Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
Mt. Washington is not a resort and there is no lift. Every one of our guided backcountry programs and courses happens here, with professional guides, operating under our own White Mountain National Forest special use permit. The mountain makes its own weather and it is genuinely serious ground, which is exactly why we bring people here with guides rather than sending them a gear list and wishing them luck.
Programs we run here
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Intro to Backcountry
The standard first day beyond the resort.
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Women's Intro to Backcountry
The same day in an all-women and nonbinary group.
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Queer Intro to Backcountry
With Kindling Collective and with All Outdoors Collective.
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BIPOC Intro to Backcountry
Led by BIPOC guides.
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Ski and Snowboard Mountaineering
Crampons, an axe, and bigger terrain.
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AIARE Level 1
Avalanche education, once each season, at a reduced rate.
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A private or group guided day
Weekdays. $300 for up to three, then $100 each, maximum eight.
Everything else about this mountain
Getting there
We meet at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, 361 New Hampshire Route 16, Gorham, New Hampshire 03581. Check-in is 9:45 in the morning. Most groups are back between 1:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon.
The mountain's own site is www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain, which is where lift hours, conditions and their own uphill rules live.
The uphill route we use
We climb the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, about 2.4 miles with roughly 2,000 feet of gain, as far as the Hermit Lake shelters, and we descend the John Sherburne Ski Trail. This route deliberately stays out of avalanche terrain.
Uphill policy, for your own days here
This is public land in the White Mountain National Forest, so there is no ticket and no gatekeeper, which is exactly what makes it worth being careful about. Check the Mount Washington Avalanche Center forecast before any day here, including days with us. Our Intro programs stay out of avalanche terrain; the moment you come here without us, that is your call to make, and avalanche education is how you learn to make it.
Renting gear here
Mountain Sports Lab in North Conway and White Mountain Ski Co. both rent full touring setups for about $50 a day, splitboards included. Reserve ahead. See rentals and sizing.
Staying nearby
The Northeast Mountaineering Bunkhouse is fourteen minutes from Pinkham Notch and gives our participants 33% off with the code ISTBUNK. See lodging and accommodations.