WLBH 12-29-15

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 12-29-2015 

                                            

TRIP LOCATION:         Blue Hills    

 

MEETING TIME:         10:30 am   

    

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):         11

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    3 hrs 30 mins

LENGTH IN MILES:     6.92 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 3,442 feet

DIFFICULTY:            C                       (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):      Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain

CO-LEADER NAME(S):            Pat Acorn

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: RT 28 Pull-off

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        No                 TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?         No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

Starting at a parking pull-off on RT 28 we hiked West towards Houghton’s pond.  We hiked in the lower foot hills parallel to old Rt 128 getting some introduction to a little elevation and climbing Burnt Hill (one of the lower hills in the Blue Hills reservation).  We had lunch at Houghton’s pond sheltering under the wooden canopy next to the Concession Stand.  We returned to our cars via the Old Rt 128

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Cold in the low 30’s with a continuous rain/snow sleety mix.  

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

One hikers brought two friends unannounced, we did a quick screening and agreed to them hiking with us.  None of the leaders however realized until later in the day that some of their clothing was cotton.  We asked each separately if they were cold and each said they were not and neither was showing signs of being hypothermic, however due to the continuing sleet the leaders decided after lunch to cut out a few ins-and-outs on the return trail and get back to the cars a little earlier.  We followed up with the friends of the hiker about the dangers of wearing cotton and with the registered hiker we asked that in future he not bring friends to the trailhead unannounced.  We explained that we want friends to hike with us but that we need to know a few days prior to the hike so we can screen them and make sure they have the proper clothing, equipment and skills for winter hiking.

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.