2017 Snow shoe and cross country ski schedule

Hi folks....

After much shifting and shuffling, I think we finally have our 2017 snow shoe and cross country ski schedule as follows below.  I have included telephone #'s.  It is your responsibility to check in with weekly hosts either by phone or email (which I intentionally did not include on the blog site but you c/should have received it electronically), to find out what their plan is for the morning (time/place), and to let them know you will be joining the group.  If you wish to co-host please let me know so that I can post your name and make a match.  Let's hope we have wonderful snow conditions this winter and ..........

Happy Holidays, Happy New Year....EVERYONE!

January 6-     Ruth and Dick Stuart  603-253-9964

January 13-   Milan and Carl McNall  603-284-7400

January 20-   Elaine Vazzana and Shirley Stanek  603-253-6319

January 27-   Helen and Gerry Gingras  603-284-9230

February 3-   Peggy and Mark Longley  603-284-6294

February 10- Jean and Dick Knox  603-284-6145

February 17- Cynthia Birr and Chip Barnaby  603-253 4593

February 24- Ann and George Hackl  603-569-3930

March 3-        Tracy Ripkey and Laurie Norman 603-284-6213

March 10-      Nan and Pat Russell  603-284-6328

March 17-      Sue Speers and Jean Knox  603-284-7770

March 24-      Jane Harrington and Diana Levy  603-253-6999

Point of contact for email distribution list is Carl & Milan McNall at: carlandmilan@gmail.com or via phone at 603-284-7400

Hale, to the four of us!

Four of us went up Hale Tuesday (11/1), via Hale Brook Trail, down 
Lend-A-Hand Trail perhaps a mile, then into the woods, bushwhacking our way 
up South Hale (aka "Zeale"; elev 3700 ft). Then back out and down to the AMC 
Zealand Hut, and out to the truck. Nice day up on Hale; no wind, full sun, 
temp around 40. Hiking up over increasing amount of snow on the ground; 
several inches still there on top.

Going up East Osceola

Here are Sandy and Frank, crossing a snow-covered slide area.  Photo taken by Dick.  I have to say, I'm impressed!  What a beautiful shot.

Our 2016 end of year hike(s) and picnic

What a great gathering at Helen & Gerry Gingras' home.   A huge thank you to them for hosting!

We celebrate the end of a great hiking season, and the beginning of planning our winter snow shoeing and x-country skiing.  If you are interested in hosting or co-hosting an outing, please contact Milan McNall at: carlandmilan@gmail.com to sign up.  First winter gathering starts after the new year, and follows for a total of 13 weeks on Fridays.

Today, we had a combined OTHH turnout of 23 hikers, ranging in all abilities.  The Turtles did a nice walk around Beade Falls, while B group enjoyed the Bear Camp River Trail, and the A group traversed Mt. Israel in snow and sleet.  A perfect finale.

A group at the summit of Mt. Israel.  Yes, snow!!  (and sleet!)

Leslie, Deb, Barbara and Cynthia

John, Dick, Peter, Anne, Noel, Claude and Frank.  

this is funny... Shirl, Cheryl, Sue, and Sue!  We couldn't have planned that better!  

Gerry and Joan, and her sister Anne with the great smile!  :)

Great shot!!

Bert, Anne, Noel, John and Deb

Sandwich Dome, almost a 4k footer.

Sara, Kathy and Tracy (with Winter and ?... oops, I forgot the other dog's name...sorry pooch. ) 

A few of B group hikers (and two dog companions) hiked Sandwich Dome the other week.  We enjoyed the loop, going counter clockwise, hitting Noon Peak, Jennings Peak. and Sandwich Dome (Mountain).  The temps were cold at the summit as we crunched on ice along the way, and had some 30 degree temps and a breeze.  The lunch break was just for the quick bite to eat, and then we wanted to keep moving.  It was a bit over 9 miles, but a very nice hike.

A tradition of marching in the Sandwich Fair continues

Rain did not stop the Over the Hill Hikers in the Sandwich Fair Parade.  Proudly marching with our Blue Ribbon attached to our sign (carried by Bert Hansen and Bill Glenday)  were: Anne Knight, Joan Vicinus,  Susan Allen,  Granthia Preston, Buzz, Ruth Stuart, Dick Stuart, Kathy Thorndike, Tracy Ripkey, Shirley Stanek, Barbara Brash, Jane Harrington, Barbara Hawkins, Sue Merrifield, Ann Speers (in wheelchair pushed by Sam Glenday), and Sue Speers.  I hope I did not miss mentioning anyone, but in any case we had a wonderful time!  A tradition continues on.

Thanks to all marchers, dampened and triumphant!

52 with a, where's the view?

7 hikers from B Group hiked Square Ledge, a 52 with a view,  that may have lost it.

It was a beautiful fall day off the Kanc... as we hiked a lovely trail leading up to Square Ledge.  The trail was excellent, but the views are minimum.  Perhaps the tree growth has taken away what once was.  But, our group had an excellent hike, and the ledge is VERY impressive!  We've never seen anything quite like it... it's that good!

Left to right: Ginger, Cheryl, Kathy, Tracy, Shirl, and Glen.  (photo taken by Sue)

Square Ledge, it's huge.  An impressive formation.

Lonesome Lake

Barbara Hawkins & Jane Harrington scoping out a potential hike for Turtles Group to enjoy in the future.  

Sept 20th, Turtles hike Sawyer Pond

A fabulous turnout of Turtles to hike Sawyer Pond.

Participants were: (not in order) Jane Harrington, Barbara Brash, Sue Speers, Sally Bartlett , Bev Nelson, Susan Merrifield, Brenda O 'Brien, and me ( photographer) Barbara Hawkins.  

B group hikes Flat Mountain Pond

What a gem!  A local hike, in Sandwich, with little elevation gain (approximately 1300'), varied terrain, a spectacular pond with camping, beautiful sites for a tent, a composting toilet, fire rings, AND amazing views!  What more could you ask for?  Especially on the day Shirl and I had the other Friday, it was a perfect September day.  Which by the way, I would not want to do this hike in the Spring.  We had 20 (or so) river / creek crossings, that in higher water could be impassable.  This year however, not a problem due to the drought.  I give this hike a 10, actually 10.8 miles and that is with a spotted car.  But with all seriousness, two thumbs up!

are these edible?  wish I knew.  :)

old railroad ties

composting toilet!  

B group schedule for remaining 2016 season

Here is a recap of the B group hikes for the remainder of the season.  

If you plan to hike a scheduled hike, please contact the hike leader to RSVP.  Carpooling times and meeting locations will be planned by the hike leader.  Any weather cancellations are at the discretion of the hike leader.

Friday, Sept 23^rd          East Pond loop                          Shirley Stanek 203-644-7770

Friday, Sept 30^th          Square Ledge                         TBD

Friday, Oct 7^th              FAIR WEEKEND!!

Friday, Oct 14^th           Sandwich Dome & Jennings Peak    Ginger Ishkanian 207-577-0966

Friday, Oct 21^st           Osceola                                   Kathy Thorndike 603-707-7598

TUESDAY, Oct 25^th     Group Picnic                            More to follow

A group hikes, WILDCAT

9/13/2016, photo taken from Wildcat D by Dick.  Shown from left: Bert, Noel, Karen, Deb, Lesley. 

B group, hikes Mt. Cardigan

Sept 9th, a two person B group hiked Mt. Cardigan - Firescrew.

Heading up wasn't easy on the ledges, at least so we thought... until the high winds and the trip down put things into perspective.  Lots of sliding down on your butt to the next ledge.  The firepower at the summit was very nice, saw lots of carvings in the granite from 1873, 1907, 1915...

The trip up Holt trail was book time, down Mowgli and Manning trail was a little longer but we were told easier than the Hope trail.

A nice 6 mile hike.  Thank you Shirl for the recap and the photos, and thank you John for being the lead on that one.

John and Shirl, two hikers from B Group

I thought these boots were waterproof!

Sep 6th, Melanie and I hiked North Moat Mtn. as one of the B group hikes.   I'll admit, it was a bit of a distance, at 10.3 miles, but it is a 52 with a view, and therefore, we just HAD to do it!

It rained, it was cloudy, and no... my boots are not waterproof!  I poured about a half a cup of water out of them when I went to remove a rock. The trail covered all types of surfaces.  Soft pine needled trail, hand over hand rock climbing, open ledges, waterfalls (including Diana's Bath), and river crossings.  It was a beautiful hike.  As a 52 with a view, we were hopeful for fantastic sights.  We got clouds, with occasional peaks of scenery, but it was still beautiful.  I would do the hike again on a clear day.  We hiked the loop clockwise, which brought us to a nice opening at mile 5.  We thought that was the summit, but it was not until a mile later.  It was a nice day, and of course a day on the trail is always better than a day doing, well, most things!  :)

Melanie

The summit of North Moat Mtn.

B group hikes Chocorua, Aug 30th

Shirl, Dick (hidden), Tracy, and Ruth at the summit.

Do you see a blaze?  Oh, I think I have one...

are we there yet?

this is the trail?  Yup!

Woo hoo!  We made it!
8 hikers, and about 9 miles.  Some under 7 hours, some over 7... but a great day.