Moat Mountain Traverse

Descending North Moat Mountain – Undercast in the Saco River Valley.

The forecast was grim. Rain showers were expected all day for our traverse of the Moat Mountain Range, a series of three ledgy peaks near Mount Washington. The Moat Mountain Traverse is a classic New England hike, much of it above treeline, with great views of Mount Chocorua, the Green Hills, and the Mountains in southwest Maine.

We lucked out though. While we encountered some slush, it didn't rain and we had views for most of our hike. In fact, we got to see a cloud inversion in the valley, what people here call an undercast, where clouds fill the valley and the hilltops poke above the cloud layer like islands in a fluffy white sea.

Valley Undercast from South Moat Mountain

While I've hiked all of the Moats – South, Middle, and North – previously, this was the first time I was able to complete a full traverse, without having to hike out someone who couldn't finish the route. We had a strong group on this trip though, led by my friends Sonya, Darren, Casey, Bryan, and Yvette. I knew we'd make it all the way across.

Climbing the Moats requires some serious scrambling over rocky ledges, which can make this hike a lot of fun. There are three separate peaks with forested cols between them requiring 3200 feet of total elevation gain over 9.3 miles, end-to-end.

Climbing open ledge on the South Moat approach.

We started our hike at the south end of the trail and hiked north, walking through forest until we climbed up the ledges on South Moat. Despite the snow and ice on the ground, it was quite warm out and I had to strip down to my baselayer for the climb, sweat pouring off my forehead.

The wind was mild when we reached the summit of South Moat, but cool enough to warrant layering up. My friend Darren, however, seemed unperturbed by the chill. He was hiking in a kilt and managed to remain warm for the entire hike.

Yvette crosses Middle Moat Mountain

While we had to hike into the cols between the South and Middle Peaks and Middle and North, the incremental elevation gain was inconsequential after the climb up to South Moat and the miles flew by quickly.

While we all carried additional traction in the form of Microspikes, we were able to avoid using it for most of the hike with very careful footwork. I did cave on the descent of North Moat and put my spikes on since there was a lot of very slippery ice covered by slushy snow; a nasty combination that made momentum especially dangerous.

The summit of North Moat Mountain

It felt a little strange to be hiking with so many other people on this trip. I've hiked close to 200 trails this year, approximately 600 miles, trying to finish a list of 608 trails; and it's been easier to hike by myself rather than trying to coordinate hikes with other people.

Winter in the Whites is another story though. Even though it's still only early December, winter has arrived and the consequence level of hiking more challenging routes alone is too risky. It's time to become a social hiker again. Not that I mind. I aways look forward to meeting and getting to know new people, especially other hikers.

After our hike, we all met at the aptly named Moat Mountain House, a local brew pub. God I love their Stout.

Moat Mountain Traverse (click for PDF)

           

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Moat Mountain Traverse

5 simple things you must do after a haircut to rock your new look

Brought to you by Style Studio

I love that amazing feeling of walking out of the salon with fabulous hair. But let's be honest, it doesn't happen like that every time. When you find a great hairdresser, your strike rate is pretty high, but with someone new – or if you're trying a new style, it can feel a little weird.

I once walked out of the hairdresser so completely shocked – I had absolutely no idea what to do with my hair afterwards. I was 18 years old and on my first solo overseas adventure. I was in London and I thought that I'd spend some of my hard-earned money on an expensive haircut.

I walked into a well-known designer chain salon with big prices thinking expensive had to be better, right? Well not in this case.

It started going wrong from the beginning. I got lost trying to find the salon, so I was five minutes late and the hairdresser was furious at me. Well I think he was, he hardly spoke to me and I think that was the problem too. I was completely intimidated in that salon and I didn't speak up for myself either.

I watched him work – he was twisting different sections of hair and chopping bits off at different directions and it looked pretty fancy but I had no idea – and as it turns out neither did he!

Then all of a sudden he just stopped and roughly dried my hair. I thought, Is that it? Is that really what my hair looks like?

There was that weird moment of shock when you're looking at the mirror and you know it's you looking back, but you can't quite recognise yourself and you don't know what to say. I'm not very good with confrontation, so I just followed him to the cash register, paid and walked out. It was really weird.

I was away from home, on the other side of the world, and I'd spent a ridiculous amount of money on a nightmare haircut and I thought I looked terrible.

The first thing I did was walk around the corner and find a clothing store. I walked in, grabbed a top and went straight to the change room so I could play with my hair. I think he'd even parted it on the wrong side – it just wasn't sitting right. Of course I couldn't change the cut but at least I could fix the styling a little bit. I came out of the change room feeling a little bit better.

I think there's something in the saying that you know your hair best because you have to wear it every day.

It doesn't matter how much you pay for your haircut, the consultation you have with your hairdresser beforehand is the most important part. You need to tell them exactly what you like about your hair and how it behaves. That way, the hairdresser can use their skill will help shape it into something that you'll love wearing every day.

If you don't think you know your hair that well or you'd like to know it a little bit better, click here to find out your hair horoscope which can help predict your hair happiness – especially if you're looking for a change.

Now if you are just home from the salon or about to get a new look, here are my 5 tips on what to do after you get a haircut.

1. Watch how your hairdresser styles your hair

While you're in the chair in the salon, ask your hairdresser lots of questions. Ask them which products they're using and why, and then what order they're using them as well.

If you're already at home it's still okay to give the salon a quick call and ask them for some more advice over the phone. They want to make sure you're wearing your hair the best you can, as you're a walking advertisement for their work.

2. Play around

Now you're back at home, it's time to start playing with your new haircut. You've seen how your hairdresser styled it, but you know your hair best. Play around and try a few different looks.

Try parting your hair in different places – a middle part will give you a completely different look to a deep side part. Keep playing until you find a way that you like your hair to sit. Take a couple of selfies so you can remember your new style.

3. Get your products in order

What worked for your last haircut may not work for this new style. It's a good idea to check through your hair products. You might discover some long-lost products at the back of your cabinet and find a way to use them better. It can take a couple of days to test out products in your new haircut, so have fun with it and try some new looks.

4. Test out a new tutorial

While you're playing with all these hair products, you might as well try a new hair tutorial as well. Find a way to best show off your new hairstyle with something simple like a twist or adding in a braid.

5. Take notes

It can take a few days to go through these tips, testing new products and styles, so I really recommend taking notes. Just pop them in your phone or even on a calendar so that way when you have a really good hair day, you'll know exactly how you did it and you'll be able to replicate it again and again.

Whether you've had a bit of a hair disaster like I have in the past or you just want to make the most of your new hair cut, these tips will help you own your new look and get your hair looking its best every day.

One last reminder – if you haven't found out your hair horoscope yet, click here now. It's a fun way to predict your hair future and bring a little more hair happiness into your everyday.

Have you ever had a 'hair-tastrophy'? Feel free to vent in the comments, and maybe we can work out a way to restyle it together.

The post 5 simple things you must do after a haircut to rock your new look appeared first on Hair Romance.

from Hair Romance http://ift.tt/2fRPdXX

5 simple things you must do after a haircut to rock your new look

Brought to you by Style Studio

I love that amazing feeling of walking out of the salon with fabulous hair. But let’s be honest, it doesn’t happen like that every time. When you find a great hairdresser, your strike rate is pretty high, but with someone new – or if you’re trying a new style, it can feel a little weird.

I once walked out of the hairdresser so completely shocked – I had absolutely no idea what to do with my hair afterwards. I was 18 years old and on my first solo overseas adventure. I was in London and I thought that I’d spend some of my hard-earned money on an expensive haircut.

I walked into a well-known designer chain salon with big prices thinking expensive had to be better, right? Well not in this case.

It started going wrong from the beginning. I got lost trying to find the salon, so I was five minutes late and the hairdresser was furious at me. Well I think he was, he hardly spoke to me and I think that was the problem too. I was completely intimidated in that salon and I didn’t speak up for myself either.

I watched him work – he was twisting different sections of hair and chopping bits off at different directions and it looked pretty fancy but I had no idea – and as it turns out neither did he!

Then all of a sudden he just stopped and roughly dried my hair. I thought, Is that it? Is that really what my hair looks like?

There was that weird moment of shock when you’re looking at the mirror and you know it’s you looking back, but you can’t quite recognise yourself and you don’t know what to say. I’m not very good with confrontation, so I just followed him to the cash register, paid and walked out. It was really weird.

I was away from home, on the other side of the world, and I’d spent a ridiculous amount of money on a nightmare haircut and I thought I looked terrible.

The first thing I did was walk around the corner and find a clothing store. I walked in, grabbed a top and went straight to the change room so I could play with my hair. I think he’d even parted it on the wrong side – it just wasn’t sitting right. Of course I couldn’t change the cut but at least I could fix the styling a little bit. I came out of the change room feeling a little bit better.

I think there’s something in the saying that you know your hair best because you have to wear it every day.

It doesn’t matter how much you pay for your haircut, the consultation you have with your hairdresser beforehand is the most important part. You need to tell them exactly what you like about your hair and how it behaves. That way, the hairdresser can use their skill will help shape it into something that you’ll love wearing every day.

If you don’t think you know your hair that well or you’d like to know it a little bit better, click here to find out your hair horoscope which can help predict your hair happiness – especially if you’re looking for a change.

Now if you are just home from the salon or about to get a new look, here are my 5 tips on what to do after you get a haircut.

1. Watch how your hairdresser styles your hair

While you’re in the chair in the salon, ask your hairdresser lots of questions. Ask them which products they’re using and why, and then what order they’re using them as well.

If you’re already at home it’s still okay to give the salon a quick call and ask them for some more advice over the phone. They want to make sure you’re wearing your hair the best you can, as you’re a walking advertisement for their work.

2. Play around

Now you’re back at home, it’s time to start playing with your new haircut. You’ve seen how your hairdresser styled it, but you know your hair best. Play around and try a few different looks.

Try parting your hair in different places – a middle part will give you a completely different look to a deep side part. Keep playing until you find a way that you like your hair to sit. Take a couple of selfies so you can remember your new style.

3. Get your products in order

What worked for your last haircut may not work for this new style. It’s a good idea to check through your hair products. You might discover some long-lost products at the back of your cabinet and find a way to use them better. It can take a couple of days to test out products in your new haircut, so have fun with it and try some new looks.

4. Test out a new tutorial

While you’re playing with all these hair products, you might as well try a new hair tutorial as well. Find a way to best show off your new hairstyle with something simple like a twist or adding in a braid.

5. Take notes

It can take a few days to go through these tips, testing new products and styles, so I really recommend taking notes. Just pop them in your phone or even on a calendar so that way when you have a really good hair day, you’ll know exactly how you did it and you’ll be able to replicate it again and again.

Whether you’ve had a bit of a hair disaster like I have in the past or you just want to make the most of your new hair cut, these tips will help you own your new look and get your hair looking its best every day.

One last reminder – if you haven’t found out your hair horoscope yet, click here now. It’s a fun way to predict your hair future and bring a little more hair happiness into your everyday.

Have you ever had a ‘hair-tastrophy’? Feel free to vent in the comments, and maybe we can work out a way to restyle it together.

The post 5 simple things you must do after a haircut to rock your new look appeared first on Hair Romance.

from Hair Romance http://ift.tt/2fRPdXX

The Trail Magic Dollmaker: Arlette Laan’s Fiber Arts

The Magical World of Artist and Triple Crown Hiker Arlette Laan

Arlette Laan or 'Apple Pie' as she's known in New Hampshire's close-knit White Mountain hiking community, is one of the region's most accomplished hikers. A triple crown hiker who's completed the AT, CDT, and PCT, among other long trails, she's the first woman to complete a White Mountain Direttissima, a continuous unsupported hike of New Hampshire's 48 four thousand foot peaks. That's no small feat.

An accomplished fiber artist, Arlette is best known for her magical hiking buddies, hand-sewn dolls, which celebrate the joy we feel when we hike and backpack on trails and in the mountains. Many of my hardcore hiking friends carry them on their backpacking journeys, both locally and across the country, as reminders of home or companions that they can share their joys and woes with. If you walk alone, you never need to "be" alone, when you have one of Arlette's hikers, backpacking buddies, sweeties, or quirky characters aboard.

Check out Arlette's Trail Magic Dolls (click for store) which are available in multiple styles and sizes, ranging from Christmas tree ornaments to huggable pals and are priced from $15-$40. These make original holiday presents and gift for friends and family and are a real find.

           

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