Mount Washington, NH

[Tuchov]

I'm making basic plans right now (possible dates, road directions, etc) to add this to the list of mountains I've climbed. I'm wondering if anyone here has climbed it before, and if theres any advice you'd be willing to share.

I like how I can name most of the High Peaks in NYS and people have only heard of TWO if I'm lucky... but once you mention Mt Washington, people jump back

Numerous hikers have died on the mountain in all seasons, due to inadequate equipment, failing to plan for the wide variety of conditions which can occur above tree-line, and poor decisions once the weather began to turn dangerous.

Just makes it more appealing to me

[ElectricMan]

The best advice I would give is to be flexible with your schedule hiking date. Try to hike Washington on a nice day to enjoy the views of the Presidentials and beyond. Also, be prepared for the throngs of people, cars and train that visit the summit as well.

[windsong781]

Here's a picture to inspire. I was in NH in early March for a ski/hiking trip. Wildcat has some great views.
Windsong

[starbaby]

Awsome photo!

Hi,

My advice is to monitor the web sites below daily. It will give you everything you need to know about the currrent weather on the mountain, along with links on avalanch warnings, valley weather, weather forcasts on the higher summits in the white mountains. Etc. When climbing washington, weather is everything. If the temp is 30 degrees and there is a 60 mph wind, you have to be prepared for this. If it is summer and the temp is 50 degrees, it's all a different story.

http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/cam/index.php

and:

http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/summit_forecast.php

and:

http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/tripplanner/go/backcountry-weather.cfm

I've climbed Mt. Washington on the 3rd of July alongside guys skiing in Tuckerman Ravine.

In the winter, unless your a roped technical climber, the Lion's head route is the default method. In the summer there are many ways up the mountain, some are spectactular (almost all are).

Here's some additional data on routes up Washington:

http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/washington.html

If you're in moderate shape, it's 4 - 5 hours of climbing from Pinkham Notch to the Summit.

The AMC guidebook on the White Mountains / Presidentials has good descriptions of all the ways up.

Last, there is one exceptional book on fatalities in the White Moutains called: "Not Without Peril, 150 years of misadventure on the Presidential Range of New Hamsphire." By Nicholas Howe. If you want to avoid the misfortune of other people, it is very helpful to read of how they have had misfortune on the moutain. It's grim reading, but it is a must-read for anyone who wants to climb in dangerous conditions and still be safe.

SB

[Tuchov]

starbaby - All those links are now bookmarked. Thanks a ton.

I'm planning for the mid-late summer; clear blue skies and light winds. It's a 4hr drive for me at least, so I'll probably drive and camp out in my car the night before, then tackle it the next morning. I'll put some more planning into it after my finals are over.

Thanks again.

[starbaby]

The pinkham notch visitor center is a great place to overnight. There are coin-op showers in the hikers room and they usually have some evening program in the visitor center that makes a great way to end a day of hiking...lounging around with a cup of something while watching a DVD on the appalacian trail....Only if all of life were like that.

[Sparky]

It's actually an easy hike, I even did Monroe on the way up. The very changeable and potentially life-threatening weather is what makes it difficult. You might think the ADK weather is quick to change.

Here's the route I followed, the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail and some general info. http://hikenh.netfirms.com/TDAmmRav.htm


I did it a few years ago. It just happened to be a summer day and the weather was in the seventies, with bright blue skies. However, every 30-60 minutes a series of clouds floated over. It's said that the Mtn creates it's own weather.

There are a few places to stay in Bretton Woods. I stayed at the Mt Washington Hotel http://www.mtwashington.com/ for the history and the awesome view of Washington and a few other presidents.

Hey, good luck!

[satchownz]

I did Washingtons' Huntington ravine twice, both trips were great. You should have a great time. I guess I would wait a bit before heading up, and I agree you should have a couple dates set in case you need to change one.

Good Luck!