Mt. Washington : Into the Clouds

Ash has been wanting to head up Mt. Washington for a while, and after being rejected by a massive storm this winter, it was on the To-Do list for the summer. One of the unique things about the White Mountains is the AMC's hut system -- a series of mountain huts providing lodging, food, and education for hikers, especially important in the alpine vegetation found on many peaks in the Whites.

So to get the 'hut experience' at least once, we booked a night at the Lakes of the Clouds hut near the summit of Mt. Washington and headed over to celebrate the 4th of July in the Presidential Range - kind of fitting.

Washington however is notorious for bad weather, and despite a sunny forecast, it snowed on the summit the night before our hike and didn't look any better when we hit the trail. We hiked up the Crawford Path, the 'oldest continually-used mountain trail in America', which also overlaps the Appalachian Trail.

Despite being socked in the clouds all day on a windy ridgeline, it was still a great hike and we got to the hut early afternoon. Luckily the crowds had stayed away, and we settled in for a relatively quiet evening at the hut.

Georgia Redfish

Our honeymoon in Belize was my first real taste of saltwater fly fishing, and I must admit, while to me it lacks the intimacy of being in a river, there are other unique aspects you just can't get in freshwater, such as fish not being bound by riverbanks and currents, free to run any direction as hard as they want. I had a little free time, so I headed down to my parents home in Savannah for a week to breath in some salty air and learn about Redfish opportunities in the area.

The Redfish (AKA: Spot Tails, Red Drum, Channel Bass) is an increasingly popular target for fly fishers, particularly along the Southern and Gulf coasts. Predominantly an inshore species, young Reds mature over a period of 4-5 years, reaching almost 30 inches before sexual maturity and moving off-shore into breeding populations, forming large schools sometimes visible from the air.

For the fly fisherman, the target is predominantly the younger fish 'tailing' in the marsh grass as they hunt for crabs and shrimp, and it's addictive. This was my first time stalking them, and I can't wait to go back. My father and I went out with Scott Wagner (www.savannahfly.com), a local guide with over 15 years of experience in local and foreign waters. He knows the area, the fish, and we learned a lot and had a few rewards for our hard work. Thanks for a fun day and the photos.

Unfortunately we also learned that like so many of our natural resources, Georgia's Redfish are in a fight of their own. What used to be thriving populations have been decimated, largely by irresponsible management and private and commercial over-fishing and netting. Georgia is lacking behind Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and its neighbors Florida and South Carolina, in granting Redfish protection by having 'gamefish' status, banning netting and commercial sale, and limiting harvesting to hook and line only. Current creel limits allow 5 fish in Georgia, compared to 1 or 2 in other states -- a practice which can quickly eliminate a school of 50 fish with the numbers of anglers now targeting this species. As it continues to grow in popularity, it will only get worse.

What makes Redfish particularly sensitive is their life cycle. As mentioned earlier, the majority of the fish being targeted by anglers are immature inshore fish. Harvesting of these fish prevents future generations from ever having a chance. Due to their schooling behavior during the breeding season, large reproductive fish are easy targets for commercial fishing operations. They simply don't stand a chance unless we recognize their value as a sport/game fish, and protect them for future generations to enjoy. I have read reports where sampling of breeding fish showed ages were generally from 12 to 25 years old, as opposed to the 4 to 12 year goal bracket, showing that young Redfish are never even reaching their breeding potential.

Fortunate for Georgia's Redfish, a dedicated group of local anglers and guides recognize the problem and aren't willing to stand by and let things go unnoticed. They've formed 'Georgia Redfish' (http://georgiaredfish.org/), a grass roots organization raising awareness for the need to protect and improve Georgia's Redfish population. One of the ways they're doing that is by creating a petition for GA's legislature asking for the granting of gamefish status to Redfish.

Please visit the site, sign the on-line petition, and help their cause.

If you want to catch Redfish, practice catch and release.

The fish will thank you.

D

Scaly Things In The Grass

Having spent a significant portion of my life growing up in the South, I was introduced to catching various sorts of reptiles at a young age. Some of my earliest memories are of my Grandfather teaching me how to catch Black Rat Snakes at their home in SC to 'move them out of the way' when he was working in the yard or in firewood piles. I've just always been fascinated by snakes, and it's a shame they are so hated and misunderstood by so many people.

Having lived in VT now for so long, I just don't get to see enough of them, so usually now when I make a trip South I try to get out and find a few to photograph.

The large Black Rat Snake in the photos was just laying in the morning sun in the grass by our carport at my Grandparent's home - just like old times! He was a curious fellow, just enjoying some rays.

One aspect of snakes obviously is the venomous factor in some species, and you definitely need to know what you're doing when identifying and handling all snakes. The Copperhead seen here is a relatively common venomous species, and this specimen had really nice coloration.

Another scaly critter that I enjoy down South are the 'gators, and fly fishing for them with surface poppers is a blast. The first one I caught was when I was in the 7th grade or so. At one of my snake hunting places near a golf course I came across a chap with a rifle, claiming there was an alligator in the pond and he was going to kill it before it ate his dog. Not liking the sounds of that, I headed home for my fishing gear. With the help of a floating lizard lure, I coaxed him out, landed him and carried him home - carefully. My neighbors were having a yard sale, and I'm pretty sure they had no idea what to make of it. I put him in a trunk in the garage, and called my Dad who was rather quick in getting home for some reason. A few hours later we safely released it into the Savannah River.

Older and perhaps no wiser, I enjoy enticing them with surface poppers with a fly rod, although due to their bony mouths getting a hook set is pretty difficult. Just be careful getting the hook out (Hint: Barbless really helps here).

Cali: Freezing Desert, Hungry Trout

After getting back to the river, the temps kept falling and so did the snow. 

That's why good gear matters, and the fish that want to eat big streamers don't really care if flakes are falling on the surface. After starting the day fishing in a down climbing parka, by afternoon the sun began to poke through.

I explored more of the 'hidden' water down by the Nevada border, and there were hungry trout just waiting to smash flies in all the little pockets. The fun thing about getting in tight water like that isn't getting the fish on .... it's trying to land it. Kind of reminded me of trying to land Bonefish in Belize in the coral flats at really low tide --- the fun part is running around, stumbling downstream trying to keep your line off the rocks/trees/bushes and the fish on. 

All in all, it was a pretty action packed 3.5 days in the Eastern Sierra. Looking forward to the next time.

Cali: Whitney Wins

After a restless night, I emerged from the tent hoping for clear skies and calm winds. I knew the answer of course before looking up the mountain from the constant roaring all night, but I was still hopeful. Looking up the mountain, clouds were filling the upper reaches and falling. After some debate, I headed down knowing the mountain wasn't going anywhere and there were still hungry fish to be found.

By the time I got the trailhead, light snow was falling. By the time I got back on the highway, I watched the entire high Sierra get engulfed by the storm. By the time I got back on the river, it was snowing there too. Welcome to Spring in the mountains.

Cali: Heading to Whitney

After another morning on the Walker, packed up and headed South to Mount Whitney. The lottery permit system doesn't start until May, and since the throngs are held away by the snow and cold, late April strikes me at the perfect time to go for a climb.

I picked up my backcountry permit from the Ranger's office and started out around 2 PM, intending to camp around 11,500 ft at Upper Boyscout Lake. It was breezy and forecasts were for high winds further North up near Mammoth, but everything seemed OK. Around 4:30, I crested out of the Lower Boyscout Lake basin into Upper Boyscout ft in heavy winds, falling temps, and bailing climbers. Thinking sleeping conditions would be better lower, I dropped back down to Lower Boyscout and hunkered down in an old snow pit behind a boulder. Despite the cover, heavy winds still hammered me all night, eliminating any chances of a good night's sleep.

Cali: East Walker

I try to make the most of the opportunities I am given. I'm also always on the lookout for new ones 'cause if you don't listen for opportunity knocking, how are you going to ever let him in?

As an example, nearly every chance I get to explore somewhere new, I try to make happen. Knowing I was going to have a business meeting in San Jose, I did a little quick research on fishing and climbing opportunities late April in the Sierra. Two things quickly entered the radar -- big Brown Trout fishing opportunities on the East Walker River, and climbing Mt. Whitney before the lottery permit season began. 

So after meetings concluded -- hopped in the rental and headed straight up over the mountains to the Eastern Sierra -- a high desert which was new terrain for me. Avoided the people, found a few Browns, confirming the rumors.

Thanks to Steve (www.wayupstream.com) and Mikey (http://www.burlproductions.com/index.htm) for facilitating the tugs.

1st Annual New Haven Race, 2009

The New Haven river near Bristol, VT is one of my favorite resources in the state. It's probably the most consistently runnable, good Class 4/5 whitewater in VT, and the lower sections are also some of the best places to spend some time casting a line. What more do you need?

For years the local paddling community talked about hosting a downriver race on the Upper section (Class 4/5), and this year thanks to the efforts of the UVM Catayak Kayak Club and members of the Northeast Paddlers Message Board, it finally happened. 

It is Spring in VT however, and while organizers were hoping for a moderate Spring level around 400 CFS, rains the day before bumped everything up into the 1200 CFS+ range, and turned the river into serious continuous whitewater. Luckily the Lower section was still manageable, and about 20 paddlers had a fun race down the Lower. By afternoon, levels had dropped a bit, and a small handful of locals were more than willing to still race the Upper. Speedster Justin 'If there's A Race I Win It' Beckwith took home the trophy (possibly the coolest ever), Colby Cook placed second, and I placed third. For all results click here.

Afterwards we had a fun cookout with a bunch of close friends at Justin's place in New Haven, and covered the Jeep and in Addison County Clay. All in all it was the proper way to spend a rainy, cold Saturday.

Thanks to Jerry O'Neill, Patrick Rogers and Matt Kiedaisch for the pics. For coverage of the race check out video clips from Green River Pictures. Thanks to the UVM Kayak Club for hosting a great event and growing interest in whitewater in our state. Click here for additional FOX News coverage of the event.

Winter Fun

I'ts been good getting back into the swing of things this winter. 

Our friends Amanda and Trip from AL (formerly Newport, VT) had a weekend planned at Jay Peak, which also happened to correspond with a major winter dumping of new snow. We carpooled up with Mark & Joanne and got a room at the Hotel Jay for an epic weekend of riding and skiing in feet of the fresh stuff, and catching up with everybody. It was a great time. Unfortunately some fun in the woods cost Joanne 3 ribs, but I'm sure she'll be back at it in no time.

Last weekend I spent a couple days ice climbing over the Adirondacks with my friend Tom. Conditions on the first day were laughable......raining and near 50 temps made Multiplication Gulley more of a river than an ice route. We swapped leads and were both completely soaked. The rope practically made a hose to crotch, funneling all water straight to the harness of whomever was seconding. Then our ropes got stuck in a tree on the rappel, and I had to ascend them again to free them, only adding to the sog-fest. Luckily we had a room in Placid to dry gear, and temps crashed that night opening up some new thin routes the next day. 

We climbed with Tom's friend Ian near Keene Valley on Saturday, doing a bunch of awkward 'different' stuff, one particular 'First Ascent' was high on Ian's TMB rating = "Thin, Mixed and Bushy". I was glad he lead it. 

While cleaning a screw I awoke an ice Yeti in a small cave, and he threw a chunk at me, leaving a nice cut and shiner. It was a one Peroni clean-up back at Ian's.

Beaver Meadow

Winter is full force right now in VT, and Ash and I have been itching to get out and enjoy it a bit.

We usually try to do a couple winter snowshoeing trips each year. There are a few public use cabins along the Catamount Trail, and some offer the luxury of a wood-stove. One of them is located North of Stowe in Beaver Meadow, so Ash and I headed out to check it out. 

We stopped into our friends Umiak Outdoors in Stowe to see how their winter was going -- as you can see, it will still be a while before the rivers thaw.

The trip in and out was great, and fresh snow fell all afternoon/night. It took a while to warm things up, but it was quite comfortable. We also had another group of 4 hikers show up late, accompanied by a German Shepherd and 2 Daschunds (which are accomplished pack riders).