Welcome

Welcome to the New Hampshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Below are a few events you may be interested in. Be sure to browse the up-to-date list of events in Happenings sections: Activities | Social Events | Educational Events | Weekend Roundup

Get Involved!

There are a few openings on the Chapter Executive committee. Here is your chance to get involved, make something happen, and help guide the direction of the Chapter.

Join us for Greenleaf Hut Night on September 11, 2010!

A Traditional NH Chapter Hut Night
Hut Nights are a special tradition for NH Chapter members and we look forward to a memorable evening at one of our favorite huts. We have reserved a limited number of bunks at a special rate of $89.50 per person.

On the morning of September 11th you are welcome to join us for a group hike to the hut. Upon arrival we will check in, select our bunks, and unpack our gear. Tripsters will then be free to relax around the hut or take a hike to the summit of Mount Lafayette (5,260’) for the annual “Flags on the 48”.

In the evening, we will gather for a wine and cheese reception followed by hearty dinner prepared and served by the Greenleaf Hut Crew. After-dinner we’ll take a short hike to enjoy the sunset from a new perspective.

On the morning of September 12th, we’ll enjoy breakfast by the crew before saying goodbye and heading out for our hiking adventures. Greenleaf provides a great starting point for some special hikes and your options include a traverse across the Franconia Ridge.

About Flags on the 48:
“Flags on the 48” is an annual memorial hike to each of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot summits in memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The first hike was an informal and spontaneous memorial by a group of six hikers who raised a large American flag on the summit of Mount Liberty the first Saturday after the 9/11 attacks. The tribute has grown significantly each year since it began in 2001.

Today hundreds of hikers are involved and they hike to the summits before noon to pay tribute by flying the American flag for two hours. Each summit group has its own special tribute with photos, peaceful music, and quiet conversation with passing hikers.

How to Reserve Your Space
1. Call the AMC Reservations Line at (603) 466-2727 (Mon-Sat, 9 am to 5 pm).
2. Tell them you are with NH Chapter 9/11 Hut Night (Group Number 133368).
3. You will be asked to provide contact info, food allergy, and vegetarian requests.
4. Reservations are first come, first serve and deadline to book is August 23rd.
5. Questions? Call Karen Thurston (Hut Night Trip Leader) at (603) 770-1980.

AMC-NH Chapter Annual Meeting and Dinner Program

Saturday, October 2
Mountain Edge Resort & Spa at Sunapee
6 p.m. social hour (cash bar and appetizers)
7 p.m. dinner followed by the program
Register Online. Deadline to register is Sat Sep 25.

Galapagos Photo Safari

"…far away places with strange sounding names are calling, calling me."

Long ago Jack Holmes – Guest Speaker – heard this song and it has remained with him ever since. He has been a traveling photographer for almost five decades; 50 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and over 30 countries.

You are invited to enjoy Jack’s captivating Galapagos Slide Show as he travels with his camera, up close and personal, with iguanas, sea lions, hawks, blue- footed boobies albatross and more.

The Galapagos Islands straddle the equator in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles off the Ecuador coast. All plants and animals arrived by the currents of air or ocean. Darwin visited on the HMS Beagle in 1835. Finches were a key species for his work on the “Origin of Species”. Darwin marveled at the fierce looking iguana. Their ancestors would have arrived on debris floats, probably from the Ecuador mainland. The current two species coexist; one eating only marine algae while the other feed on land plants.

Visits to the Galapagos National Park require a National Guide for access and will accompany you all the time. Efficient travel usually means “cruise”. Carefully chosen tours booked in advance will have English speaking guides and dependable craft. The number of boats in the harbor, the number of launches on the beach, and the number of people on the land is under quota. You must remain on the trail. “You can’t touch any animal but they can touch you if they want.” Usually they ignore you, even when you are close. As one guide noted you “are a paparazzi.”

With very few predators, the animals and birds are very tame and approachable. This makes viewing and photography easy and enjoyable. Islands, and the waters near them, each have plants and wildlife that are suited to the microenvironment. Albatross are on islands that have updrafts so they can become airborne. Sea lions need low lying beaches and rocks at the water edge. Hawks are predators of marine and land iguanas. Cacti are very tall and sharp needled. The volcanic highlands of Isla Santa Cruz, where giant land tortoise wander wild, is often misted by a drizzly fog called garua. .

Prior to this program, there will be a short business meeting to elect our officers and committee chairs for the coming year.

We have arranged a gentle hike and paddle in the Sunapee area prior to the dinner program. If you would like to make this a day-long event by participating in the Sunapee SP/Lake Solitude hike visit: http://trips.outdoors.org/index.cfm/method/ search.fullview/tripid/28232/preview/preview/ For the Grafton Pond paddle go to: http://trips.outdoors.org/index.cfm/method/search.fullview/tripid/28154/preview/preview

If interested in making this event a weekend or over-night stay you can check out the many amenities of this Adirondack style Mountain Edge Resort & Spa. www.mountainedgeresort.com – 1-877-468-3343. In addition, the Best Western Hotel/Sunapee (just across the road) would be an excellent choice as well www.sunapeelakelodge.com – 603-763-2010.

Register Online. Deadline to register is Sat Sep 25.

Menu: Served, plated entrée of one-half Free Range Roasted Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Fresh Corn, Gravy for each table. Blueberry Bread Pudding with Godiva Chocolate and Whipped Cream for Dessert. Vegetarian plate available upon advance request – see registration form.

Directions: Mountain Edge Resort and Spa is located on Route 103 in Newbury, NH 1/4 mi east of the Mount Sunapee traffic circle across from Best Western Sunapee Lake Lodge. Enter parking area off Rte.103 at the Rosewood (red) Barn and General Store directly across from Digby’s Tavern.

For questions or additional information call: Janice Bremer, Hospitality Co-Chair at 603-672-9626 (until 8:30 p.m. only)

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