Elite” is a super cold-hardy shrub that has been known to survive severe unseasonably cold bouts unfazed. A very reliable performer, and a highly popular evergreen, great for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Tarragon is a leafy green herb that is highly aromatic with a subtle licorice flavor.

It adds a fresh, spring taste and a bit of elegance to a variety of recipes, including salad dressings, sauces, and fish and chicken dishes.

introduced by the late Paul Joly, of Windsor, New Hampshire, and is a forsythia ovata hybrid hardy to 35 degrees below zero.

While traditional forsythia X intermedia hybrids are frequently sold, they result in the “ring-around-the bottom” effect when forsythia flower buds above snow-pack die from winter exposure. The hardiness of New Hampshire gold forsythia escapes this phenomenon. New Hampshire gold forsythia isn’t the only hardy forsythia, but it is the only one from New Hampshire!

In the 1930s, Edmund Mezitt of Weston Nursery in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, crossed the Carolina rhododendron, native to

colonists, being the major building material as well as the main source for ships’ masts. It is the Maine state tree, and provides the only non-flower to be considered a state flower—as the cone (a fruit) and tassel (stem and needles) collectively make up Maine’s state flower. Mr. Al Fordham, former propagator at the Arnold Arboretum, as well as Mr. Sid Waxman, past professor at University of Connecticut, would travel in New England looking for witches’ brooms of native evergreens … finding many in Maine and New Hampshire. When these brooms were high in a tall evergreen, either of these men were known to use a shotgun to shoot it down to the ground so they could collect it and propagate more of the same type. Their best plants were

the Eastern U.S., with the dauricum rhododendron from Asia.

Three selected seedlings of this cross became known as the PJM hybrids. By the 1970s, the PJM was recognized as the hardiest rhododendron ever offered, and led to increased hybridizations using this gene pool. We now owe a debt of gratitude to the entire Mezitt family for continuing to produce amazingly hardy rhododendrons. You may recognize the names Olga Mezitt, Aglo, Landmark, and other types of small-leaf rhododendrons. All of these grew out of work that occurred because of the chance results from a simple cross made by Edmund Mezitt. Speaking of the Olga Mezitt and Aglo rhododendrons, notice that Olga and Aglo are anagrams. Both were named to honor the Mezitt matriarch, wife of Peter J Mezitt (PJM).

The importance to New England of our native white pine cannot be understated, with the tree being so important to early

named and introduced to the trade. Some of the best dwarf white pines came from this work, including soft touch dwarf white pine and blue jay dwarf white pine. These New England discoveries allow gardeners with even small spaces to have white pines in their gardens.

In 1952, on the banks of the Sheepscot River in Alna, Maine, Dr. Joe Barth made his first daylily cross. Soon, Barth began converting daylilies to tetraploid from the natural diploid form. Tetraploid plants frequently exhibit improved ornamental features; and, in the case of daylilies, Joe Barth started creating plants with thicker stalks and larger, brighter blooms. Very shortly, Barth daylilies will be introducing the next major development in daylilies; and continually blooming daylilies will be available to northern New England gardeners. Imagine daylilies blooming for three to four months without stopping!

HARDIEST OF PLANTS

An excellent dwarf hemlock was found near the base of Mount Madison within the Presidential Range of New Hampshire. Known as “Cole’s Prostrate” hemlock, this is an outstanding evergreen groundcover with excellent hardiness and extremely dark green needles.

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Currently Scheduling for 2021

Affordable tree services, based in Fryeburg, Maine, servicing the Mt. Washington Valley region.

Fruit trees have long been staples in New Hampshire, and not only provide us with fresh fruit, pies, sauces, and cider, but they are also beautiful additions to the home landscape, especially in spring when they are covered with blooms.

Here’s something to keep in mind: most horticultural publications are written by people living in New York, or perhaps Florida or California. Their knowledge of gardening in New England could be abstract at best. Always use the knowledge of professional horticulturists at your local independent garden center. They are best suited to know the background and best use of the plants they offer to you. When a plant is not suited to a particular use, they will advise you not to use it. Their expertise has been cultivated much like the plants they tend.

• Tree Removal • Tree Pruning J & C Tree Service LLC (603) 348 7454 • www.JandCTreeService.com

The current owner of McSherry’s, Jeffrey O’Donal, comes with over 40 years of horticulture experience. O’Donal has served as president of the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association and is the recipient of its Al Black Award for Lifetime Achievement.

In putting together the present team, O’Donal has retained many long-time McSherry employees and added several others with myriad experiences. Brad MacDonald, head of grounds, attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, and served in the Navy and Naval Reserve for 20-plus years.

Head horticulturist, Mariah Litka, has studied horticulture at the Thompson School at the University of New Hampshire, and has worked at several garden centers prior to finding her home at McSherry’s. Herbalist and landscape consultant, Carol Felice, has worked many years as a county conservationist and was recently the herbalist and gardener at Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm. To say she has earned a following for her workshops and lectures is testament to her knowledge and enthusiasm in teaching others about the goodness of plants.

Mc Sherry’s Nursery & Garden Center 2599 East Main Street, Center Conway, NH www.mcsherrysnursery.com • (603) 447-5442 Spring 2021

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Courtesy photo

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aw foods are those consumed in their natural, unaltered state, having not been processed, refined, pasteurized, or heated over 104°F. Processing and heating food reduces its nutritional value and makes it less available for our bodies to use as fuel.

There are so many delicious raw foods to incorporate into your diet:

• fresh fruits • raw vegetables • raw nuts and seeds • raw grains and legumes (soaked and sprouted) • dried fruits • nut milks (almond, coconut, etc.)

• cold-pressed olive oil or coconut oil • fermented foods • sea vegetables and algae (e.g., seaweed) • edible flowers The foods that are not considered raw include: • cooked fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats • roasted nuts and seeds • refined oils, sugars, and flours • baked goods • pasteurized dairy • coffee • alcohol • processed snacks

Cooked and processed foods tend to make up a big portion of the standard American diet (SAD), but the benefits of eating more raw foods makes it worth making some changes!

Nurturing an Active Lifestyle, Naturally Dr. Trish Murray

You’ve likely heard that to live a long and healthy life you should eat less processed food and more whole foods. Did you know that eating raw, plant-based food provides fantastic fuel for your active lifestyle? No matter your choice of outdoor activity, the benefits of a healthy diet are substantial.

The health benefits of incorporating more raw foods into your diet are plentiful and include decreasing inflammation, improving digestion, increasing natural energy, clearing skin imperfections, maintaining a healthy body weight, preventing nutrient deficiencies, providing high content of nutrients and phytochemicals, optimizing performance and strength, as well as preventing many diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer).

Eating more raw foods is also beneficial to the environment. The animal agriculture industry uses far more land, water, and fuel compared to the farming of plant foods. Furthermore, raw foods are easy to find without unnecessary packaging like

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cans, plastic, or Styrofoam. This reduction in garbage makes a huge contribution to the integrity of our Earth. Less waste, whether it be energy waste or packaging waste, is produced when consuming primarily raw foods.

Raw and livings foods are packed with nutrients! When we eat food that is more bioavailable to us or easier for our bodies to digest, we are satiated without depleting our energy reserve. Raw foods are inherently healthier than the processed alternatives and offer the best balance of water, fiber, and nutrients your body needs. Raw and living foods are full of vitamins and minerals, often with a high nutrient-per-calorie ratio. Other nutrients that are plentiful in raw foods include fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants.

Fiber is an indigestible component of plant foods. It helps populate the gut with beneficial bacteria, lowers cholesterol, regulates our blood sugar, and prevents constipation. Fiber is one of the best examples of the symbiotic relationship between us and the microbes that live in our gut. Since we are not able to digest fiber, the microbes that live in our colon digest it for us, and when they do, they produce short-chain fatty acids that feed the cells of our gut lining. Fiber in your diet helps your gut function optimally. A healthy, happy gut is vital to maintain an active lifestyle!

Phytonutrients are plant chemicals that contain disease-preventing compounds. Examples include chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and lycopene. These are nutrients that come from colored plants to protect them from germs, fungi, insects, and other threats; and when we ingest them, they also can protect us. Different phytonutrients come from different plant foods, which is why it’s important to eat a variety of raw

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RAW AND LIVING SNACKS Looking for some easy and convenient raw and living foods for snacks? Whether you’re fueling up for an outdoor adventure or taking a quick break, here are some favorites.

Whole fresh fruits: bananas, nectarines, pears, plums, oranges, or grapes Apple slices or celery sticks with raw almond butter (or other nut butter of choice) Raw vegetable sticks: rainbow carrots, cucumbers, or colorful bell peppers Homemade trail mix: raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, and/or macadamia nuts with sunflower

Spring 2021

seeds, Deglet Noor dates, dried apricots, dried apple slices (no sugar added), and unsweetened coconut strips Seaweed snacks (nori sheets) Green smoothie: blend 8 oz water, ¼ cup canned coconut milk, frozen berries, and fresh spinach, pea shoots or alfalfa sprouts, a teaspoon of nut butter, and a dash of cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric

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Banana “Ice-Dream” Yield: 2-3 servings Looking for a delicious and nutritious, non-dairy raw food treat? This easy, versatile recipe is sure to be a hit as the warm weather approaches!

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Ingredients: • 1 large frozen banana • ½ cup frozen berries of choice (wild blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a mix) • 1 Tbsp almond butter (or nut butter of choice) • ¼ cup almond or coconut unsweetened yogurt or ¼ cup canned coconut milk or coconut cream • 1 Tbsp cacao (if you want chocolate flavor) Directions: Combine ingredients in a food processor and blend to a soft-serve ice cream consistency. Serve immediately. Top with chopped walnuts (optional).

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foods and consume at least one serving of each color of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) every day. These phytonutrients help protect the plant and help protect us so that we can keep on trekking, hiking, biking, and swimming!

Antioxidants neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals and stress on the cells of your body. Free radicals are formed when chemicals are broken down or detoxified by your body. They contribute to increased degeneration, aging, and inflammation in the body. Antioxidants bind to and neutralize free radicals. This helps slow, or even eliminate, the degenerative process and reduces inflammation, helping you stay at the top of your game.

How to Get Started • Support local farmers by purchasing fresh and seasonal produce.

• Grow a vegetable or herb garden.

• Fill half your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables. Include a variety of these foods, aiming to eat all the colors of the

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rainbow throughout the day.

• Experiment with food preparation methods, such as sprouting legumes, juicing vegetables, dehydrating fruits, blending smoothies, and lightly steaming.

• Replace hydrogenated oils with healthier oils, such as cold-pressed olive oil or coconut oil.

• Take a look at your favorite foods and see if you can find raw alternatives. For example, opt for a raw almond butter instead of an almond butter made with added oils, refined sugar, and roasted almonds.

• Wash your food thoroughly.

• Refer to the current Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen™ lists. This guide is available online, is updated annually, and informs consumers about fresh produce that contains the lowest and highest quantities of lingering pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals.

For additional information, check out www.discoverhealthfmc.com/podcast or the Discover Health Functional Medicine Center YouTube channel.

Dr. Trish Murray is a highly accomplished physician who has been certified in internal medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, energy medicine, and functional medicine. She is the founder of Discover Health Functional Medicine Center in Conway, New Hampshire and has collaborated with four other wellness professionals to create Discover Health Movement Membership.

For more information, visit discoverhealthfmc.com.

Discover Health Functional Medicine Center 24 Pleasant Street, Conway, NH (603) 447-3112

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By Lori Steere

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TAPPING INTO THE FIRST FORAGE OF SPRING

B

eginning as suddenly as February and stretching into early May, there is a short but very sweet season overlapping nicely into the folds of ski season, tax season, and mud season. Unique to North America, the maple sugaring season happens to be at the time when winter relaxes its inclement grip on the land. Especially well known and appreciated throughout New England, our cupboards would be at a sad and sticky loss without a bottle of maple syrup stashed away for a pancakekind-of-day. March is officially maple month in New Hampshire—when the sap usually runs at its peak, and local sugarmakers get to work collecting and boiling. This gift from nature is not restricted by calendar days—nor by viruses—

Especially well known and appreciated throughout New England, our cupboards would be at a sad and sticky loss without a bottle of maple syrup stashed away for a pancake-kind-of-day.

Spring 2021

but is dependent on day-to-night temperature fluctuations. Cold nights in the 20s followed by warm days that spike into the 40s are the only requirements for sap to run.

The first full moon of maple sugaring season is known as the Sugar Moon. Last year during this time, the pandemic had us settling into a new routine of staying home, when we naturally wanted to be out enjoying warmer days and shaking off the winter chill.

It felt counterintuitive when spring skiing was supposed to be in full swing, but the mountains were closed and the woods were mostly a no-go zone. We all observed the annual signs of life ... without the usual options to join in.

Many maple weekends were also affected, as

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Photo by WiseguyCreative.com

sugarhouses were closed to indoor visitors and large gatherings were avoided. Social stagnation during a natural cycle of growth and movement, many of us without work, standing by watching the thaw.

Long days were enjoyed at my home in Chatham, situated on the side of Slope Mountain, surrounded by miles of National Forest. I felt lucky to have such a place to retreat to. I put aside the skis and followed deer tracks in the woods in hopes of finding freshly shed antlers. Though I was spending days by myself hanging with my pup, we were certainly not alone. We watched chipmunks wrestle over the tops of old stone walls, which were just beginning to show through the wet spring snow. Piles of moose droppings along with their massive hoof prints were scattered through the birch-framed young sugarbush. Most afternoons were accompanied by the steady work of a woodpecker feasting on the soft dead pine hidden behind the barn.

With so much time on my hands, I decided to tap a few

like a warm tonic. I chose a couple of the larger trees to set up my collection bags. I could see a few scabs from seasons past. In another tree someone had forgotten a metal spout, now tightly trapped by the bark. As I pulled my drill from the trunk, it was quickly followed by a clear cold liquid- sap! Twisting a spout into the new hole, I fastened the bag to catch every drop. Drip, drip. Drip, drip, drop. The unwavering trickle filled the corner of the bag until it eventually spanned the entire length; a moment of fascination for a rookie. Witnessing this invisible lifeline of nourishment flow from a freshly tapped maple instantly brought a smile to my face, similar to finding an early spring snowdrop poking its drooping white flower up through the crumbling snow.

The ritual of collecting and boiling maple sap must be as old as humanity. Who first discovered the magic tonic hidden inside a sugar maple? The earliest known tales of sugaring go far back beyond anything recorded in ink or paint, passed on

of the sugar maples clustered behind the house. I had never made maple syrup before—early spring usually gets me excited for planning the garden and foraging. Each year, I add a wild edible or two to my library of local knowledge—but I hadn’t considered maple syrup to be in the same category. Because maple trees are abundant in our woods, with large-scale maple operations scattered throughout New England, it is considered a resource. However, before the bitter dandelion greens become generous clusters fit for a salad, before the morels begin sneaking their way up from under their leafy blankets … the first “forage” of spring is the cold sweet water from the sugar maple.

The sun was soft on my face, my cheeks soaking up the light

through stories belonging to Indigenous tribes of North America. Each tribe has its own tale to tell. The Abenaki people of this area share their story of Gluskabe—a mythical humanoid figure whose job was to keep watch over human life for the Creator.

One day he was checking in on a village, only to find an abandoned scene—wigwams were falling apart, hearths had become cold, weeds had overtaken the gardens—with nobody in sight.

He heard a “contented moaning” coming from the forest. After following the sound, he discovered the people of the village lying on their backs with syrup from broken maple branches dripping into their mouths. Their bodies had become plump and lazy, as they were satisfied abandoning their work to sip from

However, before the bitter dandelion greens become generous clusters fit for a salad, before the morels begin sneaking their way up from under their leafy blankets … the first “forage” of spring is the cold sweet water from the sugar maple.

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Locally Sourced

Globally Inspired

Photo by Lori Steere

(Left) Syrup grades are influenced by outdoor temps, boiling times, sucrose levels, pH, weather, and microbial activity in the sap. Tree health and local soils can also produce variations that give each sugar house their own unique flavors. (Above) Grade A Amber Rich–a full-bodied maple flavor of medium intensity–is the classic, most popular table syrup. (Center jars)

the sweet trees all day. Gluskabe knew they would never survive in the wild without tending to their daily tasks, so he decided to dilute the syrup by adding buckets of water, one by one, to each maple tree. Every tree received 40 buckets, causing the people to begin to wake from their sugar-laden trance, angry their “sweet fountain” had been watered down. Gluskabe decided to limit the flow of this treasured water to occur only once a year, after the first warming day of spring. In this short window, they would have to work hard to gather the sap, make lots of fire and tend to it for days, in order to honor and appreciate the special gift from the Creator.

Simply put, it is a ritual in evaporation. A lesson in patience as well, as I happily lost a good night’s sleep in the process. It took me 14 hours to break down my first small batch over a commercial gas stove in the kitchen. Before the evaporator was invented, sap had been boiled in many primitive ways. Pots and kettles over open fires, even hollowed-out logs with hot rocks dropped in were suitable to get the job done. As in the Abenaki story, the exact ratio is 40:1; that is about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. Sap begins to boil at 97.5 percent water, just 2.4 percent sugar, and 0.1 percent minerals; you can’t cut corners on this. After a solid evening of open windows and hourly power naps—periodically adding sap clumsily lugged across my yard through the soft snow—the syrup began to thicken as the sun came up. I was pleased with my full 32-ounce Nalgene bottle, the skin on my face soft and glowing from the warm steam. For the second round, there was a bit more planning. Borrowing a propane burner from a friend, I set it out in the yard, hooked it up to the tank from my grill and tossed on Spring 2021

two stock pots. Boiling all day, it was then brought inside to finish on the stove after I got my good night’s sleep. This produced a grand total of about a gallon of my very own maple syrup, which was savored by my family until early January; forbidden for use on anything but pancakes and French toast.

Different grades of maple syrup are dependent upon the freshness of the sap and the speed of boiling. All table syrup is grade A, with variations based on color, flavor, and clarity, which is determined by the percentage of light that will transmit through the syrup. Most of us are familiar with the letter grading system, but new standards were issued by the USDA in 2015 in an effort to make it easier for the consumer, while standardizing the grading system across the States and into Canada. For example, “golden color with a delicate taste” is considered the finest and is made very early in the season, with 75% or more light transmitting through the syrup. The light amber syrup is usually the result of sap collected in the beginning of the season, growing a darker amber and acquiring more richness in flavor as the season progresses. Mine was pretty dark, probably “very dark color with a robust taste” (with a “little bit of sediment for texture”) as I harvested the last of my sap right before the flow slowed. These are nuances I am only beginning to understand, as well as many other factors, as I certainly don’t mean to simplify a process that requires quite a bit of skill.

In spite of its sweetness, maple syrup offers many nutritional gifts, reflecting a mineral richness in that glistening amber hue. Think of it like this: all the goodies pulled up from the earth through the roots of the tree make it high in manganese and riboflavin, as well as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and potassi-

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Courtesy photo

REGIONAL MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS As always, we recommend that you call ahead to be sure of operating hours and restrictions.

100 Acre Wood Sugar Shack Intervale, NH • (603) 356-9980 Blisson’s Sugar House Berlin, NH • (603) 447-6641 Black Mountain Sugar House Jackson, NH • (603) 986-6111 Brook’s Family Sugar House Freedom, NH • (603) 539-2153 Dundee Ridge Farm Intervale, NH • (603) 986-1100

Photo by Dundee Ridge Farm

Earle Family Farm Center Conway, NH • (603) 447-6641 Mooney Hill Maples Madison, NH • (603) 662-2775 Nate and Kate’s Maple Chatham, NH • (603) 662-9506 NH Maple Experience The Rocks Bethlehem, NH • (603) 444-6228 Notch View Farm Sugar House Chatham, NH • (603) 694-2068 Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm Tamworth, NH • (603) 323-7591 Saphound Maple Company Brownfield, ME • (802) 558-5385 SP’s Sugar Shack Center Ossipee, NH • (603) 539-7382 Stuart’s Maple Syrup Fryeburg, ME • (207) 256-0254 Turkey Street Maples Chocorua, NH • (603) 323-9320 Young Maple Ridge Sugar House Sandwich, NH • (603) 662-9934

um. It is true that maple syrup contains 12 grams of sugar per teaspoon, but you can also count it as a source of antioxidants, comparable to raw carrots and cabbage–providing 10 to 38% of your antioxidant needs for a day, with darker grades being higher than lighter grades.

Remembering the “helicopters” of youth, maple seeds are each encased in a pod equipped with a tissue-thin fin that allows it to spin wildly from limb to earth. Fascinating to watch, and even more fun to share with small children.

Most of us have sugar maple somewhere

tools and technology to store maple in its most well-known liquid form. Out of necessity, syrup was enjoyed as it was produced, the rest was boiled down into sugar cakes for long-term storage. Today the terms are interchangeable, as each sugarhouse has more to offer than table syrup. By boiling beyond the standard sugar density of 66 to 68%, with nothing else added, syrup can be made into endless pure maple products. Creativity is not lacking, as many sugarhouses offer their own unique delicacies, such as maple jelly, maple butter, maple snow

close by. If you start looking for them, you will find them enhancing scenic country drives, sometimes lining property boundaries, tucked into forests along hiking trails or scattered around your yard. Frequently they are a giveaway— strung together with long plastic lines woven through the woods on a downhill slope, spilling into a stainless-steel vat seemingly misplaced among the trees.

A sure sign of spring is the appearance of metal collection buckets skirting the many ancient trees we are lucky to be able to enjoy here in the Valley.

In New Hampshire, there are over 350 maple producers, which is the modern term for “sugarmaker”—referring to days before we had proper

cones, cotton candy, maple water sodas, taffy, maple chipotle, mustards, and doughnuts. I partially boiled some sap and used it to brew a batch of maple kombucha.

This spring, I am excited to pick up where I left off, as the ground was taken over by webs of frost last fall. As it thaws, I grow excited for another cycle, for the cool air scented with water. I am walking through the same maple grove, tapping the same trees, listening to the same family of owls calling into the night.

This year, I am ditching the propane and inviting some friends to help keep the fire going. It may seem like we are right back where we started—still keeping our distance, gathering outdoors. But in

A sure sign of spring is the appearance of metal collection buckets skirting the many ancient trees we are lucky to be able to enjoy here in the Valley.

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MAPLE-GLAZED BACON WITH WALNUTS Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 4-6 ea Thick-cut applewood bacon ½ cup Maple syrup ½ cup Chopped walnuts Method Place bacon into a cast-iron skillet on medium heat and cook for approximately 9 minutes or until bacon is golden brown, turning bacon occasionally to keep it cooking evenly. In another skillet over medium-high heat, reduce maple syrup by half. Remove bacon from heat, blot with a paper towel, and dip into maple syrup and glaze each piece. Place glazed bacon on plate and sprinkle with walnuts and serve.

Recipe provided by Brian M. Coffey CEC, AAC www.BrianCoffeyCatering.com

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW! • A maple tree can yield sap (used for making syrup) for 100 years.

• A maple tree must be around 45 years old before it is tapped for syrup making.

• It takes an average of 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.

• Although maple trees are found in other continents, no other continent’s maples can compare in sweetness to the sugar maple trees in North America.

• Frosty nights and warm sunny days encourage the sap to flow.

• When buds appear on the trees, in late March or April, the sap turns bitter in flavor.

• Quebec, Canada is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup and is responsible for three-quarters of the world’s output–approximately $141 million USD annually.

the sugarbush, the saplings have stretched a little closer toward the sun, strengthening their trunks with another ring of growth, spiraling outward in infinite expansion. All of us have also acquired another ring, another layer; we are more adaptable, more understanding, becoming more contented versions of ourselves.

The best we can hope for is to be constantly growing ... learning about ourselves, our neighbors, about the life that thrives in our own backyards.

Maple weekend was March 20 and 21 this year. From small hobby sugar houses producing 20 to 50 gallons over homemade backyard boilers, to large-scale producers boiling up hundreds of gallons in a season using modern commercial evaporators, this liquid gold or amber (depending on your favorite grade) can be found in abundance throughout New Hampshire. Our local sugar houses are open for visitors and offering tours, with the general rule being; if you see steam, this is a sure sign to stop by! This is a perfect outdoor activity for enjoying warmer air and stocking up on sunshine—experience boiling demonstrations, syrup samples, and pick up a fresh jug or two for your waffles. Lots of places have adapted to COVID-19 life, offering local delivery, shipping, roadside stands, and appointments at the sugar shack. Call ahead or check websites to confirm new policies.

For more information about the production of maple syrup, history, fun recipes, and local maple weekend events, visit: www.nhmapleproducers.com www.mainemapleproducers.com www.indigenousnh.com www.extension.unh.edu Spring 2021

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Photo by Andrew Drummond

S Transitioning from

WINTER SUMMER Sports Safely to

By Dr. Hilary McCloy, PT, DPT

pring brings new beginnings—the budding leaves aren’t the only things anxious to repeat their annual cycle—runners and hikers are ready to hit the roads and trails again. The Valley is primed for these summer sports as the winter pursuits wind down. If you are someone who spends more time sliding on snow than on foot in the winter, then you need to be proactive in getting your lower leg muscles prepped for a safe, enjoyable transition.

Shoulder seasons tend to trip up many multi-season athletes, due to a quick change in sport-specific-stress and strain on the body. Two springs ago, I backcountry skied all winter, building up a strong aerobic base, and then jumped too quickly into running and hiking season once the snow melted. I felt incredible running the first few weeks of May; but was quickly reminded by my Achilles and lower leg muscles that they were NOT quite ready. I fell into a classic trap and had to address the overuse stress to my muscles for several weeks. As a physical therapist, I see these injuries commonly in the spring, so this article will focus on the lower leg, ankle, and foot.

The lower leg muscles are stressed repeatedly and quickly when you run and hike: as your heel hits the ground, you roll over the foot, and then push off of the toes. The two primary muscles in the back of your leg that attach to the Achilles tendon, the gastrocnemius and soleus, work to slow down the lower leg momentum forward and to lift your body weight off the ground as you roll off of the toe. Running generates more stress through the calf muscles due to the increased impact (ground reaction forces) and pounding compared to hiking.

Two other critical muscles for running and hiking are located on the outside and the inside of the lower leg, and they work to support the medial arch and stabilize the foot. I hear a lot of arch pain stories or discomfort in the outside of the ankle due to over-use of these muscles following winter.

Photo by Joe Klementovich

If you are someone who spends more time sliding on snow than on foot in the winter, then you need to be proactive in getting your lower leg muscles prepped for a safe, enjoyable transition to summer.

Plantar fascia is a connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot that supports and transfers energy through the foot. This tissue can become inflamed if suddenly overworked with the onset of spring sports.

And, if you have ever experienced plantar fasciitis, then you will most likely do whatever you can to avoid getting it again!

In late March or April, I would recommend starting to perform a few easy exercises to help prevent overuse injuries in these lower leg muscles. I have highlighted several exercises that will work to strengthen the lower leg and foot muscles as well as mimic the quick dynamic movements of running.

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EXERCISES

All exercises should be performed barefoot, 2-3x/week for 2-3 weeks before you start to transition into your running and hiking shoes.

Jump Rope

You do not need a jump rope, but can mimic the jump rope movement. Try jumping with both feet at the same time or alternating right and left like you are almost running.

Start 30-second intervals x4 with 30 seconds rest between. Progress by increasing by 30 seconds at time. This is very easy to overdo, as it doesn’t feel too challenging while jumping.

Wall Sit Heel Raises

This strengthens a critical calf muscle that has a common attachment to the Achilles, the soleus, which acts like a break for the lower leg when running/ hiking up-tempo or downhill. Commonly overlooked in Achilles and calf injuries.

Sit against a wall with your feet far enough away so that your knees are close to a 60-90 degree angle. Lift your heels up from the ground while keeping your toes planted. (2-3 sets of 10 reps)

Series photos by Andrew Drummond

Towel Scrunch and Drag

Strengthens the plantar fascia and medial arch.

Place towel 12 inches in front of your foot, reach forward and grab with your toes.

Maintain the hold and pull the foot back 3-4 inches while maintaining contact with your heel on the ground. Release the towel, then grab with toes, pull back and release. Repeat until your feet are next to each other. (Four grab and drags per side x4 each leg)

Two-Toe Heel Raise

Strengthens the big toe flexor, medial foot arch, plantar fascia, and calf muscles. You can hold onto the wall or railing for balance.

Stand with your foot parallel to the edge of a step, place your 1st and 2nd toes on the step and the other 3 off the edge.

Holding onto a wall for balance, lift your heel up and down with control.

(Start with 1-3 sets of 10 reps each leg)

Spring 2021

Lateral Bounding

Strengthens the lateral foot arch, lateral gluteus muscles, and is up-tempo, which mimics the running pace.

Stand with a slight bend in your knees, then with some energy, bound or move quickly to the side and land on the right foot. Try to absorb and balance before pushing off that foot and landing on the left foot. (3 sets of 30 seconds)

Dr. Hilary McCloy, PT, DPT offers a spring/summer online conditioning program, Run Strong, that focuses on these exact concepts, as well as a full-body strength program for runners, hikers, and bikers. This is the seventh year this program has been running— and it gets better each year.

For additional information, visit www.hilarymccloy.com

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A Springtime Look at Skiing the Presidentials

The Fan, Huntington Ravine COURTESY OF JAMIE WALTER

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EXPLORING SKIABLE BACKCOUNTRY TERRAIN IN THE ENTIRE RANGE

By Kurt Niiler The following article is a synopsis of Presidential Skiing: A Guide to Backcountry Skiing in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. More information on each of these zones can be found in the full guidebook, noted at the end of this article.

T

o most skiers, the longer days, warmer weather, and closing of resorts marks the end of ski season. For a small but rapidly growing faction of skiers, however, the season is just coming to life. Springtime in the Presidential Range draws skiers from around the region to come explore the East Coast’s premier steep skiing destination.

Tuckerman Ravine is undoubtedly the epicenter of spring backcountry skiing in the East, and rightfully so. It’s a rite of passage for East Coast skiers; a celebration of another long New England winter come and gone. The energy and excitement in The Bowl on a sunny spring weekend is unrivaled—it’s like watching gladiators duke it out in the Colosseum, or going to a concert put on by your favorite band, back when that was a thing.

As the sport of backcountry skiing continues to grow in popularity, there has been a renewed interest in exploring backcountry zones beyond just Tuckerman Ravine. Presidential Skiing: A Guide to Backcountry Skiing in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range is the first publication to catalog the breadth of skiable terrain throughout the entire range, from King Ravine on the north side of Mount Adams down to the Webster Cliffs in Crawford Notch. Follow along as we take a tour of the range and highlight the best skiing outside The Bowl.

Airplane Gully, Great Gulf COURTESY OF KURT NIILER

NORTHERN PRESIDENTIALS: Mount Madison, Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson, and the Mount Washington sub-peak Mount Clay make up the Northern Presidentials.

Each is home to some stellar, lesser-known ravines that host excellent skiing. Expect to be rewarded for the long approach with steep gullies and minimal crowds. Lots of routes in this area hold snow longer than anywhere else in the White Mountains, making it a great choice for long spring days.

Northern Presidentials

Some of the most rugged terrain in the Presidentials sits in the northern half of the range, tucked away in the steep faces of Mount Madison, Adams, Jefferson, and Clay. Self-sufficiency is a must around here, as any sort of rescue operation would take the better part of a day to reach you. For those willing and able to commit to the longer approaches, steep skiing and solitude awaits as the reward.

Perched high up on the north face of Mount Adams is King Ravine. Highly visible from Route 2 and the community of Randolph, these steep gullies have endeared skiers for generations. The approach, however, is no cakewalk—in the springtime, you can expect frequent brook crossings, a maze of competing hiking trails, and a large talus field at the base of the ravine to cap it all off. Give yourself more time than you think you need to make the 3.1-mile approach from Appalachia Trailhead.

Great Gully, or “The Seven,” is the crown jewel of King Ravine.

This route is the longest in the ravine and catches your eye immediately upon arrival. After a steep and exposed start, the route constricts above what is, in normal conditions, an iceflow. In typical conditions, this requires a short traverse through a gap in the rock

Spring 2021

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buttress on the skier’s left side. From here, a lower angle gully leads down to the talus field below. While Great Gully is the most reliable offering, in the right conditions, about a half dozen other routes will come into play.

While less traveled, neighboring Mount Jefferson offers up two cirques (Castle Ravine and Jefferson Ravine) that host a handful of quality routes in the most remote corner of the range. There is no easy way to get here—approaching from either Route 2 or Marshfield Station requires 5-plus miles of skinning and hiking with considerable time exposed to extreme mountain weather in the Alpine Zone. Randolph Mountain Club staffs Gray Knob Cabin with

The initial headwall on Airplane is steep and narrow, but eventually the gully opens up into a lower snowfield that offers more moderate turns down to Spaulding Lake.

The Chute, Tuckerman Ravine WISEGUYCREATIVE.COM PHOTO

a caretaker year round and serves as an excellent option for those looking to break up the trip over multiple days.

As the range winds its way towards Mount Washington, the steep, broken face of the Great Gulf looms just below the summit.

This cirque features a dozen striking lines that seem like they were almost made to be skied. Depending on the time of year, reaching the Great Gulf can either be a cakewalk or a moderate undertaking.

Skinning up alongside the Mount Washington Cog Railway is your best approach during winter. Often, though, the opening of the Mount Washington Auto Road overlaps with the tail-end of spring skiing, creating a unique “slackcountry” opportunity in the high alpine. Being able to access this terrain footsteps from your car is a privilege, and can be taken away at any time. It is imperative to practice strong Leave No Trace principles, such as traveling on durable surfaces and packing out anything you bring in.

Most of the skier traffic in the Great Gulf is concentrated around a late-spring lap of Airplane Gully, and for good reason: it holds snow well into June most years and is consistently one of the last to hang on in the entire range. The initial headwall on Airplane is steep and narrow, but eventually the gully opens up into a lower snowfield that offers more moderate turns down to Spaulding Lake.

Another route that sees its fair share of traffic is Pipeline Gully.

Splitting the side of Mount Clay, Pipeline stays enclosed and at a consistent steep slope angle until the lower snowfield is reached, creating an eye-catching profile when viewed from down the ridge.

This route has a tendency to form short ice bulges in the middle, so a high-snow year is needed for a continuous descent.

MOUNT WASHINGTON EAST: The glacial cirques that comprise the eastern slope of Mount Washington are often considered the birthplace of extreme skiing in North America. Tuckerman Ravine is far and away the most famous backcountry ski destination in the East, but quality routes can be found in each area, ranging from moderate snowfields to steep, technical descents. This area can get very congested quickly—especially on weekends—so be sure to get an early start.

Mount Washington East

The eastern slope of Mount Washington has the highest concentration of backcountry skiing terrain in the Presidential Range, with much of it hiding in plain sight next to the famed Tuckerman Ravine. Two trails—cut by the historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s as part of FDR’s New Deal—bring you back to the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center parking lot: the Gulf of Slides Ski Trail and the John Sherburne Ski Trail. Both trails make for fine ski descents in their own right and are a great lower-angle option for when conditions don’t line up in the ravines.

These two trails stay fresh through maintenance days put on

by Granite Backcountry Alliance and Friends of Tuckerman Ravine each fall. These events are the most fun you’ll ever have with a pair

5 - CCC Trails 6 - Gulf of Slides 7 - Boott Spur 8 - Tuckerman Ravine 9 - Summit Cone 10 - Huntington Ravine

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of brush cutters—consider getting involved and helping preserve these historic trails for years to come!

Once you start heading up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, it can be hard to fight the urge to go check out what’s happening up in The Bowl. For this reason, many will end up bypassing the great skiing that lies just a stone’s throw away from Hermit Lake! The Mount Washington sub-peak of Boott Spur has some long, classic routes that offer a bit more of a ski-focused experience than the raucous scene in Tuckerman Ravine.

Hillman’s Highway is the focal point of the Boott Spur cirque and overwhelmingly the most popular choice. This classic route curves its way up underneath the iconic Boott Spur ridgeline before splitting into two variations near the top. The route is relatively wide for a gully, but there are two choke points along the way—a high-snow year will generally fill these in. Dodge’s Drop is another staple of the area. First pioneered by Brooks Dodge in 1946, this route remains a test-piece even to this day. The upper headwall is incredibly steep with knee-knocking exposure and lots of exposed rocks to contend with. After braving these challenges, you must navigate a narrow choke before joining back up with Hillman’s. A descent of this route is a serious undertaking that requires both a deep skill-set and snowpack.

While mostly known for its ice and alpine climbing—and traditionally cast by skiers as the “other” ravine—Huntington Ravine has seen a surge in skier traffic in recent years. Some of the most technical ski descents in the East can be found here, and any venture into Huntington should not be taken lightly.

Out of the nine named gullies in Huntington Ravine, two in particular stand out to skiers: Central and Diagonal. Each one is not without their technical challenges: Central Gully has a nasty tendency to form a low-angle ice bulge at a checkpoint mid-route, and the entire upper section of Diagonal is situated directly above

First pioneered by Brooks Dodge in 1946, Dodge’s Drop remains a test-piece even to this day. The upper headwall is incredibly steep with knee-knocking exposure and lots of exposed rocks to contend with.

MOUNT WASHINGTON WEST: Persistent westerly winds throughout the winter make this side of Mount Washington prone to heavy wind scouring. The Cog is the most popular option in this area, but both Ammonoosuc and Burt Ravine offer good skiing at a more moderate slope angle than Washington’s other ravines.

11 - Mount Washington Cog Railway 12 - Burt Ravine 13 - Ammonoosuc Ravine

the 50-foot Harvard Ice Bulge. A clean ski descent of these routes is a significant feat that requires confident “no-fall” skiing and a deep bag of ski mountaineering tricks.

If you’re looking for a slightly more moderate alternative on the East Side, direct your attention towards the Gulf of Slides. This collection of nearly identical slide paths is still steeper than anything you’ll likely find at a ski resort, and is a refreshing change of pace from the relentless terrain found elsewhere in the range. Main Gully—found at the end of the Gulf of Slides Ski Trail—is the most common objective, but great turns can be found in every slide!

Mount Washington West & Southern Presidentials

The East-West debate doesn’t just live with 90s rappers—it’s also an ongoing topic of conversation within the White Mountain backcountry skiing community. It’s not uncommon to hear a North Conway-based skier proclaim, “You would never catch me driving over to the West side!” or vice versa from a Vermonter.

I personally tend to side with the East-siders, mainly due to the Spring 2021

Central Gully in Ammonoosuc COURTESY OF BRIAN POST

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tendency for fierce westerly winds to scour the snow on this side of the mountain (and deposit it on the East side!). In the right conditions, though, some excellent terrain will open up over here.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway, or “The Cog,” is the most notable ski offering on the West Side. You can follow alongside the train tracks all the way to the summit, but many parties will choose to start their ski descent from Jacob’s Ladder, a section of elevated tracks right at treeline. Head’s up: for the last few seasons, ownership of The Cog has required all skiers to purchase a $10 per person/per day winter land use permit (or $100 per person season pass).

Flanking the Cog Railway are two ravines that offer a nice change of pace from the other cirques around Mount Washington. Burt Ravine and Ammonoosuc Ravine follow drainages created by run-off from the mountain that serves as the headwaters for the Ammonoosuc River. These ravines serve as classic examples of a “terrain trap,” or an area where the runout for

SOUTHERN PRESIDENTIALS: The Southern Presidentials are made up of a chain of rounded peaks running south from Mount Washington to Crawford Notch. With the exception of the gullies on Mount Webster, slightly longer approaches and limited visibility from the road protect this zone from the masses. A great place to explore if you find yourself growing tired of the crowds that can plague both the east and west sides of the range.

One of the more highly sought-after routes here is Double Barrel, a steep gully that diverges into two different chutes before joining back up near the floor of the ravine.

any sort of avalanche event is condensed, causing the debris to pile up more than it normally would. They are also heavily vegetated and can be tricky to get out from. Be sure to have a solid exit plan—or get ready to embrace the ‘shwack.

The rounded chain of peaks that moves south from Mount Washington may appear to have limited skiable terrain, but there are still very worthy objectives stashed away here. One such area is Oakes Gulf, located directly south from the summit of Washington and practically invisible from all roadways.

Oakes is naturally split into a western half and an eastern half. Each part features a nice mix of wide, moderate runs and steep gullies more typically found in Mount Washington ravines. One of the more highly sought-after routes here is Double Barrel, a steep gully that diverges into two different chutes before joining back up near the floor of the ravine. The wideopen Airplane Bowl on the far eastern end is a good choice as well! On your first trip here, you’re bound to be surprised that such good skiing exists hiding so close to Tuckerman Ravine.

Whether it’s your sole objective or way out at the end of the day, the Monroe Brook on the northwest side of Mount Monroe might be one of—if not the—best riverbed ski routes in the entire White Mountains. Finding the start can be tricky, but trending down to the skier’s left from the AMC’s Lakes of the Clouds Hut (closed in winter) will get you in the ballpark.

Once you’re past the steeps, stay high on the skier’s left bank to avoid getting sucked too low into the riverbed.

The range is bookended by the Webster Cliffs at its southern terminus in Crawford Notch. The routes here fall under the category of things that have been skied, but aren’t necessarily ski lines. A high-snow year with minimal wind scouring is needed to make the Webster Cliffs a viable ski option—easier said than done in the notoriously unpredictable White Mountains. It’s fun to stare up at these gullies as you drive by and think about the potential.

14 - Mount Monroe 15 - Oakes Gulf 16 - Mount Franklin 17 - Webster Cliffs

Green’s Chasm, Webster Cliffs

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Safety

While spring is generally the safest time to ski in the backcountry, the Presidential Range is still an alpine environment with many objective risks to manage. Avalanches, rapidly changing snow conditions, long sliding falls, and severe weather are just a few of the hazards you will have to contend with.

All of the cirques discussed here are in avalanche terrain and have the capacity to slide. In fact, many of the routes mentioned were created by the tremendous force of previous avalanches. Snow accumulation can occur in the Presidential Range well through the end of May, keeping the snowpack complex. Generally, it’s best to avoid traveling in avalanche terrain after periods of heavy snow or high winds. There are also some tell-tale signs that can alert you to instability: the presence of recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks under your feet, or a collapsing “whump” noise coming from the snowpack are all strong indicators.

It’s strongly advised to always travel with the appropriate avalanche gear—beacon, shovel, probe—and educate yourself by taking an avalanche course.

The melt-freeze “corn” cycle that’s indicative of spring skiing does help bond the layers of the snowpack and reduce the avalanche risk, but comes with its own set of hazards.

When the surface heats up rapidly, it gains moisture quickly, thereby densifying and sloughing off in a river of frozen slush. Sluff management is an important skill to have when spring skiing, as it can often be heavy enough to knock you off your feet and take you for a ride. For this reason, it’s important to think about what type of terrain is directly below you and what would happen if you were carried over it.

Similarly, when there is a lot of moisture in the snow and the temperature drops below freezing, the surface can lock up quickly. This typically occurs either after a warm day when the late afternoon shadows hit the slope or when a cold front moves through after a corn cycle. Numerous accidents occur every year due to long sliding falls on firm surfaces, often resulting in serious injury and sometimes even death.

An ice axe and crampons, along with the skills to use them, are good tools to mitigate your chances of taking a screamer.

Not all springtime hazards occur on the surface. Run-off from increased solar radiation and melting will undermine

THE MOUNT WASHINGTON AVALANCHE CENTER The the only avalanche center in the eastern United States, MWAC publishes a daily avalanche advisory with route-specific forecasts, usually by 8 a.m.

Visit www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org.

FRIENDS OF TUCKERMAN RAVINE FOTR is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to preserve and protect the unique alpine and sup-alpine eastern slopes of Mount Washington, NH with special focus on Tuckerman Ravine, Huntington Ravine, and Gulf of Slides areas.” FOTR supports the Mount Washington Avalanche Center and is directly responsible for the many of the projects that maintain the infrastructure around the Hermit Lake Shelter, including the trailwork on some of the most heavily used ski trails in the Cutler River basin. Visit www.friendsoftuckerman.org.

GRANITE BACKCPOUNTRY ALLIANCE GBA has organized the backcountry skiing community, advocated with landowners, secured permissions, and turned out volunteers to develop gladed backcountry ski zones around the region. Visit www.granitebackcountryalliance.org.

MOUNT WASHINGTON VOLUNTEER SKI PATROL Founded in 1939, the MWVSP is one of the oldest ski patrols in the United States and supports the US Forest Service and Mount Washington Avalanche Center (MWAC) through all aspects of backcountry education, first aid, and search and rescue in the Cutler River drainage. Visit www.tuckerman.org.

There are also some tell-tale signs that can alert you to instability: the presence of recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks under your feet, or a collapsing “whump” noise coming from the snowpack are all strong indicators.

the snowpack and create glide cracks. As melting inevitably increases, these cracks can grow large enough for a person to fall into, creating a bottomless trap of cold water and darkness. While easy to avoid if you’re paying attention, if you fall into one of these, your chances of surviving are low.

And lastly, how can you talk about skiing in the Presidential Range without mentioning that it is home to the “World’s Worst Weather?” Mount Washington is infamous for erratic Spring 2021

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and harsh weather and holds the record for highest surface wind speed ever recorded by humans at 231 miles per hour.

The severity of weather conditions in the Presidential Range

The severity of weather conditions in the Presidential Range is often underestimated due to its low altitude, but any day spent above treeline is a serious undertaking. Rapidly changing weather can escalate even minor situations into life-or-death situations.

is often underestimated due to its low altitude, but any day spent above treeline is a serious undertaking. Rapidly changing weather can escalate even minor situations into life-ordeath situations. Be sure to check out the real-time weather data and the daily Higher Summits forecast from the Mount Washington Observatory before you head out.

The Mount Washington Avalanche Center is an essential resource in planning your day’s outing. The team of snow rangers up at Hermit Lake are boots-on-the-ground everyday, assessing conditions and relaying that information into the daily avalanche forecast. Their website is also loaded with field observations, weather information, incident reports, and snow plot data—it’s very much worth your time to dig through and get a feel for the current conditions in the Presidential Range before heading up.

Ultimately, the final decision in the mountains will be up to you and your partners. Backcountry skiing is supposed to be fun, and nothing kills that vibe faster than having a serious accident.

Make a plan, think critically about the impact your choices carry, and stack the odds in your favor.

A Guide to Backcountr y Skiing in New Hampshire’s Presidential Rang e

Presidential Skiing features detailed descriptions for over 90 different routes in 17 zones across the entire Presidential Range. Beyond just route descriptions, this book is loaded with detailed maps, approach information, stunning aerial photography, inspiring action shots, helpful resources, and much more.

Available locally at Ski The Whites, Ragged Mountain Equipment, International Mountain Equipment (IME), White Birch Books, REI, AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, and the New England Ski Museum, as well as online at presidentialskiing.com.

Kurt Niiler is the author of Presidential Skiing: A Guide to Backcountry Skiing in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. Originally from Freedom, NH, he grew up ski racing in the Mt. Washington Valley and for Bates College’s NCAA team before transitioning to backcountry skiing and mountaineering. Kurt’s entire professional life revolves around skiing; beyond Presidential Skiing, he also coaches alpine ski racing at Gould Academy in Bethel, ME.

Spring 2021

Kurt Niiler

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MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

by Mike Cherim

WiseguyCreative.com photo

Heeding the Call of the Mountain with Your Inner Sense

W

hen visiting the Mt. Washington Valley, if arriving on a clear day from any direction, the area’s mountains—which ring the Valley—stand proud, presenting a glorious view for all to enjoy. The most notable mountains probably being Mount Chocorua to the south, and the namesake Mount Washington to the north. These visually stand out, their summits devoid of trees like crown jewels.

Though do bear in mind, there are many peaks in between, but they’re more inconspicuous.

Visually, these mountains offer the vibrance and freshness of spring’s floral and faunal youth, the rich greenery and shimmering gray-green rock of summer, the riot of fall color in the pumpkin-spice season, and dominant white caps that glisten in the sun on those bluebird days of winter.

These mountains are very photogenic. So much so, that people sometimes line the roads and crowd viewpoints, jos-

Seeing may be believing, but it is only one of the senses that allows you to have a remarkably unique experience each time you venture into the mountains.

tling into position for that ultimate sunset photo to post on “the ‘Gram” or on Facebook. For some—for the more adventurous— this means actually accessing these mountains, looking to get up close and personal. On the above-mentioned Mount Chocorua— along with most of the mountains in view—this involves hiking up. Which, to be clear, is quite challenging with several dangers, both seasonal and persistent. On Mount Washington, thanks to the Auto Road and the Cog Railway, there are some options for non-hikers. (It should be noted some other area mountains,

such as Cranmore, Attitash, Wildcat, Bretton Woods, Cathedral Ledge, and Cannon and Loon mountains also offer access in the spring through the fall.)

Getting up close offers even greater visual stimulation. It is up close we see the gin-clear waters of our pristine golden streams and rivers meandering through the landscape. It is up close we notice the mosses that grow in these forests or the lichens found above treeline in the alpine zone. It is up close we can find the glades of white birch or beech, the stands of spruce, fir, pine, or hemlocks. It is up close we see the ferns lining the forest floor, the hobblebush, and the delicate, yet tough, alpine grasses dancing and making waves in the tundra above treeline. It is up close that we also find our other senses also being stimulated.

Mountain Sounds and Utter Silence Seeing may be believing, but it is only one of the senses that allows you to have a remarkably unique experience each time you venture into the mountains. The sense of hearing comes to mind quickly. We often don’t realize how much noise there is in our lives until we remove it. Case in point: if the power goes off in our homes, we will often find ourselves cast into a complete and utter silence. A noticeable silence.

The mountains, far from town, deep into the forest or high on a peak, likewise offer this stark silence. It’s profound when you hear it—or, rather, when you don’t. If the breezes aren’t too fresh, and if your breathing has settled and your heart rates have returned to normal from the hike in, you will hear absolutely nothing. It’s particularly pronounced in the colder months, when fewer critters are afoot—no hoots of the owl or cries of the loon, and there is no drone of insects or incessant buzz of flies.

The mountains are well known for one added sound: that is their call. The “call of the mountains,” it should be known, grows louder the further you are from them.

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A Holiday of Mountains Scents Another phenomenal way to take in the mountains is to smell them. Some common observations in the olfactory department include the apparent freshness and purity of the air.

Mountain freshness. But know—this is something completely unlike what you would smell in any household product labeled “mountain fresh.” Air pollution deep within the forest is almost unheard of, especially once outside of a notch or valley in which a road passes.

In the spring and summer, the subtle smell of plants and trees fill the air—grassy smells, sweetened with occasional floral scents from myriad sources throughout the season. Into the mixed forest, one may encounter a hint of leaves and forest decay; then higher up, the reminiscent scents offered up by fir trees, spruces, coniferous delights. After the rain stops, on cool days, these scents are magnified. The scents of Christmas, some might say. So popular are these scents, they bag them up in burlap sacks and offer them to tourists at places like Zeb’s General Store.

Taste of the Mountains Unless you accidentally consume a black fly in the spring or drink the water, you won’t directly taste nature, but one of the common observations—particularly given by hikers—is that “everything tastes great in the mountains.” The common PB&J down in the lowlands, for example, is just that: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Up there, however, famished after hiking up to some ridge or summit, taking in some stunning and wellearned view, the same PB&J provides a much different experience. It becomes the best freaking peanut butter and jelly sandwich you’ve ever eaten.

So, while you don’t generally consume the mountains directly, their magic touches everything you do consume while tramping upon them.

That Mountain Touch The hardness of the rocks and roots, the softness of a seldom-used treadway, the cushion of mosses and grasses, the coldness of the streams, and the physicality of the mountains and navigating in them all are givens. These employ our sense of touch—but there is so much more to mountain exploration than the sum of those parts.

The mountains touch us in another way. Those who live or work among them, as well as those who visit them, often stand in awe of them. I look out my window and can see five mountains, one of which is Kearsarge North. I face east so I get to enjoy it as a fixed feature in my sunrises. But I also get to enjoy it in the evening, too, as its flanks are alpenglow lit and the tower’s glass twinkles, making it look like there’s a lighthouse up there on its summit.

The combination of all the other senses enhances this “touch.” Though not everyone can feel it, those who do understand the desire to heed that mountain call. In them, on them, a part of them, they want to be. To them, to me, the touch is a strong embrace.

Mike Cherim, a North Conway resident, is a trailwork- and SAR-volunteer in the WMNF. His passions are primarily hiking and skiing (plus biking and fishing)—and he also loves to write. He makes his living, however, running a local guiding company: Redline Guiding out of Intervale.

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Optics: A Practical Guide to Understanding

THE DANCE OF LIGHT in the Atmosphere

By Nate Iannuccillo Understanding the dual nature of light, and its behavior both as a particle and as a wave, is key to understanding how many of these images are produced.

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orking on the summit for the Mount Washington Observatory, a question I often get asked is, “What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen?” And while there are many interesting meteorological events and intense weather conditions, I think some of the most striking things we get to observe lie in the realm of atmospheric optics. The science of optics helps us to understand why we see what we see, and through it we can begin to comprehend the way light dances through the sky.

Perhaps it’s the fleeting nature of many optical phenomena that brings such delight. The particularity of many of these effects means that getting to observe them often feels like a special occasion. While these events are certainly not isolated to the mountain landscape, spending time in the higher elevations certainly lends itself to having an excellent vantage point for observing optical events. With a little background in the science of light, you can be well equipped to spot and understand various phenomena as they come.

Photo: Meteorologist Ryan Knapp walking to the Mount Washington Summit sign with a lunar halo overhead (by Ryan Knapp).

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Meteorologist Ryan Knapp captured this fogbow off the observation deck on the summit of Mount Washington. Fogbow arcs are formed by light refracting through cloud drops. The best conditions for seeing a fogbow occur when a sunny day is accompanied by shallow fog or clouds just below the summit.

Understanding the dual nature of light, and its behavior both as a particle and as a wave, is key to understanding how many

length and frequency. By honing in on the visible light spectrum, we can describe the different colors of light in similar fashion,

be somewhat rare, and make note of the example of an open and closed window.

When you close a window, you generally

Refraction creates a number of different optical effects that can be viewed given the proper conditions. One fine example of refraction is that of solar and lunar haloes. Keep an eye out for a halo, especially when a layer of cirrostratus clouds is present. of these images are produced. The visible light spectrum exists on a narrow portion of a greater spectrum called the electro-

magnetic spectrum, which describes electromagnetic radiation according to wave-

with the color violet having the shortest wavelengths and the highest frequency, and the color red having the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency. Light also exhibits dispositions that we associate with particles, and when we consider both of these tendencies, we can begin to understand the nature of light through the following behaviors.

Transmission describes light passing through a medium relatively unaffected; the wave passes through without changing direction. Keep in mind that 100 percent transmission can

see the same image through the frame, but you might also be able to see your reflection as well. In this case, a fraction of the light is transmitted, and another fraction is reflected.

Reflection describes when light comes into contact with a barrier and is bounced off at the same angle. Examples of this include seeing one’s reflection produced by a mirror, or a puddle of water. Many of the lakes and ponds of the White Mountain Region lend themselves to magnificent reflections of mountainscapes on clear, still mornings.

Refraction occurs when a wave changes direction passing through a new medium. When this happens, light actually appears to bend when viewed by the observer. Refraction creates a number of different optical effects that can be viewed, given the proper conditions. One

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Look for crepuscular rays when the sun is low in the sky and there is a broken layer of clouds. Photo by Meteorologist Ryan Knapp.

A FEW COMMON OPTICAL PHENOMENA Halo: A ring of light surrounding the sun or moon, formed by refraction of light by ice crystals.

Sun dog: Bright spots on either side of the sun, formed by refraction of light by ice crystals.

Sun pillar: A vertical beam of light refracting off ice crystals.

Rainbow: An arc formed by the chromatic dispersion of light refracting through rain drops.

Fogbow: An arc formed by light refracting through cloud drops.

Corona: A disk surrounding the sun or moon formed by diffraction of light around water droplets or ice crystals.

Crepuscular rays: Beams of light shining through breaks in a cloud layer, which are then scattered.

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Mount Washington Observatory photos Halo, sundogs, arc, and other optical effects can be seen all at once around the Observatory’s tower on a late fall afternoon. A sunset corona is an optical phenomenon produced by the diffraction of sunlight, or moonlight, by small water droplets and sometimes tiny ice crystals of a cloud.

fine example of refraction is that of solar and lunar haloes. Keep an eye out for a halo, especially when a layer of cirrostratus clouds is present. The halo is formed when light from the sun or moon refracts as it passes through ice crystals high in the atmosphere. Haloes (and cirrostratus clouds in general) often indicate that a warm front (and inclement weather) may be on the way.

A few other types of optical phenomena in the halo family include sun

dispersion of light passing through a new medium. In this case, when light passes through water, it actually slows down, and because each of the colors of visible light have unique wavelengths and frequencies, the light passing through water affects them differently. This causes each color to move at a different velocity, and as result, this yields a different angle of refraction for each color. As this happens, the colors begin to separate in a process known as chromatic dispersion, and this is responsi-

drops. Because cloud drops are so much smaller than rain drops, the light doesn’t disperse nearly as much, and the fogbow arc appears with a predominantly white color. Conditions prime for seeing a fogbow occur when a sunny day is accompanied by shallow fog or clouds just below the summit.

Diffraction is the spreading out of a wave when it moves through an opening or passes around an obstacle. A good example of diffraction in atmospheric optics

The big difference between a rainbow and a fogbow is the drop size where the refraction takes place. A rainbow forms with rain drops, but a fogbow occurs when light refracts through much smaller cloud drops. dogs and sun pillars, both formed from the refraction of light interacting with ice crystals. A sun pillar is a vertical beam of light extending upward or downward from the sun. Sun dogs, also known as parhelia, refer to bright spots on one or both sides of the sun. Because these three phenomena form under similar conditions at times they may be viewed in conjunction depending on the formation of clouds and ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Refraction also produces a host of effects created from the chromatic

ble for the creation of rainbows and other phenomena.

Though rare, rainbows are relatively well-known, and are formed by the chromatic dispersion of light refracting through raindrops. A somewhat lesser-known phenomenon known as a fogbow, is formed by a similar process.

The big difference between a rainbow and a fogbow is the drop size where the refraction takes place. A rainbow forms with rain drops, but a fogbow occurs when light refracts through much smaller cloud

is when we see a corona around the sun or moon. This usually occurs when light from the sun or moon diffracts around small water droplets or ice crystals. Look for a corona around the sun and moon on days where thin clouds are present.

Absorption is the process by which energy from light is converted into thermal energy. As a cloud grows and thickens, the base of the cloud appears very dark, because in a tall, dense cloud, most of the light is getting absorbed by the time it reaches the observer standing below. This

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is in sharp contrast to what the same cloud might look like viewed from above, where even a towering cumulus cloud that would look very dark to someone below, would still appear white when viewed from the side or from above. This is because when viewed from the side, the observer would see the white light being scattered by the sun, whereas the observer standing below would see an absence of light manifesting itself as a dark looking cloud. When viewed from below, much of the light has been either scattered or absorbed by the time it reaches the observer. Make note of this effect when viewing towering cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds in the summer months when thunderstorms are much more frequent in the White Mountain Region.

Scattering is another important process to understand in terms of atmospheric optics. Light scattering describes what happens when light comes into contact with different particles in our atmosphere (including gases!), that cause the light to deflect in all different directions. Scattering helps explain why the sky is blue, because the shorter wavelengths deflect more easily than the longer wavelengths.

As a result, the violets, indigos, blues, and

greens scatter before the longer wavelengths, and the sky takes on its classic blue color that we’re familiar with. During sunrise and sunset, we see the sun passing through more of the atmosphere, and by the time the light reaches our point of observation, we are only seeing the longer wavelengths of the yellows, oranges, and reds, as the shorter wavelengths have already scattered.

Another optical phenomenon related to scattering that we see every so often are crepuscular rays. We see crepuscular rays when beams of sunlight shine through openings in a layer of clouds. The rays that stream through the breaks in the clouds are then visible because the light scatters off particles in the atmosphere.

Look for crepuscular rays when the sun is low in the sky and when there is a broken layer of clouds.

While this is by no means a comprehensive guide to all the optical phenomena that can be witnessed, it does describe a handful of effects that might be observed in the sky every so often. Keep an eye out for some of these occurrences that may be viewed by a patient and astute observer. Understanding the basic behaviors of light can help us view the world

in a way that allows us to question the way light interacts with the atmosphere around us. Many of these phenomena are truly rare and spectacular, but many optical effects are ordinary events that we can observe every day. It is my sincere desire that in paying attention to the special dance of light, that some of these ordinary phenomena may seem just a little more extraordinary.

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. For additional information, visit www.mountwashington.org.

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Photo by Nicole Handel

White Mountain

Wild Trout

By Dominic Lentini

For the devout New England angler, chasing brook trout deep in the woods is a rite of passage. It’s a sacred tradition, reserved for warm summer days when everyone—both fish and human—at lower elevation needs an escape. We call this blue lining.

Everyone knows that a good fishing day starts with a hearty breakfast and some hot coffee.

It’s not something you want to mess with, especially when you’re exploring new water.

Joe and I hadn’t gotten an early start that morning. It was late November, and the temperature had been decreasing by the day. We weren’t rushing, so we made a stop at a new bakery in Gorham, NH. We made small talk with some locals, then headed on our way.

We drove under old railroad bridges, past car dealerships, near a pizza shop, and by one, two, no–three–gas stations. A small dirt parking lot marked our arrival.

We dragged my boat over rocks and trees, then down a steep bank. We loaded up and ran shuttle. I back-rowed upriver, anchored, and we started nymphing a seam. It had been a lot of effort to get here, but for what?

Within minutes, Joe’s indicator went under and a trout went airborne. He reeled, and the fish ran. It jumped again, and again. It wasn’t a large fish by any means, but it was as perfect as they come. A bright silver color with dark spots and clean fins. Without a doubt, it was a wild rainbow trout.

Running from Errol, New Hampshire, through Berlin and Gorham all the way until it joins the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay in Maine, the Androscoggin River wasn’t always a destination for wild trout. From the 1850s onward, the river was dammed for milling, and there was an annual log drive. During these drives, the entire surface of the river was covered in logs as they floated downstream to be processed at the mills.

Photo by Dominic Lentini

Photo by Joe Klementovich

How to Identify a Wild Trout Above Left: There’s nothing like catching a wild trout on the fly. Their energy and tenacity is unrivaled.

Above Right: An aerial shot over Bog Brook feeding into the Androscoggin in the Dummer/Milan area.

The quantity of waste released into the river during these years was immense. The damage was severe. In many places, the bottom of the river is still covered in logs.

That went on uncontrolled until 1972, when the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972

as stocked trout.

A number of lakes and rivers in New Hampshire also have self-sustaining wild trout populations. In the case of rainbow trout, they spawn each spring, their eggs incubate for three to seven weeks de-

By definition, blue lining is the act of chasing fish on the little blue lines that appear on a map. They’re not the big streams, but in the little trickles that rarely get any attention. was developed. It’s taken time, and has been a long journey since then. Over the past couple of decades, however, the river has been cleaned up considerably, which has slowly allowed for the growth and reproduction of these wild trout.

You must understand that there are two ways a fish can end up in a water body. It can be born there (wild), or it can be put there (stocked).

In New Hampshire, many of our lakes and rivers are stocked by the state.

This means that these trout, which are farm-raised by the state in holding tanks, are put into the water. The practice of stocking trout has been used in the U.S., since the 1800s, and it’s done so that anglers can go to the river and catch trout. Whether rainbow trout, brook trout, or brown trout, these are known

You may be wondering: How do I know if the fish I caught is wild? It can be tough to tell at times, but there are a few clues you can watch for.

pending on water temperature, and then hatch into a new generation of trout.

You might be asking: What difference does it make how they get there? A trout’s a trout. In fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Wild trout are important.

Wild trout are smarter than stocked trout. They’re genetically superior.

They’re self-sustaining and thrive without human interference. They’re strategic, and they know how to conserve energy in order to survive. They’re naturally fearful of predators, and don’t take unnecessary risk. They’re more discerning when presented with a fly. They live longer—and in the right ecosystem—can get very large. They fit into the natural balance of the river. Most of all, they fight like hell when hooked.

Trust me, once you hook into a prop-

1. Does the body of water you’re fishing get stocked? Knowing that could rule out your questions quickly!

2. How colorful is it? Because stocked fish are fed a pellet diet, they often have more muted colors than their wild counterparts.

3. How fat is it? Because stocked fish don’t have to swim hard to survive and because they have a fat-rich diet, they’re often referred to as “footballs.” They will look much too round for their length.

4. How are its fins? Stocked fish are stuck in the hundreds together in concrete tanks, which results in abrasions, fin wear, and body scrapes.

Reference: www.flylordsmag.com/ how-to-tell-the-difference-betweenstocked-and-wild-trout

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Photo by Nicole Handel

In truth, half the fun in chasing wild brook trout is the exploration; it’s hours on end without another human in sight. The long, wandering hikes keep most others at bay. The prospect of the unknown keeps them in the same pools they’ve always known.

er wild fish, you’ll never dream of chasing anything else.

It should be noted that while these rainbows on the Androscoggin River are wild, they are not native. This means they didn’t originate naturally there and were, instead, introduced by humans many years back. If you want to chase a wild and native fish, heading into the White Mountains in search of brook trout is your answer. When the Androscoggin becomes too hot to practice ethical catch-and-release during the mid-summer heat, these wild trout are there for you.

For the devout New England angler, chasing brook trout deep in the woods is a rite of passage. It’s a sacred tradition, reserved for warm summer days when everyone—both fish and human—at lower elevation needs an escape. We call this blue lining.

By definition, blue lining is the act of chasing fish on the little blue lines that appear on a map. They’re not the big streams, but in the little trickles that rarely get any attention. They’re often colder than the main rivers during the summer due to their elevation, and thus, are safe to fish.

In truth, half the fun in chasing wild brook trout is the exploration; it’s hours on end without another human in sight. The long, wandering hikes keep most others at bay. The prospect of the unknown keeps them in the same pools they’ve always known. For those who consider making the trek … the mosquitos and black flies guard these mountain treasures with their lives.

Sometimes these exploratory missions don’t pan out—but when they do, you’re in for a real treat.

All you need is a pocket full of flies, a small rod, a light reel, and a few snacks. In a sport that leans heavily on technological advances in gear, it’s a welcome change. Gone are your worries about line taper. Erased are your anxieties that you don’t have the right rod flex. Is your drag adequate? Yes. Do you have enough flies? Yes. It’s not about the gear. It’s about finding the Spring 2021

right place.

A hopper, or perhaps a beetle? Maybe a caddis. You don’t need much else. Sure, you can catch them on nymphs or streamers. But for me, if they don’t want to eat dries, I prefer to leave

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Keep Fish Wet. If you’re chasing wild fish, you should make sure you’re well versed in ethical fish handling practices for catch-and-release. These fish are special, and as anglers we should do everything we can to ensure their safe return to the river. As recommended by Keep Fish Wet, a nonprofit with a mission of promoting science-based best practices for handling fish, you should aim to: 1. minimize air exposure, 2. eliminate contact with dry surfaces, and reduce handling time.

Brook Trout Habitat Restoration Since 2010, Tin Mountain Conservation Center (TMCC) in Albany, NH has been angling for trout in Carroll County. Yet no rods, line, hooks, or bait, have been used. Instead, TMCC has been improving habitat and drawing them in. At now 24 sites in 13 towns, the “Trout Crew” at Tin Mountain has successfully treated over 16 miles of native run trout streams. The reasons are simple: improve trout habitat, improve water quality, and prevent downstream flooding. The process is anything but simple, however, and has involved over 10 partnering organizations, state and federal agencies, municipal government, land trusts, and most all, cooperative private landowners.

Up until 2020, the fine art of capturing all of these partners and getting them to work together to achieve these restoration actions has been practiced by the now retired, Richard (Dick) Fortin. A long-time resident of Eaton and member of the Eaton Conservation Commission, Dick has used his fish savvy to “chum in” the necessary partnerships, money, and personnel to create a model program Rick Van de Pol and Donovan Spaulding sampling that has benefited thousands of eastern brook trout and all of the critters and macroinvertebrates. Sam Mason Photography. anglers that love them. After all the landowner agreements have been signed, the permits applied for, and the staff resources lined up, a pre-treatment assessment is completed that documents baseline habitat conditions in order to compare with post-treatment conditions. NH Fish & Game has graciously offered to electrofish (“efish”) each reach of stream before and after to determine the success on native run species.

After 10 years of data, TMCC has documented an increase in trout density to over 1.2 per meter of stream, a doubling of biomass in streams with deep pools, and an increase in resting cover of over 35 percent. In addition, riffle and pool depths have been increased, water temperatures have dropped, and small floodplains have been re-engaged that have otherwise been left high and dry by storm erosion.

With exceptional cooperation from the federal government (through NRCS EQIP grants and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grants), TMCC is on tap to improve another 3.5 miles this year. Keep an eye out for training programs for landowners, as well as regular updates of the progress at www.tinmountain.org. Dr. Rick Van de Poll, also of Ecosystem Management Consultants of New England, LLC, is the Research Director at TMCC, having taken over the program from Dick Fortin in 2020.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center • www.tinmountain.org 64 MWVvibe.com

Stimulator Orange

Moodah Poodah Purple

Bank Beetle Black & Red

Elkwing Caddis Gray

When chasing wild fish, it’s important to have confidence flies with you. These are some of Dominic Lentini’s favorite wild brook trout flies. Fly samples from Fulling Mill, www.fullingmill.com.

them alone. I like to meet these fish on their terms. They deserve it.

Let’s not forget, there’s nothing like the voracious eats you can get on the surface. When they dart out of their lies to eat, they make a 2-weight rod seem like wet noodle.

These fish are true treasures. While they don’t get large—a 10-inch fish is considered a trophy—due to their limited growth window, they make up for it in jaw-dropping splendor. The white leading edges on their fins are flawless, their bellies fiery, and their spots like fresh drops of ink. They’re some of nature’s most beautiful artwork.

After exploring and finding some fish, I never overstay my welcome. These wild fish have lived here much longer than humans have, and I don’t want to change that. It’s time to let the stream fade back into obscurity. On my next outing, I’ll seek out somewhere new.

After five or so hours on the river, a couple of wild rainbows to the net, and some cold toes, we dragged my raft over a bank and onto a side street. I tucked my trailer between a fire hydrant and a boulder, and we heaved the boat on.

Some homeowners looked on suspiciously; a dog barked. While we didn’t get stuck talking to anyone, my day with Joe ended much like it began.

We drove under old railroad bridges, Spring 2021

past car dealerships, near a pizza shop, and by one, two, no–three–gas stations.

A small dirt parking lot marked the end of our day.

Wild fish are beautiful. They are the fish that make endless hours of exploration worth it. They justify the awkward put ins and the long walks. They force us as anglers to truly understand the rivers they call home, and we share as guests.

They are the fish that humble us and keep us learning.

If you’re willing to look for it, wild fish can be anywhere. Whether it be deep in the woods, or hidden in plain sight, they’re there. Their environments are changing. Their water temperature is changing. Their food sources are changing. Human influence is increasing. Their survival is in danger. But for now, they’re there.

BOOK A TRIP with Dominic!

Dominic Lentini is a licensed New Hampshire fly fishing guide in North Conway, NH. He owns Fly Fish NH, a guide service specializing in float and wade trips on the Androscoggin, Saco, and Connecticut Rivers. From beginners to experts, he loves sharing his passion for rivers with others.

To book a trip, visit www.flyfishnh.com or email dominicd.lentini@gmail.com.

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Photo courtesy of Darren Clark; eBird; Macaulay Library ML

BICKNELLS IN THE WHITES ‘

By Birch Malotky

THE MYSTIQUE OF MIGRATION AND POSSIBLE SILENCING OF THE BICKNELL’S THRUSH

T

he first time I saw a bird—really saw one—was a typical June afternoon in the Mt. Washington Valley.

I was climbing on Cathedral Ledge, the moss was lush and green, and the maple seedlings had just begun sprouting from dark earth. Below, the strawberry fields

by song. From the trees rang out a flute, lovely as a rainbow-maker in a south-facing window. Within seconds, the singer hopped into view, draped in brown with spots dripping down its chest. It bobbed its tail up and down (a threat? anxiety? hello?), inspecting me while I dared not

bore such lovely and fragrant fruit that I could taste them from where I sat halfway up the cliff.

I belayed my partner up behind me, rope rasping rock as he made steady upward progress. It was a quiet moment.

Unexpectedly, the stillness was shattered

breathe. Then, perhaps deciding I was all right, he sang another verse. It was just the two of us on the ledge, until he flew off. Then it was just me, speechless.

For weeks, I told friends and strangers about this experience, hoping, at least, for a name. Finally, it came: hermit

IT WAS JUST THE TWO OF US ON THE LEDGE, UNTIL HE FLEW OFF. THEN IT WAS JUST ME, SPEECHLESS.

thrush. I listened to recordings of the song, but they paled in comparison. I was enchanted, but not yet enlightened. The thrush was just a taste of everything that was out there.

It took a global pandemic for me to really start exploring the world I had glimpsed in the hermit thrush’s song.

Visiting my parents in March 2020 for a couple of weeks, I ended up getting “stuck” for two months. Just in time for spring migration. As the land thawed and the trees budded, hundreds of species of birds took to the wing, flying north from the gentle southern climes where they had overwintered. They would disperse across the country, around the globe, to feed on spring’s abundance.

My parents had been budding birders for some time, but I had never owned a pair of binoculars and didn’t really see the appeal. I was a climber, a biker, a

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trail runner. I loved movement and the satisfaction of exhaustion. Many of these things became difficult, unavailable, or irresponsible as COVID-19 began to tear through the country. Instead, I woke up with my dad before sunrise and went on some of the slowest walks of my life.

The birding began as a way to fill time that suddenly I didn’t know what to do with. It progressed into a way to spend time outside away from people; the strange marshes and pocket parks that birds seemed to love rarely attracted many other visitors. Early mornings kept them away, too. Ultimately, the birding transformed from a way of filling time into a way of feeling time. Each day we went walking—binoculars slung around our necks, the sunrise tempting song—promised change. Strange, colorful newcomers would arrive from the south, flash their distinctive feather, and sing

fields, and woods that typify our region.

The waterfowl lead the way, kicking off spring migration as early as late February. Shorebirds will follow, alongside various perching birds and predatory raptors. Warblers, the classically imagined songbird, arrive much later, in early to mid-May. As many as 350 birds can be seen in New Hampshire throughout the course of the year, with 271 species having been recorded for Carroll County (eBird). Some are just passing through, a delight for anyone paying close attention with just the right timing. Still, others stay to lay eggs and hatch chicks, having graced our area with their finest breeding plumage and unique songs in order to attract a mate and mark territory. All are a welcome sign of spring, of warm weather and longer days with which to enjoy the places we call home. Wait no longer! Get

their special songs. They announced that something was happening, and more was on the way. Through repetition, care, and attention, we were connecting ourselves to the annual cycles that define life. In doing so, we were grounded.

Many things have changed since those early days, and I have to admit I go out birding far less than I used to. But a flashing wing or handful of notes tossed skyward still thrill me. And in the waning days of a long and dark winter, I could not be more excited to bear witness to the spring migration, or to see all the lovely places it might take me.

out and start enjoying some of the beauty and delight that spring migration has to offer!

IN FACT, IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE RAREST SONGBIRDS IN NORTH AMERICA.

Fly into Spring In the depths of winter in Carroll County, the average person may not notice more than a handful of bird species. Nuthatches, chickadees, and cardinals may sing from the trees in Whittaker Woods or visit the odd backyard birdfeeder. A motivated birder with a discerning eye, on a good year, may see as many as 50 species of birds.

Even 50, however, pales in comparison to the hundreds of species that move through the Valley during the migration and breeding seasons. Then, the birds that have overwintered in milder southern climes begin to fill the wetlands, haySpring 2021

A Very Special Bird One species of particular interest to the Mt. Washington Valley and the global community is the Bicknell’s thrush. This bird is a close cousin to the hermit thrush that sang to me on Cathedral Ledge, and may be hard to distinguish for the average person. Its cheeks are greyer, and its flanks dusky, rather than buffy. Their songs are the best way to distinguish them in the field.

Beyond superficial similarities, though, the Bicknell’s thrush is in a uniquely threatened position. In the summer, it nests exclusively in the stunted spruce and fir of subalpine forests in the American Northeast and southeastern Canada. It winters in the Greater Antilles: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. In both locales, it faces existential threats, especially vulnerable due to its notably small population size.

In fact, it is considered one of the rarest songbirds in North America. Experts estimate its population size at 50,000 birds. For comparison, the American robin (which is in the thrush family) has

a population of more than 320 million individuals.

This 6-inch bird could fit easily in the palm of your hand. However, it nests in the densest parts of the forest: recently disturbed areas that have a low canopy and an abundance of snags, shrubs, moss, and deadfall. Within this “impenetrable softwood,” as the Forest Service describes it, it builds cup-shaped nests lined with moss, in which it lays three or four bluegreen eggs with light brown speckling.

You are far more likely to hear its song, which my field guide describes it as ch-ch zreee pzreeew p-p-zreeee. In standard English, the song, like all the thrushes, is flute-like; the Bicknell’s has a specific whirling quality that ends on a high note.

The Bicknell’s thrush arrives in New Hampshire by the end of May, and leaves by early November, breeding and nesting in between. And yet there may come a day when it doesn’t arrive at all, or there are none left to fly south.

Within its breeding range, climate change is the most existential threat, though logging for recreation and energy development pose immediate and concentrated problems as well. In the not-solong-term, rising temperatures threaten 67

Photo courtesy of Darren Clark; eBird; Macaulay Library ML

THE STATE OF BICKNELL’S THRUSH - Regionally: Likely declining. Mean annual population trends (ABOVE) for Bicknell’s thrush from 2011 through 2019.

A red dot indicates strong evidence for a negative trend. An orange dot indicates a likely negative trend. A blue dot indicates a likely positive trend.

A trend of -2%, for example, indicates that the number of Bicknell’s thrushes in this study area has declined by an average of 2% each year from 2011 through 2019. For more information, visit www.mountainbirds.vtecostudies.org/birds/bicknells-thrush.

BEST SPOTS FOR VALLEY BIRDING

by local birder Will Broussard DAHL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: Just behind the L.L. Bean in North Conway, discover a paradise of river floodplain forest, reclaimed fields, and a pond-studded wood. A great location year round, you will likely encounter eagles, ducks, owls, and warblers.

1785 TRAILS AND FIELDS: Launching off from Intervale’s 1785 Inn, explore a mix of fields, forests, and riversides that play host to hawks, ducks, pheasant, and some less common field species such as the bobolink.

POND TRAIL: Meander this large walking path in Conway to discover marsh-loving birds, such as herons, blackbirds, sparrows, and even loons on the pond itself.

VALLEY CROSS ROAD: If you’re ready to search for thrushes, catbirds, warblers, and vireos, try searching the thickets of this Jackson locale. Bonus backyard birds include sparrows, finches, and cardinals.

to destroy the dense spruce-fir habitat that the Bicknell’s thrush exclusively nests in; based on the best available models, it could lose half its habitat due to warming. Moreover, climate change may cause a mismatch in timing, where the birds continue to migrate at the same time of year, cuing off of changes in sunlight, only to arrive in New Hampshire and find that they have missed the food they need to survive and rear young. This is because the insects and fruits that it eats may respond to warming tempera-

All this is to say that the Bicknell’s thrush population has declined enough that in 2010, conservationists petitioned to have it protected under the Endangered Species Act. In 2017, the Trump administration denied this petition, leaving the care of this species to local land managers and impassioned individuals. The International Bicknell’s Thrush Conservation Group, for example, has coordinated with biologists and land management agencies to produce a management plan for the species.

tures by doing their things earlier in the year, a widely documented phenomena called early spring advancement.

The Greater Antilles, in turn, is far from a southern vacation for the Bicknell’s thrush. There, subsistence farming and logging are also reducing the habitat available to it, pinching populations that are already small and stressed. Moreover, widespread black and Norway rats in the Dominican Republic have been shown to feed on overwintering adults.

Projects such as Mountain Birdwatch (see sidebar) are further working to make sure that managers have the best available data with which to ensure their decisions affect the bird as little as possible.

Because of the incredible work that these groups are doing in careful collaboration with the Forest Service, the White Mountain National Forest is a place of relative sanctuary for the Bicknell’s thrush. An assessment of important

BECAUSE OF THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THESE GROUPS ARE DOING, THE WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST IS A PLACE OF RELATIVE SANCTUARY FOR THE BICKNELL’S THRUSH.

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TIPS FOR THE BEGINNING BIRDER • Earlier is better. Birds are more active and singing peaks a few hours after sunrise.

• Listen AND look. Even if you can’t identify a bird by its call, try to track down where the sound is coming from.

• Explore a range of habitats: birds are everywhere from wetlands and spruce forests to lakes or your backyard.

• Get familiar with the shapes, sizes, and positions of the most common bird groups in your area. Woodpeckers, for example, are nearly always seen clinging upright to the side of a tree.

• Take advantage of all the great resources available to you!

LOCAL RESOURCES eBIRD: Your one-stop shop for exploring local birding hotspots, finding out what species have been observed lately, and even studying bar charts that show what species can be expected when for your area. Bonus: you can sign up to get notifications of rare birds in your area, or birds that you have never seen.

BINOCULARS: Will Broussard says, “Binoculars are important to invest in because they bring details to your eyes you otherwise wouldn’t see; and you don’t have to spend crazy money to get a pair that works for you.” Just do a little research before you buy, and be amazed at what you were missing before!

SMARTPHONE APPS: There are plenty of free apps that can help you identify birds in the field. Merlin Bird ID, for example, Merlin bird ID (free) or Sibley Guide to Birds FIELD GUIDES: Sibley, National Geographic, and Audubon all publish beautifully illustrated and time-tested field guides that provide range maps, descriptions, and drawings of hundreds of bird species.

For a guide focused more locally, check out Birdwatching in New Hampshire, by Eric Masterson LOCAL GROUPS: It’s amazing what you can see and learn when you go out with an experienced birder. Plus, four eyes are better than two! Local conservation organization and nature non-profits often lead bird walks, and there might be birding interest groups that you can join to get to know other birders. Try checking out New Hampshire Audubon or the Tin Mountain Conservation Center.

nesting habitat goes into all development projects proposed in the National Forest, and in some cases, conservation offsets or land swaps have been used to ensure that the Bicknell’s thrush continues to have safe, suitable habitat to breed.

The benefit to you, a local resident or Valley visitor, is that in the upper reaches of New Hampshire’s mountains, ascended to by Auto Road or earned on foot, you might just catch the fluting call of a rare and special bird that, like so many of us, calls these mountains home.

Take it to the Next Level!

If you are a birder who likes to hike, or a hiker who likes to bird, check out Mountain Birdwatch! Join hundreds of other enthusiasts by becoming a volunteer community scientist, signing up to count birds at a mountain near you any day in June. The project aims to better track and understand changes in bird populations due to climate change. It also aids land managers with properly siting radio towers, wind turbines, and ski trails, and protecting key habitat for some of the region’s most precious species. For additional information, visit the Ecostudies webpage at www.vtecostudies.org/projects/ mountains/mountain-birdwatch.

Bicknell’s Thrush Tours May 30, June 1, 2, and 7, 2021 The Mt. Washington Auto Road offers you a rare opportunity for a chance to view these elusive birds. For information, visit www.mt-washington.com/bicknells.

Spring 2021

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Photo by Debra Callis

Words and photography

by Thomas Costello

The Tolling of the Eaton Bell … at Last

T

he community church of Eaton is better known as the Little White Church, but in reality, it’s not so small.

Two-hundred souls can be comfortably squeezed in for the annual Christmas Eve service under the 18-foot vaulted ceiling.

The top of the church spire sits about 80 feet off its foundation, with a large weathervane rising above it, pointing the way.

Built in 1879 by the Eaton congregation of Free Will Baptists, the then Eaton Center

All steeples are different, but share some common components. The Eaton church steeple is three-tiered and starts with a tower coming out of the gable roof for about 10 feet from its base. The next tier is what is now the belfry, which originally started out as a lantern or lookout, had four, 4-light window sashes where there are now louvers. The view from the lookout was surely the nicest in the village, unless you’re lucky enough to be on top of the spire for

Church is now non-denominational, watched over by church members and a board of trustees. There are no regular services today, but the church is an ideal spot for weddings, concerts, and special events. Painters and photographers capture the majesty of its silhouette throughout the seasons, often across Robertson’s Pond, or better-known as Crystal Lake.

Steeples made of wood are notorious for being high-maintenance structures.

Much like a lighthouse, a spire exists fully exposed to the weather. Unlike most lighthouses being made of impervious materials, a spire of wood takes in all of nature’s wrath.

One-hundred-forty years of this abuse combined with some missteps—with the best intentions along the way—resulted in the structure needing a major restoration.

some reason—say, putting in the weathervane—100 feet above Crystal Lake.

Work started late in June 2019 by first building a wooden stage off the belfry to access the spire deck. The bottom third of the spire cladding and framing creating the base curve were removed, then a tower of pipe staging was built up to the height of the weathervane to be removed. The rest of the cladding was stripped, and the spire frame was then lowered to the ground in pieces by rope. The entire 24-foot octagonal spire with its 33-foot frame having been removed, shrank the height of the church by 24 feet.

Worked all but stopped as a fundraising campaign was launched.

The Church Board of Trustees pursued a restoration that was accurate architecturally, using traditional joinery for the belfry and

The Church Board of Trustees pursued a restoration that was accurate architecturally, using traditional joinery for the belfry and spire timber-framed structures. Upgrades to include copper roofing and flashings were approved to ensure the interior structure would be adequately protected.

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spire timber-framed structures. Upgrades to include copper roofing and flashings were approved to ensure the interior structure would be adequately protected.

While the original cladding was presumably old-growth spruce and lasted about 90 years, the replaced cladding done in the 70s was ready to be replaced in half that time. The cladding to be used this goround would be a non-toxically treated softwood. The science is beyond most, but the process changes the molecular structure of the wood, fooling it into not absorbing moisture, denying the cycle that rot requires to occur. The wood stays dimensionally stable, and where it’s not constantly taking in and releasing moisture, paint durability is extended.

Work on the steeple resumed in the fall of 2019. Much time was spent in the “shaft” of the steeple getting the belfry and its 22-foot frame ready to be removed. The belfry frame needed to be jacked up and held in place while rotted housing beams were removed. The spire housing beams were also removed from the belfry. The belfry roof deck and framing were removed to access the bell, and a crane was called in.

The large 40-inch-diameter bell weighing over 1,200 pounds, with its yoke and housings, were brought down in parts with the generous help of Barry Pachard from Over All Crane Service.

His crane also took down the belfry with staging still attached. Finally, the remaining frame of the belfry that was left in the shaft was pulled out and lowered, then a temporary roof was craned into place.

The 22-foot timber-frame hemlock belfry was cut, put together on site, then stored for the winter break. The bell was also removed off site and for its own restoration. Christmas came and went without the bell sounding for the first time in about 105 years.

Work resumed again in earnest during the summer of 2020 on the belfry facade. The exterior soffits, cants, windowsills, trim, and siding were all replaced. The new housing beams for the belfry frame were hoisted up and into place through the diamond window.

Many other tasks were completed, including the bell restoration, when Over All Crane Service returned. Taking months to restore, the belfry frame, belfry facade, and the bell itself were all put back in place in a matter of a few hours.

As it turns out, the thought of recreating the spire by copying the joinery from the original didn’t work out. As luck would have it, none of the joinery from 72 MWVvibe.com

the original spire posts were alike, and the joinery at the top of the spire posts were rotted beyond recognition. A layer of sub-sheathing was added to the spire design, which meant shrinking the dimensions of the frame to account for the extra width. This all meant a lot of drawing and math having to do with octagons, ellipses, four main 33-foot posts, four sets of intermediate framing to complete the eight sides, and lots of bracing.

The four-spire posts joinery were cut and laid out in pairs on sawhorses.

The four intermediates and the framing for the eclipsed bases of each of the eight

plete, the framing for the ellipses in place, a cutting station was set up inside the base of the spire, and later moved into the belfry. Space got tighter as it went, with one person cutting and another installing. It was time to think about how to get down when the final section of the octagon was complete.

The original plan for staging the job was an elaborate one. A three-section tower in front of the church would rise up to the spire deck height, over and around its base, and another tower to the spire peak. Every time the need to go higher came up, something else was

sides were cut and fit and then all stored.

The four posts were then put together and braced. Overall Crane Service returned, and the frame was raised and slipped into its newly mounted housing beams in the belfry.

With the spire frame up, a new wooden stage was built off of the frame itself. All the rest of the materials to complete the spire would be brought up through the steeple.

Three tiers of staging inside the steeple had been built after the belfry frame was put in place to help with all this moving around.

The weathervane and lightning rod cable connection went up first. It soon became clear that having two workers on the stage was tight. Luckily, coppersmith Jay O’Brien, who had stuck around to help after the belfry roof was complete, also doubled as the “ground man” while he worked on the spire roof deck.

Thanks to the modern convenience of small battery-operated tools, work stations were small and productive on the three staging tiers needed to complete the spire sheathing and cladding for the top 18 feet of the spire. It’s not hard to imagine building the original spire without modern tools, but you are greatly humbled just thinking about it. The top three sections were one-by-one completed, painted, and staging removed before moving down to the next.

With the main trunk of the elephant complete, the stage was now the spire deck, and work began on the eclipsed base of the spire. With the spire roof com-

built of wood. In the end, the pipe staging was never built, but that left the question of how to get down. It took some time for the lightbulb to go on … and then a cantilevered catwalk was built out of the belfry window openings—and a ladder from there to the spire deck.

With the spire complete, there was still plenty to do. The most important task was raising the 850-pound bell from storage in the tower up above the belfry floor. A floor was framed and laid. The bell, housings, and large wooden pulley were put in place.

It was crunch time.

December 24th is arguably the most important day on the church calendar.

This is the day many who have grown up in Eaton are fitted into seriously old costumes, playing out the greatest story ever told, in the annual Pageant during Christmas Eve Service.

It was December 24, 2020, at about 1 p.m. when the rope to connect the bell to those lucky enough to be on the other end, was installed. The night when the Little White Church is usually packed with many children lining up to ride the rope, this year Brian Quint, of Eaton, represented the kids as one of the few who rang the bell for the first time in a year and a half.

The large 40-inch-diameter bell weighing over 1,200 pounds, with its yoke and housings, were brought down in parts with the generous help of Barry Pachard from Over All Crane Service.

Spring 2021

Those who worked on the Little White Church project are Billy Angel, David Condoulis, Aidan Costello, Ian Costello, Thomas Costello, Jay O’Brien, and Keegan O’Brien.

A special thanks to Over All Crane Service for the indispensable use of the crane and top-notch operator/owner Barry.

@North-Fryeburg-Community-Chapel

HELP US PRESERVE HISTORY

This beautiful 1838 North Fryeburg Chapel is in need of $60,000 worth of critical maintenance work.

Please consider donating to help reach our goal by June.

PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO NFCC, PO BOX 204, FRYEBURG, ME 04037 73

By Dan Szczesny Know of an interesting historical story pertaining to the White Mountains? Let us know! Send suggestions to info@mwvvibe.com.

Florence Murray Clark becomes the first woman to summit Mount Washington by dog sled team.

April 5, 2021 marks the 89th anniversary of Florence Murray Clark’s successful ascent of Mount Washington by dog sled.

Clark (of Clark’s Trading Post fame) was the first woman to lead a team of sled dogs to the summit. The April 1932 ride was her third attempt that year and her first solo. Upon reaching the summit, only one other human was there to meet her, family friend Bob Monahan, who would go on to be one of the founders

of the Mount Washington Observatory later that same year.

The actual first ascent of Mount Washington by sled dog was on March 30, 1926 by Arthur Walden and his team of Chinook.

The summit picture below was taken by Monahan. Many thanks to Clark’s Trading Post for providing the summit and Laconia photos and helping with captions.

Above: After eight hours of climbing on April 5, 1932, Florence Murray Clark became the first woman to summit Mount Washington by dog team. Photo by Bob Monahan.

Right: Florence Murray Clark and her nephew, Bill MacDonald, in Laconia at the start of the last dog sled race Florence would ever run, February 1936. She was the only woman musher in the race and entered against the advice of her doctors. She came in 12th place that day, and was given a big ovation as she crossed the finish line.

Florence died of tuberculosis in 1950.

Far right: From 1917 to 1956, Boston Herald Traveler staff photographer Leslie Jones crisscrossed New England documenting the usual and unusual lives of stars, politicians, and everyday people. Sometime between the late 1920s and 1934, Jones traveled to Berlin and Milan for a photo shoot with the Clark family and their sled dogs. This picture is simply titled “Clark’s sled team – Berlin, N.H.”

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