Announcement: Winter Gathering 7.5: 1/13-16, Barnes Field, New Hampshire

[Nonlegit]

this trip is going to be fun...i dont know if i can wait =)

maybe we should get the thoughts of this thread organized together, like proposed trips and leaders, and also equipment being brought and what else is needed (rolls eyes over to sherpak because i am WAY to damn lazy to do something like that). Maybe if i get bored or something i will do it...just for fun or something. Oh look at me, im post-whoring here right now because im bored...

well, ill be sure to bring my Zep collection.

that and some other stuff...oohh im going to bed now

 

[SherpaKroto]

Hike Planning Thread will start on 12/13

To all:
I will be starting a thread a month before the Gathering (to keep it more concise). Suffice it to say that so far we have a "decent" supply of wood (never enough), grill, warming tent, on site water supply (said to pump 365 days), privies, directions to nearest showers, hikes and ski (both XC and Alpine) within minutes. Sean (our resident griller) will be grilling, and we are working on trying to minimize his cost by setting a price on burgers (he could easily end up cooking 100 or so over the weekend!). There are times when having a warm burger handed to you after a long day is just about the best tasting meal you could ask for . We'll also have warm spiked (and unspiked) cider and likely cocoa as well (Did I hear Dr?). We will also continue the Saturday Evening Pot Luck dinner, as that always goes over real well.

I plan to spend most of my days in the Carters/Wildcats. I've ignored the Presis, but there will be many more capable than I who will head there. I suspect that any who wish to tackle them will be well served.

Over the next 2 weeks, research what you'd like to tackle for the weekend. When the thread comes about, post any hikes/ski you'd like to schedule, and the date, and offer to help to organize if you wish. I will keep a running tab of all interested participants and will forward it to the organizers of each hike a week or so before the Gathering.

Disclaimer: It should not be inferred that signing up for a hike means that another VFTT member is "leading" the hike. Each participant is responsible for his/her safety, equipment, and ability on each hike. If you are unsure about any particular hike, please ask questions beforehand.

Any suggestions, or offers to organize a hike can be eMailed to me at [email protected]. Thanks!

 

[daxs]

Ok. I am going to ask for suggestions for hikes to join up on. This is my first trip to New Hampshire and I am a recent winter hiker - I just started last year. I have the proper gear and I am a motivated hiker. Just ask some of the crew that I toiled with this summer on 20 mile day hikes on my quest to complete the ADK 46.

I have no books on NH hiking. Any suggestions here?

 

[amstony]

I have no books on NH hiking. Any suggestions here?[/QUOTE]

Start with the AMC White Mountain Guide and go from there. Also look at AMC web site store and the Mountain Wanderer Book store website, everything you could ever want is usually available through them.

Make sure you get the White Mountain map set, buy the tyvek ones, the paper maps might last one hike.......

 

[John S]

Carol, The 4000-Footers of the White Mountains by Smith-Dickerman is a very good intro to the area. Although it’s limited to 4000 footers, it covers all the approaches to each of them, which is a lot of trails. There is also winter commentary, a view guide and historical info for each. Other than maps and the AMC Guide, it was the most useful thing I found when I started hiking there. You can check it out here under ‘Hiking’.

 

[carole]

Okay, what I think I’ll do is look up a couple ideas for hikes that are not too high and not too long (the kind my husband likes ) and would be willing to have a couple others who are new at (or less experienced in) winter hiking join us. I’d be glad to share tips and techniques I’ve learned (I’ve completed the NH 4k’s in winter), have a fun day and get the chance to meet a few others.

 

[Puck]

Carole
I am a 'Never-Ever' regarding winter hikes. I do have plenty of three season experience. I would love to join your group of tenderfoots.

 

[coldfeet]

Carole,

I'm a first timer and looking to have safe fun..Want to have realistic goals and increase them with time..thx..Coldfeet

 

[ajtiv]

I cant wait I am more anxious for 7.5 than Christmas.
I used to downhill ski alot but I am joining this outing for the hiking, drinking and hiking.
I am looking to do some mid level trails in length and elevation depending on conditions at the time. Carol I would like to join your group once we start a hiking thread. I also wan't to do some 4000 footers.
I can't wait to join in the fun.

I hope we have an even better turn out than the 7.0 mudfest.
Al

 

[daxs]

AJ - If we have the mud that we had at the catskills gathering at the winter gathering we won't need to worry about hot spiked apple cider, snowshoes and winter hiking.

 

[Blue]

I hope we have an even better turn out than the 7.0 mudfest.

Considering we had something like 39 show up for the coldest weekend of the season last year (-34F), I can guess we'll have a good showing in hurricane, deep freeze, mudslide, outbreak of locusts....

ohh... a Sean burger, big fire, Wildcat runs, Carter hiking...ok, it might be better than xmas!

 

[SherpaKroto]

ohh... a Sean burger, big fire, Wildcat runs, Carter hiking...ok, it might be better than xmas!

And a heck of a lot cheaper!

I'm sure there will be hikes for all levels of experience, interest, and drive, from a nice realtively easy ski up Pine Mountain to 4.4 mile RT climb to the Imp Face, to 10+ mile climbs in the Presis or Carter/Moriahs. This is one of the most varied areas in the Whites IMO, with 2 of the major ranges on either side of us: the Presis to the West, the Carter/Moriah/Wildcats to the East.

The books mentioned are excellent places to start. Another is right HERE: "X" marks the spot.

eMail me if you like between now and then if you want specific suggestions. I grew up 12 miles away from Barnes Field.

Carole: thank you for stepping forward. Anyone heading out with you will be in more than capable hands, and have a great day! It will be great to see you again

 

[Mr. X]

..."X" marks the spot.

???

Sherpa, should be interesting, again.

 

[Guinness]

Sherpa,

This past weekend I bought a new 10x20 tent for use as the warming tent. The one I brought last year did not have fully covered corners and was difficult to heat, the new one does and it should be better in cold temperatures. I also plan on bringing the hot mulled wine again, just to warm the spirits........

 

[peak_bgr]

Mr X--are you going to introduce yourself as MR X? or will we have to figure it out or ourselves-those of us that haven't met you yet that is.

Lastly, I'm very much interested in Washington in the winter. How far of a drive to the prefered winter trailhead? anyone interested? lastly, am I nuts?

I think I know what the answer to the last question will be.

 

[Mark_151]

Mr X--are you going to introduce yourself as MR X? or will we have to figure it out or ourselves-those of us that haven't met you yet that is.

Lastly, I'm very much interested in Washington in the winter. How far of a drive to the prefered winter trailhead? anyone interested? lastly, am I nuts?

I think I know what the answer to the last question will be.

My guess is that he'll introduce himself as himself in Real Life, with no disquises. However, at the end of the proceedings, he'll either have to kill us all, or will produce one of those memory erasure devices, such as was seen in in Men in Black, and we'll remember everything about the Gathering except Mr. X.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Ed: you da man!
Spence: the "standard" Lion's Head Winter Route for Mt Washington is 6 miles away. You aren't crazy, and you won't be alone. Ther will be much interest in that hike. Bring your ice axe. (BTW, the showers are also at this location - 2 birds with one stone)
Mark_151: You'll recognize Mr X by his flame thrower. Or will you?

 

[peak_bgr]

Harry-sounds like a plan. If the weather is to nasty for Washington, I'm in for any other of the 48. Also, who's going to keep the home fires burning in O'Canada this yea? Did you talk your boy into it?

 

[Jim lombard]

Sherpa I'll look for that hike planning thread, I might be able to come up for a dayhike....Spence if there's room I'd love to go up Washington with you guys. I've been up the Lions head winter route and the Ammo to Crawford route in winter but both times we missed the summit because of weather.

 

[peak_bgr]

Jim, the more people breaking trail the better. Of course I bet that Washington is pretty well packed.