Met a guy at a diner in Concord who knew every hiking trail in the White Mountains

I was grabbing breakfast at the Red Arrow Diner a few months back, and this older dude next to me starts chatting about the waitress's coffee pour. Turns out he's been hiking in the Whites since the 80s, and he gave me this whole list of trails I'd never heard of, like the one up Mount Osceola that avoids the crazy crowds. He said the key is to start at 5 a.m. and bring a paper map because your phone dies in the cold. I asked him about a trail guidebook I was thinking of buying, and he laughed and said the best info comes from talking to locals at the trailhead. That conversation saved me from buying three books I didn't need. Has anyone else gotten better tips from a random stranger than from a website?

2 comments

2 Comments

andrewh433d ago

Started chatting with a plumber at a diner once who saved me from buying a whole new water heater just by suggesting I clean a filter first. It's wild how much real know-how is just floating around in regular people's heads if you ask the right questions.

andrew_miller902d ago

Had the same thing happen with my washing machine. Guy at the hardware store told me to check the drain pump filter before buying a new one. Saved me like 400 bucks just for a clogged sock.