- The Shapleigh Studio Bunkhouse is much warmer than Harvard Hut. A delight.
- Arrive early to snag the four-person room (with en-suite toilet and clothes storage). It also has the benefit of not being a thoroughfare, unlike the 12-person bunkhouse.
- If you snag the four person room, try not to look too smug all weekend as you pass through the masses to your domain.
- Having a bottom bunks make organizing gear easier than doing so on the top bunk, so be aware of the difficulties someone 'up top' may be having.
- When lights go out people are respectful of each other's need to sleep. Snoring was not a problem (at least not for me).
- Make sure lights go out at reasonable time (like 10 p.m.) and if two people want to carry on discussing gear until 11:15 p.m. (even if they're leaders) ask that they do so outside of the sleeping area in the communal space.
- Food is plentiful and filling, if a little overcooked (and kept warm too long).
- Add a fruit teabag to hot water in your Nalgene bottle to provide a hot/warm interesting drink for the hike.
- Packets of honey make a useful quick energy boost squeezed from packet or dissolved in water.
- The Highland Center is not particularly conducive to group bonding. There are too many alternative places to go – like film shows, ping-pong, the fireside or bunkhouse.
- After a 9.2 mile hike lasting from 8a.m.until 4:30 p.m. and an elevation gain of 2700 feet, the bunkhouse is too tempting an option.
- If you take a bigger pack then you will tend to overload it with unnecessary gear.
- The weekend pace seems non-stop. Breakfast at 6:30 a.m.; pack gear and convene at 7:30 a.m.; depart for hike at 8:00 a.m.; hike until darkness; shower/change and happy hour; dinner at 6:00 p.m. and then other activities or exhaustion.
- Repeat first three next day.
- The hiking pace is steady but constant, with the longest stop being one of 15 minutes with multiple stops for water, snack and layer changes of one, two or three minutes.
- Calling out length duration of stops e.g. one minute water break, two minute layer strip, three minutes to eat, drink and adjust gear etc. works really well in keeping the group organized and moving (thanks Larry).
- Anyone cna and should call a stop when they need too.
- After a long hike it's worth knowing that the shower nearest to the kitchen area runs cold or lukewarm at best. It has a long-term valve problem according to the caretaker.
- Towels are provided, so you don't have t pack one.
- Trip leaders are knowledgeable and communicate well to a mixed cross-section of ages, fitness and experience. They don't always have to be in front and will let you take your turn route finding and trail breaking.
- There is a wide range of fitness levels, some people overestimate theirs and can usually be seen carry an over sized pack.
- Group dynamics were excellent for most of the weekend - AMC people are amazing, but...
- If people are silent while hiking, it does not mean they are unfriendly – just enjoying the peacefulness.
- Some people like to talk about themselves too much, which is OK the first time you hear it, but when the same information is conveyed loudly to multiple people in the same hiking party, it becomes.. well, boring. It invades the quietness of winter, snow falling from trees, the swish-glop sound of snowshoes on powder and water running under thin ice.
- Quiet two person conversations are OK (but difficult when hiking in a line with adequate 'slip and slide space' between hikers.
- You can be too hot in air temperatures of 34F in a couple of thin base layers when hiking up hill in calm weather. Same applies when it's 10 or 20F
- Carry fewer layers – and ideally use a multipurpose soft shell with 'windstopper' water repellent fabric.
- Re-tie boots tighter at the ankle for descents – to pull foot further back
- Leave boots tied loosely at ankle for ascents to allow for inclination angle and prevent shin bang damage.
- The winter views are simple amazing.
Mount Pierce and Mount Eisenhower
Mount Jackson
Mount Avalaon
