places to go backcountry winter hiking in the north east

Hey there everyone, I'm looking for a place to go winter camping/hiking in the north east this winter. I haven't done any winter backcountry(though plenty of time in related fields, as in winter and backcountry) and am looking for places to go. I'm looking for a 3-5 day stint, would love to get some peaks in, and some great views and ideally some isolation(though i'd be intersted in doing washington which would throw that out the window, eh?) Anyway where should I go, what should I do? I'm open for anything really what's your favorite winter locations? I'd like to make my first voyage into winter camping memorable. Also I should say, that although its my first time winter camping, I'm not looking to do something tame, not incredibly gnarly either, but something that's a moderate challange and a great experience. Enough rambling, about this, I need to get back to work (don't tell my boss I'm here). Hope you all are doing well, and I look forward to your advice.
-joshwall

[Mike P.]

1st winter backcountry camping trip, hmmm. I'm not a winter camper & depending on what you get for feedback, I'd consider posting on the the AMC's boards at www.outdoors.org.

Do a fair amount of winter hiking with some winter campers. I'd be tempted to say you really ought to do a one night trip first before planning a 3-5 day trip in the Presidentials.

People debate on what kind of boots you need for winter hiking & opinion is all over the place but for winter camping, almost everyone swears by double boots, either plastic or Sorel types. You can rent plastics in North Conway at IME, EMS & I think Ragged. If peakbagging on the Presidentials plastics are a heavy favorite & crampons & snowshoes for any trip off the beaten trails (several are well traveled) are a must. Most places you won't need an ice axe but a trip up Washington is thought by many as being one of the few in NH that it really helps on. Some in ADK's would require one too.

Thinking one night first is good idea to get idea on how your gear works, is your bag rated cold enough, is the way you plan on keeping water warm old enough.

That said, the only real place you can camp on Washington is in Tuckerman Ravine at Hermit Lake. Above treeline requires at least two feet of snow cover & hard core gear & skills, not a location for a first timer. With all the traffic in the ravine, it's not backcountry but it's not a real long walk out if you need to bail early.

Where do you live? Can you get in a cold night camping close to home? Do you have a 4 season tent & a zero or below bag?

AMC also runs Lonesome Lake, Carter Notch & Zealand Falls Hut all year round. These all require at least a mile walk, several for Zealand.

[JimG.]

I agree with Mike that you should plan on spending a night at the Hermit Lake (Hojo's) lean-to's to see what winter camping is all about before venturing forth on a long trip. I've met people who were training for Denali at the lean-to's, so it is a legitimate area to see what true winter alpine conditions are like. My avatar is a pic taken at shelter# 2 at Hojo's in late April of 2002. We arrived at Hermit Lake that day wearing shorts and tee's and skiing was on soft, sweet corn snow. Temps were in the 60's and everything was green. By the end of dinner at about 5:30pm the temp had dropped to the mid-20's and by bedtime there were 4" of snow on the ground. By morning, temps were in the single digits with fierce wind and blowing snow that had accumulated upwards of 10". Skiing on day 2 was pow on top of boilerplate. Quite a change and this is quite normal for this area, so be prepared. The old saying goes, "If you don't like the weather on Mt. Washington, wait 10 minutes".

[dmc]

JimG in the shelter..

The Rest Of The PIX from an Awesome TUX Trip

[JimG.]

Wow, these pics are from the next spring in 2003...I got quite a sunburn skiing didn't I? It didn't snow that April but it did get cold at night. I of course remember having my back stiffen up from hauling 65lbs. up the Ravine trail. I missed the spring 2004 trip because I had to work but I'm stoked for the 2005 trip !!

[dmc]

SORRY... HERE'S THE PIX FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR

[JimG.]

Ha! I was just going to post that pic myself...that was so hilarious when we built that "wall" of snowboards and whatever in an effort to keep the snow from blowing in on us. It beat having to wake up and sweep the snow off of our bags!

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by llawhsoj

Hey there everyone, I'm looking for a place to go winter camping/hiking in the north east this winter. I haven't done any winter backcountry(though plenty of time in related fields, as in winter and backcountry) and am looking for places to go. I'm looking for a 3-5 day stint, would love to get some peaks in, and some great views and ideally some isolation(though i'd be intersted in doing washington which would throw that out the window, eh?) Anyway where should I go, what should I do? I'm open for anything really what's your favorite winter locations? I'd like to make my first voyage into winter camping memorable. Also I should say, that although its my first time winter camping, I'm not looking to do something tame, not incredibly gnarly either, but something that's a moderate challange and a great experience. Enough rambling, about this, I need to get back to work (don't tell my boss I'm here). Hope you all are doing well, and I look forward to your advice.
-joshwall

I'd say before going for a long term trip, try camping out for a night for a "dry run" of sorts and to work out any bugs. Scout motto: "Be prepared."

The Presidentials are downright dangerous in winter.

[dmc]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

The Presidentials are downright dangerous in winter.

And in the spring as well!!!

[JimG.]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

The Presidentials are downright dangerous in winter.

You're right on the money about that...I've never been there any earlier than April and you can see what the conditions are like then. DMC has been there in early March and might have a few hair raising tales to tell.