Hiking Mt. Washington in the winter with an Ice Axe and Crampons. ARE YOU CRAZY?

Should you hike up Lion's Head to the summit of Mount Washington in the winter? If you have the skills, sure, but otherwise...NOPE.
It is a really incredible hike, but make sure you know what you are getting yourself into if you decide to hike this way.
I'm wearing mostly clothing from Burgeon ( burgeonoutdoor.com ) and Outdoor Research (outdoorresearch.com ). Ask about them in the comments if you have any questions or want links to specific clothing/gear.
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt this hike if are not competent with an ice axe and crampons.

[@RhodySeth]

What a fantastic undercast.

[@rootsandpeaks]

It was unreal!

[@semanticelitist]

Those shots of the undercast cover on the valley were stunning. Love the otherworldliness of it!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you! It was bonkers being up there. Glad I got to bring you along, my friend.

[@sandradodge8390]

So glad you didn’t break your head!!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Mom! You can’t break something that’s that soft!

[@codypassaro5095]

I want zero confusion, I love you

[@rootsandpeaks]

Well, I love you too! Like a lot.

[@AmericanEnglishBrent]

Nice job! Keep up the great work. It’s a grind.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you, sir! No plan on stopping. I’m still having fun:)

[@peterfagley772]

Ken, once again you have presented a great experience and all from the warmth and comfort of my home! I appreciate you mentioning several times the opportunity to go with a guide or a guided group. We have many in the area and for those without a lot of Winter hiking experience above the tree line, get a guide and enjoy the trip!!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Peter!

[@annielapointe5595]

I love both gear and adventure! Continue what you're doing.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you!

[@breathebih4321]

I like both type of videos✌️

[@rootsandpeaks]

Sweet! Thanks.

[@robertwidger6888]

I love undercast. I woke up after spending the night at the Fire Wardens cabin on Cabot one late fall morning to an amazing undercast with peaks poking up through it. You really lucked out on the weather!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Totally! And weirdly, this is the second time I’ve had that experience on Washington in the winter. So lucky!

[@cherylwhistler8878]

I like your hiking adventures best of all!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you! I’ll keep them coming!

[@BryantNaro]

Holy smokes dude, that was intense! I got sweaty palms watching this from my couch. I'm seriously impressed!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Bryant! Thanks for watching! We should get coffee or lunch soon.

[@BryantNaro]

@@rootsandpeaks I would love that!

[@Mike_Blanda]

New video!!!! Got my 🛎️ ON! love the intro brother and a truly amazing zit 😂😂😂

[@rootsandpeaks]

I grew that from scratch!

[@Doc_Watson]

I like both the adventures and the gear videos. Probably prefer the adventure videos more.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you for the feedback! I’ll keep on, keeping on.

[@farrislaura]

I want to do it. I just did Mt. Mitchell in NC in winter. That was wicked hiking that day. Very well done!

[@rootsandpeaks]

Just make sure to watch the weather and check it the morning of. Mt Washington is no joke (weather-wise).

[@kathycare8009]

I like both adventure and gear vids. It seems to me (from my couch) that it’s easy to get burned out as a KZbinr if you only do adventures. I’m sure both types of vids take time but it seems harder to keep up with the constant planning of adventure and maybe doing the gear vids is a break you can do closer to home. I enjoy both.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you for the thoughts! I appreciate them, and you.

[@mucklechumps]

Fun and informative! Thanks Ken

[@munton5150]

Amazing video! Best yet.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you! It was a heck of a hike, that’s for sure.

[@4ngryToasters]

I was on Madison/Adams that day. Truly incredible undercast! Well worth the 4:15AM wake up call that makes me question my sanity at times

[@rootsandpeaks]

Totally worth the early mornings! Did you go up Valley Way?

[@4ngryToasters]

@@rootsandpeaks Yup! up Valley Way and back down Airline. Probably the opposite of what most people do, but the group I was with was not sure if we were going to make the push to Adams after Madison... one of those "well while we're here" sort of deals haha

[@rootsandpeaks]

@@4ngryToasters that is unusual, and totally awesome. My Adams hike was up King Ravine, which is also totally unusual. And my Madison trip was even more unusual. You can watch that one here if you are interested: Finishing the 48 - 4,000 foot mountains | Mt Jefferson Mt Madison Loop New Hampshire kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXbUap2oZZtssJo

[@nicksterling2652]

Weather seemed nice for you up there excellent views I'll be climbing this mtn very soon

[@rootsandpeaks]

It’s a wonderful hike, just stay on top of the weather!

[@nicksterling2652]

I'm in new Hampshire now staying the night at the Gorham motor inn going to start climbing the MTN at 7am 🤙

[@rootsandpeaks]

@@nicksterling2652that’s awesome! You can wave down to me on isolation! Enjoy your day, and make sure to bundle up. It’s going to be a cold one.

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

I'm a little partial to the adventure videos, but I like a good gear vdeo now and then.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you for the input! There will be a lot more adventure videos this year, so I hope you enjoy them.

[@TheNypenfan]

I like both, however, I generally only appreciate adventure videos of places I could realistically get to. (I’m in upstate New York). So that said, for KZbin analytics you will probably get more views from gear reviews. For instance, how many people from Alabama are going to look up videos on climbing mount washington, vs how many people from Alabama are going to watch your review on the micro grid fleece you’re wearing. Just my two cents for the growth of your channel, but I did love this video, so rare to see undercast cloud like that.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Thank you for the insight! I really appreciate that, and I think you are totally correct!

[@yemrot1]

The day before our hike in June of 2011, the temps on Mt. Washington were in the 20s and there were wind gusts over 100 mph. The next day we went up Lions Head under sunny skies , high 40s, and a light breeze. We got lucky, but you never know what you're gonna get, so be prepared.

[@rootsandpeaks]

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