Click here to reserve your spot with a $150 deposit.

Are you new to backpacking and looking for a challenge?

This EMS Early Fall Hut to Hut Backpacking Trek is just the trip for your final fall outing. During this trip we'll cover some of the most beautiful above tree line terrain in the White Mountains, from Mt. Lafayette on the Franconia Ridge and across the edge of the Pemigewasset wilderness to Mt. Zealand and the Zealand Falls Hut. This is considered one of the most interesting hikes in the White Mountains and an accomplishment to be proud of.

During the entire trip, you’ll be carrying your own backpack (15 - 20 pounds) with only your personal items (a list will be provided), and you’ll be staying in three full service huts, Green Leaf, Galehead, and Zealand Falls. These are rustic in nature, with co-ed European hut style lodging. During the trip, breakfast and dinner will be prepared by the hut staff, lunches will be an assortment of cheeses, breads, fruit, salami and other snacks. Some of the huts have solar energy or electricity and all have clean toilets, drinking water, and mattresses. By staying in the huts you don't have to carry tents, stoves or large quantities of food.

During this trip you'll be guided by Becky Harrison, our department director and Expert Himalayan Guide and George Karaffa our local White Mountain Expert guide. Their jobs will be to help make the experience safe, fun and informative. Even if you’re a seasoned hiker, having a professional guide along adds to the experience by allowing you a worry free trip. Having two guides also allows us not to change plans if one person isn't able to continue. Most companies need to turn the group around because of lack of guide to client ratios.

Lunches will be a combination of your own personal snacks and an assortment of cheeses and crackers. If you're Gluten Free, or have other dietary needs please let us know, the huts can accommodate any type of diet.

 

Itinerary

Day one: (L & D) We will meet at 8:30am in the lobby of the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch. We'll answer and questions and double check our gear before boarding our van at 9:00am to drive to the trailhead. This will be a good warm up for the next couple days. We will make the shorter, moderate trek into the Green Leaf Hut where we will spend the night. 2.7 miles on gradual incline.

Day two: (B, L & D) Load up on a hearty breakfast, you'll need all the energy you can for our hike today. We'll set off to the Franconia Ridge and Mt. Lafayette, our first summit of the trip. From the top, we'll head along the Garfield Ridge Trail to Mt. Garfield. Once at the top we'll replenish our energy once again to make the rest of the journey to the Galehead hut. Total mileage 7 miles.

Day three: (B, L & D) You may feel a little stiff this morning, but a little stretching and a big AMC breakfast should put you in great spirits for today's challenges. We leave Galehead and work our way toward Zealand Falls hut. The trail consists of vast ridge line views and many ups and downs as it winds it's way along the outer ridge of the Pemigewasset wilderness. We'll be rewarded with beautiful views, two mountain summits, and a hearty dinner when we reach the Zealand Hut. 7 miles

Day three: (B & L) Congratulations! The hike out today will be moderate and mostly down hill. After a leisurely breakfast, we'll head out on the trail and back to civilization. Since our van is parked only 3 miles down the trail we can take our time and enjoy the meadows and beaver ponds along the way. Everyone will be shuttled back to the Highland Center where we will arrive by noon.

 

Gear List: HUT PACKING LIST

Since this is considered a light backpacking trip, you’ll need to pay attention to what you bring. Weight will be a key issue, for many of us that haven’t carried a backpack in a while. If you don’t own a packpack or sleeping bag these items can be rented through our EMS stores.

For the FEET

o Hiking Boots - One pair of medium weight hiking boots, well broken in, waterproofed and proven not to give your feet any blisters. Don’t bring old worn out boots that don’t have good soles, or broken shoelaces.

o Gaiters - Make sure your gaiters fit over your hiking boots and are full length and waterproof.

o Camp Footwear - One pair of sneakers or Teva-style sandals

o Socks – 5 pairs of socks made of synthetic materials or wool blend. Next to the skin, some people like thin polyester or polypropylene socks to transport perspiration from the foot to the outer socks.

For the BODY

o Underwear - 4 pair, synthetic (no cotton blends)

o Bra/Sports bra - One, synthetic (no cotton blends)

o Shirts or Tops - Two short and one long sleeve shirts

o Fleece Pullover and Pants - 100 or 200 weight Polartec® or Powerstretch® tights and top

o Jacket - One warm jacket with Down, Hollofill or similar high loft insulation. This layer fits underneath your rain and wind parka.

o Hiking Pants - Two pair. Some people like the kind that you can zip the legs off. These are good for warm afternoons. Please, no jeans.

o Shorts - One pair

o Gortex/Waterproof Rain Parka and Pants - This is considered the outer layer (rain gear). The parka should be waterproof with hood and pit zips. The pants will go over fleece pants or long underwear, and must be waterproof (side-zip style is optional).

For the HANDS

o Gloves - 1 pair of liners/1 pair of warm gloves

Make sure that your gloves liners can fit inside mittens or other heavier gloves.

For the HEAD

o Headgear, a.k.a. Hats - During the day you’ll need a hat with a brim to protect your face from intense sun, and at night a fleece or wool hat for warmth.

o Sunglasses - Two pair

o Headlamp - One / Bring extra batteries and bulbs. Headlamp must be bright enough to see at night or incase of emergency. Small flash light is useful.

SLEEPING EQUIPMENT

o Sleeping Bag - High quality with hood rated from 30-40 degrees F. If you don’t already own a sleeping bag we suggest purchasing a down bag because of weight.

o Foam pad - One full length closed cell foam pad. Optional if you want more comfort. Optional

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

o Hydration Systems - Two wide mouth 32oz Nalgene brand waterbottles, or Camelback type hydration system.

o Bandanna - Two / since there isn’t a lot of toilet paper to go around we can use your Bandanna to blow your nose. Also is good to hear as a neck over for sunburn, and over mouth for dust.

o Sunscreen and Lip Protection - One tube of sunscreen and two chapsticks, both SPF 30 and not older than 6 months.

o Insect Repellent - One bottle of insect repellent cream in a tube/No spray cans. Yes you can expect bugs.

o Baby Wipes - Amount depends on time traveling. Make sure these are stored in a zip lock plastic bag, they sometimes leak.

o Camp Towel – One small /This will be for drying after cleaning up in a lake or facet. The brand I use is called "Pack Towel," and can be purchased at EMS. These must be washed before use, so check out the instructions.

o Hydration Mix - Plain water doesn’t replenish the electrolytes lost while sweating, working hard hiking, or during very hot weather. It can also get pretty boring to drink just water. You should purchase something like Gatorade, to put into your drinking water. Gatorade can be purchased in small one-day packets.

o Toiletries - Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, lotion, fingernail clippers, etc. Only organic brands that won’t hurt the environment. Women must remember to bring sanitary napkins or tampons. Your toiletries should all fit into a small kit. Don’t bring large bottles of shampoo or other items, you can purchase small size bottle specifically for travel use. If you’re traveling on this trip with a friend, it is then possible to share things like toothpaste and sunscreen.

o Toilet Paper – 1 roll keep in zip lock bag.

o Ear Plugs - 2 pair / Good for blocking out snoring.

o Trekking Poles - One pair telescopic poles with baskets at the bottom

o Waterless Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer - One small bottle

o Camera - If you’re thinking of purchasing a new camera, try to buy one that takes double A over the counter batteries, not rechargeable ones.

o Books, Tape Player, Journal, Cards, etc. - On all trips there will be time to read, listen to music, and reflect on your day. It is advised not to hike with a music device running. In the event of danger you won’t be able to understand instructions.

PACKS

o Day Pack w/rain cover - Your backpack should have some type of internal support to help carry the weight. The best size backpack for this trip is a 4000 to 5000 cu in. There should be places to strap on your trekking poles and for your water bottles. Your pack must fit you correctly and feel comfortable with a weight of 20 - 25 pounds. We suggest you go for a hike with some weight inside your pack to make sure it fits properly. If you don’t have a back that you think will work, visit your local EMS store for help with choosing a new pack. The experts at EMS can help you with purchasing a new pack. EMS also has “women” specific backs that fit a woman’s body.

o Compression stuff sacks - These help to maximize space. I usually use three stuff sacks: one for my hiking clothing, technical clothing and socks and underwear. In addition, this protects your clothing from getting that popped bottle of shampoo all over everything.

o Trash Bags - Four 32 oz. 3 ply garbage bags. These can come in handy to cover your daypack during a downpour or for dirty clothes. In addition, you can put your stuff sacks into a bag to keep things dry.

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For more information, or to book your very own Eastern Mountain Sports adventure, call our travel guru Becky Harrison at
888-755-8735 or e-mail us at becky@emstrek.com.

A Challenging and scenic trail, starting at Franconia Notch.

Great trip for physically fit hikers new to backpacking

Three nights in AMC backcountry lodges

Summit five peaks in the White Mountains

Great for fit hikers new to backpacking

Meals provided by the AMC lodge staff

EMS professionals for your safety

Great for hikers 18 and older

Total 4 days

MEETING TIME & PLACE: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch

2008 DATES
July 27th - 30th
August 16th - 19th
September 20th - 23rd

COST: S450 per person

Click here to reserve your spot with a $150 deposit.

GROUP SIZE: 6-8 people

MEALS: Breakfast & dinner cooked by AMC hut staff. Lunches will be provided as a mixture of breads, cheeses, fruit and an assortment of items.

STYLE OF TRIP: This is considered a lightweight-backpacking trip. You will need to carry your own pack with all of your personal belongings, water and snacks, but no food for meals. Packs can be rented from EMS, along with sleeping bags. The huts do supply blankets and pillows, if you want to bring only a travel bed liner.

AGE GROUP: This trip is designed for ages 15+:

FITNESS RATING: Strenuous
Great trip for fit hikers 18 years and older, new to lightweight backpacking. Excellent Fitness and good health is key to enjoying this trip.

Included With Trip:

1 night stay at the Green Leaf AMC Hut

1 night stay at the Galehead AMC Hut

1 night stay at the Zealand Falls AMC Hut

Breakfast and dinner are prepared by the hut staff

Lunches will be an assortment of meats and cheeses, crackers, and fruits

EMS professional guides

Trekking poles upon request

Not Included:

AMC Shuttle fees

Transportation to destination

Snacks and bars between meals

Backpacks and sleeping bags may be rented from any EMS retail store.

 

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For more information, or to book your very own Eastern Mountain Sports adventure, call our travel guru Becky Harrison at
888-755-8735
or e-mail us at becky@emstrek.com.

Call 888-755-8735 / Contact Us