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Details

Organizer: Michael Blair @ 978-808-1932

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Be sure to read the entire event listing before you RSVP - then answer the questions that are part of the RSVP process. While the objective of this event is to enjoy ourselves, your safety, and the safety of the others, is the most important thing. If you underestimate the demands, overestimate your skills and abilities, or come unprepared you may put yourself and/or others at risk – consider this before you decide to participate.

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What we're doing

We will be hiking to three of the NH 4,000 Footers - North Twin (#11 @ 4,761"), South Twin (#8 @ 4,902"), and Galehead (#44 @ 4,024"). North Twin Mountain, adjacent to the taller South Twin Mountain, offers a challenging climb to superb outlook ledges near its summit. South Twin Mountain offers sweeping views to the south of the Franconia Ridge and Franconia and Lincoln Brooks valleys. Galehead Mountain, a part of the Twin Range, offers views of the nearby Franconia Range from its wooded summit.

Guests are not permitted - all participants must be members of the Random Group of Hikers. This allows us to keep track of and communicate with each person who signs up to participate in our events.

Dogs are permitted on this hike provided they are well-behaved, you bring a leash in case you need to use it, you clean up after them, and you have a copy of their most recent rabies vaccination.

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Trip Summary

On this moderate pace one-way trip we will use North Twin Trail, the Twinway, and Gale River Trail to reach the summits of North Twin, South Twin, and Galehead.

We will hike about 12.0 miles and climb about 3,900 feet - for perspective the top floor of the Empire State Building is about 1,250 feet. Without including time for breaks it should take an average hiker about 7 hours 57 minutes to complete this trip. It is considered to be INTERMEDIATE because of the pace, distance, and elevation gain.

I have not climbed here recently but did all of my research for this trip using the Appalachian Mountain Club's "White Mountain Guide", a trail map, and the Internet. You should become familiar with this information since you are ultimately responsible for your own safety.

Click here (http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6919) for more information about North Twin and the surrounding area from peakbagger.com Click here (http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6920) for more information about South Twin and the surrounding area from peakbagger.com
Click here (http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6921) for more information about Galehead and the surrounding area from peakbagger.com
We start as a group, hike as a group, and finish as a group. Our pace will be that of the slowest hiker.

If you are faster than the group and don't want to stay with us or want to head off on your own, this isn't the trip for you. Likewise, this trip isn't for you if you are slower than the group and expect us to constantly wait for you or want us to go on without you. We could alter our plans because of fatigue, weather, or other situations and there is no guarantee that we will complete the entire event as described here - meaning we might not reach the summit.

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Weather

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

Mountain weather is subject to rapid changes and extreme conditions. We will assess travel and weather conditions during the hike and make changes to our planned trip as necessary.

Click here (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Bethlehem&state=NH&site=GYX&textField1=44.2803&textField2=-71.6886&e=0) for the current weather conditions. =====

Clothing and Equipment

Below is a list describing the minimum required clothing and equipment to participate in this event. DO NOT rely on others to have extra clothing or equipment to share with you once we are out on the trails. You should know how to use all of your equipment - test and adjust it prior to this trip.

Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes. Some "light" traction - microspikes are preferred. Clothing: Dress in layers to easily regulate body temperature. Wear synthetic shirt/pants and bring a fleece jacket/wool sweater (even in summer). ABSOLUTELY NO COTTON - while cotton is a great insulator when dry it doesn't dry easily and is a great conductor when wet. Outerwear: Hat and gloves/mittens. Waterproof/windproof rain shell with hood. Food and Water: High-energy snacks, food for lunch, and enough water to stay properly hydrated during the trip. Other Essential Gear: Map and compass - don't just bring them know how to use them. Plastic whistle. Headlamp with two sets of spare batteries. Personal first aid kit with an emergency space blanket (e.g. mylar). Small pocket knife or multi-purpose tool. Toilet kit (e.g. hand sanitizer, toilet paper and a zip-lock bag to pack out your used personal hygiene items). Sunscreen. Lip balm. Sunglasses. Waterproof cover for your pack. Optional Items: Waterproof/windproof pants. Trekking poles. Camera. =====

Directions

We will be meeting at the parking area on the south side of the road. This is where we will end our hike so we will leave a few cars here and shuttle ourselves to the start of our hike further north. According to Google Maps this spot is about 148 miles from Boston and it should take about 2 hours 35 minutes to drive there.

Click here (http://local.google.com/maps?saddr=Boston,+MA&daddr=44.232719,-71.610426(Gale+River+Trailhead)&hl=en&sll=44.232719,-71.610426&sspn=0.008902,0.013797&geocode=FZ9WhgIdw7bD-ykbMT0NLWXjiTGg6GIBJL98eA%3BFQ_wogIdxk-7-w&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&t=h&z=8) for the driving directions. Once you open Google Maps simply change the generic starting point ("Boston, MA") to your own starting point to get customized directions.

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.

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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 Hiker Responsibility Code; 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.

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