Winter School Leader Resources

Trail Conditions, Weather, and Maps

Trail conditions

Weather

  • Snow Depth Info on the latest snowfall amounts
  • Mt Washington Observatory has the best weather forecasts for the White Mountains. The high summits forecast is particularly useful, particularly for forecasting wind speeds up to a day in advance. Also available via a voice recording: (603) 356-2137, Press 1.
  • Aviation Forecast Useful for wind estimates, though be sure to check the observatory forecast the day of from the link on the previous bullet.
  • The Weather Underground has detailed forecasts and will show history for any range of days up to a full year. On the main page after looking up your location, go to History & Almanac on the lower left hand side. You can view it as a calendar or a graph. This could be useful in seeing if there has been a freeze/thaw cycle.

Trail Maps

  • Hill Map Trails overlaid onto google maps. Distances not always accurate.
  • Terraserver USGS topo maps for the entire US. There is a “download” link which allows you to save an image of the map you are viewing. Keep in mind that many of the trails marked on the USGS topos may have moved since the last update (often 20-30 years ago).
  • ACME Mapper A very fun and useful webpage.

Safety Gear List

Individual Gear (All Participants)

Leaders should ensure all participants have:

  • Whistle
  • Compass
  • Map (photocopy provided by leader is sufficient)
  • Headlamp or flashlight

Group Gear

Trip leaders must ensure that collectively their group carries the following gear according to trip type.

A Trip

  • MITOC first-aid kit or equivalent
  • Extra clothing
  • Extra Food
  • Duct Tape
  • Parachute Cord or Webbing
  • Foampad (optional)

B Trip

Everything for an A Trip plus …

  • 2 winter sleeping bags
  • 2 bivy bags
  • 1 foam pad for every 2 people
  • Winter rated stove w/ pot, lid, fuel (min 22oz, 33oz recommended)
  • 2 types of fire starters (waterproof matches, lighter, magnesium chips, candle, etc.)
  • Shelter/Tent: Beta-mid, mega-mid, or tarp

C Trips

Everything for a B Trip plus…

  • Shelter/Tent: First-lite or Trango (instead of B Trip shelter)
  • Shovel (optional)
  • Wands (optional)

Skiing Trip

Everything for a B or C Trip plus…

  • Ski Repair Kit (at least a multi-tool)
  • Shovel (optional)

Overnight Trip

Everything for a C Trip plus…

  • Shovel
  • Adequate shelter for everyone

First Aid Kit

All MITOC First Aid Kits should have the following:

  • First Aid book
  • gloves
  • gauze roll or pads
  • athletic tape
  • band-aids
  • swab stick
  • sterile pads
  • antiseptic towelettes
  • alcohol swabs
  • benzoin swab
  • ABD pad
  • ace bandage
  • mole skin
  • antibiotic ointment
  • sting relief
  • burn gel
  • anti-histamine
  • acetaphetamine
  • ibuprofen
  • scissors
  • tweezers
  • safety pins
  • dental floss
  • lighter
  • emergency blanket
  • hose clamps
  • plastic pull ties
  • pencil
  • paper or soap note

Sample Email

Dear Mt. Monroe Trip Participants

Please READ the following advice on your trip. ALL of you should read the following in its entirety.

The following is instructions and advice on your Winter School trip. Please read it IN ITS ENTIRETY. Please complete the section at the bottom and return the information to me and Bob Beaver ASAP, along with any questions.

____________

LEADERS:

Bob Beaver (617.461.0987) & Fruity Loopy (617.461.1234)

____________

THE ROUTE:

We’ll hike Mt. Monroe from Marshfield Station at the base of the Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, NH. From the station, we’ll take the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up past the AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut and on to the summit of Mt. Monroe. This hike will be 7.2 miles round-trip and will involve about 3000’ of elevation gain.

FULL ABOVE-TREELINE GEAR INCLUDING BODY COVER, CRAMPONS, AND AN ICE AXE IS REQUIRED.

____________

CONTINGENCY PLANS:

As always, a winter ascent in the White Mountains is a gamble. Trips frequently get to treeline and have to turn around due to high winds. Make sure that you are comfortable using an Ice-axe and crampons. Also, make sure that you have tested out the gear well in advance of the actual trip. A proper fit on crampons & snowshoes is absolutely vital for your safety and the safety of others. If in doubt, consult your trip leader well in advance of the trip, or as a last resort, at the trail-head BEFORE starting the hike.

____________

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

This trip will offer an opportunity for participants to test their winter hiking, navigation, crampon/snowshoe, and above-treeline skills.

____________

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Saturday, 8:15am: Meet at the Cog Railway base station (It is most efficient to come up I-93 and then head toward Crawford Notch, look for Cog Railway signs)
Saturday, 8:30am: Start up th Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
Saturday, 4:30pm: Return to cars via Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

____________

GEAR:

By now, you should have a pretty good feel for what gear is expected of you on a trip like this, but here’s a checklist for your convenience. Not all of this gear is explicitly required, but check with me if you’re afraid you might be lacking in a particular area.

Rental:

* Boot/crampon system that you have used previously with success. CRAMPONS REQUIRED. * Snowshoes * Back-Pack (should be big enough to carry all your things. Try not to stuff everything into a smaller bag!) * Sleeping Pad

Clothing:

* Legs: non-cotton long underwear (wicking), fleece pants/shell (warm, wind/water-resistant top layer) * Body: non-cotton undershirt (wicking), fleece/wool warming layer (warming), water/wind-resistant shell (water/windproofing) * Gloves: non-cotton glove liners (wicking), warm gloves or mittens (warming, two pair recommended), wind/water-resistant overmitts (water/windproofing) * Face/Head: warm hat, face mask or balaclava, ski goggles

FULL BODY COVER IS REQUIRED - NO EXCEPTIONS!

When it’s all on, is there any exposed skin? If there is, you need more clothes or a better balaclava/face mask.

Feet: non-cotton liner socks (wicking), warm wool socks (warming), warm boots (waterproofing), crampons that fit your boots (Make sure they fit before you leave Boston!), gaiters (duct tape can be a great substitute)

Other personal gear:

* At least 2-3 quarts of water, preferably in wide-mouth bottles * Ice axe and/or hiking poles ICE AXE REQUIRED. * headlamp (Required!) * compass (Required!) * whistle (Required!) * trail food * space blanket (a good idea) * your leaders will provide you with a copy of the map * Bring your cell phone or two-way radio if you have one.

Your leaders will also carry (and may ask you to assist in carrying):

* sleeping bag (at least one -15 and one 0-degree bag per team) * Pads (preferably one for every two participants) * stove and fuel (at least one per team) * emergency shelter (tent)

____________

WEATHER:

The ground forecast for Bretton Woods, NH is cold with highs in the low 20’s (F) and light winds. Conditions on the mountain will be significantly colder, especially above treeline. Remember that the weather can change quickly and being prepared is key.

____________

EXPENSES:

Winter School Trip fee is $5 per day, to cover White Mountain Guide Permits and safety gear. Please pay this at office hours before the trip, or afterwards if you are renting gear. Plan to pay about $20 to your driver to help cover gas and maintenance costs. The Cabin fee is $5 for MITOC members, $10 for others. Bring some extra cash for breakfast, snacks, and other incidentals.

____________

PERSONAL PRE-TRIP PREPARATION:

Looking for even more information about the trip and the skills involved? Here’s what you can do:

Study the map:

- TopoZone: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=44.26688&lon=-71.32647&size=l&u=4&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 - AMC Guide on Map 1 (Presidentials) - MITOC Adventure Maps Waterproof Map

Read about the area in the AMC White Mountains Guide: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1929173229/

Read about ice axe and crampon usage in “Freedom of the Hills”: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0898864275/

Ask your trip leaders ANY QUESTIONS you might have.

____________

Thanks for reading this through. See everyone Saturday!

Bob Beaver (617.461.0987) & Fruity Loopy (617.461.1234)

WIMP

WIMP is an acronym for “Worry If Missing Person.” Each weekend of Winter School, someone will be designated as the WIMP. This person will be in charge of making sure that all trips return safely, and to alert emergency services if a trip does not report back.