Blog

Hey everyone, I’m Tyler Murphy and today is my last day as a summer intern for Burgeon Outdoor. I am a few weeks away from the first day of my senior year at Providence College in Rhode Island. I’ve spent the last 7 weeks in New Hampshire working out of our Lincoln studio and enjoyed every second of it. 

Christina Cozzens started off like many who catch the hiking bug in the White Mountains. The New Hampshire native wasn’t an experienced hiker at first, but she steadily built up her skills and confidence as she tackled the White Mountains 4,000-footers. Once she finished the full list of 48, she took on an even greater challenge, traveling west to summit California’s Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.

It all started 46 years ago this July, when Burgeon Outdoor founder Rudy Glocker hiked Mt. Washington with his father for the first time. Rudy’s father, Karl Glocker, led the family up Washington from the Ammonoosuc Ravine trailhead. The elder Glocker had hiked New England’s tallest peak many times before, and he was eager to give his children their own formative experience in the White Mountains.

Gordon Simpson is only six years old, but has already completed the New England Hundred Highest.  Learn more about this extraordinary hiker and the bond between him and his father that was fostered in the White Mountains and beyond.

Lincoln, NH the heart of the White Mountains

Where last spring was marked by uncertainty and restrictions, this spring brings the renewed promise of a full spring season (pray for snow!) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Burgeon Outdoor is honored to support the return of one of the region’s premier backcountry events, the Granite Backcountry Alliance’s fifth annual Wild Corn Shindig.

Burgeon is proud to serve as sponsor for the Wild Corn Shindig, which will take place on Saturday, April 3 at the King Pine Ski Resort in Madison, N.H. and will run from 9 a.m. to sunset.

The all-day springtime party, which is back after a one-year break, will feature live music, demos, food and drinks, games and lots of backcountry terrain and tropical outfits.  For a complete schedule and list of events, please visit Wild Corn.

Tyler Ray, principal of the Granite Backcountry Alliance, said the event will be COVID compliant and that measures have been taken to encourage social distancing. He added that the new venue at King Pine has an expansive base area that will allow people to space out and that he’s confident in the backcountry ski community, which he said is uniquely well prepared when it comes to taking protective measures.

“We have had events in the fall and winter and now the spring, the way we’ve been able to manage that is we have a user group that is educated around being prepared when you go out into a ski tour, about the equipment, analyzing weather,” Ray said. “So it wasn’t a stretch for this group to embrace compliance measures for COVID.”

This year’s Shindig will feature live performances at the main soundstage throughout the day, with the Jason Spooner Band headlining at around 5 p.m. after performances by Farm to Table, Shark Martin and Rek’lis.

Another highlight will be the Wild Corn Skimo Race at 4 p.m., and throughout the day all of the lifts will be closed so the entire mountain will be open for guests to skin and ski at their pleasure. The Lostbo Pub and mid-mountain cabin will be open for barbecue and beer as well, and a children’s lift will be available for young kids to enjoy the slopes as well.

There will also be raffles, silent auctions and other prizes, and the proceeds raised will help support the Granite Backcountry Alliance’s mission to advocate for the interests of backcountry skiers, as well as to help develop new backcountry ski terrain.

“We’re honored to partner with the Granite Backcountry Alliance because they’re doing great things here,” said Burgeon Outdoor founder Rudy Glocker. “Both for the environment and because they’re bringing people together for their love of the mountains, love of New Hampshire and their love of the community and all it has to offer.”

“Burgeon has been an incredibly loyal sponsor and they absolutely stepped up to sponsor our event,” Ray said. “It’s great to see a start-up in Lincoln step up and take the initiative. We’re happy to partner with Burgeon and Rudy’s leadership and commitment to the community is very impressive and these are the brands we want to align with and be with.”

Tickets are $30 for GBA members and $35 for non-members, and for those who wish to take part in the Skimo race, entry is $45 for members and $50 for non-members and includes access to the rest of the event as well. Children age 10 and under get in free, and Apres tickets are available for entry at 4 p.m. through sunset for $15 (members) and $25 non-members.

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.skireg.com/wildcorn

Shop Burgeon Products

Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

 

Lincoln, NH the heart of the White Mountains

Today is Sydney’s last day.  For those of you who have not met her, Sydney is a valuable member of the Burgeon Team, a talented stitcher, and a lovely person.

As we celebrate her leaving, we have mixed emotions.  We are very excited for her and her future and want nothing but the best.  We also know that Burgeon will not be the same without her.  We will always remember her with a smile on our faces and a big warm fuzzy in our hearts.

Sydney joined our team in May of last year.  She had just graduated from Plymouth State and New Hampshire was slowly, but surely opening up for business.

It was a challenging time for Burgeon.  The pandemic had severely hurt our sales.  We were well behind our production goals for the summer season.  Demand was questionable - -would people return to Lincoln?  In short, when Sydney joined our team, the outlook was far from rosy.

Sydney brought more than her hard work and talent to Burgeon.  She brought a breath of fresh air at a time when we desperately needed it.  We will be forever in her debt for leading us in spirit during this difficult time.

Today we celebrate Sydney’s burgeoning into the next phase of her life.  We’ll always have a machine for you, but deep down inside, we hope you never need it.

Sydney, thank you for all you have done for Burgeon.  Burgeon would not be where it is today without you.  We are forever grateful for all your contributions.

To whom it may concern:

Dear Sir or Madam:

It is my honor to write this recommendation letter on behalf of Sydney Moquin.
Sydney was employed by Burgeon for ten months (May 2020 – March 2021). 

Sydney was an excellent employee – always on time, diligent, teachable, and hard worker.  More impressive, however, was the way she handled herself professionally.

Though she was just a recent college graduate, she handled herself with the grace and skill of people many years her senior.  Whether with a customer or a colleague, you could always depend on Sydney to put her best foot forward.

During our many hours working together I came to learn Sydney's strengths. She has a strong internal drive that lies beneath her calm exterior.  She takes an amazing amount of pride in her work, and more importantly from our perspective, she puts tremendous emphasis on helping her teammates.  She is fiercely competitive -- but she competes against herself (not her colleagues) to continually improve.

Burgeon was blessed to have Sydney on our team for ten months.  I recommend her without reservation.  She will always have a job at Burgeon, all she has to do is call.

Sincerely,

Rudy Glocker
Founder
Burgeon Outdoor

 

 

GETTING STARTED

Let’s say you’ve already hiked a few of the White Mountains 4,000-footers. Maybe you’ve climbed Mt. Washington or finished the Franconia Ridge Loop. Perhaps you’re well on your way to completing all 48.

Thank you to Declan Kiley for the photo!  You can see more of his great photos on his IG feed -- @declankiley

Either way, you’re having a blast and you’re ready for more, but there’s only one problem. Winter is coming, and at the highest elevations it’s already here.

Even for those with a good deal of hiking experience, climbing the 4,000-footers in the winter is a totally different ballgame. It requires a greater level of preparedness, which includes bringing the right gear, checking the latest forecasts and taking precautions to account for the effects of the cold (frozen water, dead batteries, etc.)

But when done safely, winter hiking can also be an incredibly fun and satisfying experience, especially if the conditions are good and the views are clear.

Make sure to check out our Introduction to Winter Hiking webinar here.

So for those of you out there who might be interested in giving winter hiking a shot, or who might have some new gear they would like to test out, here are five relatively easy, straightforward and enjoyable 4,000-footer hikes to consider first.

Mt. Waumbek

Summit Elevation: 4,006 feet
Recommended Route: Starr King Trail
 
When we ran our list of Five First 4,000-footers, we highlighted Mt. Waumbek as not only a great peak for those just getting into hiking, but also a highly recommended spot for first-time winter hikers. Why? Mt. Waumbek has everything you could want in a beginner’s winter hike.
 
Mt. Waumbek is a relatively quick and moderate out and back hike with great views at the top. The Starr King Trail travels 3.6 miles and 2,600 feet of elevation to the summit, with most of the gain coming in the first 2.5 miles to the summit of Mt. Starr King, a 52 With A View peak that boasts an outstanding view across the valley to the nearby Presidential Range. From there the trail is relatively flat, and once you reach Mt. Waumbek’s wooded summit, another viewpoint can be found a tiny bit further past the summit marker.
 
Another advantage of Mt. Waumbek is its popularity. Unless you’re the first one out after a snowstorm, you can usually count on the Starr King Trail being broken out. Most of the trail is also sheltered from the wind by tree cover, which will limit your exposure to potentially dangerous windchill and make for a more forgiving experience if you’re still trying to get your winter gear in order.
 

Wildcat D

Summit Elevation: 4,062 feet
Recommended Route: Polecat Trail to Wildcat Ridge Trail
 
Wildcat D boasts an unbelievable view across Pinkham Notch to Mt. Washington no matter what time of year you visit, but the experience of hiking the Polecat Trail in the winter is truly a unique and breathtaking experience.
 
Rather than spend most of your hike beneath the trees, the climb up Wildcat’s ski trails affords unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains virtually from start to finish. The 2-mile, 2,000-foot climb is moderate throughout, and thanks to the ski trail’s regular grooming you can always count on good footing.
 
Given that you’ll be climbing an active ski trail, it’s important to stay to the side of the trail to avoid a potential collision, that way you can remain an object of curiosity for the skiers instead of a potential safety hazard. Once you reach the top of the chairlift, it’s just another 0.1 miles up the Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat D’s summit observation tower. If you’re feeling adventurous you can continue another 1.6 miles to the summit of Wildcat A if you’d like, though this stretch of trail is much more challenging.
 
Typically the Wildcat Mountain Ski Area charges a small fee for uphill access the Polecat Trail, but as of this writing in November 2020 the resort has not yet finalized this season’s uphill policies, which may be more restrictive than usual due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Please contact Wildcat Mountain ahead of time and be respectful of all resort policies if you plan on visiting.
 

Mt. Moosilauke

Summit Elevation: 4,802 feet
Recommended Route: Beaver Brook Trail
 
Mt. Moosilauke boasts an extensive network of trails and provides an excellent experience for hikers of all abilities. While some of the more popular trails are significantly less accessible in the winter due to road closures, the Beaver Brook Trail, one of the peak’s most challenging summer trails, is totally transformed once the snow arrives.
 
“It’s the trail that I most enjoy in the winter when compared to the summer. It’s normally such a steep, treacherous trail in the summer, especially when it’s a little bit wet. It’s big rocks and really difficult,” said Burgeon Outdoor operations manager Justin Walsh. “But when you do it in the winter, especially in snowshoes with the heel lifts, it’s kind of like climbing a stairway on the way up and you can practically ski it out on the way down.”
 
The Beaver Brook Trail is quite steep, climbing 3,050 feet over 3.4 miles to the summit, but the last mile or so is considerably more moderate, and if conditions are good at the top you will be treated to one of the most beautiful views in the White Mountains.
 

Tom-Field

Summit Elevation: Tom 4,051 feet, Field 4,340 feet
Recommended Route: Avalon Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur, Willey Range Trail, Avalon Trail
 
It’s hard to go wrong in Crawford Notch during the winter. Mt. Pierce, Mt. Jackson and many of the other peaks in the region make fantastic winter hikes. Most are easily accessible, feature moderate out-and-back routes that are usually broken out and boast excellent views from their summits. But the peaks that benefit the most from winter conditions relative to the summer are without a doubt the Willey Range peaks, and Mt. Tom and Mt. Field in particular.
 
Ordinarily Mt. Tom and Mt. Field boast unimpressive views from their summits, and the tree cover is too thick to see much of the surrounding landscape. But with the winter snow hikers will have a lot more clearance, making these peaks a much more rewarding experience than at other times of year. The routes up to the ridgeline are moderate and straightforward as well, making this a great winter peak bagging opportunity for beginner winter hikers.
 
One recommended route is the Tom-Field-Avalon loop, which is 6.6 miles round trip and climbs 2,750 feet of elevation up the Avalon Trail and A-Z Trail to the Mt. Tom Spur. Once you’ve bagged Tom, you’ll then follow the Willey Range Trail to Mt. Field and then descend down the Avalon Trail. Be sure to stop at Mt. Avalon on the way down, it’s a 52 With A View peak and boasts arguably the best view in Crawford Notch. If you’re feeling ambitious you can also tack on a 2.2-mile out-and-back to Mt. Willey from Field.
 

Cannon Mountain

Summit Elevation: 4,100 feet
Recommended Route: Kinsman Ridge Trail
 
This one is short and sweet, but steep. From the Cannon Mountain parking area the Kinsman Ridge Trail climbs 2,220 feet in just under two miles, providing a quick but challenging hike to one of the best observation points in the White Mountains. This trail is super accessible and frequently broken out, and the consistent elevation gain provides a great opportunity to test out new snowshoes, especially ones with raised televators.
 
If you’re looking for a slightly longer, more scenic route, you can also start at the Lafayette Place Campground and hike up to Lonesome Lake before making your way up Cannon via the Hi-Cannon Trail. This route climbs slightly more elevation (2,420 feet) but spread out over three miles. Either way, Cannon is a great destination for anyone looking to give winter hiking a try.

Links for Planning your Hike

Trail Conditions

Weather

Other Hiking Blog Posts

First Five 4000 Footers
Top Five 4000 Footer Views

 

Shop Burgeon Products

 

Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environmental efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.

Lincoln, NH -- the heart of the White Mountains

Introducing Laurie Watt

At 7:00pm on Thursday, January 28th, Burgeon Outdoor will host Laurie Watt of Mooney Mountain Guides for an "Introduction to Winter Hiking".  This session is intended for hikers who are looking to better understand the unique risks, challenges and rewards of hiking in the winter.

Laurie Watt (@laurie_wattclimbs) is an experienced hiker, climber, skier, and mountain guide.  She holds certifications from the American Mountain Guide Association as both a single pitch instructor and as an apprentice alpine guide.  Her resume includes Mt. Denali in Alaska, Kilimanjaro, trekking in Switzerland, Patagonia and Nepal.

Course Information

This course is designed to be appropriate for winter hiking novices. If you love the outdoors and want to experience the mountains during our harsh New England winters, this event is for you. While some general hiking experience and knowledge is helpful, it is not necessary. The event will include a question and answer period so make sure to come prepared!

Topics will include:

• Weather -- temperatures, wind, visibility, and the impact of fewer daylight hours.
• Route planning -- navigation, speed, turnaround times, bailout options, and how snow and ice can affect your routes.
• Communication -- phone battery challenges, how to communicate with your hiking partners, how and when to reach for help.
• Objectives -- how to appropriately gauge what is in your/your group's skill set and experience level, how to assess your progress while hiking.
• Equipment and layering -- how to layer for winter comfort and warmth, what extra equipment to bring.
• Traction options -- snow shoes, microspikes, crampons, et cetera.

About Laurie

 

Those trips stoked the fire for more time and experiences in the mountains. She expanded her skill set to rock and ice climbing as a guest of Mooney Mountain Guides. Once the kids were off, Laurie committed to the process of becoming a guide. Through training, mentorship and many days out, she has developed her skills and become an AMGA Certified Single Pitch Instructor and AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide. Once a guest, she is now the Director of Women's Programs at Mooney Mountain Guides. 

Laurie’s passion is to provide opportunities for beginner climbers, especially all women groups, to try climbing. “I love watching women discover that they are much more capable and strong than they know through climbing”. Laurie guides beginner rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, winter hiking and camping as well as routes on the glaciers of Mt. Baker in the Pacific Northwest.

AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide

About Mooney Mountain Guides

Passing out Turkeys for Thanksgiving is a Burgeon Tradition

Each year, we offer all of our employees a turkey for them to celebrate Thanksgiving. While this tradition has its roots from the manufacturing days of old, we feel that today, it is as important as ever.

I have fond memories of Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday.  Thanksgiving was the only holiday where all you had to do was show up, enjoy the company of family and friends, and eat.  Just enjoy each other's company over a celebratory meal and be thankful.  Have seconds or thirds - or don't. An extra slice of pie is OK, as is not having dessert at all.  Hopefully the turkey makes it a little easier for everyone to enjoy this special time.

 

This year we are especially grateful for many things.  As Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow, Burgeon will be giving thanks for:

• Our team is healthy - and may it stay that way
• Making it through our first year in business in a challenging environment
• The support from the local community who have cheered us on, referred friends and family, and purchased our products
• The opportunity to make an impact in our community by donating more than 10,000 masks to organizations and individuals in need
• Doubling the size of our stitching team since the start of the pandemic
• Our vendors and suppliers who helped us develop and innovate new products during a tumultuous year
• Our families who have supported us, loved us, and been there when the days were not so bright
• Our customers, without whom, none of this would be possible--your support motivates us to improve every day

We wish all of you a joyous Thanksgiving holiday.  We are optimistic that the day will bring you laughter, love, and fun.  May this time recharge your spirits and brighten your horizons.

We hope that you will continue to support us in the coming years.  We are creating something special here in Lincoln, New Hampshire and we hope that you will continue to be a part of it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Rudy

 

A look back on Burgeon's first year in business -- the highs the lows and look ahead to Year Two.

Happy Holidays from Burgeon Outdoor

This year has had a devastating impact on millions of people. We’ve lost loved ones, cancelled family gatherings, and seen many businesses close down for good. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and now find themselves struggling to get by. As we approach the holidays, most of us are ready to put 2020 in the history books. 

COVID-19 has also impacted many nonprofits here in the White Mountains as well.   Many of the programs and fundraisers they rely on have been postponed for months or permanently cancelled.  Families that depend on these services have been stretched further.  Times are tough for many in our community and the organizations that have historically helped are challenged as well.

Burgeon was founded to create a better tomorrow for mountain communities such as Lincoln, NH.  That is why we donate 5% of our sales to our community and environmental efforts.  This year, however, the need is greater.

This holiday season, Burgeon is partnering with local nonprofits to help them serve our community.  Now through December 31st, you can choose to support any of the available nonprofit partners and Burgeon will donate 25% of your purchase price. You can choose to stop by our studio and reference this promotion or you can shop online at www.burgeonoutdoor.com. When you go to check out, simply enter one of the below promotional codes and we’ll donate 25% to the charity of your choice. 

Nonprofit:                                        Promotional Code:
Granite Backcountry Alliance         GBA25
Loon Mountain Ministry                   LMM25
New England Disabled Sports        NEDS25

If you know a nonprofit that would like to participate in our program, please contact us at info@burgeonoutdoor.com

Together we can make sure our holiday purchases help strengthen our communities.  Thank you.

To learn more about Burgeon, please visit https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/pages/story

To Shop Burgeon Products, please visit https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/collections/shop-all
 

 

The Pandemic Begins

In late March, at the onset of the pandemic, Burgeon converted 100% of its production to making masks. Since then, they have manufactured over 10,000 cotton reusable masks and given them away for free. These masks served a critical role as our community battled the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Burgeon donated masks to local healthcare organizations such as Maine General Hospital, Memorial Hospital (North Conway), and Ammonoosuc Community Health Services (ACHS) who used them for both staff and patients.  Burgeon recently began manufacturing yet another batch of masks for ACHS using materials donated by Garnet Hill, a clothing and accessories firm, based in Franconia, NH. 

Burgeon donated them to New Hampshire charities such as Loon Mountain Ministry (Lincoln) and Gather (Portsmouth) who used them to safely deliver meals to the homebound and needy during these challenging times.

Burgeon also donated thousands of masks directly to individuals and families through their website. These so-called “mask drops” were a lifeline to many people who could not get access to them any other way. These masks were all sent for free—no charge—not even for postage. Many of these people expressed their gratitude through incredibly kind emails and cards.

Summer Begins

As the pandemic waned here in the White Mountains, Burgeon donated masks to organizations such as The White Mountains Trail Collective and the Appalachian Mountain Club.  These organizations used them in conjunction with trail maintenance efforts here in the White Mountains—helping to create opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Burgeon was founded to make a better tomorrow for mountain communities— economically, environmentally, and socially.  Reflecting on the last seven months and the path to 10,000 masks, Burgeon Founder, Rudy Glocker states  “A year ago we never thought we would accomplish our mission by making such a relatively simple product. We are humbled by this opportunity to serve our community. We anxiously await the day when our masks are no longer required—and may that day come soon!”

To review the history of Burgeon’s efforts, please read:

https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/blogs/news/covid19
https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/blogs/news/burgeonmaskimpact
https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/blogs/news/letterfromrudy
https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/blogs/news/amcmasks

If you would like to support Burgeon’s efforts, please visit our website and you can use coupon code ‘masks’ to save 20% on your order through Monday, November 2nd.

Shop Burgeon Products

If you know of individuals or organizations in need, please contact info@burgeonoutdoor.com

Some of the organizations that have received Burgeon masks free of charge:

Ammonoosuc Community Health
Appalachian Mountain Club
Town of Barnstead
Cathedral Towers
Center Conway Fire Department
Cottage Hospital (Woodsville)
CS Mott Children’s Hospital
Gather
Granite Backcountry Alliance
Haverhill Cooperative Middle School
Hometown Eye Care
Lakes Region Mental Health
Linwood Community Volunteers
Loon Mountain Ministry
Maine General Medical Center
Manubay MD, LLC
Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
Massachusetts Association of the Blind
Memorial Hospital (North Conway)
Town of New London
North Woodstock Post Office
Pemi Baker Community Health
Squam Lakes Science Center
Summit by Morrison
Taravista (Mental Health Service provider)
The Upper Valley Haven
White Mountains Trail Collective
White Mountains Visitor Center
Thousands of individuals in NH, NE and throughout the USA

To learn more about Burgeon, click here

To shop Burgeon Products, click here

We still have masks available free of charge at our Lincoln, NH studio.  You can also get them on our website (with a small charge for shipping and handling).

Burgeon Outdoor was founded in 2019.  Burgeon’s mission is to help mountain communities flourish.  Burgeon proudly manufactures premium outdoor apparel in Lincoln, NH.  By manufacturing locally, Burgeon creates year round jobs in the White Mountains.  5% of Burgeon’s sales support its community and environment efforts. To learn more, please visit our studio at the Village Shops in Lincoln, our website; burgeonoutdoor.com or call us at 603-745-7123.