Huntington Ravine - 7/26/08

[Bill O]

We never did get directions to the Jewell Trail so we headed up Tuckerman Ravine around 8am. With a good weather forecast and a last minute change of plans we found ourselves headed up the Huntington Ravine Trail. My first ascent of Huntington and my sister-in-law's first climb up Mount Washington.

Some highlights:

The Cutler River was swollen and I was surprised how difficult the crossing was. We were close to taking off our shoes and socks, but I devised a bold plan to skip across the water covered rocks. Trekking poles came in handy. Several trail sections were covered in water and a section on the upper Fan basically follows a waterfall.

It was easy to get lost on the fan, especially in the big boulders at the base. The trail ascends a large scrub field, but going directly up the rocks may be easier.

The crux of the climb is the large slab at the top of the fan. Its steep, with minimal hand holds and you have to rely on the friction of your shoes to make the ascent. Above the slab we followed a system of ledges and cracks. Once you start on the slabs this is when you are committed. Be very careful to follow the yellow blazes from here to the top of the ravine.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2624/dscn1784stdgt6.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6050/dscn1792stdbw7.jpg

Snow in Tucks:
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8969/dscn1795stdwa7.jpg

Photo Album (http://picasaweb.google.com/wjozanne/HuntingtonRavineSTP2008)

Looking forward to all of BlueDog's photos from the climb.

[KD Talbot]

Great TR and initial shots, will look at the rest tonight! Great to see you guys again this year. Quite the event now! The 1st year I did it, 2002, I don't think there was 100 people.

What a great day weather-wise to be above tree-line!

KDT

[Bill O]

My guess is about 12 people (and 2 little dogs) made it up Huntington Ravine on Saturday. That's one way to avoid the crowds.

Coming down Tucks I was amazed at the number of people going up the summit cone. It looked like the masses climbing Mount Fuji. Its good to see that many people out enjoying the mountain.

[BlueDog]

Graham and I did HR this year. I think that's on the top 3 list of the most difficult things I've ever done! Still processing all the pictures but I took many at almost every stage of the HR hike. Will post them soon.

[KD Talbot]

Those guys started out with us but when we hit Boott Spur Trail we didn't see them again until the summit. Later we saw them at the dinner. One was still going strong, chasing his ball!

I took Emma up HR twice, once when she was 8 mths. and again last year at 8 yrs. Won't do it again, too tough on her.

Great pictures, Bill, was there any ice still left under those boulders at the base? We found some on our trip in June last year.

KDT

[Bill O]

Great pictures, Bill, was there any ice still left under those boulders at the base? We found some on our trip in June last year.

KDT

Thanks, most of those were taken by my sister-in-law. I was on the lookout, but I couldn't find any ice. I'm guessing there was some out there. I remember last year at STP a hiker said he found ice in HR and there wasn't any snow in Tucks at that time.

[mmatty]

I climbed Huntington on Saturday as well....first time I had ever done it. Was worried due to many of the stories I had read, but it really turned out to be much easier than I thought it would be...1 or 2 slightly tricky spots, but nothing more than a scramble.

In fact, I decided to DESCEND via HR as well....figured if it got too tough, I could go back UP to the Alpine Garden and head down Lion's Head....but the descent was fairly smooth as well.

With all that said, I'd never want to try it under icy condition, at least not without proper gear! Nor would I recommend it for a 'first hike'. But Saturday was beautiful weather, plenty of time to look for handholds (where needed), and plenty of time to look at the great view...and it was unbelievablely clear. Awesome views from HR!!!!

[BlueDog]

mmatty waiting for us to go up the slabs...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2712331154_e811463400_b.jpg

[TrishandAlex]

Thanks for posting your trip report and the pictures.

When my daughter and I do Mt. Washington, we will probably go this route. We like to rock scramble, and I think I've seen enough pictures and read enough reports to have a good idea of what we'll be getting into. It looks like loads of fun. However, we will probably not do this for another year, or perhaps two. The overall trip may wear her out a bit too much.

Your pictures are great, thanks again for posting them.