Join us on one of the first winter hiking trips of 2020 where will will climb up Mt. Flume and hike/slide down Mt. Liberty. Our plan is to start from the Flume Visitor Center parking lot, then hike the treacherous Flume Slide Trail to reach Mt. Flume (4328'). Then we will continue to Mt. Liberty (4459'). We will leave the beautiful Franconia Range views behind by hiking or sliding down the Liberty Spring Trail.

Distance is about 10.6 miles, with an elevation gain of 3800'. This will be a strenuous hike due to mileage and elevation gain, hence you need to have taken previous Winter School classes, have previous winter hike experience and be in reasonably good shape.

We will be using crampons and ice axes on the Flume Slide trail. The steep part at the top Flume Slide Trail can be iced, so prior crampon and ice axe experience is highly recommended. We will also take snowshoes as there is lots of snow forecast and the Flume Slide is not a highway. It will be a cold and windy day and there will be some exposed sections at the summits, so we need a full set of layers and skin exposure protection. Temperatures will go easily below freezing and we expect large wind-chill factor. Please, bring mittens. If you prefer to slide down the Liberty Spring Trail (tons of fun!) you should also have microspikes with you. Please, bring water-proof, hard-shell (ski) pants.

Mt. Liberty Weather

The trip size is at max 5 (including leaders). We may extend the limit to 10 ppl based on car availability, interest, and participant skill level.

There will be a mandatory pre-trip meeting at the MITOC Office at 6:15pm on Thursday, January 2 to rent or check equipment and adjust crampons. Make sure to bring the hiking boots you will be using in the trip.

Details will be sent out after the lottery runs.

We reserve the right to select participants based on previous experience. Winning the lottery does not guarantee a place on this trip.

Thank you, for understanding.

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, 5 am: Meet at MIT student center turnaround and start driving to Flume Visitor Center parking lot

Saturday, 7 am: Stop at Dunkin’s at Lincoln for hot water fill and quick breakfast.

Saturday, 7:45 am: Arrive at the trail-head at Flume Visitor Center parking lot

Saturday, 8:00 am: Hike starts. Up Flume Slide Trail to Mt. Flume, then over to Mt. Liberty.

Saturday, 1:30 pm: Turnaround time

Saturday, 5:00 pm: Return to car, drive back to Boston (option to stop for dinner on way home)