Join us this Saturday on a hike to Mt. Success in the Mahoosuc region. This mountain is a 52-with-a-view and on clear days offers outstanding summit views. This is a long and difficult hike and will require significant trail breaking as the trails are rarely traveled in winter. Snowshoe evangelism encouraged, posthole police not allowed!

Details

The route is 12.5 miles with 3900ft of elevation gain. If the group is moving particularly fast, we will have the option of extending the hike towards Carlo Col, which is an additional 4 miles and 1600 ft of elevation, or exploring a plane crash that is .2 miles down a side trail near the summit.

Given the length and remoteness of this trail, you should be comfortable in snowshoes and have experience on a similarly long and difficult hike (in any season). As we may move more slowly through the trail breaking sections, we plan to finish in the dark, so you should feel comfortable hiking with a headlamp.

This weekend will be particularly cold. The forecast for this Saturday is 2F at the trailhead, -5F at the summit (-30F wind chill). You should have your layering system dialed in and have experience taking short and efficient breaks.

Requirements

We want to make sure that this hike is safe and comfortable for everyone who joins. You would be a good fit for this hike if you meet the following:

• Have used snowshoes for 8+ miles on at least two previous winter hikes, and have hiked ≥ 2000 feet of elevation gain while wearing snowshoes at least once
• Have done multiple winter hikes in cold conditions (at least one in <10F)
• Have hiked 12+ miles / 4k vert in the past year (any season)
• Are comfortable hiking in the dark
• Have fitness commensurate with a strenuous hike at a brisk moderate pace
• Have snowslog stoke

If you do satisfy these prereqs, you're a great fit for this trip! Please sign up even if spots are full - we may be shuffling things around once car logistics are solved.

If you don't satisfy the prereqs, but you want to join the trip anyways, you are welcome to sign-up. We can be flexible on the prereqs depending on your past experience. If you don't satisfy the prereqs listed above, please send an email to the leaders with more information about your experience and general fitness / activity.

Logistics

There will be a mandatory pretrip meeting on Thursday at 6pm in the MITOC office which will also be a chance for people to rent gear.

Costs

Please budget:

• $5 trip fee
• $0-15 for rental costs
• $30-$50 for rideshare costs
• If you stay at Intervale cabin, there is a $10 cabin fee in addition to the normal trip/gear fees. Please let us know if this additional cost is a factor in your decision to join

If you are an MIT student, these costs can be waived/reimbursed.