The Pre-Trip is now SOLD OUT and you can no longer register for it.
Start your Event two days early, to get up to the White Mountains for some of the best hiking on the East Coast!
Welcome to our Pre-Trip: a Two-Day Adventure in the White Mountains
Yes we have reversed things. Instead of continuing your outdoor experience as in previous years, you will get a jump start on things! Because Rosh Hashanah is so early this year, our host city will give you a fabulous send-off Post Trip, instead of the usual welcome. You will be able to enjoy Boston and still be able to get to the airport in time to get home for the holiday. NOTE: The deadline for registering for the Pre-Trip is July 28, 2013. No exceptions. Rooms will need to be released at that time.
New Hampshire and its White Mountains are home to one of the most famous mountain ranges east of the Mississippi: The Presidential Range. Mount Washington, home of some of the strongest winds ever recorded on the planet is the crown jewel. For bowl skiers and high adventure hikers, Tuckerman's ravine, on one of its sides, is legendary. No matter where you look, hikes with breathtaking views await you.
We will call the AMC's Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch home for two nights. This is one of the primary learning/training centers for the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Plan on arriving by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday August 27, 2013. There will be wine and snacks upon arrival. We will have dinner there promptly at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be family style. NOTE: If you miss dinner, you will be responsible of finding your own meal; the lodge only serves folks who are there at 6:00 p.m. SHARP. After dinner you will have free time to catch up with old friends or catch up on sleep. We will be up bright and early Wednesday morning for breakfast and activity.
Wednesday you will have a choice of a difficult hike (hopefully to the top of Mt. Washington) or a moderate one recommended by the AMC staff. For those of us who want a more mellow experience, we will take a van with a professional guide up the steep road to the summit. This is a unique and rare alpine environment that is extremely interesting. There is a small museum at the summit, as well as the weather towers/instrumentation etc. that scientists use all year round. We are still planning the afternoon adventure for those taking the van trip; it will either be a nature walk, a short easy hike, or a tour with a local historian, based on group interest and desire.
Your registration options will NOT give you specific hikes to choose from.
What hike am I signing up for you ask? Well, we are going to wait 'tll we get there to decide. The AMC experts at the Lodge will give us options for what trails have the best to be seen at the time we are there. They are most up to date on immediate trail conditions, what is blooming, crowds etc. We will gladly accept their expertise.
For those wanting to climb Mount Washington, we will be hiring an AMC leader for that very purpose. Weather is highly changeable - it can be a balmy 80 degrees where you start, but snowing at the summit. People die on the mountain every year because of poor preparation and planning. So, the experts will assist us. THIS HIKE WILL BE LIMITED TO 6 PEOPLE. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE APPROPRIATE GEAR WITH YOU. (You can borrow gear there if needed) If more people are interested we will look into an additional leader. You will be required to pass a vetting process to make sure you are up to the challenge once you register for this activity.
Some links to Mount Washington: http://www.mountwashington.org/ and http://www.backpacker.com/october_08_americas_10_most_dangerous_hikes_mt_washington_nh/destinations/12622
Wednesday Evening we'll have dinner at the Lodge, and often AMC has some type of evening presentation. We will not be planning any specific activities as we want people to be able to relax and get to know each other in the evenings.
Thursday morning we will head over to North Conway. We will spend most of the day in that area before heading to camp. Thursday 3/4 day activities include a choice of hiking, an adventure park, a scenic train ride, or just wandering through North Conway.
This is a quaint lovely town that is home of EMS - its largest store in the country is there. There is also a huge LLBean outlet. The streets are lined with stores that range from an old fashioned general store, stores for candles, fine leather belts and boots, even a store for all the accoutrements any well equipped witch could possibly want, and much more!
Moderate and difficult hikes on Thursday will be for about 3-4 hours in the North Conway area. There will be a shorter 1-2 hour easier hike. As with Wednesday's hikes, the specific options will be decided after discussion with the AMC staff.
The Conway Scenic Railroad is a heritage railway in .The 21 mile, 1¾ hour roundtrip Bartlett excursion in North Conway, New Hampshire offers a long, relaxing train ride that takes you “over the river and through the woods.” You’re invited to sit back and enjoy the passing scenery as you travel through fields and woodlands, crossing the East Branch, Saco and Ellis Rivers on the way to Bartlett. Here you also have the opportunity to watch the locomotive “run around” for the return trip to North Conway.
Spacious first class seating aboard the beautifully restored Pullman Parlor-Observation Car Gertrude Emma is offered on all Valley Train departures. Built in 1898 for use on the “Pennsylvania Limited,” the Gertrude Emma has been restored to its original splendor with individual wicker chairs, large double-wide windows, rich mahogany woodwork, its own snack bar, and open observation platform. COST is $40
Spend a leisurely 3 hours paddling your kayak 5 miles on the Saco River. Great for beginners or those looking for a mellow river run. No white water, just wilderness, water, and a beautiful beach at the end. We will go with Northern Extreme Canoe and Kayak Rental company, the premier canoe and kayak rental center in the Mount Washington area. Trip Advisor rating is 5/5, and it is listed as the # 8/18 attraction in North Conway. COST is $45
The Cranmore Aerial Adventure Park is an aerial forest ropes course consisting of 4 individual, elevated courses for different ability levels consisting of dozens of elements that will challenge you to new heights! The lowest level is geared for beginners, the highest for those daredevils who know no fear. Cost $45
Or you can choose the adjacent Mountain Adventure Park. Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park offers a variety of fun rides and activities for all ages.
SUMMARY
BASE COST of $235 INCLUDES:
ADD ON FEES
NOTE: Your registration must be COMPLETE by July 25, 2013. Pre-Trip Registration will close at that time.
The official start time of the Pre-Trip is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27th, in the lobby of the Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire in Gorham, NH. • This is a little over 3 hours from Logan Airport or South Street Train Station in Boston. • It is about 2 ½ hours from Manchester Airport if you were to take a direct route. • Pending on the number of people from each location will determine how we work the Mosaic Shuttle. • We will be looking for people whom are driving and willing to pick people up at the airports.
Dinner starts promptly at 6:00 p.m., so we need to arrive in time to check in and get settled beforehand.If you will not be able to sit down for dinner by 6:00 p.m., please make alternative arrangements before arriving, as nearby options are limited.
Mosaic Shuttle from Boston’s Logan Airport (BOS) for Pre-Trip in the White Mtns. For the Mosaic Shuttle from Logan Airport please plan on arriving before 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27th. The shuttle will leave by 1:00 p.m. sharp. Exact plans still to be worked out. We will either head straight to camp or make a second pick-up stop at Manchester Airport. See note at top of this page about meeting location at Logan Airport. If you plan to take the Mosaic Shuttle to the Pre-Trip, to camp, and back to the airport (or to the Post-Trip) after the Event, the cost is $60. One way shuttle transport is $30. Mosaic Shuttle from Manchester Airport (MHT) for Pre-Trip in the White Mtns. Please arrive at Manchester Airport by 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27th to catch the Mosaic Shuttle. The shuttle will leave at 2:30 p.m. sharp. Exact plans still are being worked out pending capacity loadings and the availability of private cars. If you plan to take the Mosaic Shuttle to the Pre-Trip, to camp, and back to the airport (or to the Post-Trip) after the Event, the cost is $40. One way shuttle transport is $20.
Bus option from Boston Area to the Pre-Trip Can’t get in to Boston by noon? No problem. There is a public bus option that leaves Logan Airport at 3:40 p.m., makes a stop at South Street Station at 4:15 p.m. and then arrives at Pinkum Notch AMC Lodge at 8:15 p.m. Go to Concord Coach Lines for more info. One way cost is $41 from Logan Airport or $33 from South Street Station. Reservations are not taken when traveling with Concord Coach Lines. When arriving at the bus terminal or agency, be sure to give yourself ample time to buy tickets and board the bus. Suggest you plan on your flight to arrive by 2:30 p.m. to make the bus. Note: You will miss dinner and there is not much around the area to get something. So make sure to pack some food for the ride up.