Fireside Chats

The Notch Hostel’s in-house winter speaker series “Fireside Chats”, directed by Philip “Finding Philip” Carcia, features potluck dinners, inspiring presentations by local outdoor enthusiasts, and optional sunrise hikes the next morning. Join us for the most intimate, niche community events in the White Mountains!

The events are free; bring a dish to share and a cash/venmo donation for the speaker. Because of limited space and high attendance, we’re not able to accommodate dogs (including hostel guest dogs) at the potluck or presentation. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

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

Winter 2025-6 Lineup

Please register for the chats and hikes you plan to attend below (links coming soon!).

November 13th, 2025: Will Robinson virtual chat at 7 PM with Philip Carcia and Serena Ryan. On completing a New England 115 Seasonal Grid.

December 6, 2025: *Special event: holiday card block printing workshop* Learn about block printing and make your own holiday (or non-holiday) cards for your friends and family! Led by Notch Hostel manager Tricia Case

December 13, 2025: Lyla “Sugar” Harrod. On earning the Women’s Self-Supported Appalachian Trail Fastest Known Time. Hike: Moosilauke via Gorge Brook Trail.

January 10, 2026: Philip J. Carcia. The Quadruple Single Season: 200 White Mountain 4,000-Footers in One Winter. Hike: Mt Washington via the Cog Railway; Plan B: Mt Willard.

February 28, 2026: Nick Higgins. Love and Loss in the White Mountains: Grief and Endurance Projects. Hike: Mt Jackson via Webster Jackson Trail, 5am start.

March 28, 2026: Serena Ryan and Justin Walsh. Before Basecamp: The Notch Hostel Origin Story. Hike: Mount Pierce, 8 am start, Delilah the Notch Dog memorial hike and ashes-spreading.

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. *

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.

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