Announcement: Winter Gathering 7.5: 1/13-16, Barnes Field, New Hampshire

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Hey Sherpa,
I've been following this thread and, just out of curiosity, how much Doctor M. does an undertaking of this scope require? We may have just graduated from the 1.75ml (or 2 or 3) to the 50 gallon drum.
 
***TJH: I sent you a Private Message.***

swamp said:
Hey Sherpa,
I've been following this thread and, just out of curiosity, how much Doctor M. does an undertaking of this scope require? We may have just graduated from the 1.75ml (or 2 or 3) to the 50 gallon drum.
I think we're just getting it by the keg now, and hooking it up with Sean's grill attachments :D
 
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I was just wondering if Sean (shizzmac) was going to need me to roll him into his tent again this year? :D

Carol-thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. ;)
 
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Chilli

Pat and Audrey I was going to bring some chilli but we both can. I just wont bring as much. :D
 
Hey Sherpa,

I'll be arriving around noon on Wed 1/12. I will need assistance to setup the 10x20-warming tent. If anyone is there, please drop by and lend a hand.

BTW, If there were any kerosene heaters available, one or two would work well in the warming tent. Also, a table (6-8 foot) is needed. Last year we had two tables in the tent for cooking and other preparations.

Ed
 
Sherpa - Directions please! This is my first hiking trip to NH (only driven thru before) so I need some detailed directions. I imagine that I will be comingthru CT on interstate 84.....
 
Carol, I'm not the best person to give directions from your area, but many come up on 91. Warren? PapaBear? You've both been doing a good bit of driving up here lately. Can you help out?

For me, I typically head up from Boston on 93 through Franconia Notch, Rt 3 to Rt 115 (Twin Mountain) to Rt 2 (Jefferson). In summer I cross over on Pinkham "B", but in winter I need to head to Gorham, take Rt 16 south, stay on Rt 16 at the "wooden moose" and eventually get to Dolly Copp Campground(about 6 miles after the moose) on your Right. Barnes Field is on the Right just beyond the Dolly Copp Gatehouse turnoff.

Another route that has some favor is to head up Rt 95 to Spaulding Turnpike to Rt 16 North (they are one and the same) all the way through North Conway, right at Glen (where Rt302 continues straight), continuing past Mt Washington/Wildcat/Auto Road. Dolly Copp road is marked with a White Mountain National Forest sign (it will be on your left heading north)

GPS Coordinates:
Dolly Copp Campground Road: 44° 20' 09"N, 71° 12' 36"W (NAD27 in Degree/Minute/Seconds)
Barnes Field: 44° 20' 20"N, 71° 13' 06"W (NAD27 in Degree/Minute/Seconds)
 
I'll post directions tonight or tomorrow night when I'm home and I have access to a road atlas.

In short, you can get there from 84->90->495->93 or 84->91->93.

it's possible to shortcut from 84->91 but weather or a slow truck could make it a long cut. More details to follow.
 
Sherpa
I am coming up from CT. For Pinkham Notch it is fastest for me to go up 91 to St. Johnsbury to 93 south then your directions from 115.
 
Only two weeks to go, I'd better get my plans together.

Friday afternoon--drive over and set up tent at Barnes Field.

Saturday--Hike with the Sherpa group Saturday (Middle/South Carter). African Peanut Soup for the potluck Saturday night.

Sunday--I'm leaning toward some backcountry skiing, something VERY intermediate. Anyone want to join me?

Monday--maybe a half-day of backcountry skiing before heading home.

Other thoughts:

I don't have an ice axe, and wouldn't know how to use one. Is this going to be a problem on the Carters?

I really want to try winter camping again (I lasted one night outdoors last time, but of course that one night was -20F, maybe lower). I am going to give it my best shot, but I've got an escape plan in mind (Hikers Paradise) if I can't stand it.

See y'all there!

CM
 
Directions from NYC area

I'm still testing the best route to the whites from the NYC area, these are the two I favor at the moment (I've pasted Sherpas superior local directions in):

Traditional Route:

Take Interstate 84 to hartford. At Hartford take Interstate 91 north. You will be on 91 for a long time.

At St Johnsbury, take Interstate 93 south. Get off at exit 40 follow route 302 to route 3 north.

At route 115 junction make a right onto Route 115.

At junction with Route 2 make a right onto Route 2.

In Gorham take Rt 16 south, stay on Rt 16 at the "wooden moose" and eventually get to Dolly Copp Campground(about 6 miles after the moose) on your Right. Barnes Field is on the Right just beyond the Dolly Copp Gatehouse turnoff.

It's possible to avoid double backing on 93 by exiting 91 at exit 17 or 18 but if the weathers bad or if you get a slow truck you will most likely loose time.

New Math Route:

At Hartford Stay on Interstate 84.

84 ends at Interstate 90, take 90 east to Interstate 495 north (hmmm. maybe east).

Exit 495 at interstate 93 north.

Follow 93 through Franconia Notch, Rt 3 to Rt 115 (Twin Mountain) to Rt 2 (Jefferson). In summer I cross over on Pinkham "B", but in winter I need to head to Gorham, take Rt 16 south, stay on Rt 16 at the "wooden moose" and eventually get to Dolly Copp Campground(about 6 miles after the moose) on your Right. Barnes Field is on the Right just beyond the Dolly Copp Gatehouse turnoff.

There is a variation on this route that involves Route 3 from 495 to the Everett parkway to 93. I took this on the way back once but weather was so bad I can't say if it's faster or not.

I've been preferring the New Math route, but thats because 4 hours on 91 is very mentally trying for me. The faster route will be determined by traffic: 91 has the potential for traffic at Springfield (rare for me and then it's not too bad). 90 can have a lot of traffic, but the more frequent changes of hi-ways breaks the ride up nicely for me.
 
A few comments about the directions and a small directory of local resources.

Pinkham B road is not plowed in the winter even though some of the computer programs think so. A short section in Randolph is plowed, but dead ends.

Mapquest database doesnt know that the northerly section of 115 exists, it insists upon routing you to the Jefferson village, save the miles and go straight to route 2.

The shortcut on the map using RT 302 from I91 to RT 115 is a long slow ride that meanders through the countryside. Nice on a good day but no time saver.

There is a Dolly Copp CAMPGROUND and a Dolly Copp PICNIC area both on the west side of RT 16 about 1/2 mile apart. The Barnes Field Camping area is at end of the road that leads to the campground (you actually drive straight past the turn off to the summer time campground, once you are on the Pinkham B road)

Route 110 - If any of the group is thinking of doing Cabot from the fish hatchery, be aware that finding the turn off to Rt 110 in Berlin is tricky and it runs through a couple of neightborhoods. Not everyone finds it the first or second time.

Local Services in the area

Here are some local services that some folks may want

If you need boot rentals, you have to go south to Ragged Mountain in Bartlett, EMS or IME in North Conway)

Camping and Winter Gear – Moriah Sports – Main street Gorham, good high end selection, (He skis Tuckerman’s most mornings before he opens up). Good source for local info. I do not believe he rents equipment.

Camping and Winter Gear – Gorham Hardware – Main street Gorham, good for some basic gear and for hardware to fix gear.

Winter Gear - Labonville's- across from Walmart- Very heavy duty, warm gear, favorite supplier to loggers.

Snowshoe Rentals – Wilderness Sports – Main street Gorham. I think she rents Yakima recreational shoes.

Supermarket – Shaws on Rt 16 north about 1 mile north of the traffic light where RT 16 north splits from RT 2 west

Walmart – Rt 16 north about 1.5 miles north of traffic light

Breakfasts – Welch’s on main street, Moonlight Café on Exchange street (site of the former Loaf Around bakery)

Cheap Beer – Vashaw’s Variety – Main Street (not very good variety) Shaw’s Supermarkets has the best imports selection (still basic at best)

Pizza and Beer - Mr Pizza - main street Gorham

Great Lunches and Dinners - Northland Dairy Bar - Rt 16 north of Berlin.

Gourmet - Libbys Bistro - favorite of many RMC'ers, the chef owner used to work with Julia Child. Reservations required, $100 for a couple is the norm.

Liquor Store - Main street Gorham across from Mr Pizza

Hospital – Androscoggin Valley Hospital – It is on the north end of Berlin on Rt 16. Drive through downtown Berlin, past the pulp mill, past the Northern Forest Heritage Park and take a right across the river on the second bridge (the first green one is a pedestrian bridge). At the blinking light, go straight up the hill to the emergency room. The nearest hospital south of Barnes Field is in North Conway on Rt 16.
 
I'm trying

I'm trying to get into shape..did my first peak on sun (slide) and 2nd yesterday (windham) i was sweating and tired but did them..might try panther tomorrow..hope i can do something at gathering. I think i'm carring to much water..app 4 L
 
coldfeet said:
I'm trying to get into shape..did my first peak on sun (slide) and 2nd yesterday (windham) i was sweating and tired but did them..might try panther tomorrow..hope i can do something at gathering. I think i'm carring to much water..app 4 L


How much water you carry on a hike is very dependent on each person's individual needs and so it is hard to say what you should take . . . keep an eye on what you get back to your car with and base it on that. I usually only drink 2 L on a normal dayhike except when it is REALLY hot and humid but I always carry 3 L just for peace of mind. Unless you are drinking more than 2-3 L, I would think 4 L is overkill for winter . . . but please base your decisions on your needs.

You sound like you will do fine at the gathering. there are hikers of all levels and physical conditions. You can always hike with the slower crowd (like me :) ) . . .

sli74
 
sli74...I did what u said and measured the water..I took 3L yesterday on panther and drank almost 2L..this seems to be normal for me at least this week..
 
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