Much Better Adventures

Adventures / Summit Fever

Climb Mount Washington (6288ft): Winter Edition

Clip on your crampons as you climb the highest peak in the Northeast: Mount Washington, and learn winter mountaineering skills as you go

From

…
Gift This Trip

Trip Ref #10185

Adventures / Summit Fever

Climb Mount Washington (6288ft): Winter Edition

Clip on your crampons as you climb the highest peak in the Northeast: Mount Washington, and learn winter mountaineering skills as you go

DURATION
2 nights
LOCATION
USA
ANNUAL LEAVE
1 day off work
SEASON
Jan-Mar
GROUP SIZE
Up to 9 people
MEETING POINT
Central Manhattan
ACCOMMODATION
Lodge
DIFFICULTY
Tough

Winter conditions add to the challenge so you'll need good fitness and some previous winter hiking experience but no technical skills.

Learn beginner mountaineering skills from expert guides as you hike to the summit using crampons and ice axes

Hunker down next to the fire and fuel up on home-cooked meals at your rustic lodge nestled in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest

Take your pick of the seasons! Marvel at the mountain in the icy spectacular Winter weather, or tackle our Summer version to soak up New Hampshire with the sun on your face.

Included

Guides

Expert, certified guides with wilderness first responder training

Accommodation

Two nights at a Lodge in the heart of the White Mountains

Meals

All meals except lunch on the drive to/from the New York

Transfers

All transfers to/from Central Manhattan

Permits

All entry fees and permits

Not Included

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Some meals as described

Some equipment

Travel to and from the start point

Tips for your guides

The Area

Logistics

Starts

Central Manhattan

0645 on Day 1

Ends

Central Manhattan

Around 18:00 on Day 3 (depending on traffic)

Transfers

On Day 1 you'll meet your host at the corner of Broadway and W 73rd street, northwest corner in front of The North Face store. The drive to the mountains takes around 5-6 hours, with a relaxing stop for lunch. Alternatively - you are welcome to make your own way directly to the first night of accommodation if you wish.

On Day 3 you'll typically arrive back roughly between 1600-1800, however, it is entirely dependent on traffic coming into New York City, which is very unpredictable. We strongly recommend you don't make any plans for the evening or book flights departing until after 2200 - in case of delays.

Travel options

If you are flying in - there are direct flights to New York via JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports from across the US and Europe. From there you can easily make your way into central Manhatten.

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

Day 1

Lodge · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Lodge · Mixed dorm

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

The Joe Dodge Lodge will provide a delicious breakfast and dinner buffet. The breakfast buffet includes pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, fruit, and many other choices. The dinner buffet includes meat and non-meat based options and grain or pasta dishes, as well as soups and tasty desserts. Vegetarian, vegan and most dietary requirements can be accommodated on this trip.

What is the accommodation like?

Jo Dodge Lodge

You'll be staying in a bunk-room at Jo Dodge Lodge in the heart of Pinkham Notch - surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest.

Day 1

Head to the White Mountains and learn winter skills ahead of summit day

Hiking

1 hour · 1 mile · 321ft up · 321ft down

You'll depart at 07:00, stopping at North Conway for lunch, before arriving at your destination for the weekend: Pinkham Notch located in the heart of the White Mountains. Get into your gear at the Joe Dodge Lodge and set off on a short hike of Square Ledge. This is a chance to test out your mountaineering boots and crampons and check that everything is adjusted properly for our summit attempt the next day. Your expert guide will teach you the basics of crampon and ice axe techniques that you will be using throughout your climb the next day. You will also be testing your clothing and making adjustments as needed. You'll learn about layering, moisture management, and how to stay warm and dry in winter conditions. After the hike, enjoy a delicious dinner at the Lodge, go through individual gear checks, pack your backpack for the next day, and get a good night's sleep.

Day 2

The Big One: Summit Mount Washington

Hiking

10 hours · 8 miles · 4169ft up · 4169ft down

Fuel up with a big breakfast at the Lodge before you put on your mountaineering boots and crampons ready to start your summit attempt of Mount Washington. The winter terrain will get the blood pumping right away. As you make your way up the winter Lion's Head route: put your winter skills to the test to navigate the steep, snowy terrain. Once above tree line, you may encounter high winds and low visibility, but your guides will make sure you are ready every step of the way. In milder weather, you will be treated to winter wonderland views of the White Mountains. There is a quick stop for lunch at the summit if the weather allows, then head back down. Once back at the Lodge: unwind, relax, and have a delicious dinner to celebrate the day's adventures.

Day 3

Time to head home

After a well-deserved lie-in, grab a hearty breakfast and relax for the leisurely drive back to New York City, stopping for lunch along the way.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

15% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

What is available to hire (see Optional Extras for details)

  • Mountaineering boots
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe

What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Waterproof Rain cover for your backpack
  • 30+L backpack

Clothes

  • Moisture-wicking, non-cotton base layers (top and bottom)
  • Fleece
  • Insulating top layer (puffy)
  • Insulating bottom layer (such as fleece pants)
  • Fully waterproof top and bottom layers that can be worn over all other layers, except summit puffy
  • Summit puffy that's rated at least 850+ down fill or synthetic equivalent. The puffy must be able to be worn over all other layers.
  • Top and bottoms for sleeping
  • Warm winter hat
  • Neck buff
  • Balaclava (you must be able to cover your entire face, so there is no exposed skin)
  • Mountaineering goggles
  • Liner gloves
  • Insulated, waterproof mountaineering mitts
  • At least 3 pairs of wool socks
  • Liner socks (optional)
  • Sun hat

Other

  • Personal toiletries
  • Sunglasses
  • Bug spray
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottles or bladder (must have 3L capacity in total)
  • Head torch
  • Trekking poles
  • Light and comfortable lodge/car shoes
  • Ear plugs

This trip is for experienced hikers and fit individuals only, so you'll need to arrive prepared for a big challenge. You don't need technical experience, but you should have prior winter hiking experience. You will need to do cardio and endurance exercise 3-5 days a week and do hikes that involve steep ascents at least twice a month in the three months leading up to your trip.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. The amount to tip is entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip in the USA; your guides will rely on tips for a considerable portion of their income.

We suggest to budget for 10%-20% of the trip cost as a guideline.

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Drinking water is available at the lodge and you'll carry all the water you need for the hike.

Mt. Washington specifically is known as home to some of the worst weather in the world, and is characterized by unpredictable, often severe weather (that's a big part of what makes it a challenging mountain, even though it's a shorter mountain), so this is a tough question - the weather will vary. A lot. The temperatures with windchill can easily drop into the negatives (Farenheight). As per the kit list, you should be able to cover all exposed skin, including your face.

Room is limited in the van, so participants should only bring their backpack and one small extra item, such as a duffel bag, for any extras.

We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

From …
Transferrable Deposits

Cancel up to 60 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Free Date Changes

Free date changes up to 60 days before departure.

Similar Trips

From

…

Why Us?

Here’s why we’re rated the UK’s ‘Best for Experiences’

PROPER
ADVENTURES

All our adventures get you out of the city to explore the wilder side of our world

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

Get places you wouldn’t yourself. Our guides know where to go, what to do and how to stay safe

HASSLE
FREE

Route planning? Transport? Accommodation? Equipment? It’s all taken care of

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE

Join a diverse global community, bound by a shared love of the outdoors