Riptide27
02-23-2010, 08:11 PM
Hi all,
I'm new here and have really enjoyed reading many of your threads. I have been hiking the Whites since I was 6 yrs old so that?s 32 yrs. I have a great love for Mt Washington and have climbed it countless times however; I have only gone to the summit six times in the winter so I?m still a cherry when it comes to the extreme conditions that the mountain can produce. I'll be checking on the forum to find information on conditions and other various threads on winter climbing Washington and hopfully making some new contacts.
So here is my first contribution:
Mt Chocorua via Piper Trail
Trip date: 2/22/2010
Trail:l Piper
Trail head parking: Not plowed I needed to use my 4x4 to gain entry
Trail Conditions/Trip Report: The warm weather has made the lower half of the trail soft, but thanks to many snowshoe travelers it is well packed. Normal seasonal foot wear is fine (winter hiking boot). As you move past the 3.5 mile or at about the shelter split throw on your crampons for speed and safety. The combo of crampons and a good set of trekking poles will go along way here.
If you hike at a moderate pace (2-3mph) I would start your trip this time of year before noon otherwise you'll be coming down in the dark.
My total turnaround time was 4.5 hrs and it would have been shortened greatly if I had just put my crampons on a little earlier. The last 1.5 miles to the summit was spotty but keeping your crampons on is well worth it. I didn't need my climbing or ice axe, but glad I brought them with me since a slight change in conditions would have warranted the use of one or the other.
I'm new here and have really enjoyed reading many of your threads. I have been hiking the Whites since I was 6 yrs old so that?s 32 yrs. I have a great love for Mt Washington and have climbed it countless times however; I have only gone to the summit six times in the winter so I?m still a cherry when it comes to the extreme conditions that the mountain can produce. I'll be checking on the forum to find information on conditions and other various threads on winter climbing Washington and hopfully making some new contacts.
So here is my first contribution:
Mt Chocorua via Piper Trail
Trip date: 2/22/2010
Trail:l Piper
Trail head parking: Not plowed I needed to use my 4x4 to gain entry
Trail Conditions/Trip Report: The warm weather has made the lower half of the trail soft, but thanks to many snowshoe travelers it is well packed. Normal seasonal foot wear is fine (winter hiking boot). As you move past the 3.5 mile or at about the shelter split throw on your crampons for speed and safety. The combo of crampons and a good set of trekking poles will go along way here.
If you hike at a moderate pace (2-3mph) I would start your trip this time of year before noon otherwise you'll be coming down in the dark.
My total turnaround time was 4.5 hrs and it would have been shortened greatly if I had just put my crampons on a little earlier. The last 1.5 miles to the summit was spotty but keeping your crampons on is well worth it. I didn't need my climbing or ice axe, but glad I brought them with me since a slight change in conditions would have warranted the use of one or the other.