2: Ethnography of the Notch

Crawford Notch Lodge in Extreme Winter Condition (4ft snow fall)

Thought Journey (bear with me)

• culture is influenced by climate
• Notchians experience extreme winters
• this winter has been a polar vortex
• maybe I can empathize/reflect

My curiosity lead me to ponder the hike from the trailhead to Saco Lake and I attempted to simulate it in my own backyard (with Rachel's help).

I regularly walk 0.7 mi to get from home to school and I "hike" up a steep hill to get there. I'd say the change in elevation is about 100' (I haven't measured it). The hike from the trailhead to the lake is approximately 650' ( twice the distance from the bottom of my hill to the top) with an elevation change of approx. 150'. If I were to walk up (or down) my hill one and half times I'd probably understand a little of what it would be like to do so in the Notch. Instead of doing this myself, I outsourced and recorded a test subject reaction (see video). 

Based on my little experiment (active research) I would say that it is likely pretty physically demanding to climb such an icy and steep slope without a built trail or partially enclosed walkway in the winter. I would also think that perhaps the mudroom of this bathhouse would accommodate thawing before demanding the removal of clothing-- perhaps a fireplace or source of dry-heat, a seating area to catch one's breath, a rack for shoes that dries them by the time the hikers return from the baths, and/or a welcome cup of tea. 

-Chloe