Winter Presi-Traverse

Hey guys - I'm looking to do a Presi Traverse sometime in Feb and wanted to find a few partners for it. Was hoping to come up for some ice climbing in Dec/Jan as well, get to know each other before traverse. Experienced in mountaineering, in terms of ice climbing I've taken a few classes but am looking to learn. Let me know if interested or if you need a belay. I'm in NY.

Chris

In a day?

Was planning on 2 days, one night. Weather permitting obviously.

I'm down! But we should try to do it in a day...and carry bivy gear in case.

shoot me an email and I'll give you some contact information. Did the Great Range in a day and the Devils Path in a day this summer, so this would complete my planned trio of long day hikes.

Yes, I know how gnarly the presi traverse can be in the winter...doing it in a day would be best case scenario and would depend on some nice weather.

I'm also down for an attempt at a single day winter traverse. I did a solo traverse of the range this past July starting on the AT in Crawford Notch and finishing over at Appalachia in 13 hours. Then proceeded to ride my road bike back to Crawford via route 2,115, and 302. 17 Hour day, it was awesome. I've also been on Washington in January a half dozen times as well as the northern Presi's in winter. Familiar with the ice climbing in Huntington Ravine and on Webster Cliff. Hit me up if your serious about it, like I said I'm down and can meet any weekend for an ice fix. I'm actually thinking about heading up Thanksgiving weekend for some early season stuff (anyone want to join?). Just shoot me an e-mail.

March may be the better month with longer daylight and more stable weather but I'm game for a Febuary attempt. Depending on which side we start on the RMC has some huts open year round on the northern flanks of Mt. Adams. I'm not sure but I assume you could still bivy in the "Dungeon" under Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Or depending on how many people want to get involved we could leave a car midway ( Cog Railway Station has been plowed out in recent winters) to avoid a bivy. But the bivy would be more adventurous for sure.

"LAKES OF THE CLOUDS HUT IS CLOSED FOR THE WINTER

There are no services no bathrooms, no water, no nothin' at this hut from mid-September until early June. While there is a very small and uncomfortable "refuge room" at the hut which is kept open for EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY, and which provides shelter from the wind and blowing snow but nothing more, this room may be locked up in the future since so many hikers in the past have counted on it for routine (clearly non-emergency) camping purposes, and the area around the hut is suffering from the concentration of winter mis-users. Camping is not permitted within 1/4 mile of the hut, and is not permitted on the Lakes of the Clouds when they are frozen."
mountwashington.org/about/v…

It was locked at least once last year..

winter Presi in a day would probably be easier once there is a good snowpack and travel to get a good trail down.

doing the Presi any time as more than a 1 day makes things more difficult due to changing weather and way more gear than a day trip. There are also not very many good spots to camp up there.

Jake D. wrote:"LAKES OF THE CLOUDS HUT IS CLOSED FOR THE WINTER There are no services no bathrooms, no water, no nothin' at this hut from mid-September until early June. While there is a very small and uncomfortable "refuge room" at the hut which is kept open for EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY, and which provides shelter from the wind and blowing snow but nothing more, this room may be locked up in the future since so many hikers in the past have counted on it for routine (clearly non-emergency) camping purposes, and the area around the hut is suffering from the concentration of winter mis-users. Camping is not permitted within 1/4 mile of the hut, and is not permitted on the Lakes of the Clouds when they are frozen." mountwashington.org/about/v… It was locked at least once last year.. winter Presi in a day would probably be easier once there is a good snowpack and travel to get a good trail down. doing the Presi any time as more than a 1 day makes things more difficult due to changing weather and way more gear than a day trip. There are also not very many good spots to camp up there.

Peter Jackson wrote: I think the Kinsmans make for a better overnight winter trip. The camping is better.