Squam Lake Traverse

Event Organizer: Conor Rafferty 803 0811 in area code 908

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 INTERMEDIATE because of distance, elevation gain and pace.

== What We're Doing ==
Many of us have done the Morgan/Percival loop hike. It is part of a longer ridge that overlooks Squam Lake and runs Doublehead - Squam - Percival - Morgan - Webster - Livermore - Cotton, counting from east to west.

In this hike, we go up Doublehead to the ridge line and then follow the ridge to Squam and Percival before descending. Doublehead is a stiff climb that rewards us with amazing views. The total distance is about 9 miles and elevation gain 2600 ft.

We start as a group, hike as a group, and finish as a group. This should be a conversational-pace hike.

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.

=== What to Bring ===
A good gear list is here.
• https://adk.org/winter-day-hiking-gear-list/
Microspikes are essential; we will bring snowshoes but will let conditions dictate if they are needed. Bring a sense of humor, a story and a smile. Everybody should also pack a strawberry.

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 ===
Meet at the Eastman Brook trailhead on Route 113. If it's not plowed, we might have to move back to the Mt Percival trailhead and do a short road walk.

=== RSVP Instructions ===

RSVP Process: You will be asked one question after you click "YES" for this event - "What hikes have you done in the last three months? What is your cell number for last minute arrangements? Did you spot the silly item? " 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.