Mount Tecumseh, 4,000 Footers Hiking List - On the same day that I publicized my Owl’s Head, Conserving Wilderness article, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) posted an article about some of the mountains on the White Mountain 4,000 footers hiking list may not be over 4,000 feet. Being over 4,000 feet is one of the requirements for a mountain to be on the list. While our articles focus on different mountains on the hiking list, they both suggest that the ...

Trail Construction, White Mountains - In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused massive destruction along the East coast of the United States. The White Mountain National Forest was officially closed during the storm. Many trails in the White Mountains were damaged. And this series of photos shows how one trail that suffered storm damaged has changed since Tropical Storm Irene....[Continue reading] ...

Vandalism, White Mountains - A common topic among many outdoor enthusiasts is all the vandalism in the White Mountains. And this imagery is intended to create awareness for a very concerning issue here in the New Hampshire White Mountains. However, keep in mind that some outdoor enthusiasts feel some of the below acts of vandalism are perfectly acceptable...[Continue reading] ...

Mount Tecumseh Vandalism, Illegal Tree Cutting - Since 2011, Erin Paul has been unofficially volunteering his time to document illegal tree cutting on Mount Tecumseh, New Hampshire. And he reports any findings to Forest Service's law enforcement division. Forest Service is investigating this vandalism, and if they can determine who is doing it, they will hold them accountable. The higher elevations of the White Mountains are home to rare bird habitat. And Mountain birdwatch results indicate that between 2000 and ...

Mt. Tecumseh Trail, New Hampshire - This photography focuses on trail work. Since 2011, there has been an excessive amount of stonework done on the Mt. Tecumseh Trail. Sections of trail where four or five stone steps would have done the job have been transformed into one hundred foot long elaborate, unnatural looking, staircases. Trail stewardship groups preach that low-impact trail work entails building stonework in such a way that it looks natural and blends into nature, and man’s impact ...

Five images from the month of April - What a month it has been weather wise here in the New Hampshire White Mountains. Ice, snow, rain, and warm weather. You name it we have had it this month. With April coming to an end, it won’t be long until the grass is green, but the trails are still an icy mess at higher elevations. Crampons have been the chosen foot traction this month.....[Continue reading] ...

Sustainable Trail Work, White Mountains - Here in New Hampshire, all we hear about is environmental friendly and sustainable trail work. And how important it is to conserve the trails for future generations. As an environmental photographer, I support this approach to preserving the trail system. And up until a few years ago, I have always believed that the organizations maintaining our trails practiced what they preached...[Continue reading] ...

Trail Work, Poor Trail Blaze Removal Practices - In October 2011, Erin Paul photographed newly painted trail blazing along the Mt. Tecumseh Trail in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. And sometime in the spring 2012, poor trail stewardship practices were used to remove one of the trail blazes. The bark where the blaze was had been cut and peeled away from the tree, and a large wound where rot, fungus, and insects could enter the tree was visible. Most trail maintenance ...

March, White Mountains - In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, March marks the start of spring, but you would never know it with the amount of snow still in the backcountry. We have had cloudy days, cold days, warm days, rainy days and a few snowy days this month. I can honestly say I will be glad when I can officially put the snowshoes away this season....[Continue reading] ...

Trail Work Erosion, White Mountains - The included images show how a section of the Mt Tecumseh Trail in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire has elapsed over time. The first two images are from October of 2011 and the last image is from August of 2014. The intent of this visual journal is to record the progression of hillside erosion on the left side of the trail and to document how this section of trail holds up to...[Continue reading] ...