Backpacking & Solo Winter Camping in search of a 1954 commercial airline crash near the summit of Mt Success in the White Mountains.
For this 3 day, 2 night camping trip, I headed up to a lesser traveled corner of New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest for some snowshoeing, camp cooking, and bit of New England aviation history.
My goal for this adventure was to find the resting place of Northeast Airlines Flight 792, which crashed on approach to Berlin Municipal Airport during inclement weather on November 30th, 1954. It made contact in the dense trees near the summit of Mt Success at an elevation of 3,390 feet.
The 7 mile hike to get there would require a gross elevation gain of roughly 3,700 feet on potentially unbroken trail in deep snow. The final portion of the hike would be an unofficial bushwhack through dense trees and snow. For this reason, I chose to break up the approach up by setting up camp at roughly the halfway point along Gentian Pond and the nearby lean-to shelter with sweeping views of the Carter-Moriah mountain range. After camping for the night, I would head up to the top of Mt Success, the first peak of the Mahoosuc Range and the Appalachian Trail's gateway to Maine. After a few miles and a couple thousand feet of ascent with my snowshoes, I would leave the trail behind in search of the DC-3.
For an easier read, more info & downloadable GPS data, check out my full blog post
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Trailhead Used: Austin Brook Trailhead, 44°24'45.1"N 71°04'05.4"W
North Rd, Shelburne, NH 03581
Trails Used, Day 1
North on Austin Brook Trail
Camp at Gentian Pond Shelter
This is a beautiful two level wooden lean-to with one of the best views from inside that I've ever seen in a backpacking shelter. There is a bear bin out back, a composting privy, and easily obtainable water available by the nearby pond. There are several tent platforms behind the shelter as well. Fires not permitted.
Day 1 Mileage: 3.5 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,582’
Trails Used, Day 2
Appalachian Trail Northbound
Bushwhack towards the DC-3 plane crash site
The ground was covered with snow when I was there, but in warmer months there should be a faint, but visible herd path going into the woods in the open area just before the summit of Mt Success.
Once you're back in the woods, look out for yellow blazes indicating the AT boundary. The DC-3 is coincidentally right along the boundary. In my case, the snow on the trees and darkness limited my ability to follow these, but they should be more obvious in the daytime without fresh snow conditions.
Appalachian Trail Southbound
Return to camp at Gentian Pond Shelter
Day 2 Mileage: 6.5 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 3,018’
Trails Used, Day 3
South on Austin Brook Trail
Return to the North Road parking lot.
Day 3 Mileage: 3.5 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 75’
Grand Total Mileage: 13.5 Miles
Grand Total Gross Elevation Gain: 4,675’
Backpacking Gear
Fjallraven Kajka 75 Backpack amzn.to/2Uj8Ew4
Hammock Gear Burrow 0 Top Quilt www.hammockgear.com/premium-b...
Amok Fjol XL Winterlight Sleeping Pad www.amokequipment.com/product...
Dutchware UP Booties dutchwaregear.com/product/up-...
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Aeropress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press amzn.to/39ezaio
Optimus Polaris Optifuel Stove amzn.to/2MoOno4
MSR Flex Skillet amzn.to/2L4B4IT
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker amzn.to/30S3rxm
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork amzn.to/2uyl5GJ
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Outdoor Research MicroGravity AscentShell Jacket amzn.to/38P5IhA
Military Fleece Jacket amzn.to/2YjWchv
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Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Casio ProTrek F30 Smartwatch amzn.to/3dtY7Xj
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Spot Gen3 Messenger amzn.to/2EJLQhC
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