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What is the mt. Washington, NH speed record

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Ross Henry · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 55

Is there a speed record of mt Washington?

mark felber · · Wheat Ridge, CO · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 41

This is times to run up the auto road: mountwashingtonroadrace.com… . Were you interested in a particular trail?

Eric Chabot · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 45

Tuckerman's Inferno Race:

"Matt had only been on Mt. Washington once before, on a foggy day. On his hike up he planned to make three turns over the steepest part of the Headwall, then straighten out for the outrun. As he neared the Lip of the Headwall in the race he made his three turns and straightened, only to discover that he was just approaching the steepest part. With no chance now to turn he rode out his schuss down the precipitous slope, thrilling the many spectators in the Bowl. Shooting across the ravine floor, down the Little Headwall and on down the Sherburne ski trail, Matt finished in 6:29.2, cutting the old record almost in half."

mountwashingtonavalanchecen…

James Sweeney · · Roselle Park, NJ · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 30
These guys probably have the speed record for the descent.
divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

Toni Matt on ski for descent. Not sure if it's ever been broken.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_…

The Pheonix · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 60

"I'd Schuss the Headwall Again!"

The first man to ever schuss Mt. Washington's terrifying Headwall recalls his dramatic run 21 years later. What's more, he set a course record in his daring bid for fame

Ninety miles an hour on skis! That's the speed I attained in schussing the Tuckerman Ravine Headwall on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, on April 16, 1939. It was in the American Inferno downhill race, when I was only nineteen. I was the first racer to ski straight down the Headwall - a 1000-foot bowl with a 60-degree angle - and I'll never forget it.

Since then, hundreds of people - many of whom aren't skiers - have asked me for more details of that big schuss. Let's start at the foot of Mt. Washington and work up so that I can tell you what really happened.

Excitement was in the air that cold April morning. The field consisted of about 20 Class A and Open racers who had been invited to compete by the sponsoring Eastern Slopes Ski Club. Snow conditions along most of the course were the best in years, especially in Tuckerman Ravine.
I arose far before dawn that day to give my boards a final check-up. I'd waxed my skis well the previous night, using a thin layer of blue wax, which was ironed on and covered by red wax for speed.
My skis were seven-foot, three inch streamliners, while I wore single-lace boots. I brought both the skis and boots with me from Austria when I came over to teach in Hannes Schneider's ski school at North Conway, New Hampshire. Those hickories proved an ideal choice, for they were very sturdy, holding the course well.

We racers started the long climb to the summit early (Mt. Washington has no uphill lifts) - soon after sunrise, in fact, since the race was to begin at noon. And we had to allow for at least an hour or two to rest our legs and have a light snack for energy.

Naturally, I was excited, a little tense. Mount Washington seemed gigantic in the faint light, even though I was used to the Alps. I had looked forward to competing in the Inferno because I'd heard so much about it. And I had just returned from the West, where I raced for a month. Therefore, I was in excellent shape. The only thing that bothered me was the fact that I had never skied the entire course before.

Would it be dangerous? Could I ski the four miles without a fall? How would I fare against more experienced skiers? These and many other questions filled my mind as we started the long climb.

And what about the terrifying Tuckerman Ravine Headwall? I'd been told it was as steep as the side of a house!

Using seal skins for the trek, I pushed upward, the exercise helping to loosen my muscles and relax me mentally. We climbed the two-mile Sherburne Trail, which I had skied once before. In spite of the abundance of snow, the trail had suddenly become very icy and filled with grooves. I tried to figure out which groove to stay in, also memorizing the trail, one section of which has a wicked double-S turn. Miss that and you're sure to plunge into the tall timber! I realized even then that this race is a tough one - perhaps the roughest I'd ever attempted.

At the top of the Sherburne Trail, I took a short breather, then went on to the Little Headwall. Now came an unforgettable sight.
There it was - straight ahead - Tuckerman Ravine and the famed Headwall. My first glimpse left me breathless, believe me. That Headwall was awesome, looming up and up against the flying clouds. Actually, it looked worse from the bottom than it did from the top. I couldn't make up my mind which way to ski it, so I decided to see how I felt on the run down to the Ravine and then make the decision.
The Ravine floor presented a problem, as well. It was very bumpy - like a huge washboard. Hit that at high speed and your legs might sprawl in several directions. But there was no turning back; all the competitors were climbing grimly and slowly up the side of the Headwall, carrying their skis at this point.

At the top of the Ravine I peeked down over the Lip. That Headwall was really steep. Obviously, it could prove to be the key to the entire race - something like the most dangerous jump at the Grand National Steeplechase. A big lump popped up in my throat then, but I had to keep going up before I could come down.

The remainder of the climb was comparatively easy. We zig-zagged across the snow fields, reaching the weather station at the summit of the great mountain, where hot broth and tea was ready for us. Camaraderie among ski racers is wonderful. We needed it that day. Everyone was nervous - underneath, at least.

Was I nervous, too? Boy, was I scared! As I've already said, I had never skied over the Headwall. And I was still not sure which way I'd take it. The more I thought about it, the more I shivered. That wait before the race seemed like the longest and coldest I'd ever experienced. We were all on edge, jittery, chattering like school girls, waiting for the starter to send us away at one-minute intervals. I guess we felt like troops about to be sent into combat.
I had drawn the numeral 4. Dick Durrance, the great Dartmouth star and past winner of the Inferno, wore number 3, but that didn't help me any. You see, I had planned on running in his straight tracks from the summit to the Headwall because the first two entrants wouldn't schuss the snowfields. However, Dick said he wasn't ready, so I had to start ahead of him.

Finally, the starter placed his glove on my shoulder, counting, "Four, three, two, one - go!" And I shoved off in a swirl of powder, still nervous, still uncertain about that unknown quality - the Headwall.
Before the start, I had figured on schussing the Cone and turning in at the control gate above the Headwall. I'd even contemplated taking two or three turns on the Headwall, then schussing along the Ravine floor and over the Little Headwall to the Sherburne Trail, staying on the inside of all the turns on the trail.

You'd be surprised how plans change suddenly during an actual race, though. I didn't make too much speed across the snowfields because there was no track to stay in, yet I reached the crest of the Headwall quickly. I didn't check there, either, just swinging enough to make the left turn that brings you in to the Headwall.

At this point, I felt fine. No more nerves. I was anticipating that run down the Headwall. I knew the drop over the Lip was sharp and quick - and I was ready.

You may wonder if I had a split-second reaction when I started over the Lip. Yes, my reaction was that I was going too fast to turn - that turning at such speed wouldn't slow me down, anyway. So I decided right then and there to let 'em run - and I pointed my skis straight down, close together.

Snow conditions on the Headwall were very good. Winds had packed the snow in hard and smooth; there were very few bumps until you hit the floor. I didn't notice any exposed rocks - guess I was too busy.
I was over the Lip like a diver leaving a springboard. The wind stung my face. This was it! I could feel a great emotional strain; I could feel my heart beat off the seconds as I tried to maintain my balance and stay on my skis. A fall might be disastrous here, for you could tumble to the very Ravine floor before stopping!

As my speed increased, my senses became almost numb. Down, down I roared in a semi-crouch, my knees pumping to absorb the shock.
I didn't even think while I ran the Headwall - just did everything instictively. My weight was forward every moment in the true "vorlage" style employed by the Austrians then.

I wasn't frightened during the Headwall run. I had no time for that. I just kept my skis headed straight down, knowing that this was my supreme test in racing.
Wham! I had reached the Ravine floor, zipping across those bumps as though being pushed by an unseen force. Once I was across the floor, I could feel my knees shaking for the first time.

I didn't think I had the race won then. I never even gave it a thought at that spot. I was thinking of what lay ahead of me - and how my legs would hold up. Schussing the Headwall turned them into rubber. But I kept going, even managing to regain enough strength to schuss at the Little Headwall - a breeze compared to the big one.

At the top of the Sherburne Trail, I was still traveling at full speed. The trail was very icy and fast and I was beginning to tire. Fortunately, I was familiar with this section of the course. Even so, I nearly hit a tree on the last of the three S-turns. I took the inside groove but couldn't hold it. This dragged me way down. Summoning all my waning energy, I was able to check just in time to avoid a big tree. Back in the right form, I put my skis together again, hoping to hold the course. At the top of the Sherburne Trail, I was still traveling at full speed. The trail was very icy and fast and I was beginning to tire. Fortunately, I was familiar with this section of the course. Even so, I nearly hit a tree on the last of the three S-turns. I took the inside groove but couldn't hold it. This dragged me way down. Summoning all my waning energy, I was able to check just in time to avoid a big tree. Back in the right form, I put my skis together again, hoping to hold the course.

The top of the Sherburne Trail was easy, giving me a chance to rest a little. However, the lower stretches were rugged. I was tired but I tried to make time all the way. That puts a strain on any racer.
That finish gate was a wonderful sight. Then I was amazed to learn I had covered the course in six minutes and 29 seconds - a new Inferno record.

Later, I was told that Dick Durrance held the previous record of 12 minutes. Prior to that, skiers averaged 20 minutes to cover the four miles that drop 4000 vertical feet to Pinkham Notch.

Well, my record still stands. I've never managed to ski in Tuckerman Ravine since then, either. As for recreational skiers trying to schuss the Headwall, I don't think that anyone should do it. A 90-mile an hour speed is only for top racers, who are in the peak of condition.
Schussing the Headwall was my greatest thrill in American skiing - and it helped me make my name in this country. Now, due to racing injuries, my skiing is limited to a little weekend sport. But I'll never forget that run - the first sight of the Headwall - the speed I made. Through the years, I've skied it over and over - mentally, of course. And if I were nineteen again, I'd do it exactly the same way. I'd run the Headwall straight!

Ross Henry · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 55
mark felber wrote:This is times to run up the auto road: mountwashingtonroadrace.com… . Were you interested in a particular trail?
Is there a record for lion's head? I figure that is the main trail up and down. Thanks for the input, for being the "big" mountain of the east, it just seems like there should be a speed record.
rging · · Salt Lake City, Ut · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 210

Lion's head isn't the main trail and you wouldn't ski it for sure but is a good alternate to the Tuckerman's Ravine trail if the head wall is avalanching.

Ross Henry · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 55
rging wrote:Lion's head isn't the main trail and you wouldn't ski it for sure but is a good alternate to the Tuckerman's Ravine trail if the head wall is avalanching.
What about for ascent record?
divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90
Ross Henry wrote: Is there a record for lion's head? I figure that is the main trail up and down. Thanks for the input, for being the "big" mountain of the east, it just seems like there should be a speed record.
Call up Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, they might link you up with a historian or two.
lucander · · Stone Ridge, NY · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 260

It's gonna be fast - from Pinkham to summit via Central Gully and down Lion's Head takes moderately fit folks about 4 hours, I'd imagine people Ueli it in sub 3 round trip.

Eric Engberg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 0
Ross Henry wrote: What about for ascent record?
Foot? Bicycle? Ski? Car? pogo stick? All have been done?

Lets assume you mean foot. By far the best kept records are for the run up the auto road. Record is slighty < 1 hour.
But lets say you want to be stricter and limit it to times on a "hiking trail" (good luck defining that). In theory these times could be faster because many trail heads are at a higher base elevation then the road base. Vertical gain on the road is ~4800 feet. From Pinkham via either Tucks or Lion's Head (Tucks would probbaly be slightly faster because of better footing) the gain is ~4250. The cog base is higher still and the gain via the Ammo or Jewell is ~3700. Usually it would be faster in the summer but in perfect conditions it might be faster with good snow. But then you might have short cutting - is that allowable? Lots of folks run these trails all the time. There is a list of FKT's (Fastest Known Times) but they need to be taken with a grain of skepticism because of all the variables involved plus a lot of the really elite runners intentionally do NOT spray about their times.
rging · · Salt Lake City, Ut · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 210

They have a race there every spring but its not just up and down. It includes cycling, kayaking, hiking, and skiing and can be done solo or in teams. Its called the Inferno.

I would be curious to know the speed running record though. A good way to break your ankle as most of the trail is void of dirt and you hop from rock to rock, especially the upper part which is nothing more than a giant rock pile. Its roughly 8 miles round trip with 4,000 vertical gain.

Avalon · · East Longmeadow MA · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 50
James Sweeney wrote: These guys probably have the speed record for the descent.

They were racing the other two hikers to the car for "shotgun" and " no bitch".
rging · · Salt Lake City, Ut · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 210

I talked to a volunteer ranger one spring and he told me the previous weekend a fellow blew up a good sized air mattress and headed up. The guy was almost at the top of the headwall when a big gust of wind blew the air mattress to Canada. The ranger said is most assuredly saved that man a long stay in the local hospital.

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
rging wrote:I talked to a volunteer ranger one spring and he told me the previous weekend a fellow blew up a good sized air mattress and headed up. The guy was almost at the top of the headwall when a big gust of wind blew the air mattress to Canada. The ranger said is most assuredly saved that man a long stay in the local hospital.
Inferno weekend is always a great weekend for people watching. It's really amazing how resilient human are... and that is one thing certainly on display at tux that weekend.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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