I thought I had read somewhere that there was a MINI event in the works for June on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, but now I can't seem to find it anywhere. Anyone know if these plans were ever developed at all?

If not, I wanted to float the idea out there and at least get people thinking about it, and see what level of interest there is. I'm not yet able to volunteer to organize anything for one reason: I have a nagging suspicion that I have a commitment for a weekend in June, but I can't remember when/what it is. I'll ask my girlfriend and my family...

Personally, I've never driven up Mount Washington because I have a problem with driving up mountains that I haven't walked or bicycled up first. If this event looks like it will happen, I'll make a point to climb the thing beforehand... Anyway, anyone who's been up in that area knows that the drive north from Conway through Pinkham Notch to the Mt. Washington auto road is breathtaking, so Conway might be a good place to start. For a longer group drive, the Kancamagus highway from Lincoln to Conway is amazing as well (I *have* biked that one!).

Anyway, here are a few links to get mouths watering.

Mt. Washington Auto Road

Map

Kancamagus Highway

 

Just found out (thanks Jared) that the thread I was thinking of is over on MINI2, which I almost never visit.

Here it is.

I'm running out for lunch, but afterward I'll post over there and link to this thread, so that there aren't two totally separate plans going on...

 

I've done it several times, in vehicles ranging from a motorcycle to a Ford Excursion, it started snowing on the summit last August when I was there, it was sunny on the way up. There is always something that conflicts with MINI meets for me, I've given up on commiting to any. But I'll keep an eye on this thread just in case.

X2

 

OK, found out that my blackout date is June 7th. The weekend that's been mentioned over on MINI2 for the Mt. Washington run is June 20th, which is the weekend after father's day. I know, it's a long way off, but the sooner we can get an idea of how much interest there is, the easier it will be to motivate people to plan for it.

How bout it?



Wouldn't that second picture look great if it held five MINIs instead of that hulk?
_________________
2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

Mt. Washington Summit Observatory, Wednesday 2/5/03, 4:30am
"High winds, blowing snow, and very low visibility... The winds have been consistently above 100 mph this morning and we had a peak gust of 131. Not quite as high as two weeks ago, but still impressive. The winds are blowing from the west, so there is some shelter from the wind behind the tower during observations. It is hard on the eardrums when going in and out of the building with these winds, the pressure differentials being so great. And it is hard to keep your balance while in the eddy of the wind. The temps have dropped 28 degrees during the night and now we are at minus 2 degrees and it is still dropping."

_________________
2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

Not much interest generated here yet. We have a lot of interest on mini2.
The weekend around the 20th is what we should shoot for.
I like the idea of meeting in Lincoln and then on to Mt. Washington. If some want to meet at the base of the mtn. we can shoot for a rendezvous time.
Chris, in my youth I climbed it at least 10-12 times. I was 5 yrs. old the first time I made the summit. I was even best man at my best buddies wedding on the summit back in 1983!
It's not too soon to start planning for the "rally".

 

5 years old?! I'm impressed. I've done many of the other significant peaks in the Whites, and spent a lot of time in the Pemigewasset wilderness, but I've always avoided Washington because I can't stand laboring for hours, waiting for the spectacular view from the summit, and then getting to the top to find a bunch of fat obnoxious tourists playing Gameboys and drinking beer and bellowing like a herd of steer. I never thought I would even consider driving up Washington, but somehow the idea of a MINI rally changes my point of view.

I think Lincoln would work well as a starting point, too. Maybe something like 10 or 10:30 AM, to let those of us driving up that morning sleep at least until dawn... That's quite a hike from the Cape, eh?

 

I'll already be up there. Figured I would go up Friday and spend the night. Probably get up wicked early and run the Kanc. before anyone else is on the road :smile:
June 17th is my birthday and I usually take off for a few days of solace and trout fishing in central and western MA. Instead, this year I'll head up to NH for some bonding with the MINI!
I've done almost all the summits in the Presidential range. I'll tell you sometimes about my 3-1/2 month semester in the Rockies with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). I was an instructor for a couple of Outdoor Ed. programs too. Sounds like you are into similar interests.
I used to laugh at the people driving up Mt. Washington. Now I understand! Getting old is OK, but some aspects of it SUCK!!!

 

Over on MINI2 (link to the thread is farther up in this thread), we are trying to get some consensus on June 21st as a date for this. Anyone interested, come on over and throw in your $.02!

 

If anyone is interested please check our thread at mini2.
This is shaping up to be a stellar MINI gathering. Private sunset drive (road closed to all except MINI's) up Mount Washington Auto Road during the summer solstice. BBQ dinner at the base of the mtn. prior to the drive up.
Cost is $20 per person for auto road, $10 per person for BBQ dinner.
We are also looking into getting a block of rooms locally.
Please consider joining us for this fantastic meet.
Mount Washington MINI meet

 

Count me in. This sounds like a great time. I don' t know if I'll spend the night - maybe, but I'm up for the drive, especially if it's after hours.

Carl

 

I'm SO all over this... guess this means I should actually, like, register over on MINI2, eh?

.... hope my car is in by then. :smile:

 

>>guess this means I should actually, like, register over on MINI2, eh?

This was what got me to actually register over there, too!

 

O.K. Mini2 is not responding well. We would like to through our hat into the ring-we would be coming all the way from Maryland and are interested in staying Sat. night there so we can make the hike back on Sunday.

This sounds so neat and it would be the best since there won't be any hulking beasts coming down the other side.

 

>>O.K. Mini2 is not responding well. We would like to through our hat into the ring-we would be coming all the way from Maryland and are interested in staying Sat. night there so we can make the hike back on Sunday.
>>
>>This sounds so neat and it would be the best since there won't be any hulking beasts coming down the other side.

Welcome aboard! Be sure to contact Steve via his e-mail (on the MINI2 thread) to let him know. He's taken on the organization part, and is handling the $ stuff with the Auto Road people.

 

Just thought I would remind all that MINIs ON TOP is firmly planned for June 21st. The plan is to meet at the White Mountains Info Center in Lincoln, NH, drive the Kangamangus Highway (greater curves than Sophia Loren), have a BBQ at the Auto Road base, then take the evening summer solstice drive up the rockpile. Currently, we are approaching @40 MINIs coming from all over the East.

Want more info? Check thread at mini2 or email sbarnatt@attbi.com. MINIs and Minis are all welcome!!! :smile: jcsinnh@earthlink.net[LIST][img]null[/img]

 

Bump.
We're getting down to last call on this event. If you know anyone who knows anyone who may be interested please contact me for registration information.
sbarnatt@attbi.com

 

Yay!! I got my registration in this week and made reservations at a sweet little brookside cottage. I'll be staying until Tuesday and plan to see as many of the local waterfalls as possible on Sunday and Monday.

Anyone else want to join a little caravan coming from NJ/NY? We're leaving Friday morning.

 

Just got HARMINI's registration today :smile:
As of 5/14 I have 34 MINI's registered with 57 adults and 7 children.
Should be one great rally!
Lots of information over at mini2.com in the New England regional forum.

 

Sorry, but I've had to back out on this one, much as it kills me to do so. A very good friend is having a law school graduation party that day, and I can't quite bring myself to miss it for a MINI event. WHY DID HE HAVE TO PLAN IT FOR THE 21ST?!

Have fun, and hopefully I'll be in next year.
Chris

 

>>Personally, I've never driven up Mount Washington because I have a problem with driving up mountains that I haven't walked or bicycled up first.

Chris...

There is a running race up Mt. Washington the morning of June 21st. It's 7.6 miles to the finish line and it has a 3 hour time limit.

The website to run Mt. Washington is:

http://www.gsrs.com/mwrr/index.htm

 

Kecia, I didn't say I was INSANE, did I? I'm a big runner, and I'm generally up for a good challenge, but that race has got to be one of the most grueling ones in existence. I don't even like to think about it! Of course, hiking up the mountain with a 35-pound backpack would probably be labeled as insanity by some, and yet that's what I plan to do sometime very soon. To each their own, I suppose... Thanks anyway for the info! Maybe someday when I'm a lot less wimpy.

 

And now, as of today, there are at least 60 MINIs registered for June 21st at the rockpile. Remember, we meet at Lincoln, NH at 11AM, drive the Kangamagus Highway, have some free time to, perhaps, retrace at speed, picnic then to the top for sunset on the longest day of the year. Contact CCMini via mini2 TODAY!

 

>>And now, as of today, there are at least 60 MINIs registered for June 21st at the rockpile. Remember, we meet at Lincoln, NH at 11AM, drive the Kangamagus Highway, have some free time to, perhaps, retrace at speed, picnic then to the top for sunset on the longest day of the year. Contact CCMini via mini2 TODAY!
oops! Or CCM on this thread

 

i want to go, but if i catch them sticking a bumper sticker to my "S"
there will be hell to pay, i'm now part of the MINI Renegade Club (MRC)