Tim said he always wanted to climb New Hampshire’s Mount Washington in winter.
So on a weekend in February 2011 we packed and headed for the Ammonoosuc Ravine.

  

It was after this trip that I think Tim began to feel a true desire to be in the mountains. Soon the season was over. We got in some more ice climbing through March but started to settle into the spring routine. Back to school. Back to work.
“Next year”, Tim said, “Presidential Traverse.” And he meant it. One year later, in early March 2012, we found ourselves waiting for a window of decent weather to pull off the trek in two long days. The weather we found was quite surprising.

The winter of 11/12 was the mildest I’ve ever encountered. Instead of a hard-pack trail we waded through mashed-potato. Once we gained the alpine zone it was as if we were transported to summer. Clear Skies, Sunny and 70 degrees. Really, I’ve never seen weather this fair even in July.

We marched on to the eastern edge of Mount Monroe where we had found enough snow to dig in for the night. Our camp was basic. We were protected from wind and the following day we would wake to one of the all time-greatest sunrises.

  

Day two started off with tramping our way up and over Mount Washington. The temperatures were moderate, but the winds were still extreme. I always preferred the summit of Mount Washington in the winter. You still see people on top, but you know they all topped out under their own two legged power. Once over the summit, Tim and I could see the Northern Presidentials. We would have a long day ahead of us.

 
 

We continued north along the ridge. The mid-day sun had began to slush-ify our trail and melt what brains I had left. The rays coming from all directions in the snow was murder.
As we humped along, a look back revealed the highest peak in New Hampshire slowly folding into the landscape.

  

We finished our hike crossing over the peak of Mount Adams and Madison. Along the way I was inspired by all of the great looking chutes and open snowfields. I vowed to return the following year when there was enough snow. These mountains, although not stunningly high or wild, do offer a playground for the alpinist. All you have to do is get after it.