The Ascent

Hello, Adventurers! Isn't there just something magical about being outdoors? It fills my soul with pure joy! The fresh air, the exercise, the sounds, the scents, the feeling of freedom—I adore it all! And with that spirit of adventure, I never pass up an opportunity to try something new. And that's precisely where our journey leads us this time! We find ourselves in the Poconos (Pennsylvania, US) for my daughter's very first Dance Nationals! This year marked her debut in competitive dance, and witnessing her growth as a dancer and young woman over these twelve months has been nothing short of incredible. She danced her heart out, and I couldn't be prouder. One of her performances even won the National Title and took fourth place overall across all age groups! My heart swells with pride! Now, let's dive into the outdoor adventure! The week flew by, and the plans changed a few times, but it was finally settled that I would hike Mount Tammany o...

Greetings, Adventurers! As you might have noticed, since my layoff, I've been doing an excellent job of staying busy. Week after week, I find myself venturing out of the house or even out of the state! However, this week, although back from my adventures in New Hampshire, California, and Vegas, I'm not ready to rest just yet. Instead, I'm preparing to head to the Poconos for my daughter's Dance Nationals! But before that, what should I do? I'll be honest; I was a bit apprehensive about packing up, driving three hours, hiking for 5+ hours, and then attempting to drive back home. So, the idea of conquering another 4,000-footer seemed a bit daunting. Instead, I chose to do something I've wanted to do for a while—hike Wachusett Mountain . While Wachusett might not be as big, scary, or challenging as the hikes I've done in NH, it's always been in my backyard (I spent most of my life in Central Massachusetts), and yet, I've never hiked it! So, this weekend...

Greetings, my dear friends, We have returned from our California adventure, but there's no time to rest for the weary! This weekend marks our first family camping trip, and we are heading to Crawford Notch Campground with the kids, each bringing a friend. I hope you'll wish us luck! But this trip also presents an opportunity for me to cross off another 4,000-footer from my list. The plan? Well, the plan is to head up the night before the family and conquer Mount Pierce via the Crawford Path . If you haven't heard of the Crawford Path, I highly recommend looking it up. It is renowned as the oldest continually maintained hiking trail that traverses multiple mountain peaks, ultimately culminating at Mount Washington. However, on this occasion, I won't be undertaking the entire 9-mile trail. Instead, my journey will lead me to the summit of Mount Pierce, standing proudly at 4,310 feet. This particular route is considered one of the easier options, covering appr...

Greetings, Adventurers! Where in the world is the Adventuring TeddyBear? Well, this time, I'm not in New Hampshire! I'm currently in Palm Springs, California, visiting family. This opportunity arose unexpectedly, and I'm thrilled that I seized it! Prior to this, I had only been to the West Coast once for job training. But on this trip, I got to explore various attractions, such as the Griffith Observatory , the Walk of Fame , the Grove Marketplace, Palm Springs, and Santa Monica . And even more exciting was the chance to venture outdoors and witness the wonders of Joshua Tree National Park and Mount San Jacinto. Joshua Tree National Park What an incredible experience Joshua Tree National Park turned out to be! My partner and I had always dreamt of visiting the national parks, but it seemed like a distant goal with two kids at home. However, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to spend a day here while visiting family. I was so pumped that I had practically t...

Hello Treckers, As you might recall from the previous post, we successfully conquered our first New Hampshire Mountain (Lil' Haystack), and that ignited an even greater passion within me to return! I finally outfitted my truck (a dream I had cherished for longer than this particular goal) with a Decked System, a cozy mattress, and some comfortable pillows. With everything prepared, we hit the road! While I was eager to explore the vastness of public lands through overlanding, my partner wasn't as enthusiastic. Consequently, we opted to book a stay at the delightful Crawford Notch Campground. The moment we arrived at my very first camping experience, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of excitement. The tranquility, the crackling fire, the inviting hammock, the delicious food—everything about being outdoors brought me immense peace and contentment. But before I knew it, it was time to embark on our hike. We woke up early, aiming for a 9 am start (although I have since learn...

Hey Everyone! As I entered this year (2023), I was fueled with a strong desire to venture out and explore the wonders of the wilderness. I yearned for my first camping experience, I craved hiking majestic mountains, and above all, I longed to breathe in the crisp, fresh air of nature! As you heard in my last couple of entires 2022 had its moments, but 2023 has proven to be everything I desired. Since my last adventure at Purgatory, there hasn't been much to report. The weather has been gloomy, I faced a layoff from work, and I found solace in spending quality time with my family. During that period, I naturally sought solace outdoors. I engaged in trails such as: 1) The Warwick Path, 2.9 Miles & 62ft Elevation 2) Piscataquog River Trail West (NH), 2.2 Miles & 72ft Elevation  3) Goddard Park , 4.8 Miles & 180ft Elevation  4) Providence River Walk , 2.4 Miles & 22ft Elevation 5) Kapok Park (FL), 1 Mile & 26ft Elevation 6) John Chestnut Park Loop , 2022 Repe...

Good Morning! As you may recall from my previous entry, consistency holds a special place in my heart. After all, everyone has a life, and not everyone can hike every single day of the year. So, what's the solution? You do what you can, when you can, and savor every moment! 2022 was an absolute success! I conquered 13 trails of various sizes, lengths, and elevations. But let's not forget the two extraordinary mountain peaks: Bear Peak (Boulder, CO) and Pulpit Rock (Norway)! And here we are, in 2023! This year was going to be different. Over the winter, I managed to shed more than 30 pounds, and even engaged in some treadmill walking at least once a week! I also took the opportunity to upgrade my hiking gear. I now possess a genuine Osprey Water Backpack and a pair of sturdy Hiking Boots! Why the upgrades, you ask? First and foremost, let's talk about the Water Backpack! I was previously using a Cotopaxi Water Bag, which, unfortunately, wasn't ideal for longer hikes. The...