Why Mount Washington Kills

[ski diva]

I just read a very interesting article on Outside Online about why there's such a high death rate for hikers on Mount Washington. Even though Mount Washington isn't big by western standards (6,288 ft), it's the highest peak in the Northeastern United States and is famous for its extreme and often erratic weather. Anyway, an interesting piece.

 

[bounceswoosh]

Even though Mount Washington isn't big by western standards

People do amazingly stupid things on some much higher peaks out west, so I'm not surprised. Maybe the fact that it's "only" 6k tall even adds to the miscalculation. It's one of those things, like avalanches, where you can get away with it 9 times out of 10 ... and the tenth kills you.

 

[elemmac]

Maybe the fact that it's "only" 6k tall even adds to the miscalculation.

Not only that, but having a road to the top as well as a cog railway adds a tourist element to it. I think the tourist element really distracts people from the ruthlessness of the mountain. Many people consider a hike in the Presidentials just a walk in the woods, and just aren't prepared for how quickly the mountain can change.

I've hiked it a few times, and the first time I ended up turning around about a 1/2 hour from the summit. Couldn't see the cairns in front of me anymore, and it started to snow...in August. Got just about to treeline on my way down, and bam...perfectly blue skies again.

Then two years ago I hiked the Presidential Traverse, late September. So, very minimal day light. Started in the dark and ended in the dark. Coming down the last peak we kept hearing voices behind us, but couldn't see them until they were inches away. It was pitch black out, and had been for quite some time, and we still had a couple miles to go. It was a group of 4 that came up from Boston for a jaunt in the woods, started heading down too late and were trying to make their way down the mountain with light from their phones! Tennis shoes, no jackets, no flashlights, nothing. We ended up having one of us lead the group with our headlamp, and one follow behind to light the way. Not an ideal situation for any of us, but I honestly have no idea how they would have made it out if we weren't there.

Sigh...and don't even get me started on the people I've seen trying to hike/ski Tuckerman Ravine

 

[vanhoskier]

An elevation change of 6000 feet at that latitude is about equivalent to an elevation change of over 10,000 feet in Colorado. Mt. Washington consistently records some of the highest wind speeds in the country, if not the world. It is the epitome of extreme weather, even in the summer, as @elemmac described above. It's also a damn difficult hike (extremely rocky) up the Tuckerman Ravine route. It's a big elevation gain over a short distance. That hike, and some in the Adirondacks, are tougher than some of the fourteeners I've done in CO. (Minus the altitude breathing issues, if one is not acclimated).

(A family friend lost his legs in a climbing accident on Mt. Washington in the '80's. He used the experience to learn about prosthetics, got a PhD in physics and is now a professor at MIT who designs prosthetic limbs.) He was a very skilled mountaineer but the mountain got the best of him.

My brother-in-law used to backcountry ski up many of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks, and he had stories of Westerners whom he'd find stranded up there, unprepared for the extreme weather and terrain. The Presidentials in New Hampshire and the High Peaks of NY can chew up and spit out inexperienced climbers as well as more experienced ones who underestimate that unique environment.

 

[Pequenita]

(A family friend lost his legs in a climbing accident on Mt. Washington in the '80's. He used the experience to learn about prosthetics, got a PhD in physics and is now a professor at MIT who designs prosthetic limbs.) He was a very skilled mountaineer but the mountain got the best of him.

If it's the same person I am thinking of, his is a very controversial rescue among New England mountaineers. @TeleChica is acquainted with him.

ETA - After more thought, I think a lot of incidents on Mt. Washington arise because of how accessible it is, the quickly changing weather and awareness of the changes, and the trip plans for many people do not include a Plan B.

 

[surfsnowgirl]

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/weather/2016/05/17/mount-washington-heavy-wind-orig-vstop.cnn

 

[marzNC]

The rangers in the Adirondacks report rescues on a regular basis. In March 2016, the report included a rescue of a young couple who ended up on private property. In this case, cell phones made it easier to find them. Clueless.

Town of Willsboro
Private Land

Lost hikers: On March 13, 2016 at 3:05 p.m., Essex County 911 transferred a call to DEC Ray Brook Dispatch from two lost hikers on Rattlesnake Mountain on private property in Willsboro. The 23-year-old male and 22-year-old female, both from Plattsburgh, NY, reported they had lost the trail after leaving the summit. DEC Forest Rangers responded and located the hikers at the GPS coordinates provided by Essex County 911, which were obtained from their cell phones. They were approximately 100 yards from the trail. The hikers did not have a map, compass or appropriate gear. They were escorted back to their vehicles in good health. The incident concluded at 6:05 p.m.

- See more at: https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2016/03/59776.html#sthash.24fymv6z.dpuf

 

[Kimmyt]

I hiked Mt Washington back in the day with some climbing friends. In hindsight, we were incredibly stupid. I was young and swayed by my older and (I thought) more knowledgeable climbing buddies. They chose the route up and down, didn't want to sign into the ranger station with our route info. I was along for the ride, didn't have any input on route selection. There was regional flooding in all of New England that season, and the route up we chose was basically a sketchy waterfall. The route down was terrifying because of all the water, slippery and loose rock. I know now that the route we took down is not used as a descent because of its steepness. We survived, but it was harrowing. So yeah, stupidity happens. I had the mentality that my friends wouldn't put me in harms way. I also had the mindset that anything on the east coast was 'easy'. I know, I was a clueless kid. Barely with any knowledge of the backcountry or any sense in my head.

 

[tinymoose]

So I'm just going to go ahead and admit that I know nothing about Mount Washington and so could very likely do something stupid. My hiking is primarily limited to marked trails here in PA. I don't generally venture off-trail. So say you wanted to hike Mount Washington, and Google tells me the shortest way to the top is the Tuckerman Ravine trail, how dangerous is this trail in the summer? What kind of gear do you even need? Just reading 4.2 miles clearly doesn't sound scary, but I have no idea what those 4.2 miles involve obviously.

 

[Kimmyt]

I don't think its dangerous if conditions and weather are favorable. It's just steep. 4300 vertical feet in 4.2 miles. I don't think you won't need any special gear, just water and extra layers because up top it could be crazy windy and chilly.

The problem with these types of trails is that people ignore weather and other factors that affect the trail (like in my post previously about flooding on the trails) and get themselves into bad situations.

 

[bounceswoosh]

I had the mentality that my friends wouldn't put me in harms way.

Been there, done that! Probably will do it again some day, to be honest. My favorite hiking buddy (we're both very slow but share a taste in trails) is a safety nut and brings extra layers, space blanket, SPOT, etc etc on every hike, so I can benefit from her foresight. She also actually pays attention to the route and is an excellent navigator - I tend to be all chatty Cathy and forget to pay attention.

4300 vertical feet in 4.2 miles.

I think that's about the same as Royal Arch in Chataqua but 4 times as long. That is BRUTAL. Royal Arch involves a ton of steep steps that are almost scrambles, too. I had to help my dog Cooper up in a few places.

The problem with these types of trails is that people ignore weather and other factors that affect the trail (like in my post previously about flooding on the trails) and get themselves into bad situations.

That's the thing. It's so hard to internalize that a bluebird 70 degree day at the bottom can transform into a raging, dangerous snowstorm at the top. Especially if you've never experienced it.

 

[surfsnowgirl]

DH keeps talking about taking me there; not to hike but just to visit

 

[alicie]

6000ft is very high (at least to me it is). So very changeable weather conditions shouldn't surprise you in theory. Even the most experienced mountaineer can get caught out though. The same sort of things happens here (even though we're much lower), both inexperienced and experienced get caught out every winter and summer. I've read a lot of mountain rescue books and some of the stories. Some of them are just people completely out of there depth to begin with and others did everything right but it wasn't enough. Cairngorm John is a very good book, it's just a collection of mountain rescue stories from the Cairngorms over the past however many years. I don't think it helps that people can get a map app and rely on this. I've read a few stories of people calling mountain rescue because their phone ran out of charge and they didn't have any other means of navigation. I also think people can often go oh it's only however many miles that's not that long, especially if it's got a vaguely decent path. Also if it's a particularly touristy area, you can get some very inexperienced people trying a challenging hike to see a particular view, and whilst it may end fine for them, it doesn't make it a good idea.

 

[tinymoose]

I guess I don't have a good point of reference b/c... Pennsylvania, which is how I could probably get myself in trouble. lol Although, even here I have my Camelbak backpack with water, snacks, and maybe extra clothes depending on weather reports.

I love steeper hikes, but certainly have never been on 4+ miles of super steep incline.

 

[Pequenita]

I guess I don't have a good point of reference b/c... Pennsylvania, which is how I could probably get myself in trouble. lol Although, even here I have my Camelbak backpack with water, snacks, and maybe extra clothes depending on weather reports.

I understand where you're coming from. I'll counter with: sometimes all it takes is starting a hike too late in the day, being committed to your destination before turning around, and then the sun sets and you don't have a headlamp, so you step off trail but steadfastly continue toward what you think is the trailhead. And then you fall and sprain an ankle. Then, because you didn't anticipate being on your hike for longer than 4 hours, you didn't look at the next day's weather, which is a cold front and thunderstorms. And now your phone is dead and you don't have a map. And even if you did have a map, you don't know have a compass or know how to navigate.

Granted, in many parts of PA you can probably find a power line or some other man-made thing and follow that in one direction for a while.

 

[tinymoose]

I understand where you're coming from. I'll counter with: sometimes all it takes is starting a hike too late in the day, being committed to your destination before turning around, and then the sun sets and you don't have a headlamp, so you step off trail but steadfastly continue toward what you think is the trailhead. And then you fall and sprain an ankle. Then, because you didn't anticipate being on your hike for longer than 4 hours, you didn't look at the next day's weather, which is a cold front and thunderstorms. And now your phone is dead and you don't have a map. And even if you did have a map, you don't know have a compass or know how to navigate.

Granted, in many parts of PA you can probably find a power line or some other man-made thing and follow that in one direction for a while.

I guess I just have a hard time understanding b/c: 1.) Why would you not look at the forecast for the summit elevation (I do this even for skiing) and b.) who starts hiking so late in the day for such a large mountain? I just can't imagine not turning around so you're back at your car before dusk. I mean no way would I persevere on if I'd be hiking in the dark. Nope. I got freaked out at Ricketts Glen b/c I was worried it was going to be sunset by the time we got back to our car. And that's not Mount Washington.

I'll just make @vanhoskier take me to Mount Washington so I don't die.

 

[tinymoose]

And I don't mean to trivialize Mount Washington, b/c I'd take a mountain of that size VERY seriously. Hence why I'd budget more time to get back to my car than it took me to get where I'm at, even if that means I don't make it to the top. I guess I'm just not sure.... if you plan to hike in good weather (top to bottom), you plan plenty of time, and you stick to marked trails... are you still in serious danger? Like as an amateur hiker should I just never attempt? And I'm that... I'm not serious. I just love a good day hike. Like until this thread I would have totally hiked a marked trail if I started early and carried a stocked backpack on a good day, but maybe no?

 

[Kimmyt]

Yeah, its not like a technical mountaineering route. If you are a casual hiker, plan your trip well and don't be stupid, you will most likely be fine. As I said, I did it, with a minor epic (epic being used in the negative way here), not a super experienced hiker (hiking was a way to get to a climb, not a thing you did just to do) and survived. Not that I recommend that, but I don't think Mt. Wash on a good condition day is anything you need to put in the 'when I'm a professional hiker' category.

 

[Kimmyt]

I guess I just have a hard time understanding b/c: 1.) Why would you not look at the forecast for the summit elevation (I do this even for skiing) and b.) who starts hiking so late in the day for such a large mountain? I just can't imagine not turning around so you're back at your car before dusk. I mean no way would I persevere on if I'd be hiking in the dark. Nope. I got freaked out at Ricketts Glen b/c I was worried it was going to be sunset by the time we got back to our car. And that's not Mount Washington.

I'll just make @vanhoskier take me to Mount Washington so I don't die.

I cannot tell you the number of times I have seen people in a pair of running shorts and a t-shirt, with one of those stupid drawstring backpacks that probably has their phone and a snickers bar in it, carrying like a bottle of Pepsi hiking a fourteener. A mile from the trailhead on their way up as I am on my way down from summitting, with storm clouds rolling in as they often do in the mountains out here around 2p in the summer. SO MANY TIMES.

 

[bounceswoosh]

if you plan to hike in good weather (top to bottom), you plan plenty of time, and you stick to marked trails... are you still in serious danger? Like as an amateur hiker should I just never attempt?

I would say, realistically, as long as you turn around when you see signs of either incoming storm (risk of lightning strikes above tree line) or other bad weather, you'd be fine. I mean, yes, it's possible you could sprain your ankle really badly above tree line as a storm is coming in, but that's a lot of factors coming into play. You could also get run over by a car, but you don't avoid crossing the street - you just do your best to pay attention.