Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!
You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!
Anyone have any tips/advice on solo Mt. Washington climbs during the winter. What's the best route? Am I completely crazy to climb it solo during the winter?
Thanks.
I think that is rather harsh without knowing a bit more about Oak22's talents, abilities, history, etc. Soloing during the winter is most certainly not crazy even with no previous knowledge of a mountain. Doing so without a good plan, the skills, and mountaineering knowledge would be crazy. Though if you have to ask if it is crazy, then it sounds like more research may be a good idea as an experienced mountaineer with thorough research could likely make that call for themselves.With no knowledge of that mountain, yes you are completely crazy to climb it solo during the winter. Even experienced hikers have perished there in the winter.
Don't become a statistic like this guy
http://forums.alpinezone.com/22949-mt-washington-avalanche-death.html
I think that is rather harsh without knowing a bit more about Oak22's talents, abilities, history, etc. Soloing during the winter is most certainly not crazy even with no previous knowledge of a mountain. Doing so without a good plan, the skills, and mountaineering knowledge would be crazy. Though if you have to ask if it is crazy, then it sounds like more research may be a good idea as an experienced mountaineer with thorough research could likely make that call for themselves.
I understand nothing is 100% safe but the LH Winter route avoids avalanche terrain and existing slide paths pretty well and they usually route it that way - I think if a slide path developed crossing it's path they'd probably move the route (I think they have done in the past). I've been on the Winter route during "High" avalanche danger hiking beside a bunch of guided groups - one of those groups was guided by an AIARE III certified instructor - I'm not saying that makes him and all 30+ people on the route that day immune, just saying it's a pretty well known safe path when avy danger is high.cbcbd,
While Lion's Head is the preferred route & has far less avalanche danger than the headwalls, it does have some exposure. It's probably a good idea to avoid the trail if the avalanche conditions are extreme.
My guess is for the view of the ravines and the shorter drive for many of the guiding services like IMCS, EMS, etc who are coming from N ConwayNot sure why guided groups have not switched some trips over to the other side, unless it's strictly for the view of the ravines & the warm climbers room at PNVC & their guides like taking people they don't really know up a route they have done dozens (100's?) of times before. (When I've taken school groups there is something to be said about routes you know real well)