Let's Play in the Winds!

 

Okay, so there was no completion of a summit peak in this afternoon. But there was a bit of excitement to be had in 70-90mph winds on Mount Washington. I somehow scored a partial day off with Josh, while Harper was in school. Per usual, I suggested a hike. Possibly another 4k for him. The forecast was calling for some pretty high winds, with gusts up to 95mph in the higher summits. Temperatures with a high of -4F ambient. I suggest Carter Dome, which was the least exposed.

 

Josh, he suggested Mount Washington. However, with forecast being as wild as it was we both decided to just hit Lion Head and then turn around. Neither of us cared to summit. He had never really be in high winds like that, let alone hiking in them. So, we packed up our gear. Mountaineering boots, crampons, and ice axe were ready to go.

Since, I've started hiking "mountaineering" has always been my favorite thing to do. There is just so much to be learned in this style of hiking. But there is also, so much danger involved. Maybe I am just an adrenaline junky? Who knows. All I know, is I feel my happiest when I get to practice self arrest with  my ice axe, use it as an ice tool at times, utilize ropes when necessary, and kick my crampons in to the hill side as if I am on Everest.

HIKE: Walk for a long distance, especially across country or in the woods

MOUNTAINEERING: The climbing of mountains, especially using special equipment and techniques on rock, ice, or snow

While you are walking in crampons there are just do many different techniques to learn and know about to safely get you where you need to be. In your hiking boots and snowshoes- not so much.

If you want to check out some basic techniques check out this article:
http://www.climbing.com/skills/french-technique/

We arrived at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and were on trail at 9:00am. We decided we had a good chuck of the day so there was no reason to rush, or get up faster than our last time. We headed up Tuckerman Ravine Trail after registering our names in the log book inside of PNVC, and checking the forecast for avalanches as well as trail condition. We both started without any traction but both brought our spikes and crampons. We continued upward with only passing one person on the way up.

Lion Head Summer Route was our destination, because it had not had enough snow to be shut down due to avalanche danger and Winter to open. We made it to the Summer Route Lion Head junction and took the right to head up and out of the trees. I have done this trail many times in the summer time, but never with snow on it. Josh, had never hiked this trail at all and was completely unfamiliar with it. We both decided with the lack of knowledge of what this trail would be like in winter condition to take our time. Within the firs couple tenths of a mile, we found a good spot to stop and put on our crampons. I broke out my ice axe while he carried his trekking poles.

We continued upward, preparing for what would be some really high winds and cold temps. Stopping to take in all the gorgeous views around us. We were just about to make the finally wrap around and head up above the trees at the Lion head junction at tree line. We found ourselves in probably the only spot on the mountain that had no winds. We dropped our packs, took out the goggles, balaclavas, hard shell layers, and warmer gloves. Once we were completely covered from head to toe to prevent any exposure to frost nip or bite we continued upward.

We were just shy of actual "Lion Head" when we felt some pretty good gusts of wind come through. Myself, having the experience on the summit with winds in a high velocity I guess at what they were and checked the time, so we could check it later on the Mount Washington Observatory's webpage.

We kept on pushing to Lion Head, with only one issue between the both of us. Josh's goggles were freezing up with fog. When in conditions this extreme, carrying at least 2 pairs of goggles makes a huge difference. We went as far as we could before we just decided to stand and play in the winds for a few minutes and then head back down and out.

We both were actually quite comfortable temperature wise and didn't have any other issues. Which means, overall we came quite prepared and dressed appropriately for the conditions we were going to be exposing ourselves too.

It's  never a bad thing to want to experience such extremes, as long as you have all the gear you will need to keep you safe in any situation. Not to mention it is always nice to have a plan, stick together, and never thing you are stronger than the mountain itself, or mother nature.

Overall, it was such a great day to be outside and we were both just happy to spend it playing in the conditions safely. Neither of us had summit fever, and stuck together in every move we made.

 

 

6.2miles down 1993miles to go out of 2016