Taking one picture at a time

Salutations. I’m Ryan. Thanks for checking in. From June to mid-September I’ll be living at Imp Campsite in the White Mountains working for the AMC as a Backcountry caretaker. As I become more accustomed to my schedule and routine I will be able to build this page into a visual diary to let you view a “slice of life” through my own eyes. There hasn’t been one moment since I was hired that I haven’t spent preparing and planning for this opportunity on the horizon. It’s fitting that I write this first entry on a windy night. With the planning in full swing, all I have left is to raise the anchor and set the sails. Climb aboard and I hope you enjoy your stay…

RS 4/29/09

Home Sweet Home at 44°-19’46” N  -71°-09’02” W

Home for Summer ’09 now has a name. IMP. 3 letters, infinite possibilities. I haven’t got a clue yet into how the campsite was officially named but be sure that by the end of my tenure I will have a couple suggestions. A leading guess, which comes from my father, states that IMP is an acronym summing up a cardinal rule for all boy scouts, “I M Prepared”. I like it.

While we’re on the skill of being prepared, here is some pertinant information if you’re trying to track me down:

1. My schedule shapes out to be 11 days of work with 4 days of free time in between. On those glorious days off I’ll be updating this ejournal and checking email. To keep my creative soul healthy, I’ll be shooting photography and drawing as much as possible. Picasa Photo will help me showcase some of those golden moments from the field. Click here to view my album.

2. The email address I’ll be checking on my days off will be whenwingsflywest@gmail.com. Please keep in mind that cell phone service is never a guarantee in the mountains so plan ahead.

3. To send encouraging love letters, the address to reach me at is:

Ryan Smith

Backcountry Campsite Caretaker

AMC

PO Box 298 – Route 16

Gorham, NH 03581

4. To get your bearings straight I’ve posted a map outfitting the terrain and where I will be caretaking for the summer time. For enlarged detail, click on the map.

** Imp Campsite sits at about 3250′ in the shadow of Imp Mountain (3730′) and Mount Moriah (4049′), both of which are part of the Carter Range in Cooh, NH. For all the AT fanatics, Imp is about 306 miles from the North terminus and 1,873 miles from the Southern. Mount Moriah just makes it in the league of 4,000 footers and is the last in New Hampshire for North bound hikers.

For more information about Imp and the area’s stellar outdoor opportunities check out this link: www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154279/Mount-Moriah-NH-.html . This page lists recommended hikes through out the Carter-Moriah range and suggests routes rated in difficulty to where I’ll be stationed.

Another great resource is the AMC, www.outdoors.org/lodging/campsites/; along with Imp there are several campsites in the White Mountains that are accessible within a few hours hike.

RS 5/8/09

The supply list is near complete

This week has been all about gearing up. EMS and REI employees alike are probably sick of me digging for answers that might only apply for a job like this. Sample questions include: “Will this last, or are you just trying to get rid of me?” and “I know it’s broken, that’s why I’d like a refund”.

Now for the fun part, product testing. There’s no point in buying to find out later on that it doesn’t work, right? In most cases, a move seems to make all of us over-pack the gills instead of looking to lighten the load. For what every item is worth on the supply list I don’t mind tipping the scales considering that once it’s there, it stays for the summer…

RS 5/12/09

Trail Training

Gym or no gym it was time to get the legs back underneath me. With a beautiful trend of weather this week, I took advantage by going on a two day 24 mile hike to the Foxboro State forest. I spent the night at an “emergency” shelter (above) with a nesting Eastern Phoebe who seemed to be a little peeved that I was squatting in her territory. Her temper cooled around dusk as I was able to catch a glimpse of her retiring to her nest; not to be heard from till morning. Moments after dawn I spied three blossoming Lady Slippers in the earth behind the shelter; they were too cool not to snap a photo.

This 2 day journey woke up my slumping back up from the molded lazy boy position that it has been so used to during the winter (hockey) months. It took about a mile into the hike for my muscles to realign and escape the grasp of old man winter. The weight of the pack leveled out around 40 lbs. which is about the average size I’ll have to deal with this summer. Donations can be made at any time which I’ll spend towards a good masseuse…

RS 5/20/09

When Wings Fly North

Under a week before the ship sails North…

June starts with a solid week and half of field training with AMC staff including the 14 caretakers that service other AMC campsites in the Whites. Caretakers come from all walks of life, some returning veterans, others still wet behind the ears like myself. By mid-June, we depart to our respective campsites and begin to service the backcountry and those eager to follow the paths cut in front of them…

RS 5/26/09

Northbound

Time to cut the strings and get the summer going. Next post is estimated to take place in a week to two weeks time depending on where I can connect to the illustrious WWW. Let’s hope for a great summer everyone.

A shout out to Lin and Sean, congratulations once again on the upcoming wedding, this grizzly guy will be back to celebrate the occasion…

And also a tip of the cap to Irepress. Best of luck on tour, live free and never say die…

RS 5/31/09

Training Tails

First day at camp was filled with n ew faces, lifestyles, and directions. Most of the morning was spent on settling in and remodeling a 10 x 14 Alaskan model canvas tent that I eill be lodging in on my off days. There was much to do, I’ve only got a bookshelf and a wooden bed frame to worry about.

Monday afternoon. Class room time. All the introductions are behind us, it’s now time to inch closer to the real training.

I’ve got to get used to writing these entries before hand, the North Conway library has a 30 minute limit to uses on the internet so I’ve got to be brief. The photography is starting to flow, but the chances of sharing are limited by this darn library PC, and the “No Uploading External Hard drives ie. Cameras” sign that is blaring down at me from the top of the monitor.

Plan B is to head up to Gorham in search of another internet outlet or Plan C which is yet to be decided upon. More news to come.

RS 6/1/09

Taking the Plunge

Tomorrow, June 12, will be the start to the first 11 day stint in the woods for the summer. My food requests will be waiting for me at the AMC Storehouse in the morning and my trusty friend, Sally, will be splitting the load as we march up to Imp and open the campsite for the season. When I return on Monday the 22nd I will provide the rest of the seasons schedule.

Hope y’all are doing well.

RS 6/11/09