Many years ago, when the Over the Hill Hikers created the 52 With a View list most hikers who completed the challenge were local. The list was not well known beyond our little band here in central New Hampshire. In the years since with the advent of internet & social media, and the publication of great guidebooks things have changed and the hikes have gained in popularity.
And now, in times of a COVID 19 pandemic, stay at home orders, and social distancing things have changed even further. Thankfully, the current restrictions will be temporary, though we don't know exactly what "temporary" means.
After much thought, the Over the Hill Hikers have decided NOT to exclude hikes people may complete at this time from your lists.
First, we are a small group of volunteers and do not have the bandwidth to check your final lists when they are submitted to make sure the hikes did not happen during this current period.
Second, we put the responsibility on each hiker to consider the point of the stay at home order issued by our Governor and local officials. We always assume hikers will hike within their abilities, and during these uncertain times will be responsible to themselves and others, and so will hike close to home, adhering to social distancing guidelines and other pertinent considerations such as trail conditions, weather, and their current physical abilities, etc.
Please take the time to carefully consider the risks, and judge the hike with the consideration of Search and Rescue workers and first responders who are stressed in our current health crises.
The trails will continue to be there now, and in the future, so please hike responsibly.
We’re all in this together.
Sincerely, The Over the Hill Hikers
