Activities for the Hiking/Backpacking Committee
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This page lists trips sponsored by the Hiking/Backpacking Committee. To see all trips sponsored by the Boston Chapter, see our search page. To find trips sponsored by other chapters, use the club-wide trip search page.
WHP Participants ONLY: Middlesex Fells Warm-Up Day Hike (Basic)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below.
Avalon/Willard Winter Warm Up Hike
Hike two of the 52WAV with us on this early winter hike to Mt Avalon and Mt Willard. If the weather cooperates, we'll get the two best views across Crawford Notch from the west. This hike is two connected out-and-back hikes, totaling 6.9 miles with ~2,450 ft of elevation gain. We'll hike at a pace on the slow side of moderate, and anticipate finishing in book time or a little longer, i.e. in 5-6 hours. There is one stream crossing that may not be fully frozen at the time of this hike, and we expect to encounter ice and snow on the trail.
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Early December Hike to the Hancocks
Join us for an early December hike up both Mount Hancock and South Hancock Mountain, two of NH's 48 4kers, where we will cover 9.8 miles and 2,600 ft of elevation gain in total. Our pace will be moderate - 1.5 to 2 mph - but less if we are breaking trail. We will encounter several brook crossings, steep and rough terrain some in sections, and potential blowdowns at elevation. Although we will not be going above treeline, there are lookouts that offer great views of the White Mountains.
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Field, Willey, and Tom
Join us for a moderate but steady-paced hike to the summits of Mounts Field, Willey, and Tom. This hike, of approximately 9 miles with 3300 feet of elevation gain, is a great opportunity to summit three 4000 footers in one day. Along the way, we'll reach the summit of Mount Avalon, which, on a clear day, will feature nice views of Crawford Notch and the Southern Presidentials. Participants should have solid three-season hiking experience and some experience hiking in winter; this should not be your first winter hike.
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December Hike to Mt. Pierce (also known as Mt. Clinton)
Join us for an early December hike to Mt. Pierce (4,312 feet) in the Presidential Range. Mt. Pierce, formerly known as Mt. Clinton, is one of the 48 4k peaks in the Southern Presidentials. Formerly called Mount Clinton for governor DeWitt Clinton of New York, it was renamed after President Franklin Pierce, the only president born in New Hampshire. We will hike the Crawford Path, which, originally created in 1819, is the oldest maintained hiking trail in the country.
WHP Participants ONLY: Wachusett Day Hike (Basic/Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below.
Mt Tremont Winter Warm Up Hike
Join us for a pre-winter hike to Mt Tremont, one of the 52 WAV peaks. As the name suggests, if the weather cooperates, we anticipate great views from the ledgy summit. This hike is an out-and-back totalling 5.6 miles with ~2,550ft of elevation gain. We'll hike at a pace on the slow side of moderate, and anticipate finishing in book time or a little longer. There is a major stream crossing that may not be fully frozen at the time of this hike, and we expect to encounter ice and snow on the trail.
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Monthly AMC Boston Hiking/Backpacking Committee Meeting
Are you an experienced AMC hiker and curious about how volunteer-led AMC hiking and backpacking activities are governed? The Boston Chapter's Hiking/Backpacking Committee meets monthly to handle such matters as overseeing the chapter's hundreds of hiking/backpacking leaders and leader candidates, coordinating educational programs, administering our finance, setting policy, etc. Interested guests are welcome to sit in. For the particulars, contact Elizabeth Ryan, the chairperson, at chair@hbbostonamc.org.
Late Fall hike to Passaconaway
Join the leaders and Pretzel, the hiking hound, for a late, late fall trip to Passaconaway (~10.0mi, 2,900' gain). If conditions permit, we might do Whiteface first. Contact Leader Joe about accommodations the night before or the night after the trip ($9/person/night) at leader-owned facility.
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WHP Participants ONLY: Mt. Jackson Winter Day Hike (Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below.
WHP Participants ONLY: Mt Starr King (52WAV) & Mt Waumbek (NH4k) (Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below.
Early winter hike to Mt. Flume
Join us on an early winter hike to Mt. Flume (4,328 ft). This will be an out-and-back hike along the Osseo Trail. Expect cold and wintry conditions, We will encounter steep wooden ladders and staircases near the summit. Elevation gain will be 3,150 ft with a round trip distance of 11.2 miles. Full winter gear required and the hike will be limited to 10 participants.
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WHP Participants ONLY: Mt. Field and possibly Mt. Tom Day Hike (Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below. Join us for a day hike to 4,340 ft. Mt Field. Along the way we may also visit Mt. Avalon (3,442ft., 52 WAV) which is up a 100 yard spur path off of the main trail. The spur path has some steep ledges and the leader will determine its use based on the conditions that day.
Full 9 Mile Blue Hills Skyline Trail Traverse
Can't or don't want to drive the better part of 3+ hours to hike some great intermediate, rocky/rooty trails in northern NH? Not ready to do a hike in the deep SNOW just yet? Well have I got the place for you and it's less than 30 minutes from just about anywhere in and around Boston! The Blue Hills Reservation in Milton MA is the home of numerous trails and terrain that is spectacular for training to hike in the Whites!
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Blown away on Cardigan and Firescrew
Join us for a traverse of Mt. Cardigan and Firescrew! We will focus on handling the weather on exposed sections of the hike rather than solely on summiting. Our route will climb about 1,900' in elevation gain, around 5.7mi in distance and will take us about 4.5 hours. This is a great chance to work on above treeline (ATL) hiking skills and help decide if bigger ATL trips are for you or not. As such, we will go even in marginal conditions, breaking trail as needed. Participants must have some prior winter hiking experience.
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December Hike to Mt. Tecumseh
Join us for a mid-December hike to Mt. Tecumseh (4,003 feet). Mount Tecumseh is in the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains. It is the shortest mountain on the AMC's official 4,000 footers list. Mt. Tecumseh is named after the leader of the Shawnee Native American tribe. Views to the immediate north include Mt. Osceola, the highest peak in the region. East, across the valley, is the Tripyramid Massif, which includes North Tripyramid and Middle Tripyramid. We will hike from the Waterville Valley Ski Area and will have 2 water crossings.
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Feel the wind on Straightback Mountain and Mt Major
On this hike up Straightback Mountain and Mt Major, we will focus on spending time in exposed sections of the hike appropriately handling the weather, rather than worrying about summiting. Our intended route will go up and around both peaks, has about 1,585 ft of vertical gain over 6.1 miles, and should take us 4-5 hours. This is a great chance to work on above treeline (ATL) hiking skills and help decide if bigger ATL trips are for you or not. As such, we will go even in marginal conditions, breaking trail as needed. Participants must have some prior winter hiking experience.
WHP Participants ONLY: Mt. Tecumseh Winter Day Hike (Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below.
WHP Participants ONLY: Kearsarge North Day Hike (Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below.
WHP Participants ONLY: Mt. Waumbek Day Hike (Level 1)
This trip is part of the Boston Chapter Winter Hiking Program (WHP) and is only open to registered participants of that program. If you would like more information about the WHP, please email us at whp19@hb.amcboston.org or follow the link below. We will visit Mt Starr King (3914 ft) and Mt Waumbek (4006 ft). From the trailhead, the route up and over Mt Starr King to Mt Waumbek is 3.6 miles long, with 2500 ft elevation gain. We will retrace our steps to return the same way we came in.
Mt Jefferson in winter
Let's celebrate the first full day of calendar winter at Mt. Jefferson. This is an out-and-back hike of Mt. Jefferson. We expect to hike approximately 11 miles with 4,000-4,200' of elevation gain. Given that Dec 21/22 will have the shortest of daylight all year, we need to get an early start to maximize our time. All participants must be experienced above treeline in winter, also have experience using crampons and ice axes. Bad weather date for the hike will be Saturday, Dec 28.
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Lincoln & Lafayette on the first day of winter
Start the first full day of Winter summiting Lincoln & Lafayette. This is a 9 mile loop with 3860' of elevation gain and significant above treeline exposure. The views are spectacular. You must be experienced using snowshoes and full crampons to participate. Expect an early start and steady pace with few breaks.
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Eisenhower on Second Day of Winter
Join us for a winter day hike to Mount Eisenhower. Yes, it's a Monday, but maybe you'll have the day off because it's Christmas week. Following the Crawford Path nearly to the summit, we'll hike about 10 miles out and back with 3200 feet of elevation gain. Weather permitting, we'll enjoy beautiful views along the way. This trail has a long, exposed stretch above treeline, and we can anticipate full winter conditions, so previous winter mountaineering experience and full above-treeline winter gear is required.
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Introduction to Winter Backpacking (for AMC leaders/co-leaders only)
This trip is for AMC Boston Hiking and Backpacking leaders and co-leaders who would like to try winter backpacking for the first time or hone their winter camping skills in a safe and fun environment. The trip will take place in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, likely close to the Kancamagus Highway, with the precise location to be determined. We'll do a modest hike (3-4 miles) with full packs (perhaps to a small peak or pretty destination) and then camp at a sheltered spot that is within a mile or so of a road, allowing early exit if needed.
Hike the Mighty Moosilauke
On this hike up Mt. Moosilauke (4,802'), we will focus on spending time hiking on exposed sections of the trail and will learn how to handle different aspects of the winter weather. This will be a loop hike and will include South Peak plus an added road walk (3 miles out and back) as the access road to the trailhead is closed in winter. Total trip is about 10.9 miles with approx 3,000 ft of elevation gain and should take us around 7-8 hours. This is a great chance to work on above treeline (ATL) hiking skills and help decide if bigger ATL trips are for you or not.
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