Magnificent Magnification on Moriah đź”🔎
- Leaders
- Samantha Mandel (B), Theresa Cloutier (B)
- Program
- Winter School
- Type
- Hiking
- Terrain level
- B
- Trip date
- Saturday, January 17th
- Difficulty rating
- L4: Difficult
- Prerequisites
- Experience on similarly difficult winter or 3-season hikes, fitness for a 9 mile hike with >3000' elevation gain
We'll be headed up Mount Moriah (one of the NH48) bright and early Saturday morning via Mt. Surprise. Both peaks have magnificent views of the Presidential Range, which we'll be examining with binoculars! Theresa has some bird-watching binoculars that she can share with the group.
Details
The hike is about 9 miles with a significant elevation gain of 3,254'. We'll be taking the Carter-Moriah trail, which is an out-and-back that has a steep grade. Alltrails
Requirements
Previous winter hiking experience is encouraged, as well as confidence in your ability to layer in cold weather. You should feel comfortable hiking with a moderately heavy backpack during any season. We will be using microspikes and snowshoes.
This is a strenuous hike due to mileage and elevation gain, hence you are strongly encouraged to consider your previous winter hiking experience and whether you are comfortable hiking at this difficulty level. We will be hiking at the fast side of moderate. Feel free to reach out to the leaders if you want to know if your experience is suitable for this hike.
Please budget for the following expenses: $5 trip fee, $30-50 carpooling costs, up to $15 for gear rentals, potentially extra if you plan to buy food at a rest stop. If you are an MIT undergrad, financial aid may be available.
Logistics
Mandatory pre-trip meeting at the MIT student center on Thursday, January 15 before the lecture. We will discuss the route and check out gear. We will depart Cambridge bright and early on Saturday morning around 5 am.
We will need drivers for this trip! Please update your car status if you can drive others. If not, please select “not driving” or “will drive self.” You must be prepared to rent a car if you have selected “willing to rent.” (MIT provides discounted car rental to affiliates, and we will evenly split rental/gas costs).
Signup
- Algorithm
- lottery
- Maximum participants
- 7
- Signups opened at
- Jan. 13, 2026, 11:51 a.m.
- Signups close at
- Jan. 14, 2026, 9 a.m.
- Notes
- Please describe your most recent, similar winter hike, if any (distance, how recent). If none, please describe your most recent, similar 3-season hike and what winter activities you do that make you confident with your layering in the cold.
- What do you do on a weekly basis for exercise?
- Do you have a car (or are willing to rent) and drive to and from Cambridge?
- Do you have binoculars to bring? (optional)