Welcome to the Best Harvard Cabin Weekend of the Year!

Harvard Cabin Weekend (DATE)

To: Trip Participants From: (LEADERS' NAMES) Date: (DATE) Re: Harvard Cabin Weekend Information

Introduction: Welcome to the best Harvard Cabin weekend of the year!

The weekend begins Friday night and ends Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival Friday evening, check in at the Cabin with the Trip Coordinator. As soon as everyone arrives, there will be a brief orientation meeting and breakfast time will be announced (usually 7:00 AM). On Saturday morning, we will have breakfast and the leaders will describe the day's hikes and set a meeting time and place. After breakfast, those with morning chores will complete them. We will start hiking by about 8:30 AM. We will enjoy a Happy Hour and have dinner at the Cabin Saturday night in the same manner as breakfast. The Sunday schedule will be similar, but we will do a final clean-up of the cabin before heading for the trails. We will try to be out of the woods before 3 PM. We may stop for dinner on the way home.

Dates and Time: Friday evening, (DATE) until Sunday, (DATE). A trip leader will unlock the cabin by (TIME) Friday. Please arrive after (TIME), but before (TIME). Arrive early for the best selection of chores.

The Cabin: The AMC's Harvard Cabin is a two-story, self-service rustic facility. Accommodations are limited to 22 people sleeping inside, but more may be present at other times. There are a limited number of tent sites outside the cabin. The cabin has a gas heater, a large kitchen from which we will prepare meals, a large gathering/dining room downstairs and a bare hardwood floor upstairs in the group sleeping loft (earplugs are a good idea!). Water to the cabin is supplied from a well (the water "tastes funny" but is safe to drink. Many choose to bring bottled water for drinking.). Shower facilities are available for a fee (bring quarters, your favorite squeeze toy and a towel!) at AMC's Pinkham Notch Lodge, about 6 miles up the road. There are quaint pit-toilets located about 20 yards behind the cabin.

The cabin is set back in the woods about 50 yards from the road and will not be visible until you get out of your car. Angle car, backing in will make it easier to pull out into traffic later. Have a flashlight ready. You will need to carry your gear from the car. You may want to bring some cozy cabin wear. Boots are not permitted upstairs in the loft.

Directions to Harvard Cabin: The cabin is located off Route 16 in Pinkham Notch, just 4 miles south of the AMC lodge on the east side of Mt. Washington and approximately three hours by car north of Boston. It would be a very long walk, so we suggest the use of a car. There are at least two routes to get there. Drive up Route 95 along the coast into New Hampshire, bearing left onto the Spaulding Turnpike, which soon merges into Route 16. Follow the signs as you drive Route 16 through the shopping meccas of Conway and North Conway. (Alternately, you can also drive up Route 93 into New Hampshire and follow Routes 104 and 25 through Meredith which eventually intersects Route 16 south of Conway. This route is tricky and really requires a detailed state map.) Past North Conway, Route 16 will turn sharply right as Route 302 continues straight around to the west side of the Presidential Range. From this right turn to stay on Route 16, it is exactly 6.1 miles to Harvard Cabin. Take note on your car's odometer, since there are no further landmarks to guide you. At 6.1 miles, there should be cars parked just past a gentle rightward bend in the road. Harvard Cabin is 50 yards uphill along a trail leaving from the right side of the road. (Note: There are no signs! Just look for parked cars.)

Car Pooling: Travel to and from Harvard Cabin can take more than seven hours. Carpooling is highly recommended (both for environmental reasons and the limited space for cars at the cabin). The last page of this document lists participants’ info. We encourage you to contact each other via email or phone to make car-pooling arrangements.

Food at the Cabin: Two (Sat. and Sun.) breakfasts, and (Sat.) dinner are provided. There will also be a happy-hour snack provided on Saturday while dinner is being prepared. If you have any food allergy you should notify me or one of the other leaders as soon as possible. We will provide no alcoholic beverages, but you should feel free to bring your own.

Cabin Gear: Each participant must bring a sleeping bag (20-40 degree rating) and at least one sleeping pad, pillow, ear plugs, toiletries and their favorite cuddly toy. You may wish to have slippers for inside the cabin. No boots upstairs please!

Individual Gear: Sturdy and reasonably waterproof hiking boots are an essential. A waterproof jacket and pile or wool insulation layers are also absolutely necessary. Water and wind resistant pants, pile pants, or long underwear are also essential items, depending on the weather. Gaiters help i to keep your boots and socks dry and clean. Non-cotton clothing is required for hiking. Wool, polyester, silk, microfleece and coolmax are good fabric choices. A backpack to carry extra layers, your lunch, and water is necessary. The more varied clothing you bring, the more likely you'll be prepared for whatever weather we encounter and whatever hike you would like to do. Among the items to bring are:

Waterproof boots, (3) pair socks, Day pack, water container (Nalgenes or camelback holding at least 2 liters), lunch and trail food, rain gear (jacket and pants), hat, mittens, sunscreen, sunglasses, zip-off pants/shorts, fleece outerwear, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, ear plugs, cabin shoes, toiletries and your own drinking water if you prefer un-sulfured. If you have any questions about equipment CONTACT ONE OF THE LEADERS!

Trail Food: You are responsible for bringing your own trail food/lunches. Bring food for the trail which you can nibble on during the day. Personally, I like fruit & grain bars. Carry at least two liters of water while hiking. Preparation: Please prepare your pack for the hikes during the week before so that you are sure all items will fit or can be lashed on. Make certain that all gear fits and is in good working order.

To take part in this day hiking weekend you should be in reasonable shape. It is very important that you make at least one of the leaders aware if there are any medical conditions that could, in any way, present a problem during the weekend. These conditions might include diabetes, allergies, asthma, or a heart condition, but are not limited to those conditions. Please bear in mind that this trip is planned and staffed entirely by volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact one of the leaders.

Weather: Generally, hikes will take place regardless of weather conditions; however, the leaders reserve the right to modify a trip at any time due to weather conditions.

Cancellation and Refunds: If you cannot make the trip for any reason, please notify one fo the leaders as soon as you know that you will not be joining us, so that we can notify persons on the waiting list of an opening. For last minute cancellations please call (ONE OF THE LEADERS AND PHONE NUMBER). No refunds will be given after you get this information, unless we can replace you with a person from the waiting list. There will be no refunds under any circumstances after (DATE). A waiting list will be maintained but it does not guarantee a refund unless we obtain a substitute. Those on the waiting list are also not guaranteed a spot and may not be notified if there will not be a spot available.

Leaders: (LEADER NAMES AND CONTACT INFO)

We’re looking forward you seeing you all!

(LIST PARTICIPANT NAMES, CONTACT INFO & CARPOOLING INFO)