Registration: The Westmore Mountain Challenge course travels over public trails on steep terrain, and is susceptible to erosion caused by intense use, especially by large groups. For that reason, the Challenge’s state permit from the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation allows for a limited number of participants, so that we do not cause damage to the very trails we love and work so hard to maintain. This makes our event different from others which take place on roads or other more durable surfaces and means that our limited spaces can fill quickly.

If you would like to join the Challenge, please make sure you register early! Registration usually opens in May. If you join our notice list (button at the top of this page) we will email you to let you know when registration opens.

Trail Use & Best Practices

Safe, responsible and sustainable use of the community’s public hiking trails is a top priority. We will plan for rain or shine but if weather conditions create unsafe conditions or high erosion potential, we reserve the right to alter routes, limit group sizes, or take other measures to keep our hikers and hiking trails in good shape. We ask that all of our hikers practice Leave No Trace principles including keeping on the marked trail, respecting wildlife, and being courteous to fellow hikers who are using the public trail.

Schedule

Before Friday – select this option on your registration form to arrange to pick up your registration packet and number on Wednesday or Thursday from 8:30am- 4:30pm.

Friday night – Pre-registration pickups from 8:30am- 7pm.

Saturday 5:15am – lodge check-in and first shuttles depart. Registration bags can be picked up here.

Saturday 5:15am – check-in at trail head for drop-offs (we will not bring your number or registration packet to the trail head. Please arrange alternate pickup of these materials on campus before Saturday.)

Saturday 4 pm – Bald Mountain cutoff- no hikers allow up the trail after this time.

Saturday 5pm – Road portion cutoff – no hikers allowed down the road from Mad Brook station after this time

Saturday evening – post-hike check-in, food truck & celebration!

Registrants please check your email for a more detailed schedule of the day!

Shuttles/Drop-offs

The shuttles for the morning drop-off are full-size school buses. You will have signed up for a specific AM shuttle slot (or drop-off option) during registration — please adhere to this reservation. The ride from campus to the trailhead is 45 minutes. Please make sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare before your reserved shuttle departure so that we don’t experience delays.

Parking is not allowed at the starting point on Moose Mountain, but you are welcome to arrange your own drop-off from a friend if you prefer that to our shuttles – however please be courteous on this road that normally gets very little traffic, and remember that everyone is required to officially check-in with our staff at the trail head, so that we know you’re out on the trail. Moose Mountain trailhead check in table will be available starting at 5:15am. You must have already picked up your registration materials before arrival – we aren’t able to do your paperwork and give you your number at the trailhead.

Safety

Autumn weather conditions in northern Vermont are always variable. We recommend hikers keep an eye on the weather and come prepared for sun, rain, frost, and snow. We recommend having layers to keep yourself warm, wick moisture, and shield yourself from rain. If you plan to attempt the full marathon length, please bring a headlamp or flashlight, which you will potentially need both at the start and finish of the course. 

Know the route. We flag the route intersections and provide signs at key points, but it is your responsibility to know, navigate, and keep to the route.

Bring your cell phone, if you have one. Cell phone service is intermittent throughout the route. We encourage you to hike with a friend or two. In the event of Emergency, please call 911. NorthWoods Staff and Volunteers will provide a sweep of the entire route of the Westmore Challenge. A first aid station with limited supplies will be at the Lunch Station at Long Pond trailhead.

Dogs

A question we are asked every year: can I bring my canine hiker pal with me? While the rules on all public trails allow on-leash dogs, we logistically cannot accept dogs on our shuttles during this event, and suggest that you either make your own arrangements for pickup/dropoff, keep your pup at home, or leave them with a friend who can wait for you and welcome you at the finish line!

Maps

The Green Mountain Club’s NEK Hiking Trail Map will be included in your registration bag, but we encourage you to become oriented with the route well beforehand! Consider purchasing our NEK Mountain Trail Guide for in-depth trail descriptions of the trails in question, as well as many other well-known and lesser-known regional trails — we’d encourage you to check out these other trails during your training!

Timing

Your start time is at Moose Mountain Trail Head when you check-in, your completion time is marked at the NWSC campus as you cross the official finish line. Results of finishers will be listed in the days after the event in an open category — you can choose to include your age and gender identity during registration if you would like to be included in smaller demographic result groupings (ie: Under 18, over 60, Women + etc.) Thank you again to IronWood Adventure Works for supporting this event and performing the timing!

Food & Water

Bring your own water bottle. A water fill and snack station will be available on the Willoughby Overlook, near the bottom of the CCC Road (after Moose & Hor), and at the Mad Brook Trail Head on the north side of Bald Mountain. Water, grilled cheese and snacks will be available (at no cost) at the Long Pond TH. The Long Pond TH will be a staffed station, with a shuttle available. Water and snacks will also be available at the Mad Brook Station on the far side of Bald before the road portion. There will be a food truck available (pre-paid food vouchers included for all participants) back at NorthWoods campus upon completion of the event.

Camping

Forms & Waivers

Make sure you read our Activity Liability Waiver before registering. If a minor will be attending, please make sure to bring a printed version of the form, signed by the minor’s parent or guardian to the hike check-in. If you are registering a large group online, we may ask any additional attendees to sign their own waivers during check-in.

Registration Pickup

Refunds

This event is a fundraiser, the proceeds of which help fund our work in environmental conservation, forestry, and trail building. For this reason, in the event that an attendee chooses to cancel their own registration for personal reasons, no refund will be provided. Please plan accordingly — and know that if you have to cancel, your fee will be used to further our mission and keep the trails you love in good condition! By registering with us, you acknowledge your understanding of this refund policy, which helps protect NorthWoods from costs already incurred.

The lands this hike traverses is owned and managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Questions? Email us at [email protected], or call 802-723-6551