A Personal Best (ascent) - Pemi Loop, WMNF

[John Morrow]

I thought I responded to this but appears I didn't submit. Pardon if it is somehow a duplicate.
This was my route working for the AMC in 1987 as the ridgerunning shelter caretaker. 11 day tours: 4 at Liberty Spring, 3 at Garfield and 4 at Guyot, then 3 days off. Started what turns out to be a 31 yearcareer in the woods. Haven't been back since so the pics are stirring up great memories, thanks!

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

I thought I responded to this but appears I didn't submit. Pardon if it is somehow a duplicate.
This was my route working for the AMC in 1987 as the ridgerunning shelter caretaker. 11 day tours: 4 at Liberty Spring, 3 at Garfield and 4 at Guyot, then 3 days off. Started what turns out to be a 31 yearcareer in the woods. Haven't been back since so the pics are stirring up great memories, thanks!

Wow that was my exact route and those are the 3 tent sites I stayed at. Both of the caretakers on my trip (the first one shifted from Liberty to Garfield along with me) were both recent AT thru-hikers looking for a way to stay on the trail and figure out a career related to hiking. I have a ton of respect for those guys and their commitment. Do you mind me asking how your career progressed after the AMC? I find that stuff riveting.

 

[tomcat32]

Nice. I’m guessing you added Galehead, North Twin, and Zealand. I agree, the Whites are a very special place.



My dog’s sleep setup is half of a Thermarest Z-Lite (a regular one just cut in half). Depending on the weather, I’ll bring her fleece coat (Ruffwear Fernie) and if it’s cold out I’ll bring her her own sleeping bag (Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 32). I’m debating on either ordering a custom 42”x30” quilt for her from Enlightened Equipment or bringing her sleeping bag to a tailor to have it altered into a 42”x30” quilt for her.

When I hike with her I carry my 2 person tent (Terra Nova Solar Photon 2P - 2lbs, 1oz) whereas when I’m solo I carry my 1 person tent (Nemo Hornet Elite 1P - 1lb 6oz)

So altogether bringing her is about about a 2 - 3.5 lb weight penalty (she carries her own food) but I’ve gotten my base weight down to under 11 lbs now so the extra weight for her is no big deal and a small price to pay for the companionship.

She’s normally doesn’t get as muddy as that pic but she does get dirty. Campsites tend to be near water sources so I usually can clean her off there if I need to, and dry her off with my microfiber rag. I also don’t sweat it if I get a little extra dirt or mud in my tent I guess.

Those were the extra peaks I bagged on my loop. I don't mind mud in the tent. I do worry about a wet/ muddy dog in combination with my down bag. I really don't enjoy washing my bag more than I have to.

 

[John Morrow]

Wow that was my exact route and those are the 3 tent sites I stayed at. Both of the caretakers on my trip (the first one shifted from Liberty to Garfield along with me) were both recent AT thru-hikers looking for a way to stay on the trail and figure out a career related to hiking. I have a ton of respect for those guys and their commitment. Do you mind me asking how your career progressed after the AMC? I find that stuff riveting.

Yeah for sure. I work on the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF managing a portion of Alpine Lakes Wilderness plus supervising a few wilderness rangers and a small trail crew. I moved to WA the following summer to volunteer as a wilderness ranger and never moved back to Phila (or points east) where I grew up.