March 23, 2016
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- Jay & John
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- Justin
Last Friday the father and son team (Jay and Jarod) and I reached the summit of Mt. Washington via the Lion’s Head Route. It may have been the ordinary route but this was no ordinary day. The winds were very strong with gusts over 100mph when we started climbing. Luckily the wind had died down some by the time we hit tree line and we were able to advance to the summit despite the extremely cold temperatures, stiff winds and visibility at about 50 ft. Jay and Jarod climbed like pros to the frozen summit which we had all to ourselves as all other parties on the mountain that day abandoned their summit attempt and turned around.
Two days later Justin and I climbed to the summit via Left Gully in Tuckerman’s Ravine. What a difference 48 hours made! We had a warm sunny day with perfect conditions to crampon up the gully which reaches 60 degrees in steepness. This time there were a lot of people headed to the top but our route helped us avoid the crowds.
And two days later the winds returned as Joe and I tried to reach the summit but were turned back because of winds in excess of 100mph. When we reached Lion’s Head Rock the winds were so strong that we could barely stay upright. Pushing on would have been impossible. Luckily Joe had already climbed Odell’s Gully this winter, one of the longer ice climbing routes on Mt. Washington.
It’s been a great season in the White Mountains! A few more climbs and we’ll be wrapped for the season.
Craig John