Farewell to the sun hike on Mt Tom

Event Organizer: Conor Rafferty 803 908 0811 but switch the exchange and the area code.

Read the entire description before you RSVP to this event. If you underestimate the demands; overestimate your knowledge, experience, skills or abilities; or come unprepared you put yourself and others at risk. Consider this before you RSVP. This hike is considered MODERATE because of distance, elevation gain and pace.

NOTE: IGNORE ANY POPUPS FROM MEETUP TRYING TO UPSELL YOU TO A PAID SUBSCRIPTION.

== What We're Doing ===

Daylight savings ends this weekend! Salute the end of long evenings with a hike that ends with a view of the last late sunset in MA. Mt Tom has one of the great ridge walks in the Northeast, and there are terrific views to the west. Perhaps we'll see the green flash?

If you are interested in participating in this event sign up for the waiting list. I will add people that answer the questions that are part of the RSVP process.

The maximum group size for this trip will be 8 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. This should be a conversational-pace hike. We will hike at a moderate pace, about 2 miles an hour on easy ground.

Bring a sense of humor, a story and a smile. Everybody should also pack a greenhouse. Our pace will be that of the slowest hiker.

It should take 5 hours. The distance is 4-6 miles and the elevation gain 1800-2400 feet. We will fine tune the turnaround time based on pace to make sure we are back at the summit of Mt Tom at sunset. Some poetry about the dying of the light may be involved.

Since it is a sunset hike, we WILL be descending by dark. It's only a half mile, but bring your headlamps.

=== What to Bring ===

A good gear list is here.
• https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/outdoor-resources/three-season-hiking-and-backpacking-gear-list/

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 it for fit prior to this trip.

=== Directions ===
I will be at a Northbound pullout on Route 141 just south of Cristopher Clarke Road. We can't use the state park lots because they close the gate at 4.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TbkwfxxPp7929aWz5
Google Location code: 68PX+CF Holyoke, Massachusetts.

=== RSVP Instructions ===

RSVP Process: You will be asked one question after you click "YES" for this event - "Did you read the entire event description? Did you spot the silly item? What hikes have you done in the last three months? What is your cell number for last minute arrangements? " Stay under the 250 character limit, otherwise Meetup will drop your response and I won't know you are signed up. You can always direct message me for more info / questions. Meetup is pretty slow to forward messages, so SMS/text is much better for last minute hiccups.

=== 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.