First Planning Steps for January Climb

[Knox]

Hey everyone,

I'm planning on attempting Mount Washington over my winter break this January. I'm doing it as a training climb for Mount Whitney, which I'm going to attempt this March.

Right now I'm just looking for resources to get me started. Does anyone know of a good place to start? Guidebook suggestions, websites, or forums would be helpful. I like to research the heck out of every expedition I do, so I'm happy to purchase tons of topos and route guides, etc before I attempt a mountain with a reputation such as Washington's. I just need to know where to look.

Thanks!

Knox

[KD Talbot]

Your posts may take a while to be answered, but good info here.

You can get maps and guidebooks right from this website.

http://www.mountwashington.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=44_15

http://www.mountwashington.org/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=44_6&products_id=28

The book covers a lot more than MW, but is considered the hiker's bible around here. Loads of info on hiking MW.

Here's some websites to check out as well:

http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/index.php

http://chauvinguides.com/index.htm

http://www.mountainwanderer.com/paths_peaks.html

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/

http://www.friendsoftuckerman.org/

http://www.mountwashington.org/about/visitor/hiking.php

http://www.mountwashington.org/about/visitor/winter.php

Should get you started.

KDT

[Patrad Fischroy]

Perhaps Kevin's post should go into the FAQ section!!!

[climbabout]

In addition to the info in KD Talbots post - check out these previous threads which have lots of useful info:
http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?t=228&highlight=winter

also this one:
http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2344

Come back for sure and then ask some specific questions. Lots of experience here on this forum. To give you a general start, you'll probably go up the Lion Head route - and likely the winter section of that route which is marked with orange signs off the Tuckerman Trail once the snowpack is deep enough. I'll assume you'll have ice ax arrest and cramponing skills as these are necessary.

Regarding Whitney in the winter - Mountaineer's Route? I can answer specific questions if you like as I have done that as well.

Tim