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WINTER HUT OVERNIGHT

  • 1 dinner and 1 breakfast included
  • -20 degree sleeping bag required (bunks are not heated)
  • Dining hut is equipped with small wood stove and full kitchen
  • Rental packs and sleeping bags available upon request at extra cost


  • Only a few hours hike from the trailhead, Carter Notch Hut is one of three AMC huts open all year round. This adventurous two-day snowshoe trip will take you deep in the mountains for an unforgettable winter overnight experience. The hike will take us up from Pinkham Notch at 1500ft to Carter Notch Hut at 3,288ft. Once at the hut we may have the opportunity to summit one of the surrounding 4,000ft peaks!

    For dinner we serve a hot meal and gather around the wood stove that heats the kitchen and dining area. You will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the mountains before tucking in for the night. The next morning we wake and prepare a hearty breakfast. After packing our gear we leave Carter Notch hut and head down to Pinkham Notch to end our journey.
    Winter Hut Overnight

    Offered 7 days a week:
    $695 + $150 each additional person

    Special Group Rate:
    $265 per person on these dates
    2011 dates coming soon!


    Start/ End: Day 1 starts 8:30am. Day 2 ends approximately 1pm. Groups will meet at the North Conway EMS on day 1
    Includes: lodging, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, snowshoes, plastic double boots, trekking poles

    Does Not Include: transportation, personal gear and clothing

    Prerequisite: previous summer or winter hiking experience

    Driving Directions

    Local Information Guide

    Equipment List for Winter Hut Overnight
    EMS Climbing School Provides: All technical equipment including, plastic double boots, crampons, ice axe, and snowshoes, dinner and breakfast.
    You Provide: (Required) In these courses, you will be going above treeline and will be exposed to the elements. In this environment, it is essential that you pay closer attention to being dressed appropriately for your personal safety. Dressing in layers works the best. This way, you can take off or add on any layers to adjust to the changing environment as you heat up and cool down. Wearing your “winter coat” or heavy “snow pants” is not the best choice when trying to dress in layers. Most likely, you will overheat when being active and you’ll end up sweating and expending more energy than needed.
    Clothing is as important a piece of equipment as your boots and ice axe. Being properly dressed is essential to enjoying your outdoor adventures. Cotton has no place in your winter layering system: it keeps you cold if you sweat and it takes a long time to dry out. Synthetic fabrics or wool keep you warmer when they become wet with sweat and certain synthetic base layers are designed to wick the sweat away from your skin to keep you drier and warmer. In order to make your experience more enjoyable, please do not wear any cotton as layering pieces. Also, remember, you have to carry all your clothing with you, so packing efficiently is important. If you can't wear it all at once, you don’t need to bring it. If you have questions about how many or which items to bring, please call 800-310-4504. We expect that you will be dressed and ready to go upon arrival.
    * indicates rental item from the climbing school or retail store. Call 800-310-4504 to discuss rental needs. Not all EMSCS locations are equipped with rental gear. Please inquire at the time of your reservation.
  • Base Layer
    (2 tops and 2 bottoms)
    Light to mid-weight synthetics, snug fit and close to skin, eg. EMS® Techwick®.
  • Over-Base Layer
    (top and bottom)
    Light-weight fleece or heavy-weight EMS® Techwick®. Power-Stretch and micro-fleece are ideal materials for this layer. No heavy, 300 weight fleece trousers—you will be over-dressed.
  • Insulation Layer
    (jacket only)
    200 to 300 weight fleece, heavy weight soft shell or Prima-Loft sweater
  • Uninsulated Waterproof/breathable Shell
    (jacket and pants)
    EMS System III, Gortex®, or similar waterproof/breathable material. Jacket MUST have an integrated hood. Flimsy “stow-away” nylon hoods are not adequate. Full side zip pants are helpful.
  • "Over-It-All"
    (jacket)
    A.K.A. "Puffy" --Hooded, Down or Prima-Loft Jacket.
  • Gloves/Mittens
    (2 pair)
    1 pair ski/ice climbing gloves and 1 pair of Mittens. Waterproof/breathable is ideal.
  • Fleece Hat
  • *Backpack
    3,000 to 4,000 cubic inches
  • *Sleeping Bag
    -20 degree to -40 degree mummy bag
  • *Sleeping Pad
    Closed cell foam and/or self inflating Therma-Rest style pad.
  • Wool/Synthetic Socks
    2 pair
  • *Gaiters
    These should fit around your entire calf as well as fit over your pant layering system and a plastic ice climbing boot. Summer hiking gaiters will not fit over plastic boots and leg layers.
  • Balaclava
  • Headlamp
    With spare set of batteries
  • Lunch
    For each day. Peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pepperoni…whatever you normally eat on the trail. Temps may be well below freezing, so choose food accordingly, and make sure you can open it and eat it with gloves on.
  • Snacks
    For each day. Trail mix and energy bars
  • Water 1-2 liters
    Use a wide-mouth Nalgene plastic bottle. No thin plastic Poland Spring bottles, water bladder hydration systems, or metal water bottles.
  • Sunwear
    Sunglasses and Sun-block
  • Personal Toiletries
    Keep these to a bare minimum
  • Optional Items
    Camera
    Light-weight thermos (1 liter max, with a hot drink in it)
    Water Bottle Insulator (old "clean" socks work well)
    Change of base layer clothes
    Camp booties
    Primaloft pants or heavy fleece pants to wear for evening wear
    Hand/Foot Warmers
    Ear plugs
    Trekking Poles
    Money for Souvenirs! (Climbing School t-shirts, travel mugs, ceramic mugs and water bottles available)

  • Missing anything on this list?
    Don't forget your 20% discount EMS coupon that comes with your Climbing School confirmation letter!