NH4K ... Monroe and Washington (ADVANCED)

Event Organizer: Michael Blair @ (978) 808-1932

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Read the entire description before you RSVP and answer all of the questions that are part of the process. Failure to answer them will result in your removal from this event.

Answers DO NOT carry over from one event to another so you must answer them for EACH EVENT. Also, questions might not show up if you RSVP from a phone or tablet so if you don't see them you will need to use a computer.

If you underestimate the demands of this event; overestimate your experience, knowledge, skills or abilities; or come unprepared you put yourself and others at risk. Consider this before you RSVP.

=== What We're Doing ===

The plan is to hike to two of the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire - Monroe and Washington. We will use the steep Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to get to Monroe and then Crawford Path to get to Washington. We will use Gulfside Trail and Jewell Trail to return to the trailhead. The AMC's Lake of the Clouds hut and the Mount Washington Observatory are closed for the season.

If you are interested in participating in this event sign up for the waiting list. I will add people that (1) answer all of the questions that are part of the RSVP process and (2) have done similar hikes within the past three months.

RSVPs close 24 hours before the event.

The maximum group size for this trip will be 10 people.

Guests aren't permitted.

Dogs are only permitted with prior approval of the event organizer.

=== Trip Summary ===

We start as a group, hike as a group, and finish as a group. Our pace will be that of the slowest hiker. This trip isn't for you if you are faster than the group and don't want to stay with us, if you want to head off on your own, or if you are slower than the group and expect us to constantly wait for you.

On this moderate pace (~2.0 MPH) trip we will hike about 9.5 miles and climb about 4,400 feet. It should take an average hiker about 7 hours to complete. This event is considered ADVANCED because of the pace, distance, and elevation gain.

Use this link for more information about where we are going and how we will get there:

• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/1-Mt-Washington-6288

• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/4-Mt-Monroe-5384

Dangerous weather conditions will cancel this event - I will post an update and/or send an email to all confirmed participants.

Use this link for the current weather forecast:

• http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-71.30365675019486&lat=44.27038780496076#.VjjteITO5_Y (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.320339409000496&lon=-71.29090635799963#.Voh8wDblw3I)

=== What to Bring ===

Don't wear ANY cotton - this includes your socks and underwear. You will need winter hiking boots - if you wear them in the summer they aren't designed for winter use (e.g. insulation). You will need mountaineering snow shoes. Not all snowshoes are the same - some are designed for steep terrain with potentially deep snow while others aren't. These are the acceptable brands and models:

• Tubbs Flex ALP, Flex VRT, Flex TRK, or Mountaineers.

• MSR Lightening, Revo, or Evo.

• TSL Symbioz Elite or Expert.

• Atlas Aspect, Endeavor, or Series 10/11/12.

You will also need traction - while you can bring mountaineering crampons if you want I think all you will need is either Kahtoola Microspikes or Hillsound Trail Crampons.

Use this link for a list of items needed for a winter day hike:

• http://files.meetup.com/492954/Winter_Day_Hike_List_ADK.pdf

Do not rely on others to have extra items to share with you at the meeting spot or on the trail. You should know how to use all of your equipment - test and adjust it prior to this trip.

=== Directions ===

We will meet at the Ammonoosuc winter lot which is just below the Cog Railway Station on the right/south side of the access road. It is past the signed WMNF parking lot. According to Google Maps this spot is about 162 miles from Boston and it will take about 2 hours 48 minutes to drive there.

Use this link to customize the driving directions:

• https://goo.gl/maps/KWdbtWu3X7z

While carpooling is encouraged you are responsible for coordinating your own rides. Use the comments section below to communicate with others who may also be looking to share a ride.

=== Random Group of Hikers Disclaimer ===

As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hike Safe Responsibility Code (http://www.hikesafe.com/); the organizer(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the organizer(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.