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in reply to: Zealand 2023 #66113
WEATHER UPDATE:
For those of you that have been watching the weather for this weekend, the thunderstorm outlook seems better than it was earlier in the week. This afternoon’s MWOBS higher summits forecast states there is a slight chance in the afternoon along with scattered showers throughout.
Obviously, group safety is the most important part of our hike. I have no intention of getting caught in a thunderstorm carrying sections of an aluminum flag pole.
So, we will continue with the original plan to meet at 0700 and hike at 0730. As a group, we will continue to assess the thunderstorm threat as we hike. If the weather becomes unsafe, depending on how far up the trail we are, we will either shelter at Zealand Hut or turn around and descend to the trailhead. We will still fly the flag in some way, whether it’s at the summit, the hut, or at the trailhead – but we will do it in a safe manner.
That said, be prepared to get wet and hike in slippery conditions. We will likely encounter rain at some point and possibly throughout the day. Also in the interest of safety, we will stay together as a group. This makes it easier to communicate and account for everyone in the group. The last thing I want on my conscience is for someone to separate from the group and injure themselves.
Once again, I look forward to meeting and hiking with everyone in this group. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email or message me.in reply to: North Twin #65830Google drive link for group photo sharing:
in reply to: North Twin #65753Glad to have everyone on board!
Ok, we’re 10 days out from the hike and an official plan has not been posted, so I’m going to go ahead and post my plan:
I will be at the Mt Osceola Trail parking area on Tripoli Rd around 8:15AM. My plan is to start hiking at 8:30AM. I expect it to take roughly 3 hours to get to the peak, leaving plenty of time to get set up to raise the flag by noon. I have a 24 foot flag pole that I will be bringing to the parking area. It breaks down into six sections and, if used, I will need volunteers to carry the sections. Last year, I carried the entire pole myself to the peak of Mt Isolation. This year, I will have my son on my back and my pack weight with him is already just over 36 pounds, so carrying the pole is out of the question for me. I will be carrying my personal flag from Iraq that has also flow at previous FoT48 events.
For everyone else participating in this peak, please post here and introduce yourself, give additional input, or simply let me know if you can assist in carrying the flagpole. I look forward to meeting everyone and helping to make this 15th Anniversary of 9/11 a worthy memorial.Good to hear from you, Brenda! It looks like it’s still just 3 of us. Since it sounds like you have the flag pole figured out (and we’ll have 3 flags to swap around), it should just be a matter of picking a route and a meeting place and time. I’ll be staying in Jackson Friday and Saturday night, so I’ll be close enough for an early start Saturday morning.
I’m not our peak coordinator, but I’ve been looking at my trail maps and previous FOT48 trip routes and I would like to see us hike in and out on the Glen Boulder trail. Weather permitting, possibly quick out and back to the Boott Spur junction on our way out? Looks like a meet time of 0530 at the Glen Ellis Falls parking area with a start time of pre-0600 should work well. Obviously, if our peak coordinator Brenda has another route in mind I don’t want to hijack anything.
Also, a quick question for Brenda and Steve: Do either of you have supplies for a flag pole and/or need help carrying any of it up to the peak? I’m brainstorming my own ideas for a pole, but don’t want to spend a ton of time or money on it if we already have it covered for this hike.
Thanks!
Looks like its just 3 of us signed up to cover Mt Isolation now. I’m looking forward to hearing from Brenda for route planning. As far as supplies, I’m still fairly new to this, so I don’t have any pole supplies. I will be bringing a flag and will be willing to help transport any pole pieces that need to be carried.
I am thinking of joining this group and would like to know the route plans as well. I’ll be driving up and spending the night somewhere in the area on Friday night. I’m up for putting in some good miles, but don’t want to make this an overnight as I think some groups may have done in the past. BTW, I’ll be bringing my 3’x5′ flag that I flew in Iraq in 2003.
in reply to: Moosilauke #55620Hello all,
I’m a newcomer to the Flags on the 48 hike, but I’m very excited to be taking part in it this year. I will be bringing my wife with me on this hike and I will also be bringing a small (3’x5′?) personal flag that I flew during my deployment to Iraq in 2003. I do not have a pole for this flag, but figured my wife and I could hold it up for a few pictures.
I’m not sure of the logistics you guys have in mind for carrying the large flag and poles, but I am more than willing to help. Although I am new to New England and the White Mountains, I have plenty of backpacking/hiking experience from the Smokey Mountains.
Josh
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