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Flags of the 48:Mt. Eisenhower

Heavy winds did not stop us from raising the flag on Eisenhower.

Saturday, September 8, 2012
Bretton Woods, NH
Moderate to Strenuous
Hosted by HikerBiker

The trip report

Below is a link to a short video of us raising the US flag on the summit.
Six of us carpooled about an hour and met up with two others in our group at the trail head.  The drive was quite foggy, especially on the Franconia Notch Parkway.  We even saw a Black Bear on the edge of the road!  After gearing up and greeting each other we set off on the hike about a half hour late, but with plenty of time to make it to the summit by noon.
As we hiked the clouds remained thick and a foggy haze was frequently seen looking up the trail.  The humidity must have been near 100%.  The rocks were perspiring so much in a few places that water beaded up and dribbled off the sides.  Winds were gusty in the lower elevations rattling tree branches above.  We all took our time with many short breaks to keep together as a group and we shared carrying the flag pole along the way.  The trail was a moderate climb at first and it steadily increased in pitch all the way to the summit.
We arrived at the summit just before noon and the winds were STRONG!  We estimated about a 40-50mph gale with a few gusts near 60mph.  The temperature was in the low 50s.  With some effort the flag was mounted on the pole and it was successfully raised using a very large cairn as an anchor.
We huddled from the wind on the leeward side of the cairn for a lunch break.  The wind was noisy from it whistling over the ground, our jackets flapping violently, and the flag flying above.  Many other hikers came through and spent short spans of time nearby.  Some came to visit the flag and others were unaware of this annual event.
A half hour after raising the flag the pole broke and we were not able to remount it to fly.  We decided to pack everything up and take refuge in a calm area just below the summit cone.  We all felt very satisfied that we were able to keep the flag on display for at least 30 minutes of the two hour period in the strong winds.
After a much more pleasant break just below the summit we began our decent.  The clouds lifted enough in the valleys to give views of the Cog rail station and lower mountain slopes.  The summits of Mount Franklin and Mount Monroe even became visible for a short minute.  The humidity lifted a little, but the wind in the trees stayed strong.  Heavy rains started once we returned to our cars and on our return drive.
After the hike seven of us had a casual social in Canton while having pizza and light conversation.
WB

Event photos (47)

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About this event

Join us for Mt. Eisenhower for Flags of the 48 to remember 9/11. We will be carrying an American flag and placing at the summit of Mt. Eisenhower from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. If we are lucky enough to have good views, we should be able to see flags at some of the other peaks.

Mount Eisenhower is one of New Hampshire's 4000-footers and has only Mt. Monroe between it and Mt. Washington in the Presidential Range. It is the 12th highest of the NH 4000-footers at 4760 feet. It is a bald summit with 360 degree views of the southern Presidentials including Mt. Washington. This hike will follow the Edmand's Path for most of the hike with small stretches on the Mt. Eisenhower Loop trail and the Crawford Path [then return by Edmand's Path]. Most of the path is a very gradual climb but be aware that the final section [.2 miles] of the Edmand's Path and above are completely exposed the elements.

We will meet at the Edmand's Path trailhead on Mt. Clinton Road. Parking is $3.

Who came along (8)

HikerBiker SUSTAINING
HikerBiker
Manchester, NH
M SUSTAINING
markus24
Gilmanton Iron Works, NH
A member
Profile hidden
A member
Profile hidden
Cartman GUEST MEMBER
Cartman
Framingham, MA
DaveSchumaker GUEST MEMBER
DaveSchumaker
Manchester, NH
rangerbil GUEST MEMBER
rangerbil
Andover, MA
outsider SUSTAINING
outsider
hanover, MA

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