The 4000 Footers of the White Mountains: A Guide and History [Paperback]

Steven D. Smith (Author), Mike Dickerman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Bondcliff Books; Revised edition (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931271011
• ISBN-13: 978-1931271011
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,202,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect guide for the New Hampshire 48..., August 1, 2007

By 

Epops (usa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The 4000 Footers of the White Mountains: A Guide and History (Paperback)

If you want to join the 6000-plus souls who have climbed all 48 peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains that exceed 4000 feet in height, this is the guidebook for you.

The writing is clear and intelligent and the information is authoritative, as is to be expected, given the qualifications of the authors. Steve Smith is co-editor of the AMC White Mountain Guide

AMC White Mountain Guide, 28th: Hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest (Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide)

and proprietor of The Mountain Wanderer bookstore, located in Lincoln, NH, at the west end of the Kancamagus Highway, and Mike Dickerman is a member of the AMC's 4000-footer Committee. Both have written numerous books and articles on hiking in New England.

The introduction gives a history of the AMC's 4000-footer Club, White Mountain history, geology, flora and fauna, and very sensible hiking advice. The comments on trail stewardship are especially pertinent because of the heavy use the White Mountain trails receive. As close to "civilization" and unimpressive in altitude as they are compared to mountains elsewhere in the world, the trails are steep and rough and the weather harsh and unpredictable. It's remarkably easy to get lost, injured, or hypothermic any time of year in the Whites, even for experienced hikers.

The main section of the guide is composed of a description of the peaks, organized by range and region. I found this very helpful when doing my hikes. It's also very informative. Hiking the peaks on each side of the Pinkham, Crawford, and Franconia Notches in sequence, for example, gives one a unique appreciation of the complicated geography of the Whites. For each peak there is a detailed description of its geography, nomenclature, historical highlights, the various trail approaches with time, distance, elevation, trail head locations, winter approaches, and a view guide.

The appendices are most interesting, especially the "4000-footer Feats and Oddities", including the "Diretissima" of Rev. Henry Folsom, who plotted out and hiked the shortest continuous route for climbing all the peaks and did it in 19 days and 244.05 miles; Gene Daniell's climbs of each peak in each month of the year; and Mike Bromberg's standing on top of each peak at midnight in winter. Then there are the speed records: "Cave Dog" Keizer' August, 2002, 3 days, 17 hours, 21 minutes, (since broken by Tim Seaver in July, 2003, by almost two hours). Most awe-inspiring of all is Guy Waterman's winter ascent of each peak from the four cardinal points of the compass.

The book closes with a checklist of the peaks and a list of references for further reading. My favorite is the Watermans' "Forest and Crag"

Forest and Crag, A History of Hiking, Trail Blazing, and

a history of northeastern hiking. A book not on the list which I highly recommend is Laura Waterman's touching memoir "Losing the Garden"

Losing the Garden: The Story of a Marriage

which gives us a more personal view of Guy Waterman.

Information about the application for the 4000-footer Club can be obtained at the committee's official website - www.amc4000footer.org

Once you have climbed all the peaks, you submit your list to the committee along with an essay or a trip report of one climb and a modest fee, and in return you get a patch and a certificate, as well as an untold amount of personal satisfaction.

Hiking the New Hampshire 4000-footers has been great fun, made me a much better hiker, and helped me find my place in the universe. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Steve and Mike's guide. Many thanks to them, and happy trails!