Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    
    Actually, don't contact me yet.  Wait till June 3rd.  I've only been 
    up Monadnock 2 times, both times with someone who knew exactly how to
    get there and what trails we'd take, and I just followed blindly.
    I've recruited a small band of friends to follow _me_ up there on the
    2nd, and I'll be taking notes.
    
    I'm not sure yet if this will be a morning or afternoon event, but to
    give those of you who have no idea, it takes about 5 hours at my pace 
    to go up and come down.  My pace is leisurely.  This doesn't include
    time for a snack at the top.  So, before you sign up with me, think 
    about when you'd like to do it and let me know; I'll decide on the 
    time slot that's most desirable to all who respond. 
    
    Generally, I'll provide directions, and a map showing most (if not all)
    the trails.  I'll coordinate transportation if there is a need.
    
    CQ

I've been up Monadnock a few times.  It's a fun climb, strenuous but not 
difficult, on either the White Cross or Red Dot trails (I *think* I've 
remembered the names right!)  Much of the climb involves scrambling up granite
boulders of varying sizes.  General advice:

	-stout shoes, either leather or sneakers.  Our first time, Bob wore
	 penny loafers and tho we made it, I wouldn't recommend it!!!

	-DON'T wear sweat pants.  A lot of the way down, you slide down the
	 rocks on your ass, and you will look silly with your underwear peeking
	 out of those holes in the seat of your pants.

	-bring (non-alcoholic) drinks.  There's a spring to drink from, a bit
	 less than halfway up, below the steep part.

	-it's always windy on the top.  Bring something to block the wind, and 
	 maybe a sweater too.  You're likely to be very hot on the way up and
	 down, but cool or cold on the top.

	-if it has been wet much in the previous week, be careful, part of the
	 trail is a (usually) dry streambed.

I've heard that Monadnock is the second-most climbed mountain in the world,
after Fuji.  Bring binocs and/or camera.  Enjoy!

Sara (planning to climb Mansfield this year)

p.s.- silliest thing I've ever seen on Monadnock -- the woman who was planning
	to do it in a denim skirt, stockings, and clogs
      stupidest thing -- the two men with her were hand-carrying pints of
	whiskey in glass bottles
      funniest thing -- the woman ahead of us on the trail down, who had worn
	sweatpants!

    The easiest way to do Monadnock is to go up the white dot and down the
    white cross.  We've done it this way probably 10 times.  The first time
    my wife wore Italian sandals with just thin little thongs and a toe
    loop.  She made it, but didn't do it that way again.  Walking or
    running shoes are just great, anything that gives your feet some grip
    on the rocks.  We also took no water with us the first time, and it was a 
    hot day.  Big mistake.  Fortunately there were two industrious college 
    students selling lemonade at the top (that is not allowed, so don't count 
    on it).  Take some water.  One water bottle per person is more than enough. 
    I have found that on cool days I can do the climb with very little
    water.  We usually allow 4 1/2 hours, which gives us about a half hour at 
    the top.  Our pace is not leisurely, however.  You can go down the white 
    cross trail without sliding down any rocks.  We've climbed with a 4 year 
    old and a 6 year old.  Lots of people carry babies up and some bring their 
    dogs.  You can make it even if you are out of shape, but the next day 
    you'll know you've done something strenuous.  The funniest thing we ever 
    saw was an airplane circling the top carrying a banner which read "Diana - 
    will you marry me?"   When we got to the top everyone knew which one was 
    Diana, and she had said "Yes". 
    
    						- Vick

thanks for correcting the trail names, Vic.

My boy Adam led (at the gallop!) us up Monadnock at age 3!

Are dogs officially allowed?  (I think not.)

Have fun!

    
    Thanks for the advice everyone.  My recommendation will probably be to 
    take the Cliff Trail up, since that is the way I've gone up.  This, 
    evidently, is a trail that appears unnamed on maps (and not discussed in 
    my AMC guide), but the trail itself is clearly marked with a white C.  
    My guide has told me it has the best visual reward (and the visual reward 
    is great).  We came down the White Arrow last time; very steep, all rocks 
    all the way down.
    
    CQ

Christine:

  It sounds like you've climbed from the west side of the mountain
  (that is, from the old Toll Road and the Halfway House.)

  On the east side, most of the popular trails originate at the State
  Park.  (The way to the State Park is clearly marked from NH Route 124,
  a few miles west of the Route 202 / Route 124 intersection in Jaffrey.)
  From the State Park, you start out on the White Dot trail (here, more
  like a big wide forest road).  Above Falcon Spring you make your choice.
  The trail choices seem to be:

    o The White Cross back to the White Dot near the top (and Bald Rock),
                        
    o The White Dot all the way,

    o Cascade Link to the Red Dot to Pumpelly,

    o Cascade Link to Spellman to Pumpelly,

    o Cascade Link (*ALL* the way out) to Pumpelly.


  (I've named them in order from South-East to North-East.)  Saturday,
  Ajay (6 years old) and I hiked up White Cross and down Pumpelly to
  Spellman to Cascade Link.  The White Cross offered very good views
  to the South.  Spellman offered very good views to the East but was
  *VERY* steep.  It took us about 2 hours each way and we spent about
  a half an hour at the top.  The Ranger at the base estimated that
  the hike is a 3 to 4 hour round trip using only the major trails.
  (I think he meant White Cross, White Dot, and maybe Red Dot.)

                                   Atlant

    I'm interested in doing this hike and I'll probably bringing along a 
    few friends. IS there a raindate? I've hiked this several times and
    have all the trail-map info. Done the Pumpelly trail a couple of times.
    
    Laurie

  So, Christine, did you scout it out?  Whaddaya think?

                                   Atlant
                         (Probably joining the hike)

    I'd like to go on the hike.  Fresh air, exercise, good company, how
    better to celebrate...  Morning or afternoon is OK.  Morning is nice to
    start the day with (but harder to get to from Amherst), afternoon means
    I don't have to get up so early in the morning.
    
    I would request a not-so-steep trail.  I want to ENJOY the walk itself,
    and I find the steeper trails kind of scary.  The one time I went up
    Monadnock I think we took White Dot up and a mixture down.  (Pompelly
    to Red Dot(?) to Cascade Link).  The way down was easier than the way
    up, in any case.  
    
    It's a fun day!
    
    Pam

    Ok, I've made my hike up Monadnock and back and here's my take.  I 
    feel familiar with it now, but for me, this is an exhausting hike.  
    However, I'm "hot on hiking" because I want to quit smoking and
    hiking sure lets me know how bad it is for me.  I can't go fast 
    because I haven't got the breath.  I'm still smoking.  So, all I'm 
    saying here is that I'm a bit of a poke and all for taking the 
    "easy way" up though it's not easy for me.

    For the hike I took last week, we parked at the park (cost is $2.50
    per person) and took the following trails: Parker, Cliff Walk, Smith
    connector, White Cross to the summit.  On the way down, we took 
    Pumpelly to Red Spot, then Cascade Link.  This is a huge loop and we
    were all pokey (pokier than I _needed_ to be) and it took us ALL day.  
    There is a sign at the start of the Red Spot saying that it is the 
    most direct route to the summit.  I'd bet it's a tie with the White 
    Arrow, which is just as steep.  I know already that I am not able to 
    go UP either of these.  Going down IS easier than going up, but it can 
    be rough on the knees.

    I'd like to be able to do something Saturday evening, as well, so 
    I'd like to start the hike fairly early, to give time to get home, 
    shower and rest.  (Pam -- and anyone else with the need -- if you'd 
    like to stick around and do something in the evening as well, you're
    welcome to use my place for the same.  I'm planning to go to Gardner
    to hear Bill Staines.)  How about meeting at the park at 10:30?  I'd  
    like to hike up on the easier trails and to take a fairly direct 
    route; White Cross and White Dot seem to fit this bill.  We could 
    take one of those up and then, time allowing, we could take a more 
    meandering route down.

    I'm going on what I expect to be a short "picnic" hike tomorrow, up 
    North Pack Monadnock.  If this turns out to be a nice hike, is there
    any interest in something shorter?  North Pack's peak is at 2278 ft;
    Grand Monadnock's peak is at 3165.  (I already know that North Pack
    has a nice, open peak.  The last time I was there, though, it was 
    very hazy and the view was limited by the thick white haze.)

    As for foot wear, if you have boots, wear them.  Sneakers are fine
    but I tend to get clumsy when I'm tired and I'm glad of the ankle 
    support afforded by the boots.  I bring a half gallon of liquid and 
    drink it all.

    I'll make a BIG batch of GORP to share with all.

    Christine

        What's a GORP?
        
        Dan

    a GORP or GORP?
    
    GORP is a mixture of dried fruits and nuts carried and eaten by hikers.

GORP = Good Old Raisins and Peanuts (so I was taught)

Kai and I will probably come on this hike. I have a nice little
baby backpack and both of us love hiking.

	-- Charles

    I assume there will be somewhat more explicit details posted here soon,
    such as meeting time and meeting place (also explicit, as I don't know
    what anyone else looks like, oh, except Charles, hi Charles :^).
    
    							- Vick  

    >more explicit details posted here soon,
    
    Vick (and others) -- my impression is that to get the details of
    the party weekend's activities, (and to make the planning work)
    you really need to SIGN UP IN THIS GROUP OF TOPICS.
    
    (Right, Joyce?)
    
    Bob

    
    For this event, people can either sign up here or send me mail.  
    I expect that others are undecided, or have just not "committed" 
    to certain events (like me) though they have some in mind.  At 
    any rate, I will provide directions on how to get to the state 
    park from north/south/east/west, by the end of this week.  I'll 
    either send it out to those who have responded here, post them
    here, or post a pointer, OR any combination of the above.  I'll 
    be the first one there (state park parking lot), will park in a 
    relatively unoccupied part of the lot, and will tell all how to 
    recognise me.  (Maybe I will even make a little =wn= sign...)
    
    Howzat?
    
    CQ 

    
    Oh, and if you all send me mail and tell me where you'll be staying
    (what town) I could alert attendees to possible car-pooling
    possibilities, or places to meet along the way.
    
    CQ 

    
    I'm planning on climbing, though it might depend on the proposed times
    involved.  I may bring a daughter or two with me.  You may find it hard
    to find an unoccupied part of the parking lot on a nice Saturday in the
    summer unless you're talking pretty early.  But a small sign in your
    back window should be sufficient for people to find you.  I'm looking
    forward to the hike.  I live in Amherst, which is a 45 minute drive
    from the park.  I will most likely bring my hand-held ham radio with
    me with which I can patch into the phone system in the greater Nashua
    area (and others if I can get the right codes).  So if anyone would 
    get a kick out of calling someone from the top of Mt. Monadnock, it's
    doable.  I did that for a whole troup of Girl Scouts, and they thought
    it was a blast.  
    
    					- Vick

>    I'm going on what I expect to be a short "picnic" hike tomorrow, up 
>    North Pack Monadnock.  If this turns out to be a nice hike, is there
>    any interest in something shorter?  North Pack's peak is at 2278 ft;
>    Grand Monadnock's peak is at 3165.  (I already know that North Pack
>    has a nice, open peak.  The last time I was there, though, it was 
>    very hazy and the view was limited by the thick white haze.)

	They are not *all* that far apart - if views are an important
	part of the hike (they are for me) consider meeting, say in 
	Peterboro, and choosing then whether to hike Pack or Grand.
	Note also, that there is an auto road to the summit of
	South Pack, which would accommodate those who might not 
	feel up to a hike.

					Tom_K

    Ok, here are directions:
    
    From Manchester & Nashua, get on Rte 101 west.  From Nashua, take 101A
    to 101 in Milford.  After passing Milford, proceed 18 miles west on 101
    until you arrive in Peterborough.  Here you will come to the junction
    of Rtes 101 and 202.  Take a left turn onto Rte 202 south going towards
    Jaffery.  Proceed 6 miles to Jaffrey.  In Jaffery, there will be a
    junction of Rtes 202 and 124.  Take a right onto Rte 124 west.  You 
    will see the sign for the state park after 2 miles.  Go there.
    
    From Fitchburg & Leominster, get on Rte 12 north, or Rte 140 north. 
    Eventually 140 will merge in with Rte 12.  Take Rte 12 west to
    Winchendon.  In Winchendon, there will be a junction of Rtes 12 and
    202.  Take a right turn onto Rte 202 north heading towards Jaffery. 
    Proceed 11 miles to Jaffery.  In Jaffery, there will be a junction of
    Rtes 202 and 124.  Take a left onto Rte 124 west.  You will see the 
    sign for the state park after 2 miles.  Go there.
    
    From Boston, take Rte 2 west to Rte 140 north (about 45 miles).  Take
    Rte 140 north to Rte 12.  Take Rte 12 west to Winchendon.  Proceed as
    indicated above in Fitchburg directions.
    
    From Worcester, take I-190 to Rte 140 north.  Stay on Rte 140 until it
    merges with Rte 12 (about 24 miles).  Take Rte 12 west to Winchendon. 
    Proceed as indicated above in Fitchburg directions.
    
    This is my suggestion for what to bring:
    
     - back pack with a snack/lunch
     - water (at least a quart)
     - insect repellant (the black flies can be wicked; I use 100% DEET)
     - sun screen to protect from sunburn (my ears got burnt really badly 
       last time I was there!)
     - hat?  bandana to keep the sweat out of your eyes?
     - sturdy pair of sneakers or hiking boots 
     - toilet paper or tissues
     - something to wear on the top if it's cool (and it can be, even when
       it's very hot down below -- a windbreaker or an old shirt)

    Hey, can I bring my bag of marbles, Christine"Did I _really_ say that"
    Quiriy ?;-)
    
    Laurie

    Pardon me for being a worry-wart, but what time are we meeting and
    how will I recognize the group?
    						- Vick

    
    We are meeting at 10:30 (no one has objected yet) and I will have a 
    sign that says =wn= propped on the roof of my car.
    
    You can be a worry-wart if you'd like Vick :-)  I think I gave this 
    info (and quite a bit more) a few notes back.
    
    CQ

    You put it in the reply title, which I seldom think to read.  That's
    why I missed it.  Thanks for the repeat.
    							- Vick

    
    re: .21
    
    Ahem.
    
    >blush<
    
    "Yes, Laurie, do bring your marbles," she said, nonchalantly.
    
    CQ :-)

    P.S.  I don't know if you were planning to wait long for the people
    who sign up to show up, but don't wait for me.  I will not know until 
    Friday night if I can come.  If my daughter's team wins, then I can't come 
    because she'll have another game Saturday.  
    							- Vick

    
    I'll wait for whoever shows until 10:45 or so.  Maybe even 11:00.  I
    think it depends on who's there with me and how long we all feel like
    waiting.  If you (whoever's reading this now) want to show up even
    though you haven't replied here or sent me mail, please do; the more
    the merrier!  Look for the =wn= sign.
    
    CQ

    
    Well, I hope your daughter's team wins Vick, but I also hope you can
    come on the hike!
    
    Cq

    I'd like to attend the hike.  What time do we end up, is there 
    lunch afterward?
    
    John Bottoms
    

Re .29:

>What time do we end up, is there lunch afterward?

If the hike is indeed about 2 hours up and 2 hours down, then if you start at
10:30 AM, you won't be down until 2:30 PM.  And that schedule doesn't allow for
any sightseeing on top.

Maybe pack a lunch, as .20 suggests?
				/AHM