Top 5: Things to do in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is the only United States national park in New England and a go-to destination for everyone from young thrill-seekers to families looking to go camping to older couples hoping to chow down on some lobster and enjoy the sights.  I have been leading adventure tours through this amazing park, located near Bar Harbor, ME, since 2008 and have been visiting Acadia since the early 90's with my family.  Although tiny in size when compared to the behemoth parks out west, this protected enclave on the Maine coast is one of the coolest places on the planet to explore.  Below are five of my picks for activities to enjoy on a trip to Acadia. Top 5:

1. The Beehive - Harrowing yet manageable cliffs, limitless views of the Atlantic coast, getting up close and personal with some native creatures, and juicy wild blueberries are some of the highlights of this classic New England hike.  The parking lot is overflowing by about 9AM in the peak season so I always get an early start and beat the midday crowds.  While not recommended for those of you who are afraid of heights, I have seen the Beehive (so named because the rocky peak resembles the cone shape of a beehive) convert even the staunchest city lover to a full blown granola eating tree-hugger.

   

2. Ocean Kayaking -No trip to Acadia would be complete without checking out the rocky coast and surrounding islands and by far the best way to do that is to strap on a skirt - kayak skirt, to keep the 39 degree water out of your lap - and hop in a kayak.  While you could rent a 'yak and bring out your inner Magellan, navigating the coast is best done by a local professional as they not only know the best spots to visit but know how to deal with inclement weather, distracted lobster boats, and vicious, killer seals.  I recommend a full-day excursion so that there is time to get out on an island for lunch and get to see some of the coast.

   

3. Thunder Hole and the Coastal Park Loop - A short walk from the base of the Beehive will get you to Thunder Hole, a naturally occurring phenomenon where waves crash into the cliffs and are directed up through a chimney in the rock to create a massive sound and huge spray.  Keep exploring the coastal road for tremendous views, little hiking paths, and other fun stuff, like the millions of snails crawling along the endless coast.  The best way to do this is on bike but if you are a bit tired from your other adventures a ride in a car with the windows rolled down is a close alternative.
4. Pop over to the Jordan Pond House for Pop-overs - This upscale restaurant, nestled between some mountains and the aptly named Jordan Pond, serves seriously gourmet meals while still allowing patrons who have not showered or changed their grimy camping clothes in days to sit inside or out in the amazing and scenic back lawn.  Every meal comes with a pop-over and fresh jam; there is really nothing better after days of campsite cooking.  Before or after your meal it is mandatory (not really, but really on my trips) to walk the two mile or so loop of the Jordan Pond.  It is relaxing, filled with wildlife, and a great way to burn off those pop-overs.

   

5. Take a dip at Echo Lake - It is mid July, 90 degrees in the sun, you are sweaty and disgusting from camping, hiking, biking, and not showering.  The ocean is too cold to jump in.  Echo Lake is calling.  While there are numerous bodies of fresh water that you could go to in Acadia, I have always been partial to the shores of Echo Lake.  The water is clean and refreshingly cool, there is a sandy beach as well as some grass, and friendly people from all walks of life come here to lazily unwind.

   

Those are my top five, which may not necessarily be yours so do some exploring, leave the beaten path, discover new things, and have some fun in the outdoors this summer!  Oh, and do not forget to enjoy a lobster or two, fresh from the Maine coast.

5 lessons I learned after a snowboarding accident in Colorado

On Thursday, March 1 2012 at about 3:00 PM MST I was in a pretty dire situation.  It was the final run on the final day of a six day snowboard trip in Colorado.  Riding at a high speed through about 20 inches of powder, my board got caught on a totally submerged tree and stopped abruptly but my body continued moving at the same speed I was traveling.  I found myself laying prostrate on a steep, wooded, back country trail unable to ride or even move my shattered right leg as my body quickly approached hypothermia.

My Wilderness First Responder training was utterly useless at this point; it only functioned to inform me how many ways I had already messed up and what my slim odds were of getting rescued.  I obviously made it out alive and while recovering in the (amazing) Vail Hospital I thought of my top five blunders and lessons learned from my accident.

1. Never, ever ride alone - This rule applies to almost every outdoor sport.  For activities like wakeboarding it is easy to follow because you need a driver and a spotter to get out on the lake.  On this day it was too easy for me to break this cardinal rule.  My friends were tired and they chose to take an easier run to the bottom.  I felt that even after six straight days of riding over 20 thousand feet of vertical each day I was up to an experts-only, back country chute trail on my own.  Ignoring all of my leadership and survival training I set off on my own for one last run in the fresh, deep powder.  There are reasons that we should not ride alone.  Equipment can fail.  Inclement weather can roll in unexpectedly.  Accidents can happen.  Having 20 years of snowboarding experience on multiple continents in every imaginable terrain made me feel invincible and I did something that I have taught my groups not to do for the past seven summers.
2. Be prepared - While I was still "in-bounds" on the mountain I should have had some emergency equipment with me if I was going to attempt back country terrain.  If I had not been found in the vast terrain by a skier I could have been stuck on the mountain for hours, overnight, or longer.  With no emergency blanket, first aid kit, lighter or matches, compass, shovel, food, or water I would have had 0% chance of surviving for any lengthy period of time.  When leading adventure trips I always carry an emergency pack.  While running wakeboarding camps we always have a first aid kit on the boat.  I should not have left the main trail system without the proper gear; rookie mistake.
3. Charge your cell phone - After my snowboarding crash I assessed my injuries and my predicament and reached for my phone.  It had shut off due to lack of power.  I pressed and held the "POWER" button and it turned on but instantly turned off again.  I managed to warm up the battery enough to send one text message to a friend to call 911 but then the phone died for good and I had no way of knowing if my friend received my message or if help would come.  The cell phone is a revolutionary safety device only if it is powered up in case of an emergency.  I spent the whole day wasting its juice on staying in touch with friends on the mountain, using silly apps to track my speed, number of runs, and vertical feet, and to take fun pictures and videos.  As I sat shivering in the snow with my fingers crossed that someone would show up I regretted every wasted bar of power from that day.
4. Having a plan makes all the difference - Here is something that I actually did right.  Before departing on my own I told my friend exactly which run I was taking and where we would meet.  When I did not show up my friend knew something was wrong and got in touch with ski patrol.  Having an emergency plan is so critically important for situations like this.  Had my friend not waited for me at that particular lift I could have been stranded for a much longer amount of time.
5. Practice what you preach - Basically I should have known better.  I teach young adults how to responsibly have fun in the outdoors and would be disappointed in any of my campers who left my program and did something stupid like this.  As one of my close friends said after hearing about my accident: "Too many people love you, don't be an idiot next time."  She is right.  I made some crucial judgement mistakes and am fortunate that all I have to show for it is a leg injury which will heal in a few months' time.

So here is how I was rescued and what happened afterwards:

Within about 10 minutes of the accident a skier heard my calls for help and hiked to where I was on the ground.  He called 911 who sent ski patrol to my location.  Simultaneously my friend at the bottom of the mountain called ski patrol who told her that they were on their way and to wait for me at the emergency clinic.  Ski patrol arrived about 15 minutes later, splinted my injured leg, and strapped me in to their sled.  It took about an hour for three of them to ski me down the steep terrain and back to the main ski area and to the medical clinic.  At the clinic they assessed the injury through x-rays and tests and recommended immediate surgery.  I was transferred by ambulance to the hospital at Vail where a world-class orthopedic surgeon was ready and waiting.  I underwent surgery that night where he dropped a large titanium rod through the center of my tibia and screwed it in place below the knee and at the ankle.  I spent three days recovering in the Vail hospital and am now back in New Hampshire going through physical therapy and recovery for multiple tibia fractures as well as a shattered fibula.

I would say lesson learned; the pain will go away in the coming weeks but the physical and emotional scars will function to remind me not to break my own outdoors safety rules in the future.

Top 5: Reasons why Merrymeeting Lake is the ultimate camp location

There is a tendency for summers at Merrymeeting Lake to drift by in a blur of sun, sand, water, boats, and BBQ.  You fall in to a routine like nowhere else on the planet.  Early morning, purple sunrises with the fog lifting off the water and floating over the mountains.  Sunny days spent out on the boat with friends.  Evenings eating outside on the deck.  Night cruises around the coves and inlets blanketed by a million shining stars.  There are some unique aspects to Merrymeeting that make it the ultimate spot to host a summer camp.

1. So clean you could drink it - The depth and flow of the lake keep it so clean that you could literally bottle the water and sell it at the store.  Merrymeeting is consistently ranked as one of the top cleanest lakes in the country and that is a stat the local residents are proud of and try hard to maintain.  Everyone takes the health of the lake seriously so you rarely, if ever, see floating debris, foreign invasive plants, or oil/gas in the water.
2. Uncrowded/undeveloped - Merrymeeting has a total of one marina on its shores and one public boat ramp yet is miles in length and big enough to cruise around and have fun.  Larger lakes in the area tend to draw the crowds and thus it is common on Merrymeeting to be out on the water mid-week and never have another boat in sight.  Few boats mean less traffic-produced waves which equals glassy conditions most days for boarding/skiing.  Decreased boating also yields an unparalleled playground for sailing, kayaking, and swimming without the risk of getting chopped up by a passing propeller.
3. Perfect temperature/weather - The depth of the lake (125 feet at its deepest point) comes in to play again in maintaining an ideal water temperature.  We have gorgeous summers in New Hampshire with the air temp hovering around 80 most days and the water getting into the 70's by the end of July and staying that way into September.  Not too hot, not too cold, but juuuuust right.
4. Friendly people - There is a camaraderie between the people who share their time out on Merrymeeting.  Everyone is a little more chilled out, happier, and thus friendlier than elsewhere in the real world.  You'll always get a salutation from any passing kayak, canoe, or motorboat and the only road traffic is caused by people stopping in the middle of the road to chat.  While wakeboarding or skiing on the lake you will hear hoots and see fist pumps as you pass people on shore or in other boats...everyone gets stoked to see people having fun on the water.
5. Wildlife - In my years at Merrymeeting I have seen some amazing wildlife.  The lake is home to a few pairs of loons, whose calls you can hear most evenings, and at night you cannot escape the croaking of giant bullfrogs.  There are turtles that lounge on docks, moose and deer that creep to the shores to drink, and bald eagles that circle around and swoop in for their fishy feasts.  I have also see a mountain lion, a few bear, and lots of foxes.  The animals mostly have a complete indifference to us and are happy to just go about their business and leave us to enjoy the perfect lake.

All of these reasons why Merrymeeting is great also remind us to share the lake, keep it clean, and preserve it for years to come.  Everyone surely has their favorite spot to spend the summer but for me it is Merrymeeting Lake so that is where Water Monkey Camp calls home.

Top 5: Types of snow for riding

Just because there is not too much snowboarding to be done this winter does not mean I can't talk about it!  I hit up Sunday River this past Saturday and, while most of the snow was man-made, it actually was not too bad for one day of shredding.  While riding around their multiple peaks I assembled in my head a ranking of the different types a snow you could encounter while riding. Here is my ranking which is by no means a universal standard, just what I like!

Top 5: Types of snow for riding

1. Pow!- Powder is by far my favorite condition to encounter while riding and, to me, the more the better!  Last season I was fortunate to be at Squaw Valley, in Tahoe, for a 100" storm.  Each day was better than the one before.  There is nothing like riding through waist or chest deep, light, fluffy, powder.  In the northeast we are lucky if we get a handful of pow days a season but we definitely know how to take advantage of them when they come!  The best spot in New England for finding pow is indisputably Jay Peak, located in the far north in Vermont.

   

2. Spring Slush - Like I said, this is not a universal ranking, just my preferences.  Maybe it's the spring temperatures and riding in a t-shirt that sways my emotions, but I love spring conditions.  As the mountains start to thaw you can usually ride all day on a nice layer of wet snow.  It is great for throwing hacks, surf style, and is pretty forgiving when you are in the park and take a spill.  You will get wet, this stuff is notorious for making its way through even the most waterproof of outerwear, but luckily it will be sunny and warm!
3. Man-made/granular - If I can't have natural powder I can deal with some man-made stuff.  Some resorts have perfected the art of producing snow and can create relatively light, nice snow for riding.  I guess I would include "cord" in this category, for corduroy, or freshly groomed by a snowcat.  I'd rather the mountains never groom but they have to try to keep the snow down somehow.
4. Crusty/hard-pack - We get a lot of this on the east coast.  It may not snow for a few weeks and what is left is a windblown, over-groomed, sun-baked surface.
5. Ice - It is often said that if you learn to ski/ride in the northeast you can do it anywhere in the world.  Seasons spent scraping down the sides of mountains perfect your edge skills and harden you physically through countless falls onto the rock hard ice.  When riding backcountry in New England it is overwhelmingly likely that you will spend the entire day on ice unless you happen to find some pow (see #1).

Those are my thoughts for the day...here's to powder!

5 things to do during a no-snow winter

I am a snowboarding fanatic.  During the 2010-2011 season I managed to get out on the slopes for over 80 days from November through April.  So far this year I have tallied a total of two days on the snow - and one of those days was after a surprise October storm in NH.  So what to do during a dismal winter season?

1. "Winter" Hiking-

   

   I like to get out into the back country.  At this time of year I usually have my board with me to take advantage of fun, hidden trails but, alas, not this year.  Instead of needing snowshoes I have managed to get by with just some three-season boots and occasionally using my microspikes.  I have found some deeper snow drifts up in the White Mountains but the majority of every trail still has exposed leaves, rocks, and streams making it feel more like fall or spring hiking than anything else.  With few others using the trails and pristine views through leafless trees, hiking should be on your list of to-do's this winter.

2. Indoor Rock Climbing-

   

   Having not tackled ice-climbing yet and with it being too cold to harness up in the great outdoors for rock climbing, an indoor gym seemed to be the best bet for this year.  Some buddies and I found a great place in southern New Hampshire that converted an old mill building into a myriad of different walls.  One of the best features is an old six story elevator shaft with four or five different routes up - definitely not for those who are afraid of heights.

3. Travel-

   

   I am not against flying in search of good snow but this year all the go-to powder spots like Tahoe, Utah, and Colorado seem to be devoid of the white fluffy stuff.  So the next best alternative to snow in my mind is sand (and warm water). I chose to hit up the Caribbean for a week of scuba (usually not a winter sport in New Hampshire) and then a multi-week road trip to Florida to learn how to kiteboard.  Yes, I am lucky to have a flexible schedule as a summer camp director, but a quick jaunt to a warmer locale is not impossible for the student or 9-5 worker out there.  The first step is to pick an activity - scuba, sail, surf, the list goes on - and narrow down some prime locations.  Step two is to scour the internet for special fares or last minute flight discounts.  Step three is to either find a friend's couch, a hostel, or an inexpensive hotel near the beach in your chosen destination.  Lastly, put it all together, pick a week that you're off from school or can cash in some sick days, and let the fun begin!

4. Museums and attractions-

   

   On days when you are all adventured-out there is nothing better (or cheaper) than adding some culture to your life.  Almost every major city has a few free or cheap museums to visit where you can learn new things, meet new people, and get away from the TV/video games/computer.

5. Get into a new hobby- This winter I have been working on new cooking recipes (mostly so I am not forced to experiment on my campers this summer).  With the proliferation of youtube videos on literally any topic you need not go further than your computer to learn a new instrument, take a college course, perform a science experiment (don't blow anything up, please), or any of a thousand other video options.  Do not just sit back and watch, though, a hobby is something you do with your hands and mind, not laying back on your couch or computer chair.

   

Use this list as a jumping-off point to think of your own fun things to do this winter season! If you're lucky enough to live somewhere that has some great snow you should be out there every day you can because that's what I would be doing.