Mt Franklin (Change of plan from Mt Adams)

Event Organizer: Conor Rafferty 803 0811 in area code nine-zero-eight.

This hike is considered ADVANCED because of distance and elevation gain. 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.

You can IGNORE any efforts from Meetup to upsell you, no special privileges are needed to join the hike.

== What We're Doing ==

We are planning on going to Lake of the Clouds via Ammonoosuc trail and then exploring the ridges above it. We were on the Crawford Path ridgeline a few weeks ago and the views were just amazing. The exact destination will be weather dependent; the various forecasts have wildly different wind predictions at the time of writing.

If the winds are elevated, we will head to Mt Franklin, since there is some wind cover. Alternatively we might go to Tuckerman Junction and watch the early season skiers. In either case, the distance will be about 8 miles with about 3500 feet of elevation. Technically it might not be winter since the solstice is a few weeks away but it will sure feel like winter! Bring your snowshoes, there was snow this week.

We start as a group and finish as a group. We will hike at a conversational pace. It would be nice to get out by daylight, but it isn't guaranteed, so bring a headlamp.

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.

=== What to Bring ===

A good gear list is here.

•https://hb.amcboston.org/images/docs/Gear_lists/Winter_Dayhike_equip.pdf

Microspikes are likely to be useful further down. Also bring a sense of humor, a story and a smile. And don't forget a lava lamp.

A fellow Randomite recently wrote a good piece about snowshoes.

Do not rely on others to have extra items to share with you at the meeting spot or on the trail. Make sure all equipment works and fits in advance. Finding this boot doesn't fit in that snowshoe or the microspikes have torn, when a cold wind is blowing and your hands are freezing, is no fun.

=== Directions ===
We will meet at the base of the Cog Railroad. If the free parking lot 0.25 miles below it has been plowed, we can move the cars there, otherwise we pay the $10 and use the Cog parking lot. I'll be in the dark Subaru Crosstrek with the Thule rack.

=== 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 can take hours 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.