In New Hampshire, in the White Mountain National Forest, on Mt Washington there exists a trail called Lion Head, of which there are two routes. One, the default option, is known by most as Lion Head Trail or by the more informed, the Lion Head Summer Route. So-named for the fact that there is a corresponding Winter Route.
In years’ past the Summer Route had a terrain trap hikers had to cross so the Winter Route was thought to be a safer option. As of late, however, thanks to a lot of snow-binding terrain making the Summer Route safer, especially if snow depths are low. Also, that the Winter Route is quite a bit sketchier and is the most widely-guided trail so it gets a little beat up. On some days it’s more rock and ice than snow.
It offers such challenge, in fact, we think of it an entry-level mountaineering route. You gotta draw the line somewhere. In the interest of safety, that route is the day-two objective for students taking part in our two-day Winter Mt Washington program.
In the following post we feature a young man who, as of three days ago, technically entered adulthood. He took our class and climb as a one-on-one birthday gift for himself. In good hands, we put him with Redline Guides Mike Cherim and Debra McCown, leading the class, then the climb, respectively. What follows are words from Debra, in part, along with a few photos from both guides.
On day two, the day of the climb, our guest lucked out with the weather: When we began hiking up from Pinkham Notch just after sunrise, the temperature was warm in the upper 20s, with clear skies. It was a perfect day.
Less than two hours later, we were geared up and ready to climb the Lion Head Winter Route. The snow was thin. So thin that the crux of the route was little more than rock with patches of snow and ice. Above it, there was enough snow for a fun climb — and he got to try out the skills he’d learned the previous day.
Once we reached the top of the Winter Route and re-connected to the Summer Route, we hiked to the wind-blasted Lion Head formation itself and scrambled up the rock. We were rewarded stunning views and an opportunity to experience the winds that Mt Washington is known for. With his jacket whipping, our guest got to peer down into Tuckerman Ravine as well as take in a view of the upper reaches and summit.
Lion Head sometimes serves as the trip’s high point for various reasons. In this case our guest decided to leave the summit for another day. This mountain, at 6288 feet, is much bigger than anything he’d become accustomed to back home in Virginia. Regardless, he had a great time and hopes to return in the future to finish the job. —Debra
