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Mountain climbing
April 29, 2008
Spring's here! Hit the road!

You're bored. I can tell. I can see it in your face.

You say you're missing something -- the proverbial "it" -- and you want to find a way to challenge yourself and your senses, get out and feel like you're doing something. You're in luck.muscle man.jpg


WickedOutdoorsy.com has already filled the calendar.

It's 7 events designed to, in their words, "test the strength, stamina, and sanity of even the burliest New Englanders." From surfing icy Maine coastal waters to watching a Formula 1 race in Montreal, this list has it all. And, if you're going to do the loop, you're bringing me along. Remember, after all, you read about it here first, right?

“Spring fever is nasty this year,” said Drew Simmons, editor-in-chief of WickedOutdoorsy.com. “It doesn’t need to be warm, just get me out of the house.”

The criteria for the listing was simple -- it measured the ratio of discomfort versus reward and the likelihood that your wife/girlfriend wouldn't go even if you promised her a luxurious spa trip on the way home.

Without any further ado, here's the calendar. You've been warned...

* Surf Maine: The Kennebunk-based Aquaholics Surf Shop offers surf lessons starting April 1 with all the necessary equipment provided. Before you say, “that’s not manly, that’s just crazy,” you should know your instructor will be a woman.

* Ski Tuckerman’s Ravine: The quintessential backcountry skiing and riding spot heats up when warmer temps arrive in New Hampshire. With a variety of seriously steep terrain, the adventure begins with a 3-mile hike from Pinkham Notch, followed by a ton of hiking, just to reach a few minutes of glory. Definitely not for beginners.

* Raft the Dead River: As this winter’s record snow pack turns from white to whitewater, the local whitewater guides at Northern Outdoors in The Forks are expecting the Dead’s legendary rapids to be the biggest in the resort’s 32-season history.

* Blast Vermont turkeys: Home to New England’s most robust turkey population, Vermont will declare open season on these wild birds from May 1-31.

* Hang with 'Larry the Cable Guy': Sitting through Larry’s 2-hour comedy set at the Cumberland County Civic Center will require bravery, strength, and endurance.

* Catch stripers on the fly: Hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club, the annual Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch & Release Tournament is never canceled, forcing eager anglers to fish through rain, wind and bad early season baseball.

* Formula 1 racing in Montreal: F1 fans from all over the world will bring their mullets to Montreal on June 8 to see some of the world’s most talented drivers race for the checkered flag. Oh, and Cuban cigars are legal in Canada.

Posted by Travis Barrett at 08:02 AM
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March 14, 2008
He wants to know: Why not?

It's the middle of winter. It's bitterly cold. The ice and snow are more than a foot deep in places. Winds promise to approach hurricane force.

Why on earth would a group of central Mainers want to climb Mount Washington under such conditions, anyway?

"There's that question again, 'Why?' " says Craig Nelson of Starks and avid hiker who has done the Appalachian Trail. "Well, why not?"

Some of among us choose to curse Ol' Man Winter. Others, like Nelson, Dan Larochelle and Craig Bennett choose to run headlong into it. Why?

In Saturday's outdoors section, these guys challenge to you to respond to "Why not?"

Posted by Travis Barrett at 04:14 PM
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