Mt. Mitchell

Wanting to get into this great sport and I was wondering about "mountaineering" on Mt. Mitchell. I want to start by getting good at camping in snow and basic movement on snowy elevations. Would a trip to Mt. Mitchell be a good place to start? Or am I getting in over my head?

Thanks

I have never heard of this being an "alpine" climb. I don't think there's enough rock, or exposed steepness with snow/glaciers, for that category to apply.

It's probably more of a winter hike.

yea dude, Mitchell may be the highest in the east but its not really steep or rugged enough to call a climb. it would be more like a hike in the snow. but a good hike.

what about mt washington?

If you are looking at getting into mountaineering; like the volcanoes out west, I don't think Mt. Mitchell would be what you are looking for.

If you want to keep it on the East coast, I've heard Mt. Washington in the winter can be pretty extreme with the weather. As you are new, definitely go with a guide or an experienced mentor. Mt. Washington could be a good first option.

My advice would be to book a trip out west to Adams, or Rainier at least a few months out--again with a mentor or guide company. That will give you time to train. I'm sure you can find plenty of info for training online. Trail running and hiking with heavy pack and so forth. Guide companies have first timers on their trips all the time.

First time out, IMO rent as much gear as possible. Gear is expensive and a lot of people find they like the idea of hiking/climbing up a mountain all day, more than they like the actual process of doing it. I'd call it a long grind.

Mt. Mitchell does have a badass hike called the black mountain crest trail. It would be good training, and the scenery is awesome.

That's my 2 cents. Have fun.

Mt Washington is known as having "the worst weather in the world".

Regardless of this exaggeration, as a winter ascent it's dangerous and difficult. You really need to know what you are doing, or get a guide.

Russ Keane wrote:Mt Washington is known as having "the worst weather in the world". Regardless of this exaggeration, as a winter ascent it's dangerous and difficult. You really need to know what you are doing, or get a guide.

Gunkiemike wrote: No joke... two hikers unfamiliar with the Mt (and some might say ill-prepared gear- and planning-wise) were just recently swept 800 ft down Mt Washington in an avalanche they triggered.

Davis,

I know the price seems steep, but you should consider asking Fox about their winter mountaineering courses. They have a "gully climbing" course where I guess you camp up high near Mitchell. I have nothing but good things to say about their guides.

foxmountainguides.com/mount…

thanks for all the replies. ill look at fox to see what they have to offer

Great. If conditions are good, I bet it would be a great course with Ron. Cheers.

Wind chill as of 8 PM this evening on Mitchell's summit was -48 f...

flickr.com/photos/30133037@N03/sets/72157621955364759/

The preceding set of photos contain images of(big) alpine snow and ice routes in NC's Black Mountain Range.

BC
BOL
Bed of Leaves
The Taj
Left Brain Right Brain
Royal Air

Those are awesome photos, thanks for sharing.

I'll bet it's pretty hard to get the timing right, down in NC, for ice conditions to be right. But amazing once you do, apparently!!