Zealand Falls Snowshoe Adventure
In February 2024, the rugged terrain of the New Hampshire White Mountains played host to an exciting expedition led by Guardian Revival’s outdoor adventure program, Another Summit.
Our weekend trip featured frigid temperatures and windchill down to -20°F, but we had fun and stayed warm between our snowshoeing treks, cozy AMC huts, and hot meals.
With 8 participants and 3 leaders, our team on this High Adventure included veterans of the Army and Navy, active & retired fire & rescue personnel, and active & retired law enforcement officers.
And now, the story of our intrepid guardians’ trip to summit Mt. Hale, one of New Hampshire’s 46 4,000-foot peaks.
Day One: Meetup and Hiking Prep
Despite the promise of freezing temperatures, with nighttime lows of -5°F and windchill as low as -20°F, our group arrived in high spirits, ready to tackle the challenge ahead.
We met at the AMC Highlands Center on Friday afternoon for our first in-person gathering. The group had met online two times prior for virtual preparation meetings.
After settling into our bunkrooms, the Another Summit crew regrouped in the Highland Center’s common area and sorted through all the essential winter hiking gear and food for our outdoor adventure.
Day Two: Hiking to the Zealand Falls Hut
On Saturday morning, we kicked off a 7-mile hike with our microspikes underfoot and climbed our way to the remote Zealand Falls Hut.
Along the way, we encountered beautiful winter landscapes and endured below-freezing temperatures with frigid windchill. Our hike was a relaxed, steady ascent that started on a closed road that eventually transitioned into a dense woodland area.
This last 2/10th of a mile saw our team climbing an incredibly steep slope which required stomping in our traction gear to avoid slipping backward during the last part of our ascent.
During our climb, the team stopped and took some time to drink in the beauty of Zealand Falls. The Falls were frozen solid and completely silent, standing in stark contrast to the roaring torrent of water you would experience during warmer months.
AMC Huts: A great experience for beginner hikers in winter
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) lodging are a great resource for lighter packs and a reprieve from the wet snow. We stayed in the AMC Zealand Falls Hut.
Once we arrived at the hut, the team settled into their chilly accommodation for the night. The AMC huts are an excellent way to introduce beginners to winter backpacking. The hut’s layout comes with a central gathering area, complete with a wood-burning stove and a fully functioning kitchen.
Two bunkrooms on either side of the common areas allow the Zealand Falls Hut to accommodate up to 36 hikers and additional staff members. Outside of winter, the hut is usually fully staffed, and hikers can enjoy freshly cooked meals and entertainment — including playing cards, jenga, conversation and joking around.
During the winter, the hut is staffed by a single caretaker who keeps water boiling on the stove and a fire going in a wood-burning oven. Meal preparations are left to the guests to handle.
During this trip, we used the hut’s stove (fueled with gas flown in by helicopter) to cook a hearty risotto and warm up after our freezing journey to the shelter. The team spent the evening passing the hours with a few games of Jenga and cards until it was time to turn in for the night.
Our team didn’t have to worry about sleeping in the cold because Another Summit supplies every piece of crucial equipment for High Adventures and Epic Adventures, so everyone stayed warm during the night with their provided sleep systems.
Day Three: The Hike to Mount Hale
On Sunday, our team awoke to a beautiful bluebird day and began the steep climb to Mt. Hale.
Our route provided us with nicely packed trails and winter scenery punctuated occasionally by breathtaking glimpses of Mt. Washington standing in the distance — its unmistakable silhouette crowned with ice-covered weather towers, announcing its identity to all who passed by.
Mount Hale is a viewless summit that sits at 4,054 feet. The summit is encircled by Balsam Firs, which obstruct the vista, but we enjoyed our accomplishment and the friendly Grey Jays flying around up there with us.
We celebrated with a well-deserved snack and a photo shoot to commemorate the journey. The hike down provided great views — and ultimately, the best part of the trip was the shared experience together.
The descent from Mt. Hale was even steeper than the ascent, but our group of winter hikers had multiple opportunities to glissade (a technical term for sliding on your bottom!), so our participants were able to take advantage of the quick way down the mountain.
The End of Our Winter Hiking Adventure
When we arrived back at the car, it was a bittersweet moment for our group — we were excited to complete our adventure but not ready to say goodbye.
We caravanned back to the Highlands Center to share one last meal together as a group, where the team reflected on our winter hiking adventure before parting ways and heading back home.
We’d like to thank all the participants and guides on our Zealand Falls team for being part of this trip. The camaraderie and community was incredibly strong in this group and leaves us all with memories that we’ll cherish forever.
Join an Another Summit Adventure
Another Summit is an outdoor adventure program run by non-profit organization Guardian Revival, created to support and enhance the well-being and mental health of our guardians (veterans and first responders) at no cost to them.
Our one-day outings are open to RSVP (and family & friends are welcome), and our High & Epic Adventures for the year are now accepting applications!
Participants in Another Summit have the opportunity to experience the healing power of nature. Our adventures include everything from tranquil nature walks to more challenging activities like canoeing and backpacking, showcasing some of the most stunning landscapes in the Empire State and across the Northeast.
