CLIMBING THE WHITE MOUNTAINS June 1-3, 2011 THE MISSION: Climb the six tallest summits in New Hampshire's White Mountains in three days with 13,000 feet of climbing WASHINGTON (6288') ADAMS (5799') JEFFERSON (5716') CLAY (5533') MONROE (5372') MADISON (5366') WEBCAMS from atop Mt. Washington or More Webcams Weather Forecast BASECAMP: The perfect spot for peakbagggers who wish to day hike each climb is on The Bluff, 2.7 miles in from the parking area X. The Bluff, where we'll set up basecamp, is a saddle on the edge of the 5552-acre Great Gulf Wilderness, which holds the largest glacial cirque in the Northeast.A View of Mt. Washington from The Bluff INTERESTING FACTS: Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast. Temperatures in winter can drop to -45 F. The wind topped hurricane force 100-plus days last year with the highest windspeed ever recorded on Earth at 231 mph in April 1934. Snowfall average is 256 inches. Washington has claimed 134 lives to date - more than any other North American peak. Most common causes include falls, hypothermia, and avalanches.
Map from Parking Area to The Bluff DAY 1 CLIMB: BAG THE BIG ONE FIRST (14 miles round trip) If the weather looks good, we'll climb Washington, (A - D) because it may be in clouds tomorrow. We'll follow the Great Gulf Trail past numerous cascades to the first test: the steep, rocky Great Gulf headwall. Then we'll connect to the Gulfside Trail and Crawford Path, which provide a back door route across tundra to "The Rockpile", aka the summit of Washington - and down to the jewel-like Lakes of the Clouds. From Lakes it is a short climb to Monroe's cresting-wave-like summit. Return to camp via the Alpine Garden. o o o o for the Great Gulf Trail o o o o for other Side Trails
DAY 2 CLIMB: CLIMB HARD, ESCAPE THE CROWDS (10.2 miles round trip) Today is a big day with 4000 feet of climb, and a trail that more properly could be called off-trail. Scramble up the Six Husbands, a path avoided by most hikers because it is super steep, ascending ladders in spots, and rugged. Tag Jefferson's crown, then continue south to Mt. Clay and its commanding view of the Great Gulf and northern Presidentials. Drop back toward camp via the bouldery, challenging Sphinx Trail.
View from Mt. Clay south to Mt. Washington
View from Mt. Clay of the Great Gulf Wilderness
