White Mountains
Mount Washington (6288 ft.) is the highest mountain in the Northeast. Weather during the winter can be brutal and punishing, almost polar.

Plan 3-4 days for the complete traverse, always allowing for inclement weather. In the early winter season the ground may not be covered completely and navigating over partially buried undergrowth is unbearable. Later in the season, when the snow has frozen, the hike is, believe it or not, easier.

Be prepared for the worst weather of your life. Goggles and face mask are mandatory as well as showshoes or skiis and crampons. Warm clothing, sleeping bags, and a very storm-proof tent are a must. Snow caves are often used to shelter from the winds. For the winds, which will come, an ice axe or poles will help you keep from getting blown away.

The only shelter is at the Lakes of the Clouds hut, southwest of Mt. Washington. If you run into trouble, you can bail at pretty much any point. Just start heading down, but beware of avalanche conditions in the slide areas below treeline. If weather forces you down one of these areas, it is better to wait out the storm if possible. A spring at the Perch campsite on Mt. Adams provides the only water.

Permit Information
No permit is required, but registration is recommended. No camping allowed above timberline in areas covered by less than two feet of snow, within a quarter mile of AMC huts, or on a frozen body of water. No wood/charcoal fires. Leave no Trace rules apply.

Directions
Close to Boston and a reasonable distance from New York and Montreal. From the south and Mt. Pierce, head to Crawford Notch and continue to Jackson and Webster. The approach to the northern Presidential Range is via US 2 through Valley Way or Airline.

Information Center
For the best and up-to-date information and conditions concerning the White Mountains, visit the Appalachian Mountain Club's Pinkham Notch headquarters.

Activities