Impressive Ascent

Peak #3 of the New England Six Pack of Peaks Challenge, 10-02-2025

I drove over to New Hampshire on 10-01 and posted up at a Walmart parking lot for the night. It was only 20 minutes away from my trailhead for peak #3, Mount Washington. This was to be one of the more challenging hikes of the challenge, not only because it is the highest point in New Hampshire, but the winds on this hike are notorious for being strong. Averaging 35 mph and clocking record wind speed of 231 mph.

Temperatures this morning when I began my hike at 5:45 am at the Tuckerman Ravine Trailhead at Pinkham Notch, were right around 28 degrees. I expected severe cold and strong winds at the summit, so I prepped and dressed appropriately.

The climb up the ravine was rocky and steep. Mile 1 had a modest 636 feet in elevation gain while miles 2 and 3 gained another 865 and 810 feet in elevation respectively. The final 1.4 miles to the summit gained an impressive 1,927 feet in elevation, making the total ascent over 4.3 miles 4,238 feet in elevation gain.

I reached the summit in just over 3 hours and spent about 40 minutes taking in the views. The temps were, as expected, just below freezing, but to my surprise there were beautiful blue skies and zero wind. This climb up was without a doubt my favorite so far between the Adirondacks and New England challenges.

I took a partially different route down from the summit. This route took me down via the Lions Head Trail instead of the upper portion of the Tuckerman’s Ravine. Still a challenging descent with a few areas that required some class 2/3 down climbing.

This was my 3^rd peak of the New England Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge and my 9^th state high point of the 50 states.