Fireside Chats

In December of 2018, The Notch launched a new in-house winter lecture series featuring local and regional outdoor enthusiasts with a compelling story to tell. We named this series “Fireside Chats” and our aim was to provide an intimate space—our living room—where community members can gather to hear inspiring mountain-based stories from the people who lived them. This series is directed by Philip “Finding Philip” Carcia and features potluck dinners, inspiring visual presentations, and optional sunrise hikes the next morning. Join us for the most intimate, niche outdoor community events in the White Mountains!

The events are free; bring a dish to share and a cash/venmo donation for the speaker.

If you plan to stay overnight, book your stay NOW to ensure you get a spot for these epic weekends.

To register

Please register for the chats and hikes you plan to attend by clicking the links below (takes 5 seconds). The links include details on each speaker, presentation, and hike. Links coming soon!

March 1, 2025: Kathy “Lotus” Chau Rohn, “Full Circle: Finding Fulfillment in Day, Section, and Thru-Hiking” Hike: Mount Pemigewasset via the Indian Head Trail.

March 29, 2025: Lyla “Sugar” Harrod, “Divide to Crest Route: 3,000 miles from Crazy Cook to the Cascades” Hike: Mount Moosilauke via the Gorge Brook Trail.

To attend

Doors open at 6 pm. Bring a meal if attending the potluck from 6-7 pm. The presentations run from 7:30 to 8:30 pm followed by Q&A ’til 9 pm. Arrive early; seating is limited.

1) Book a stay at the Notch on the night of the presentation, park in the main lot. *

OR

2) Show up anytime after the doors open to the public at 6pm. Bring a meal to share for the 6-7pm potluck dinner. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are NOT a guest at the Notch, you must park on Lost Valley Road (not Lost River Road!!!) behind the hostel’s picket fence and walk through the backyard. In the event of a snowstorm, no street parking is allowed so members of the public may need to walk or shuttle in from town.

OR

3) Tune in via Instagram Live; we’ll be streaming from our account @NotchHostel.

*Note: If our overnight accommodations fill up, please don't let that deter you from joining us for dinner and the presentation. These talks are open to the public. There are other local hostels like the Barn Door Hostel in Rumney, or the Coho Hostel over in Conway, that may still have space.