Winter isn’t a lot of a season within the White Mountains as an altitude. The onset of winter all the time begins on the increased elevations first with freezing rain and snow earlier than the snow line drops into the mountain passes and valleys beneath. In different phrases, it could be winter on the upper peaks, however autumn within the valleys beneath. It’s similar to spring when the decrease elevations heat quicker and winter lingers on the excessive peaks.
For day hikers or backpackers, winter successfully begins once you begin having to hold microspikes for additional traction on hikes. That may occur as early as October 1 on the upper peaks, particularly on Mt Washington and the Northern Presidentials the place the typical temperature is beneath freezing from October via April. Finally, you’ll want to hold snowshoes too, however early on, microspikes are often enough till mid-November and December, after we begin to get bigger portions of snow.
This state of seasonal “in-between-ness” means you should fastidiously plan hikes by monitoring climate forecasts a number of days upfront to find out in the event that they’re protected and what gear it’s essential deliver. Checking path situation reviews from different hikers on NewEnglandTrailConditions.com can also be very useful.
Come November 1, I often change to my winter backpack which is best suited to carrying sharp traction, like microspikes and crampons, and begin carrying much more cold-weather clothes layers and gloves on hikes. I add a second headlamp and pack away my water filter because it’s more likely to break if it will get frozen and begin carrying Katadyn Micropur tablets for water purification since they work in chilly water. Finally, I’ll even begin to carry scorching water in wide-mouth bottles as a substitute of chilly water on hikes, so it doesn’t freeze. I’ve discovered myself climbing in a number of inches of snow on 4000 footers by November 1st, however it’s arduous to know precisely when autumn floor circumstances will give strategy to snow and ice.
For peakbaggers engaged on the AMC Winter 4000 footer peakbagging listing, ‘calendar’ winter begins on December 21, 2023 and ends on March 19, 2024 (the times fluctuate barely from year-to-year). The foundations for finishing this listing are moderately strict: “Journeys should start after the hour and minute of the start of winter (winter solstice), and finish earlier than the hour and minute of the top of winter (spring equinox). For instance, to depend as an AMC Winter 4000 hike for the 2023-2024 season, you should not begin your hike earlier than the winter solstice on Wednesday, Dec 21 at 10:27 PM EST, and you should finish a hike (all the way in which again on the trailhead/automobile) earlier than the vernal equinox Tuesday, Mar 19 at 11:06 PM EST.
You possibly can learn all in regards to the winter guidelines on the AMC4000 Footer web site. They might appear strict, however you must understand that bagging Winter 4000-footers is a recreation, and video games have guidelines.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely become profitable if you are going to buy a product via our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and unbiased gear evaluations, newbie FAQs, and free climbing guides.