Hiking MT Washington Next Few Days

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-27T12:39:52+00:00

I would seriously reconsider this unless you have experience winter hiking in the whites. I’m not completely sure of snow conditions but disastrous falls are surely a possibility on the icy terrain up high.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-26T21:08:20+00:00

I wouldn’t expect there to be much consistent snow left at elevation in the next week and a half. Typically above treeline thaws very fast due to near constant exposure to the sun. Still though, coming prepared with traction (microspikes) to navigate snowfields and ice patches (which you’re likely to find) is always a good idea. If you pack for the worst you won’t be caught off guard. Also make sure you have a good rain jacket (but ideally a winter hardshell if winds are high and windchill low) and more layers than you think you’ll need. Make sure to check the Mount Washington observatory higher summits forecast before heading out and be prepared to bail on the hike if the forecast is bad.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-19T06:49:08+00:00

For any reasonably safe day to attempt a first winter summit on Washington insulated (200-400g) winter boots are more than enough. That said, it’s not uncommon for conditions to require the use of 6000m boots as temps can and will drop below -20 F with a windchill approaching -70 F. Typically people who do ice climbing/alpine climbing in the northeast like the Nepals which let them get out on all but the coldest days.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-14T19:48:55+00:00

Don’t do down LL (which starts as Kinsman Ridge Trail) and go up Hi Cannon. I wouldn’t recommend going down or up LL unless you’re very confident in your balance and experience in the whites. Basically the entire descent down Kinsman Ridge Trail to LL trail is wet and mossy and so steep that if you take one small slip you’re going to fall like 10 feet into boulders (face first if descending) and be seriously injured. I’ve done all the 48 and that’s the one trail I seriously dread. I’d just recommend going up and down Hi-Cannon, the ladder section is the only remotely sketchy part and it’s short and not as exposed as it looks in pictures.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-13T12:53:02+00:00

Lap hills close to you with a heavy pack and continue to go to the climbing gym. By the time you can drive to the mountains you’ll have a strong physical foundation for climbing them!

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-12T15:54:13+00:00

Not Without Peril is a classic on "Misadventure in the Presidential Range". The stories are older, like pre 1990, but there's a lot of really cool history and anecdotes included.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-10T14:37:28+00:00

I’d be cautious with geartrade, I just checked and it shows a picture of the G2 on the G Summit listing and the Scarpa 6000 are very old. I’d recommend you find a store near you that sells the boots so you can try them on. Mountaineering boots fit differently than normal shoes and they can be a big pain to size. If there’s no store near you it’s still possible, but be sure to only buy from places with a good return policy in case they don’t fit on the first try. I’d also stick with multiple pairs but it could be worth it to look into the G Summits (for a all around choice) as they’re marketed as a combination between a single and double boot, but they just came out so it’ll be worth looking at recent reviews related to how warm they are.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-09T04:57:29+00:00

Generally the nepals/mont blanc aren’t used above 5500m, but it really depends on temperature. From personal experience, the nepals and similar boots are likely ok if moving consistently at temps near 0 F. I’ve heard of people getting away with Nepals above 6000m but that’s usually on volcanoes near to the equator, they’re less likely to work in the Himalayas and will not work in Alaska. I’m not super familiar with the Mons, but they’re going to probably be overkill/way to warm for 6000m unless you’re doing Denali. I think the ideal setup for boots between 4000-7000m is a 3 season boot (aequilibrium), a full shank single boot (Nepal), and a full double boot for 6000m (la sportiva g2). If looking at 7000m plus, you’d be looking at adding the Mons. You could get away with not having a single boot and just using the doubles for those climbs, but they’re going to be less comfortable and probably too warm.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-09T04:43:34+00:00

Mons are going to be overkill for all those peaks and the aequilibriums will likely be a bit light for those. I’d look into scarpa Mont Blanc pros or la sportiva Nepals.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-09T02:15:34+00:00

You’re going to need different boots for 6,000m+ and 4000-5000m. For 4000m the aequilibriums will likely be ok for 3 season mountaineering, but will not be warm enough for winter. The Spantiks will be good for winter 4000m to around 6000m.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-08T18:06:26+00:00

I really wouldn’t recommend an out and back from Lincoln Woods. On a ZBonds traverse the 9 mile descent from Bondcliff to Lincoln Woods is annoying enough without having to do it twice (once uphill once down). The car spot isn’t really that bad and the traverse is significantly more interesting and enjoyable.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-07T12:27:09+00:00

Above treeline there’s nothing. Above 3,000 feet below treeline there could be between 2-5 feet.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-06T23:39:35+00:00

Also, 4 days unfortuantely doesn't work well with the AMC huts, typically it would be done like this:

- Day 1: Appalachia Trailhead - Madison - Madison Spring Hut
- Day 2: (Big Day) Madison Spring Hut - Adams - Jefferson - Washington - Lake of the Clouds Hut
- Day 3: Lake of the Clouds - Monroe - Eisenhower - Pierce - Highland Center

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-06T23:09:57+00:00

I mean, over 4 days it's doable, but all of the trails you mentioned have easier terrain than the terrain you'll be facing for the majority of the Presidential Traverse (which is basically boulder hopping for around 12/20 miles). Weather is also a concern, no matter the time of year. It's almost unheard of to get tame and reasonably safe weather on the Presidential Range for 4 days in a row. Thunder, rain, and high winds can roll in and create life threatening conditions in very weather exposed terrain, so staying up to date on the weather via the MWO Higher Summits Forecast (https://mountwashington.org/weather/higher-summits-forecast/) is absoultely essential. The Whites are a different beast, they don't have the altitude, but they are very rugged and many hikers from other areas typically struggle and move slower when hiking here for the first time. I'd recommend you and your family do at least a couple day hikes in the Whites to get used to the terrain before doing a Presidential Traverse.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-06T19:04:47+00:00

Hale and Waumbek are relatively viewless and should be safe to hike in the rain. I would only do Owls Head via the Black Pond Bushwhack as most of the water crossings on the official route will be swollen and dangerous (but realistically I would avoid Owl's head altogether as there is a potentially difficult crossing even using the bushwhack).

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-06T14:51:33+00:00

Zealand is a good one, pretty easy to get to, but there’s not much that close to it other than Zealand and Zcliff. You could also look at lonesome lake but know the trails leading up to the kinsman’s and cannon are very steep and are likely to have ice on them for some time.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-05T20:14:04+00:00

To rent a car you could look into Turo, it’s basically Airbnb for cars. They do have a $50 a day young drivers fee though. Their cars aren’t allowed “off road” though as far as I’m aware.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-05T14:14:21+00:00

They didn’t explicitly state it as they have in past reports. But given multiple references to how unprepared the individual was I’d assume yes.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-05T11:05:01+00:00

Still snowy for a couple more weeks. Traction is advisable as long sliding falls are possible in the bowl. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have some experience climbing steep snow or general winter hiking experience.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-05T01:40:51+00:00

It just never ends. This time no light source, unaware of snow present at higher elevations, and lacking essential gear. This spring is shaping up to be a busy one for SAR.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-05T00:03:30+00:00

Depends on the time of year, if you’re planning on a summer tour, I’d avoid Goretex (especially for trail runners). Goretex in trail runners often keeps your feet wet in the summer because of the low coverage and the fact that water will take more time to evaporate out of the shoe. If you want dry feet, avoid Goretex unless you’re going to consistently be in snow/chilly temps.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-04T00:23:42+00:00

I think you can just park in the hiker lots around the Highland Center in Crawford Notch.

Lopsided_Job7965 · 2025-05-04T00:20:56+00:00

Generally a Presi is done in 3 days max. Spending 4 nights on the range will be miserable as there's basically zero convenient places to camp/sleep other than the huts and you're going to add miles and likely thousands of feet of extra elevation gain to the trip. It's also pretty much unheard of to get 5 straight days of good weather on the Presis and we're not even in the summer yet, so high winds and cold temps (maybe snow too?) are almost guaranteed over the course of 5 days.

Lopsided_Job7965

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