Very different weather than the last few days.

Three of us decided to head up Mt. Clay yesterday using Jewell. Really loved how gradual the trail was. Good places to stop and layer up, have a snack. Made quick work of first couple of miles. Fun vistas of the Mt. Washington hotel, saw signs of deer and bobcat.

When we punched through the treeline, it was snowing and there was a strong breeze, but nothing impossible. The closer we got to the top of the ridge, the worse it seemed to get. Someone in our group mentioned that their fingers hurt. They put glove liners on, put on some mittens over their gloves, used hand warmers, and tried to tough it out. A half hour later they calmly explained they were having a hard time getting their hands warm. The group collectively made the decision to turn around. No judgement! Warmed up after getting below the trees and having some lunch.

Not disappointed, bailing is part of the game, but thinking about what to do a little bit differently next time, or if they just ran out of layers and there wasn't a lot more that could be done.

I signed up with Redline Guiding to do a 2-day Presi traverse sometime this winter. We will likely camp at Edmonds Col. Has anyone done this trip with Redline or unguided?

Not planning on hiking in the super cold. I think the 20’s would be my lowest level.

Y’all have steered me right with Smart Wool leggings and Patagonia Air Nano jacket, so I’m asking again.

Might as well ask about the best head cover for the 20 - 40 degree days while I am at it. Thanks!

There are some debates as to which ranges can be included as part of the White Mountains; I've even seen some people argue that the Longfellow Mountains of Maine technically constitute a northern extension of the White Mountains, though this is controversial.

All of the classification systems I've come across, however, unanimously label the Mahoosucs as being part of the White Mountains. This makes me wonder why they aren't included in the WMNF; all of the other ranges that are deemed to be incontrovertibly part of the White Mountains are included in the forest.

A portion of the WMNF, the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness Area, already extends into Maine, so I wouldn't think it would be a state-related issue. I'm not sure if there is some obvious reason that I'm missing, or if it's just that nobody has ever sought about trying to make it part of the forest. Maybe including it within the forest could harm the range by increasing tourism?

I'm interested to see whether any of you have any thoughts on this matter.

Im getting conflicting information on if the gate is closed for the season or not yet. Google maps says it is, but can't find any other info on it. Anyone here know?

My friend and I are hiking Saturday (weather permitting) and are in a disagreement about which route to take. Our original plan was to hike up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, take the Crawford Path over to the base of Eisenhower, and go down Edmunds. He thinks it would be better and shorter to hike that route to Eisenhower, turn around, then descend Ammonoosuc. I have hiked Ammonoosuc several times and could not imagine descending it will be anything but a total drag. I have never been on Edmunds though. Thoughts?

With galehead hut being closed for the season, is there water available outside of hut via spigot?

I am pretty sure answer is no due to pipes feeezing, but wanted to check.

Does anyone have any beta on the condition of the Avalanche Brook Ski trail coming from the AMC Pinkham Not h lodge until intersection with glen Boulder TR? Wondering if it's walkable or fully overgrown and only usable in winter?.

this is the time of year my phone is filled with "are you still driving?" "do you drive in winter?"

Yes, yes most certainly drive in winter shuttles for hikers to and from trailheads, camps, hotels what-have-you and bailouts, airports, etc too

text (603)915-1241 put my # in your phone now so you don't lose it .... and the pic makes an excellent digital business card, so please save that too

makes it easy to share when telling about me on social media or texting .... thanks!

I am looking to do mt Washington this winter. I know there are different routes but was wondering what gear is needed for each route. I will definitely bring crampons, Ice axe snow shoes all the proper layers and so on I was wondering mainly about mountaineering boots. I have insulated hiking boots that have sieved me well for everything else in the whites but want to know if I will need full mountaineering boots.

I'm curious to see if anyone has hiked this peak in Grafton Notch area. Is there a recommended route to take? Not much information online and not sure where else to ask. Thanks!

Are there Ubers available in Franconia area? Hiking the ridge and see the shuttle service is closed for the season. I searched this group but only found older posts

Should I be worried about the wet from the rain the night before? Looks like it will be ending Wednesday afternoon so it will have a little time to dry up. I’ve never done the hike so I want to make sure I’m not going and doing something stupid. Thanks.

I’m looking to get into winter hiking/climbing more in this upcoming season. I spent the entire summer in the outdoors with numerous climbs of Mt Washington/Katahdin etc and I want to keep it going into the winter. I know almost nothing about winter climbing and I’m just asking where to start. Where should I practice, what gear I need etc, What to expect when I eventually attempt Mt Washington.

I’m planning for next year with my partner and our kids (10 and 12).  My partner and I have done a decent amount of hiking in the Whites over the years.  In the last couple years with the kids we’ve done Pierce/Jackson, Eisenhower and a 25 mile semi-pemi (camping at Guyot and 13 Falls).  This summer/fall (late June-early September) we’d like to challenge ourselves and (safely and without brutalizing the children) do Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison as a 2/night 3/day hut-to-hut hike.  

I’m thinking south to north, 1st day up Ammonoosuc, drop our packs (keeping a day pack) at Lake of the Clouds and do Monroe.  Day 2, Washington, Jefferson and Adams to Madison Springs.  Day 3 Madison back to car (we can take two cars and drop one where we plan to finish)

A couple of questions:

• Suggestions about optimal time of year? We've tended to do most of our backpacking in the Whites in earlier June and mid October but I know that won't fly for our skill level at these elevations.
• Any reason I should rethink our south to north order?
• For those who have done this; what’s the real distance of day 2 likely to be?  It seems like about 6/6.5 miles but it’s tough calculating it precisely with my AMC map given all the offshoots to do the peaks.  And I know it is difficult, time consuming, terrain.
• Suggestions for which route (for the 10 year old steep descents are way more challenging than ascents because of her short little legs) to come down from Madison on day 3?  
• Anything else?

Thanks so much for your help!