Let’s get this straight: you do not climb a 6,288 foot mountain to get in shape. You get in shape to tackle that kind of mammoth. Located in the gorgeous White Mountains of New Hampshire, Mt. Washington is one of those climbs that will completely put your fitness to the test.
I’m no stranger to the Mt. Washington trails. It’s famed spring skiing sucks me in most every year for some well earned turns (read HERE for tips on what to pack for hiking). The trek up will reward you with some stunning, steep runs down Tuckerman’s Ravine. That being said, summiting in the summer was a first for me. All the lush greenery, running water and colourful flowers contrasted drastically with the customary snow drifts. It was a refreshing new perspective to say the least.
But I digress.
It. Was. Hard. The estimated time required to complete the hike is 8 hours round trip, not including a rest at the top. Our party chose to scale up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and down the Lion Head Trail. As part of the Apalachian Mountain Club (AMC), trails are well identified and well worn. Expect a fair amount of traffic during weekends and holidays. Depending on your level of skill, you may be asking to sneak past slower hikers or vice versa. One of our group even reported having to smell an uphill hiker’s… rear end emissions. Come armed with patience and nostrils of steel!
Tuckerman Ravine Trail Stats:
Round trip: 8.4 miles
Elevation Gained: 4,300 feet
Did You Know:
Mt. Washington is the tallest peak in New England. That being said, it doesn’t even make the Top 10 Tallest Mountains East of the Mississippi. Mt. Mitchell in the Black Mountains of North Carolina takes first place on that list at 6,684 feet.
Unlike the groomed snow pack of the Tuckerman Trail in the winter, summer hikers are faced with a very rocky, uneven trekking surface. Lumbering over this kind of rugged terrain challenges the legs’ stabilizer muscles, crucial to the complete fitness of skiers. Due to the sheer amount of uphill and downhill action, my quads took several days to recover. A solid 6-7 hours of what felt like being on a Stair-Master was certainly to blame for that outcome. As a friend of mine recently coined, one is very likely to have “Elvis Legs” upon completing the arduous journey. Verdict: my legs are not ready for winter. As the colder months approach, I’ll certainly be amping up the workouts!
Elvis Leg [ELL-viss ‘leg]
noun
Uncontrollable leg shaking due to overexertion
As spectacular as the day and hike were, I have to admit that a trek culminating in a giant parking lot is somewhat anticlimactic. Anyone in the North East is very likely to have encountered a “This car climbed Mt. Washington” sticker slapped on the back of a vehicle, hence the need for parking space. Certainly, there is something to be said about anyone being able to experience the majesty of the summit, but part of the joy of hiking is the quiet solace of nature. That, a parking lot does not inspire. Instead, try turning your back to the sea of concrete and taking in the spectacular views.
My Lowa Ferrox GTX Lo shoes, Exofficio Give-N-Go Hipkinis and Royal Robbins Strider Pant accompanied me on my Mt. Washington hike: they still live up to the hype!
Have any stories to share about climbing Mt. Washington? Share in the comments below.
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Winter is coming,
K