Q & A

/Q & A

Check out the mission statement on the Home page.

Please see our History page.

The event takes place every year on a Saturday closest to September 11, or if the 11th is a Sunday we will go on the 11th.

Very simply, you must first be registered for the site (simply click on the Login button and then the “Register” link).  Once you’re registered, login and click on the Sign Up link in the top nav. If there is no Peak Coordinator, you will be offered the option to become the PC and then nine other people will be able to sign up to hike with you. Summit groups abide by the 10 or less hikers and leave no trace ideals. The first submission received will be assigned to the peak.

The Peak Coordinator is responsible for the organization of the hike. Delegating who brings what, where to meet, what trails to take, time of departure from the trail head and allowing for a comfortable, safe hike for the entire group to the summit.

The PC is also responsible for communicating with those in their group.  This is simple and can be done through the Sign Up page.

Each hiker is registered on the Flags on the 48 web site and can be contacted by e-mail or private message. Each hiker, regardless if you are the Peak Coordinator or not, should make every effort to contact each member of the hiking group.

We have reserved three non-hiker, transportation accessible peaks (Cannon, Washington and Wildcat “D”) for special groups. See “I am not a hiker” below.

There are only 48 recognized peaks that rise to the elevation of 4000 feet or higher in New Hampshire. The event’s premise is to honor the thousands that died by flying the American flag from all of the highest points in New Hampshire. The effort made by the hikers to reach those summits and the bonds they form with each other and passing hikers is the exact essence of this memorial.

That is completely up to each peak coordinator and/or group assigned to the peak. If you have any questions we highly recommend the purchase of ?hite Mountain Hiking Guide or Email us and we will try to help.

The registration system assigns the first person to register as the Peak Coordinator and allows nine other people to sign up to hike with that person. If all ten spots are filled no more people can hike with that group. Email us if you have more than 10 people that wish to hike the same peak. As the Peak Coordinator, it is important that you give us enough time to cover your peak if you change your mind or are unable to hike.

We have reserved three non-hiker, transportation accessible peaks (Cannon, Washington and Wildcat “D”) for special groups. If you are interested in this option, please Email us and we will help get you involved! If you don? wish to summit a peak, you could donate a flag to a group heading to the summit or you could assist us with the publicity for the event.

Some ISPs are more aggressive in filtering spam than others. The most aggressive methods (reverse DNS lookup, for example) will block as many desired messages as undesired. We have found that this is the case with Comcast’s Spam filter, and may be the case with others as well. Rest assured, if your name appears on the Peak List you are registered for that peak.

The Internet can be a tricky place. If you did not see a confirmation screen or received a confirmation e-mail, then it is likely that your information never made it to our server. Please try registering again. It is also possible that the e-mail address you entered was not valid. Please enter this carefully as it is the only true way we have to contact you about the event.

The peak coordinator and/or the group hiking the peak is responsible to supply the American flag. (the bigger the better). The Flags on the 48 web site has information about flags and poles, if you need help or suggestions.

The size of the summit may dictate the size of the American flag. However the biggest flag your group can manage, with poles and accoutrements will be fine. The bigger flags will be visible from other summits. The Flags on the 48 web site has information about flags and poles, if you need help or suggestions.

Hikers and American flags should reach their summits in time to display the flag from 12 Noon til 2:00 PM. Keep in mind that we leave no trace. After we are done displaying the flags, nothing is to be left behind on the mountains.

Absolutely, in fact we encourage this. The attack took place on American soil however, we recognize than people from some 60 other nations perished as well. We request the American flag be flown at the top of the pole, followed by the National flags or your choice.

Absolutely. Please have any modifications made TWO WEEKS prior to the event. It is important that you give us enough time to cover your peak if you change your mind or are unable to hike.

No problem. Please Email and let us know. When people cancel and do not inform us, we could have peaks (unsupported) without American flags being flown. It is important that you give us enough time to cover your peak if you change your mind or are unable to hike.

Rain or shine, the event will go on. Every person is responsible to make their own decision on whether or not to hike. Remember, these are the White Mountains and the weather changes quickly. If the weather is bad and you have second thoughts, definitely cancel. Do not risk your life or your safety. In the case of severe weather (i.e. hurricane, snowstorm, etc.), the event will be postponed or canceled.

Visit the Flags on the 48 image gallery after the event. Pictures will be posted from each peak for everyone to enjoy. Please bring a camera and record your hike in photos! The gallery also serves as conformation that each peak was reached and hosted the American flag. Email us if you need help or information about uploading your photos.

There is a complete list of countries affected by the attacks of 9-11 listed here.