NH4K ... Hale, Zealand, and the Twins (ADVANCED)
Details
Event Organizer: Michael Blair @ (978) 808-1932
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Read the entire description before you RSVP and answer the question that is part of the process. Failure to answer it with sufficient detail will result in your removal from this event.
RSVP Process: You will be asked one question after you click "YES" for this event - "Did you read the entire event description? Will you have the items required to safely participate in this event? What hikes have you done in the last three months? Where did you go and how long did it take? Provide details." Provide enough information for me to know a little about you. If you don't take the time to answer it sufficiently I won't consider adding you to this event.
Medical Conditions: You are responsible to let the event organizer know if you have any medical conditions or allergies that (1) could affect your ability to safely participate in this event or (2) could affect any first aid treatment that may become necessary while participating in this event. You can either provide all of this information to the event organizer beforehand or you can have a written summary of it located within an easily accessible part of your backpack.
Emergency Contact Information: You are responsible for providing emergency contact information to the event organizer in case we need to contact them. It's also a good idea to make sure someone that you tell someone where you are going, who you are going with, and when you expect to be back. You can either provide this information to the event organizer beforehand or you can have a written summary of it located within an easily accessible part of your backpack.
Answers DO NOT carry over from one event to another so you must answer them for EACH EVENT. Also, the question might not show up if you RSVP from a phone or tablet so if you don't see it 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 the summit of four of the 4,000 footers in NH - Hale, Zealand, South Twin, and North Twin. We will use the North Twin Trail to cross over North Twin and then the North Twin Spur to get to South Twin. From there we will use the Twinway to reach Zealand and then Lend a Hand to get to Hale. We will finish the day by using the abandoned but often used Fire Warden's Trail to get back to the trailhead.
RSVPs close 24 hours before the event.
The maximum group size for this trip will be 12 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 16 miles and climb about 5,700 feet. It should take an average hiker about 11 hours 15 minutes to complete (this doesn't include time taking breaks). 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/4000/37-Mt-Hale-4054
• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/31-Mt-Zealand-4260
• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/8-South-Twin-4902--12-North-Twin-4761
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?lat=44.1875561920005&lon=-71.55479894099966#.WD5yzTKZPUo
=== What to Bring ===
It's winter in the mountains so put away your summer hiking boots and the water bladder hydration systems. Kahtoola MicroSpikes or Hillsound Trail Crampons are required. If you want to use mountaineering crampons that are appetite for the type of boot you wear that's fine too.
I will know more about snow shoes later in the week but plan on bringing them at least to the trailhead. 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.
Use this link for a list of items needed for a three season day hike:
• http://files.meetup.com/492954/Winter_Day_Hike_List_ADK.pdf (http://files.meetup.com/492954/Three_Season_Dayhike_gear_list.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 North Twin Trailhead located at the end of Haystack Road south of Twin Mountain, NH. According to Google Maps this spot is about 142 miles from Boston and it will take about 2 hours 30 minutes to drive there. We will start and finish this hike at the same spot.
• https://goo.gl/maps/nR5f9MPSpVJ2
There is a chance the road might be closed, if it is then we will park at the nearby winter parking spot at the end of Little River Road.
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.
