Hiking the White Mountain 4000 Footers

Hiking Hiking The White MountainThe White Mountain

4000 Footers4000 FootersPhilip WernerPhilip Werner

[email protected]@sectionhiker.com

Copyright 2011, SectionHiker.comCopyright 2011, SectionHiker.com

What You’ll LearnWhat You’ll Learn

Getting StartedGetting Started Recommended Day Hiking Gear Recommended Day Hiking Gear WeatherWeather Above TreelineAbove Treeline SeasonsSeasons Winter Hiking and MountaineeringWinter Hiking and Mountaineering After the 4000 FootersAfter the 4000 Footers Q & AQ & A


About Philip WernerAbout Philip Werner

Member Appalachian Mountain ClubMember Appalachian Mountain Club Member Randolph Mountain ClubMember Randolph Mountain Club Appalachian Trail section hikerAppalachian Trail section hiker Completed 4000 Footer List in 2010Completed 4000 Footer List in 2010 Trail maintainer, White MountainsTrail maintainer, White Mountains Hiking blogger at SectionHiker.comHiking blogger at SectionHiker.com


The White MountainsThe White Mountains


White Mountain 4000 Footer ListWhite Mountain 4000 Footer ListWashington 6288 Flume 4328Adams 5774 South Hancock 4319Jefferson 5712 Pierce 4310Monroe 5384 North Kinsman 4293Madison 5367 Willey 4285Lafayette 5260 Bondcliff 4265Lincoln 5089 Zealand 4260South Twin 4902 North Tripyramid 4180Carter Dome 4832 Cabot 4170Moosilauke 4802 East Osceola 4156Eisenhower 4780 Middle Tripyramid 4140North Twin 4761 Cannon 4100Carrigain 4700 Hale 4054Bond 4698 Jackson 4052Middle Carter 4610 Tom 4051West Bond 4540 Wildcat, D Peak 4050Garfield 4500 Moriah 4049Liberty 4459 Passaconaway 4043South Carter 4430 Owl's Head 4025Wildcat 4422 Galehead 4024Hancock 4420 Whiteface 4020South Kinsman 4358 Waumbek 4006Field 4340 Isolation 4004Osceola 4340 Tecumseh 4003


Why People Climb the 4000 FootersWhy People Climb the 4000 Footers

Great family activityGreat family activity Physical and mental challengePhysical and mental challenge Learn new skillsLearn new skills Meet outdoor-minded peopleMeet outdoor-minded people Dogs love it!Dogs love it! Thrill of dangerThrill of danger Train for major expeditionsTrain for major expeditions Awe-inspiring sceneryAwe-inspiring scenery


Adams - 5774Adams - 5774


Bondcliff - 4265Bondcliff - 4265


Webster CliffWebster Cliff


Sabbaday FallsSabbaday Falls


Spruce GrouseSpruce Grouse


Getting StartedGetting Started

Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain GuideAppalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide Map Adventures White Mountains Waterproof MapMap Adventures White Mountains Waterproof Map White Mountain National Forest Parking PassWhite Mountain National Forest Parking Pass


Regional Hiking GroupsRegional Hiking Groups

Meetup.comMeetup.com– New England Hiking Meetup (1400 members)New England Hiking Meetup (1400 members)– Random Group of Hikers (1800 members)Random Group of Hikers (1800 members)– 4 Seasons Hiking Group (1200 members)4 Seasons Hiking Group (1200 members)

Appalachian Mountain ClubAppalachian Mountain Club– Many different chapters (MA, NH, etc)Many different chapters (MA, NH, etc)– Numerous day hikesNumerous day hikes– InstructionInstruction– Membership is not requiredMembership is not required


Start Easy and LowStart Easy and LowWashington 6288 Flume 4328Adams 5774 South Hancock 4319Jefferson 5712 Pierce 4310Monroe 5384 North Kinsman 4293Madison 5367 Willey 4285Lafayette 5260 Bondcliff 4265Lincoln 5089 Zealand 4260South Twin 4902 North Tripyramid 4180Carter Dome 4832 Cabot 4170Moosilauke 4802 East Osceola 4156Eisenhower 4780 Middle Tripyramid 4140North Twin 4761 Cannon 4100Carrigain 4700 Hale 4054Bond 4698 Jackson 4052Middle Carter 4610 Tom 4051West Bond 4540 Wildcat, D Peak 4050Garfield 4500 Moriah 4049Liberty 4459 Passaconaway 4043South Carter 4430 Owl's Head 4025Wildcat 4422 Galehead 4024Hancock 4420 Whiteface 4020South Kinsman 4358 Waumbek 4006Field 4340 Isolation 4004Osceola 4340 Tecumseh 4003


Route Planning ChecklistRoute Planning Checklist Weather forecastWeather forecast Recent trip reportsRecent trip reports Route and landmarks (bring a map, compass)Route and landmarks (bring a map, compass) DistanceDistance Elevation changeElevation change Special gear or tractionSpecial gear or traction Water crossingsWater crossings Water sourcesWater sources Book timeBook time Turn around timeTurn around time Sunset timeSunset time Bail out optionsBail out options Group review before hike!Group review before hike! Leave trip plan with friend who will call Leave trip plan with friend who will call State PoliceState Police if you if you

are overdueare overdue


Recommended Day Hiking GearRecommended Day Hiking Gear HatHat SunglassesSunglasses Map and compassMap and compass Water bottles or hydration reservoirWater bottles or hydration reservoir Emergency whistleEmergency whistle Pocket knifePocket knife Matches and a Fire SteelMatches and a Fire Steel Headlamp with extra batteriesHeadlamp with extra batteries First aid kitFirst aid kit Duct tapeDuct tape Rain jacket and rain pantsRain jacket and rain pants Wind shirtWind shirt Running shoes (dry faster after stream crossings)Running shoes (dry faster after stream crossings) Hiking polesHiking poles Sun tan lotion Sun tan lotion Mosquito RepellentMosquito Repellent High calorie food (1.5 lbs per day)High calorie food (1.5 lbs per day) Leash for your dogLeash for your dog Water filter or purifier for long hikesWater filter or purifier for long hikes


Peakbagging StrategiesPeakbagging Strategies

Hike one peak per tripHike one peak per trip Hike multiple peaks in one dayHike multiple peaks in one day AMC Hut-to-Hut traverseAMC Hut-to-Hut traverse Multi-day backpack over multiple Multi-day backpack over multiple

peakspeaks Backpack the New Hampshire Backpack the New Hampshire

Appalachian Trail (26 peaks)Appalachian Trail (26 peaks) Winter hiking or backpackingWinter hiking or backpacking


White Mountain WeatherWhite Mountain Weather


White Mountain WeatherWhite Mountain Weather

Trail conditions are seasonalTrail conditions are seasonal DangersDangers

– Thunderstorms and lightningThunderstorms and lightning– High winds and frostbiteHigh winds and frostbite– Cold weather and hypothermiaCold weather and hypothermia– Avalanches and burialAvalanches and burial


Seasonal Trail ConditionsSeasonal Trail Conditions High water High water

crossingscrossings Road closuresRoad closures FoliageFoliage Blow downsBlow downs PostholingPostholing Ice/Traction Ice/Traction

RequirementsRequirements MonorailMonorail


Mountain Weather ForecastingMountain Weather Forecasting

Mountains make their own Mountains make their own weatherweather

Pressure gradients bring windPressure gradients bring wind Thunderstorms bring hail and Thunderstorms bring hail and

lightninglightning Nor’easters bring heavy snowNor’easters bring heavy snow


Predicting the Weather with CloudsPredicting the Weather with Clouds

Cumulonimbus CloudsCumulonimbus Clouds– Anvil shapeAnvil shape– Big and tallBig and tall– DarknessDarkness– Heavy rain, hail, and lightningHeavy rain, hail, and lightning

Lenticular CloudsLenticular Clouds– Pancake, saucer, or wave Pancake, saucer, or wave

shapedshaped– Occur near tall mountainsOccur near tall mountains– Heavy rain, hail, and lightningHeavy rain, hail, and lightning


Avalanche ForecastingAvalanche Forecasting

Avalanches occur throughout the Whites, not just on Avalanches occur throughout the Whites, not just on Mt WashingtonMt Washington

Generally safe on hiking trails under tree lineGenerally safe on hiking trails under tree line Winter hiking requires additional gear and trainingWinter hiking requires additional gear and training


Treeline WarningTreeline Warning


Hazardous Above Treeline PeaksHazardous Above Treeline PeaksWashington 6288 Flume 4328Adams 5774 South Hancock 4319Jefferson 5712 Pierce 4310Monroe 5384 North Kinsman 4293Madison 5367 Willey 4285Lafayette 5260 Bondcliff 4265Lincoln 5089 Zealand 4260South Twin 4902 North Tripyramid 4180Carter Dome 4832 Cabot 4170Moosilauke 4802 East Osceola 4156Eisenhower 4780 Middle Tripyramid 4140North Twin 4761 Cannon 4100Carrigain 4700 Hale 4054Bond 4698 Jackson 4052Middle Carter 4610 Tom 4051West Bond 4540 Wildcat, D Peak 4050Garfield 4500 Moriah 4049Liberty 4459 Passaconaway 4043South Carter 4430 Owl's Head 4025Wildcat 4422 Galehead 4024Hancock 4420 Whiteface 4020South Kinsman 4358 Waumbek 4006Field 4340 Isolation 4004Osceola 4340 Tecumseh 4003


Above Treeline is Potentially DangerousAbove Treeline is Potentially Dangerous

Wind chillWind chill FrostbiteFrostbite HypothermiaHypothermia LightningLightning HailHail Poor FootingPoor Footing WhiteoutsWhiteouts Sun BurnSun Burn Scarce WaterScarce Water No ShelterNo Shelter


Above Treeline Safety Above Treeline Safety

Treeline occurs around 4,500 ft in the Treeline occurs around 4,500 ft in the WhitesWhites

Track forecast for several days priorTrack forecast for several days prior Summit is always optional Summit is always optional Bring protective clothing and Bring protective clothing and

emergency shelteremergency shelter Know how to navigate with map and Know how to navigate with map and

compass (not a GPS or phone)compass (not a GPS or phone) Safety is always BELOW treelineSafety is always BELOW treeline


Seasonal ConditionsSeasonal Conditions

Mud season and lingering snow through Mud season and lingering snow through MayMay

Black fly season first half of JuneBlack fly season first half of June Best hiking mid-June through SeptemberBest hiking mid-June through September Autumn leaves peak by mid-SeptemberAutumn leaves peak by mid-September First frost by end of SeptemberFirst frost by end of September Winter conditions from October through Winter conditions from October through

MayMay


Spring on the Appalachian Trail Spring on the Appalachian Trail


Summer on Lincoln - 5089Summer on Lincoln - 5089


Autumn on Carrigan - 4700Autumn on Carrigan - 4700


Winter in Tuckerman RavineWinter in Tuckerman Ravine


Winter Hiking and BackpackingWinter Hiking and Backpacking Don’t go aloneDon’t go alone Requires special training and gearRequires special training and gear

– Ice axeIce axe– CramponsCrampons– Mountaineering bootsMountaineering boots– Winter Above Treeline SkillsWinter Above Treeline Skills

Much more dangerousMuch more dangerous Very physically demandingVery physically demanding Recommended trainingRecommended training

– AMC Winter Hiking Program, Boston ChapterAMC Winter Hiking Program, Boston Chapter– International Mountaineering Climbing School, North International Mountaineering Climbing School, North

ConwayConway– EMS Climbing School, North ConwayEMS Climbing School, North Conway


Washington - 6288Washington - 6288


Washington Avalanche ForecastWashington Avalanche Forecast


Winter Summit of WashingtonWinter Summit of Washington


After the 4000 FootersAfter the 4000 Footers

New England Hundred HighestNew England Hundred Highest 52 with a View52 with a View Trailwrights 72Trailwrights 72 Winter 48Winter 48 The Grid: 48 x 12The Grid: 48 x 12 New Hampshire Appalachian TrailNew Hampshire Appalachian Trail


ReferencesReferences http://www.amc4000footer.org/http://www.amc4000footer.org/ http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/summit_forecast.phphttp://www.mountwashington.org/weather/summit_forecast.php http://trailsnh.com/http://trailsnh.com/ http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/tripplanner/go/backcountry-http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/tripplanner/go/backcountry-

weather.cfmweather.cfm http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/index.htmlhttp://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/index.html http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/difficulty.htmlhttp://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/difficulty.html http://forum.hike-nh.com/index.phphttp://forum.hike-nh.com/index.php http://viewsfromthetop.com/forums/index.phphttp://viewsfromthetop.com/forums/index.php http://www.meetup.com/New-England-Hiking-Meetup/http://www.meetup.com/New-England-Hiking-Meetup/ http://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/http://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/ http://www.meetup.com/4-Seasons-Hiking-Group/http://www.meetup.com/4-Seasons-Hiking-Group/ http://www.hbbostonamc.org/index.php/Table/Instructional-Programs-Workhttp://www.hbbostonamc.org/index.php/Table/Instructional-Programs-Work

shops/shops/ http://www.ime-usa.com/imcs/index.htmlhttp://www.ime-usa.com/imcs/index.html http://www.emsclimb.com/mtn/mtn.htmlhttp://www.emsclimb.com/mtn/mtn.html http://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/http://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/ http://www.hbbostonamc.org/http://www.hbbostonamc.org/ http://www.randolphmountainclub.org/index.htmlhttp://www.randolphmountainclub.org/index.html


Questions?Questions?

Hiking the White Mountain 4000 Footers

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