Betsy and I survived the 48 four thousand footers. Reason???? The reason is because we took the time to read the AMC White Mountain Guide. I will tell you that in bad weather the mountain is not an enjoyable place to be. People don’t realize that while it is 65 degrees and sunny at the base it could be 40degrees colder up there during the day. It is likely to be at least 20 degrees cooler. 65 degrees minus twenty is 45 degrees on a less extreme day. On an extreme temperature day it could be 25 up there now counter wind. The wind on Mount Washington averages 60mph. Any mountain in the White Mountains over 3500 feet could have severe conditions during foul weather. Ever been out on a 45 degree day with the wind blowing 40 mph? Now it could rain too. Now you are wet and if your wearing cotton you could die from hypothermia. You could die from heat exhaustion too if you are wearing too much. People don’t realize these sort of things. I have to admit I didn’t know that cotton killed. I picked that up from the AMC guide. We recommend that if you haven’t read it that you should. I read it over sometimes. You can die from not having the right gear. Getting wet for any reason on a cool day is asking for it. Wear poloy type clothing even your undies. Get good boots high tops only. synthetic materials like gortex make great light weight hiking shoes and also let your feet breathe. Thank goodness for that one he he he. There are regulations that most people don’t break but on crowded weekends you see it every where. It ruins it for us all. So read the introduction, safety, weather, clothing, regulations, and lots of other cool stuff like the trails man. The new AMC guide looks like a real good one. I will have to get one. But like the last one I bought..... it took me a while to get used to using it. Sometimes I would look up something in the old one because I knew just where to look. They should make an AMC guide in French for the Canadians. Canada is only a rock throw away. I always see them doing something they shouldn’t because they just don’t have the literature. ALWAYS PACK IN PACK OUT YOUR TRASH. PICK UP OTHER PEOPLES TRASH. PACK THESE: GUIDE BOOK & MAPS. FILLED WATER (plasic jugs work check for leaks). COMPASS. KNIFE. RAIN GEAR (remember don’t get wet). WOOL HAT. WOOL MITTENS. WATER PROOF MATCHES (brand new bic). FOOD. EXTRA FOOD. HIGH ENERGY FOOD. FIRST AID KIT. FLASH LIGHT (with new batts and spares). SPF 15 OR HIGHER.

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