Mount Washington Climb

[mondos06cbr1000]

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m). It is famous for its dangerously erratic weather, holding the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, at 231 mph (372 km/h) on the afternoon of April 12, 1934.

At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington claims the title of the Northeast's highest peak. While its height may not be especially impressive by global standards, Mount Washington rates as anything but an ordinary mountain. For one, its climate is similar to that of Northern Labrador, hundreds of miles further north. Three major storm tracks converge over the mountain, forming harsh and turbulent weather conditions. Above treeline, alpine conditions prevail and only the hardiest plants and animals survive. The combination of the extreme wind, fog, wet and cold have dubbed Mount Washington "Home of World's Worst Weather".

Many seriously underestimate the conditions atop Mount Washington. Within a day's drive of nearly 70 million people, this mountain is highly accessible and frequently visited. Visitors often arrive unprepared for the stark, blustery weather they encounter above treeline. Here, temperatures typically remain 20 to 30 degrees F colder than in the neighboring valleys, while visibility can be limited to 100 feet and winds fierce. Hikers who anticipate valley-like weather conditions at the summit are unpleasantly surprised when they find themselves severely underdressed and exposed to the elements. Even those visiting the summit in summer via automobile and cog railway may find themselves chilled as they step out into much cooler and potentially winter-like conditions.

The vast majority of the quarter million people who visit the summit each year experience no problems whatsoever. Yet each year several "close calls" accentuate the dangers of the mountain. 135 fatalities have occurred on and around Mount Washington since 1849, many of them involving ill-prepared hikers, skiers and climbers. There is no room for poor judgement and carelessness in this unforgiving mountain environment.

To gain an understanding of the harsh conditions atop the mountain, observe the following statistics.

The average year-round temperature is below freezing, at 26.5° F.
Winds average 35.3 miles per hour on an annual basis.
Fog frequently limits visibility to 100 feet or less.
The average annual precipitation is 86 inches, including 21 feet of snow!
The world's highest recorded surface wind speed, 231 miles per hour, occurred here.

Fatalities on Mount Washington occur for various reasons- overexposure to the cold, wet, and wind, falls down steep slopes, avalanches... perhaps few accidents on the mountain can truly be attributed to just one reason, one misstep. Previous decisions determine what gear is brought along, which trail is followed, what types of conditions are expected. It is imperative to understand and prepare for changing weather conditions, to take into account one's abilities and the abilities of party members, to heed warning signs and above all to never be ashamed to turn back. Disregard for any of these principles increase the likelihood of an unfortunate or even tragic incident. "Bagging" another summit is never worth the cost of a life.


The Hike up Tuckermans Ravine, usually takes 4.5-5 hours...me and my friend did it in 3.5 (7am-1030am). Still snow and ice in July and winds hit 68mph at the summit once we got up there

camping out the night before


warning sign


adjacent ridge


Tuckermans Ravine (people ski down that all year long)


Me with mountain in the background


climbing up the ravine ( those are the rocks i climbed up)


again


give you an idea of the angle of the slope

[mondos06cbr1000]

here is another shot


the trail we just came up


me


a nice view from the top of the ravine


top of Tuckermans Ravine, just before we head up to the summit


a view heading up the summit


THE SUMMIT (winds started gusting around 40-50 mph here and temperature dropped a ton


ME AT THE TOP






BAD WEATHER AND 68MPH WINDS STARTING TO MOVE IN




And here is a picture of the mountain and the trail we took up

[mondos06cbr1000]

heres the wind at the top before it hit 68mph

http://img532.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mvi0808md3.flv

[itgirl]

very cool!

[mondos06cbr1000]

yea it was pretty cool

[WARputer]

I went up there in 2005 .....and what a view it was !! The temperature drop is amazing when you reach the summit.....we all froze our ass off !