Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship by Tom Ryan is published by William Morrow. It tells the story of my adventures with Atticus M. Finch, a little dog of some distinction. You can also find our column in the NorthCountry News.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Today's Plan: Franconia Ridge

Today the plan is to hike the four mountains of Franconia Ridge: Lafayette, Lincoln, Liberty and Flume. Weather should be perfect for this hike and the often untouched (in winter) section of trail between Little Haystack and Liberty was broken out this weekend. I had given some thoughts to Washington and the Southern Presidentials today but the wind is a tad bit high at its upper reachers for what I like to do with Atticus. The other option was to hike the five mountains making up the Carters and Cat; however, that doesn't look possible as a section of the Wildcat Ridge Trail is deemed impassable by most at this time. Instead we'll go with Franconia Ridge. Jeff Veino will at leasts start the hike with us, but he's having trouble with a hip flexor and it's unknown how far he'll be able to go. If it bothers him on the ridge he'll descend Falling Waters Trail to his car and I'll continue on and then descend to the Flume parking lot where I will drop my car. It promises to be a long but beautiful day.