HOST: Cherie Bélanger | @cherie_hikes | New Hampshire Ambassador

ACTIVITY: Hiking

LOCATION: Holderness, NH

SUGGESTED LGBT OUTDOORS DONATION: $10

ACTIVITY FEE(S): Free

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: November 14, 2024

MINORS ALLOWED: Yes

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Limit: 10

Mounts Morgan and Percival are distinguished mountains in the Sandwich range for being on both the NH 52 With a view, AND Terrifying 25 lists. While the challenge of this hike will be its technical nature, there are bypass trails that can be taken to get around the most technical parts. Challenge rating for this hike is moderate with 5.5 miles of trail and 1,522 ft of vertical gain.

We will be taking a SLOW pace, stopping frequently, and there are 2 summit areas with phenomenal views where extended breaks will be taken. The first 1.5 miles of the hike is a fairly standard NH climb. The final 0.25 miles up Morgan's summit features 3 ladders (about 25 feet total) bolted to, and climbing up a rock face. After the second ladder, a horizontal transfer to the 3rd ladder will be necessary before reaching the top of the ledge, and scrambling on all fours through a 12 foot boulder cave leading to a final scramble to the summit.

For those who get to the ladders and decide it's too much, there is an alternate trail that goes around to the summit while avoiding them. After catching our breath on Morgan, we'll make our way along a mostly flat 1 mile of trail to get to the Percival summit for another break and pictures. From here, there will be 2 choices of descent from the summit area, either down a massive glacial rockslide, through more boulder caves where we'll be working as a team to get ourselves and our packs through the caves, or down a much less technical cliff walk for those feeling less limber. The chambers inside the caves are roomy, but we will need to take off packs and pass them through a couple of smaller openings.

After the cliff/cave walks, the rest of the hike is fairly standard without any further technical challenges. While this is not a super challenging hike, those with an extreme fear of heights, or tight spaces MAY find parts of the hike to be particularly unsettling. If you are unsure, know that there are alternative routes one can use to skip the most technical parts. This hike will be cancelled if wet or icy conditions are present, which would make the climb or descent dangerous.

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