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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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September 4, 1983: The AT bypassed the cliffs which towered over the pond, but there were several great viewpoints atop rock outcrops along that climb, overlooking an immense,
#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #NewHampshire #nature #mountains #forest #AppalachianTrail #trails
Looking out from a high, open ridge crest, the summit area of South Kinsman Mountain, a short stretch of alpine ridge consisting of gray, lichen-covered granite rock, very low scrub spruce, and ground-hugging shrubs. It is clear, but the air is hazy and humid. Beyond Kinsman's foothills below us, the long, deep slash of Franconia Notch and the massive Franconia Ridge on the far side of the notch appear hazy and indistinct, but also impressive and imposing.
08:34 AM - Dec 28, 2023
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George Steffanos
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L-shaped valley encircled by the lofty, wooded heights of Mount Wolf, Mount Kinsman, and several of their spur ridges. The lower arm of the valley was a high plateau featuring Bog Pond — a long pond of irregular shape surrounded by an extensive marsh speckled with tiny pondlets (yes, my own word).
The sky is bright white with very hazy sunshine. Looking out from a high, open ridge crest over stunted, weather-beaten spruce and fir into a wide mountain valley hundreds of feet below. Overlooking an immense, L-shaped valley encircled by the lofty, wooded heights of Mount Wolf, Mount Kinsman, and several of their spur ridges. The lower arm of the valley is a high plateau featuring Bog Pond — a long pond of irregular shape surrounded by an extensive marsh speckled with tiny pondlets (yes, my own word). From this height, the marsh looks lovely, but also empty and barren save for a few small groves of conifers. The upper arm of the “L” is the long, wooded valley drained by Eliza Brook, sloping down to Bog Pond’s plateau from the base of Kinsman’s south peak. Ridges past the spur ridge behind the pond are virtual ghosts in the thick haze.
08:34 AM - Dec 28, 2023
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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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From that height, the marsh looked lovely, but also empty and barren save for a few small groves of conifers. The upper arm of the “L” was the long, wooded valley drained by Eliza Brook, sloping down to Bog Pond’s plateau from the base of Kinsman’s south peak.
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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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Some thoughtful power company had run a transmission line through the heart of Bog Pond, a long scar which detracted from, but did not kill, its beauty.
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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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By this time, it seemed I had been climbing forever, but I could now see the crest of Kinsman’s south ridge rising above the treetops ahead, and my ascent still had a way to go.
08:34 AM - Dec 28, 2023
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George Steffanos
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I eventually reached the ridge crest on a small, flat, boggy section covered with stunted spruce. From that spot, I finally caught a glimpse of Kinsman’s south peak towering another several hundred feet above me. Make that a long way to go.
Looking out from a high, open ridge crest, the summit area of South Kinsman Mountain, a short stretch of alpine ridge consisting of gray, lichen-covered granite rock, very low scrub spruce and fir, and ground-hugging shrubs. It is clear, but the air is hazy and humid. Up ahead are the wooded flanks of Kinsman's north peak and beyond that the continuation of Kinsman Ridge. Beyond that, other mountain ranges appear hazy and indistinct as they cascade to the horizon.
08:34 AM - Dec 28, 2023
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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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The climb up the side of the peak was just as steep as the climb up to the ridge had been. It may even have been steeper — I don’t know; I was too busy inventing creative new profanities as I climbed to pay much attention. It was late — and getting later.
The sky is bright white with very hazy sunshine. Looking out from a high, open ridge crest, over the treetops of a spruce-fir forest at the wooded flanks of three parallel ridges cascading towards the very misty horizon. The two farthest away and thus haziest ridges are full-fledged mountain ranges with several rugged peaks and a few visible alpine areas.
08:34 AM - Dec 28, 2023
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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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Ten minutes later, I broke out onto the summit area of South Kinsman, a short stretch of alpine ridge consisting of gray, lichen-covered granite rock, very low scrub spruce, and ground-hugging shrubs of the type which I had seen on Mount Moosilauke. The summit was marked by a large rock cairn.
08:34 AM - Dec 28, 2023
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George Steffanos
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There were 360-degree views: Franconia Ridge to the east, Moosilauke and Loon Mountain to the south, Kinsman’s north peak and Cannon Mountain to the north, and the valley and ridge country stretching out towards the Green Mountains along the western horizon.
The sky is bright white with very hazy sunshine. Looking out from a high rock ledge, over the treetops of a spruce-fir forest at the wooded flanks of three parallel ridges cascading towards the very misty horizon. The two closest ridges are somewhat lower than our perch and enclose a plateau with a good-sized mountain lake. The farthest away and thus haziest ridge is a full-fledged mountain range with several rugged peaks and a few visible alpine areas.
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George Steffanos
@GSteffanos
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Not far above that horizon was the rapidly-sinking orb of the sun — a pretty sight, but not too encouraging, considering the six miles I still needed to cover today.

More of My 1983 #AppalachianTrail Hike in Photos at https://www.georgesteffano...
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