Stoked for a new season of winter hiking, but also love to eat, sleep in, or both? Join us for a beginner-friendly, cheesy and chocolatey trip through the Blue Hills this Sunday! We'll depart from MIT at a cool 10am 😎

Our planned route will take us 5-7 miles (~1500 ft elevation gain) through the Blue Hills Reservation, about a 30 minute drive from Cambridge and home to the Blue Hills Observatory. The observatory is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest continuously-operating weather observatory in the United States.

Upon reaching the Observation Tower, we will stop to learn how to use at least 2 different types of camping stoves. We will simultaneously take this stop as an opportunity indulge in some fondue and hot chocolate. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dippers and toppings to share.

This trip is perfect for anyone new to winter hiking and looking for a gentle introduction to practicing winter layering, microspike use (maybe), and the triangle of happiness, as well as any other folks looking for a more relaxed ease into this year's Winter School. All are welcome, but students are particularly encouraged to sign up!

Key Logistics:

• Our mandatory pre-trip meeting will take place Thursday 1/8 after the week 1 safety lectures, at 9PM on the 5th floor of the Student Center. Note that this is one floor above the MITOC gear office to allow us more space.

• Departure time: 10am Sunday 1/11 from MIT area. Exact locations to be coordinated with trip drivers at the pre-trip meeting

• Expected return time to MIT: no later than 5pm, likely much earlier

• Although the weather is forecasted to ~45F/8C, all trip participants are required to bring both microspikes and hiking boots to be prepared for potentially icy sections of the trail. Both 3-season and winter hiking boots are acceptable for this trip. There will be a chance to rent both microspikes and winter hiking boots from the MITOC gear office during our pre-trip meeting.

• Sign up for rideshare and fill out gear checklist here