Skills & MW is what we call our Two-Day Winter Mt Washington Program, for short. It’s a very popular offering geared toward those dipping their toe into mountaineering and those wanting to climb the notorious Mt Washington on an entry-level mountaineering route — namely the Lion Head Winter Route. The program is completed over a two-day period, obviously. Day one is all about training and preparation (sorry, no photos due to requests for anonymity by two of the three). After all, we want our guests to be safe, to feel good and, while maybe silly sounding, we want them to look good, too. On day one, two half day courses are combined: our Winter Skills course and our Mountaineering Skills course. With these skills fresh in their minds, it maximizes the potential for success the next day — summit or not (though in this case they did). These two days were led by Redline Guide Debra McCown. Here are some photos and words from Debra.
First Winter Mt. Washington of the Season
A group of three young people traveled here to New Hampshire to learn mountaineeing skills and attempt Mt Washington in winter conditions. All three completed the skills training, but unfortunately one didn’t feel well on summit day and opted to return to the car at Pinkham Notch not long after beginning the approach. The other two continued on for a successful summit on a windy but blue-sky day.
The two young men remaining came with the fitness required to climb Mt Washington in winter and a willingness to push the limits of their comfort zone — and, in Thursday’s favorable conditions, that was all they needed.
They conquered the challenge of climbing snow with an ice axe for the first time on the Lion Head Winter Route and then braved the high winds Mt Washington is known for from treeline to the summit.
Congratulations on pushing your limits for a great accomplishment in winter conditions! —Debra
