2011 FlagsOnThe 48 - Mt. Willey

This year the HikeTheSummits group will be climbing Mt. Willey on 9/11/11 for Flags on the 48! This Sunday Americans will remember this day each in there own way. We will be climbing a mountain and raising a flag on it's summit along with 47 other groups climbing the other 4000 footers in the White Mountains! If you still want to join us it's not too late! Click on this LINK to the Event page for more info!

This year we will be adding a new flag to fly as seen in the picture. The "9/11 Flag of Honor" is created with the names of all who perished on the 9/11 attacks and honors our fallen Emergency Services Personnel in red and blue. Thank you to Mainely Flags in Portsmouth, NH for having these flags, what a great and friendly store! Good luck and safe hiking to all the 2011 FOT48 groups!

FOT48 Passaconaway 9/11/10

Flags on the 48, Saturday September 11, 2010.
Pics HERE

We arrived bright and early at Ferncroft parking lot just after 6am. A van was there and a car pulled in just before us. Scott's first FOT48 hike and my mom made a day-before decision to come along, her and I on our second year. We geared up and headed to Old Mast Rd. The two who had pulled up before us asked if we were with FOT48 for Passaconaway. I said yes rather surprised, as I wasn't aware of anyone signing up. They (Andy and Jess) said they had a day or two ago and that they had sent me (or someone?) an e-mail. I kinda started things off rude by telling them my mother hated dogs (as they had one with them). Probably not the best thing to say to strangers who would be joining us, but I just wanted to ensure my mother's and my enjoyment of the hike without a loud, out-of-control dog. The dog, Skyler turned out to be very well behaved however so it all worked out fine. Sorry for the rude introduction!

Off we went taking the Kelly trail. I knew this would be a bit more ambitious than some of the other, easier routes to the summit but I wanted to make a day of it and explore a new trail that I have been wanting to hike. Kelly trail was well maintained and we kept a very good pace, stopping shortly now and then for a quick swig of water. Jess had done two hikes up Katahdin this year and Andy from what I gathered  has not done a whole lot of hiking and was asking plenty of questions and seemed to be really enjoying the hike. The trail stayed rather gradual and got interesting at Paugus Pass where the trail climbs through a narrow gully similar to Ice Gulch, but lacking the boulder filled floor. Layers of rock shelves formed walls on either side of us. My mother got her hair bun caught in branches twice. And Scott and I forgetting we had poles rising over us, got caught a couple times on branches and a couple of head height blowdowns. So we a few good laughs! Then at another point my mom and I bent over to look at a moth on a birch tree bringing my flag poles in contact with her head. It was a pretty hard hit, but no blood thank God! We arrived at the Square Ledge Branch trail where we took a break. The SLB trail makes a steady climb up to Square Ledge trail where you climb steeply, with views ahead through the trees of Square Ledge. The trail brings you just below the ledge, then swings right of it and climbs beside it and through a stone trough of sorts. Once above and just past this a view spot on a steep ledge is on the right overlooking the large mass of Mt. Paugus. We took another break here.

The trail now drops to a col then climbs steeply up to the Passaconaway Cutoff trail. Here we met 3 guys who started from the Kancamagus Highway carrying a flag that had hung over the US Embassy in Afghanistan. We chatted shortly then began climbing down dropping to another col. passing a view spot to Whiteface. Then we steeply climbed to the base of Passaconway's cone. A final steep push up Walden trail brought us to a level area. The trail swung around right and past a large flat rock with views towards Chocorua and North to Washington. There was a group of 5 with large camping packs on the rock, so we continued on as we wanted to get the flag up anyway and find the North View spot for lunch.

We passed the North view sign and soon found the summit sign to our left, right on time at 11:45am. We began assembly and I decided to scale a tree this year as I had done the year before on North Tripyramid. After several attempts to secure the pole to the tree, we finally had it set in place and secured. Unfortunately there was very little wind up here. But now and then a small wisp of wind would bring the flag at attention. Several people were there taking pics including the group we had met earlier who opened there flag for a picture, then headed back down before I even had a chance to see it and take a picture. We now made our way to the North view spur path which climbs down annoyingly, .3 miles and 200 feet to what turned out to be a small ledge where the group of campers had migrated to. We unpacked our lunch and huddled along the trail to eat, and once the group headed back up at about 1:00, we took possession of the space to take in the glorious view.

The view was spectacular. The entire White Mountain National Forest opened up in front of us! Cloud covered Mt. Washington in the middle, flanked on the left by the southern Presidentials, the Pemi Wilderness, Franconia Notch, the Hancocks, a spectacular view of Carrigain and it's notch, the Dry River Wilderness, the Osceola's and the Tripyramids. And to the right, ledgy Hedgehog Mtn. directly below, the Moats, Chocorua, Kearsarge North, Wildcat, Carter Dome and the Baldfaces. One of the best sweeping view spots I think I have seen!

About 1:30pm we headed back up the trail and decided to drop our bags at the view spot to the West of the summit overlooking the Tripyramids. I took off to snap pics of the flag and over the the East view spot we had passed earlier. Then we began dis assembly of the flag. We began our decent at 2:00pm. The first section was very steep. Jess slipped on a rock catching herself from falling. Then I did the same thing on the same spot, twisting my ankle to the point of pain and burning. Very thankful that it didn't sprain or fracture! Must be all the hiking this year keeping my joints flexible. The burning feeling went away after about 10 minutes and no pain, phew! We were clearly a bit tired and this steep section was getting the best of us. On another steep section my mother made a wail and I turned back to see her crash to her knees and into the pine trees! This can't have a good outcome! But once again someone was watching out for us, my mother's knees landed on a bed of thick moss! She walked away from this wipe out with a small scrape on her arm from landing in the trees. Another catastrophe averted we got moving again.

Jess and Andy took off down the trail at this point to meet us back down at the bottom. We slowly made our way to the switchbacks where the trail eased and stays at a gentle grade down Dicey's Mill trail to the Ferncroft road and parking lot. We passed a few people thanking us for our efforts and passed many making a late ascent. Onto Ferncroft road and past the picturesque homes, we arrived back at the parking lot at 4:30pm and very happy to get the boots off and throw a fresh shirt on! We said our farewells to Jess and Andy and headed out. A great day, perfect visibility, temperatures and trails. Couldn't have asked for a better day.
Thanks to all who participated in FOT48, God Bless America, may Freedom ring from mountain top to mountain top!

Trip Totals:
Mileage - 11.5 miles
Elevation Gain - about 4,520 feet
Time - 10 hours

Pics HERE

FOT 48 North Tripyramid 9/12/09

What a day! My mom (Tracey), brother (Jeremy), and friend Brian (Scott was home sick with a cold ) Started off from Livermore Parking Lot at 8:30am sporting our pole sections made of PVC piping. We headed up the road passing a field with a view of our North Peak destination and the difficult North Slide visible also. The road continues for an annoyingly long time much like Lincoln Woods trail but we were enjoying conversation and the beautiful day!

Once on the Tripyramid Loop Trail we began to climb more steeply before coming to the rocky area at the foot of the slide. Soon after we were negotiating rock scrambles and straight up rock slab climbing. Conditions were mostly dry and we took our time and had no problems. Once on the more gravelly section things slowed under the loose footing. Brian slipped and gouged his knee pretty good. No bones broken he was happy to go home with a bloody leg to show he did something! Soon after we decided to take a break about 1/2 way up the slide. Views were great to Tecumseh and the Osceola's but all else was fogged in. We were very happy with the perfect temps. and no precipitation though.

Onward we finally made our way to the head of the slide. One last look as the fog overtook the rest of the peaks and we climbed back into the trees. The trail quickly begins to climb steeply again before we made it to the Rock on North Peak summit at 12:15pm. We dropped our packs and began to determine which tree would be best to hold the flag configuration. We found a perfect tree to climb 10 ft. from the actual summit and began assembly. 2 hikers showed up who were glad to see that this peak was covered...they had done this a couple years they said. Approximately 30ft. of PVC piping and plently of duct tape put together and the flag attatched Jeremy climbed the tree while Brian and I hoisted the pole. Tracey was on camera duty. Once in place we attatched it to the tree with tape and rope. After seeing that the pole was too flexible Jeremy and I climbed the tree again to rope off the pole to surrounding trees. This was successful. The FOT 48 History plaque in place under the tree and the number of 9/11 deaths read aloud we decided to check out middle peak as I remember this peak to have the best views.

Another steep hike down to the col then back up to Middle Peak. Pretty exhausted we arrived with unfortunatley no view of our Flag on North Peak due to the fog. Oh, well. We set up lunch on the West facing ledge. There was a flag on this peak which surprised me. I checked it out and recognized the face. I questioned his name to which he replied his first and last name, I must have had a blank look because he then said Cumulus. OH, I said, RocksOnTop. He was with another whom I forgot his name (sorry). After our "nice to meet you's" I joined my group for a smorgus board of lunch and COFFEE!

Once nourished we headed back at 1:45pm. Once back at North Peak we dissasembled the flag pole, packed up and headed down Scaur Ridge trail leaving about 2:30pm. We arrived back at the parking lot without incedent at 5:30pm. This was a fun and meaningful trip and an awesome hike. The lack of views was dissapointing but better than rain! We were all pretty sore and tired and ready for a good meal, shower and bed! My pole configuration was a success which made me happy and it was great to have a group to help out and provide plenty of laughs for the day. Great day, can't wait for next years!




Picks of this trip here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622369415458/

2009 Flags on the 48!

2009 Flags on the 48 registration is in progress! Just learning of this event this year, I was hesitant to register as a cooridinator. But I decided to accept the challenge and responsibility and accuired North Tripyramid in Grafton County located near Waterville Valley. The event will be on September 12, 2009 from 12:00pm - 2:00pm on all of NH's 48 4000 Footers. It is great to see even the hiking community come together to remember America's most tragic and world-changing event 9-11. And also in honoring our soldiers who have and continue to fight for our freedom. To become a coordinator or join a group click on the links at the top of the post. Support our nation and enjoy the freedom of hiking in the beautiful White Mountains of NH! "Oh beatiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plains, America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea!" America the Beautiful

Crew List: Jason Morris (Peak Coordinator), Scott Lavoice, Tracey Morris, Jeremy Morris, Brian Philbrick, Ian Dubi, Brian Keane & 3 friends.

8/10/09 Update: I am excited to say that registration for this peak is full! Just waiting on some names for registration. It should be a fun filled day with a lot of climbing in the process! I have the rope purchased and will be getting the flag soon. Also a friend of mine Donna (Donna's Home and Office Improvement) is working on a pole that will be connected with cuplinks for easy set up and break down. Look forward to spending the day with what is turning out to be a great group!