Mt. Washington, N.H.

[Bradley Blair]

I plan on hiking to the top of Mt. Washington this August and would like to
hear from anyone who's done it.

How strenuous is the terrain? I plan to schlep a bunch of camera gear, but
need to know how much to limit it. While I don't do tons and tons of long
hikes, I spend alot of time cycling and have done a few 100 milers this year
already.

How much does the weather change from bottom to summit?

Thanks!

Brad, Ohio

[Dale Howard]

I did it a couple years ago. Thought it was going to be a piece of cake
but it wasn't. Not for me anyway, but I'm not in good shape either.
Sounds like you should be just fine though. It's the sort of thing
where everybody makes it, just some in better style than others.

Start early if you want to hike back down. It's $20 for a ride down on
the bus (what a racket). If you have someone to take the car up and
wait for you that's better. Going back down is a little dicey IMO.
Those are big rocks to walk down.

Also, there are a few different ways up. I went pretty much straight up
the middle, and found out later that's a particularly grueling way to
go. But you are in good condition, so shouldn't sweat it.

Dale Howard

In article <eZe43.5230$6y2....@storm.twcol.com>,

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[Sean Bosworth]

If you are planning on doing Mt. Washinton, bring winter gear. The
temp can drop real quickly. There has been times where the temp
differences between the summit, and base is 40-60 degrees. It is
deffinately a PLANNED hike. Too many hikers die on Mt. Washinton every
year, so plan for the worst, and hope for the best.

--Sean

[Tim Broderick]

I've hiked Mt. Washington 3 times, most recently last June. The Tuckerman
Ravine trail is probably the most popular route up the mountain, but gets pretty
steep from the ravine to the top. A lot of people hike up to the ravine with
skis during spring and summer. It's a long hike for one or two runs. The time
I took this trail it took me and my friend about 3 hours to get to the top.

On the other 2 hikes I took the Ammonoosok (spelling?) Ravine trail on the other
side of the mountain which takes you to the Lake of the Clouds hut. This trail
starts near the Cog railway and is a mostly moderate grade up the mountain.
There is a steep section for about a half mile just after a waterfall, but the
views of the falls and the ravine are worth the effort.

From the hut it's 1 mile to the summit in totally exposed terrain. It can be
very windy and clouds can roll in in an instant. My advice is to dress in
layers and bring a hat & gloves. The first time I hiked this trail the clouds
rolled in and visability decreased to about 20 feet. I didn't even know I
reached the top until I walked into a building. When I hiked it last June the
weather was great and visibility was 100 miles!!!

To get down the mountain I suggest following the Crawford Path to the Jewell
trail which is in the opposite direction of the Lakes of the Clouds hut, but is
a much easier way down to the trail head. The entire round trip is about 10
miles and can be done in about 8 hours.

You should be prepared for changing weather, but the hut offers shelter and
there's a visitor center at the top as well. Check the weather on the Mt.
Washington homepage before you go.

For more info check out these websites:
http://www.mountwashington.org
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/whites (White Mountain Server)

Tim Broderick

[Eddie Hoveastadt& Elisa Pearmain]

Hi There,

You sound like your in shape so like some have said physically you should be
capable of completing a loop. It is a great mopuntain and I have been up it
many times. With Washington so much depends on the weather. Although it can be
cool (cold) on the top and certainly hypothermia weather at times, August tends
to be the best month as far as temperature on the mountain. I agree with Tim
concerning routes, the Ammonoosuc Trail is beautiful and looped with the Jewel
Trail is a great picture taking trip. I am particularly fond of the upper Jewel
for photos. For this reason I suggest going up the Ammonoosuc and down the
Jewel that way you can get better light on the Jewel. I am taking it for
granted that you are to time the trip to catch late light on your hike down.
Getting back to the weather, if the weather is bad it can get very dangerous in
the whites, large parts of the hike will be in the open and people make great
lightning rods. The rain and cool temperatures make hypothermia a real
possiblity even on a warm day down below. Although I bring rain gear and a
sweater in August I don't go so far as winter gear as suggested in another
response. This trip is do-able and as an indicator let me say my seven year old
(six then) daughter Joy hiked it twice last year. Granted she has hiked up
north since she could walk and is already a real peak bagger (have to cure
that). I hope you have a great time and enjoy.

Peace

Eddie

[Sarah Gnerre]

Blair,

Mount Washington is a strenous hike. The weather can change drastically.
Last year I hiked Jefferson and the winds were at least 50 mph. We had
trouble putting our feet down onto the rocks because the wind was so
powerful. This was in August.

I've not climbed it with a full pack, but I imagine it is work. The major
downside of this peak is that there are people at the top who drove up in
cars...

Sarah Gnerre
Portsmouth, NH
mem...@nhspca.org
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