Mount Washington's Deadly Secrets

[@juxxtapoz]

Wow you picked a great day to go up there. Mt. Washington is in the clouds like 70% of the year. You lucked out with a beautiful clear day.

[@Linuxpunk81]

Growing up in New England you'd always see cars with "this car climbed Mt Washington" bumper stickers.

[@KristineS73]

😂So true

[@ki1red]

Yup, and I remember they were not even stickers when I was a kid. It was cardboard with wire on each end that just wrapped around the bumper. I think you got it with admission for advertising and was easily removed. I believe Santas Village, and Clarks Trading post did the same thing.

[@richd2332]

And if I ever saw a car with that bumper sticker for sale I would say it means-don’t buy this car it needs brakes and a transmission 😂

[@humanitiestheproblem]

Still do.

[@grannydeen1586]

In New York state, too. Including mine.

[@apollomoon1]

It’s a crazy place. 70’s at the base lodge, 30’s with hurricane force winds at the top. Gotta love it. 😮. Great video thanks.

[@outdoorinfluencer]

It’s always nice getting a new notification of a new video

[@kennethsonier1766]

Been to the top three times, drove up it once, took the cog railroad and hiked up with my girlfriend once, it was in the mid-eighties at the base when we started, by the time we got to the top the day was almost over and we're both freezing to death so we took the Cog back down. You did a great job documenting such a beautiful part of the country. Keep up the great work and the awesome videos 👍✌️🇺🇲

[@paulhare662]

Hiked it with my Daughter, 4th of July, 85 degrees and clear at the base, forcast was good. 40 degrees, rain, snow, zero visibility and 70 MPH wind above tree line. We took a van back down.

[@mr.tibs1334]

The first photograph of a 🛸 UFO was taken on top.

[@sundog70]

I knew Louis Nichols. He was 1/3 partner in a pizza joint called Royals Pizza. One of the nicest guys I knew. The story goes that he went up to hike when a storm blew in. He tried to make it back to his car. When they found him he was less then 50 yards away from it. Or so the story went. We were all blown away by that news, they had the best pizza and subs in town. This video for me was very bittersweet. Thanks for the memory. Here's to you Louie. Making heavenly pizza now.

[@Joe-oi6eh]

In Rochester rn eating a village pizza lol it ain't no royals!! I always heard Lou had died at cathedral ledge..

[@sundog70]

@@Joe-oi6eh I wouldn't know what's in that spot now. I knew Louies two partners (the brothers) also heard they died both within a short time of each other. Kinda weird. I suppose it's possible Louie died on Cathedral Ledge, but he is on the list of people that died on Mt. Washington.

[@kylem3373]

I just hiked Mt. Washington last Thursday! Up the Ammonoosuc trail, the conditions were pretty wet with all of the recent rain, making the sloping rock trail slippery. Loved the hike and the view, but also respect the real danger that could be had at any moment.

[@patriciajacobs7957]

RIP to all ...thanks for taking us along. With out your videos would of never known about this. Safe travels ❤

[@TommyTheCat42]

I’ve driven over Mt Washington and it’s scary as hell! There’s no railing in many spots to stop your car from going over

[@davidniehaus202]

Mobile instinct would you fulfill my suggestion by visiting the grave of John philip sousa please and you are a sweet kind guy on youtube 🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@eliassanchez420wakenbake]

Doesn’t sound bad. Lived in the California mountains. 0 railings over huge cliffs most of the time. And when there is railing it won’t save anyone

[@crushercub81]

​@@eliassanchez420wakenbake If you'd ever ACKCHYUALLY driven the Mt. Washington auto road, you wouldn't DARE post such a flippant, and puerile, opinion. Drive the road, then tell us more about how it's a cakewalk.

[@TommyTheCat42]

@@eliassanchez420wakenbake The scary thing about the White Mountains of NH is that half the year the roads are covered in ice. Idk what part of California you’re in but when driving over an ice covered mountain with no railing was nerve racking, especially not being used to the area!

[@eliassanchez420wakenbake]

@@TommyTheCat42 I get it. Have driven and in the ice and snow. Even slipped off luckily on the opposite side of the cliff road. Once some drunk kids rear ended me and flew down only 50 ft and died.

[@jamesholt7612]

Awesome editing as well as the video and the history Chris. May those who perished on that mountain rest in peace. That's a beautiful area nonetheless.

[@MobileInstinct]

Thanks!

[@jeannenimmo5]

@@MobileInstinct I often refer to the White Mountains as 'exquisitely dangerous.'

[@paulhare662]

My Daughter wanted to hike Washington. We both read "Not Without Peril" before doing it. We went prepared but still had a difficult time. To find trail markers above tree line, we tied para-cord to each of our belts. We took turns venturing out to find the next marker while the other waited at the last one.

[@minorclips7541]

Excellent book I actually read through it probably 6 or 7 times after my first hike up Through Tuckerman ravine I had gone up in September to plan attract during the winter months to ski the ravine and I'm glad I Got not without peril0 Because even though I knew to take that mountain seriously being I didn't realize how serious I should take it I've skied And winter camped probably about 20 times now And I can easily say Mount Washington is my favorite place in the world but great book So happy to hear Somebody Else mention it

[@paulhare662]

@@minorclips7541 We encountered 70 MPH wind, 40 degrees, 5 foot visibiity and mixed frozen precipitation on the fourth of July. Forecast at base was 85 and clear. Went up the Lions Head Trail. Hiked the Crawford Path 2 days later, 55, drizzly but clear and calm. We stayed in a campground between hikes and talked with a Ranger. He said that they found a body on the Lions Head Trail the day after our hike. We must have walked nearly over the guy, creepy.

[@counterfit5]

Another good read is Where You'll Find Me by Ty Gagne

[@SpartanNat]

Actually almost died coming down Franconia Ridge, also in the White Mountains. What happened was I stepped on some wet bedrock and slipped thanks to my hiking shoes being a little old, fell on my backpack and slid off a small cliff. My backpack broke the fall, saved me from a concussion, and saved my head from hitting the ground. Moral of the story? Don’t wear hiking shoes you bought last season on a serious hike, you definitely degraded them enough to them not being safe for that hike, especially if there’s water around.

[@maryjames7193]

Glad you are ok.👍

[@Peter-610]

One year old shoes are not safe…that’s crazy. It sounds like you go hard💯💯

[@Nuttyirishman85]

Get some la sportiva approach shoes, you’ll never slip. I suggest the boulder x, very comfortable.

[@UAPReportingCenter]

No.. Just buy good hiking boots for winter… No need to buy a new pair every year!

[@UAPReportingCenter]

Glad you’re good tho

[@therealdesidaru]

I miss New Hampshire and New England. I went to Camp Merrowvista as a young teen from 1981-1984. We hiked the Presidentials, biked around New England and Nova Scotia, and canoed Labrador. What a grand time and great experience. Mostly I miss the weather. I prefer the cold over the heat.

[@davidellzey8447]

My father and I climbed to the summit in August 1976. (I was 13.) The weather was fine at the bottom. We took the route through Tuckerman‘s Ravine, at which point conditions began to deteriorate. The layer of fog was so thick our field of vision was a circle about 30 feet, and I was very afraid that the fog would close in so thick that we would lose sight of the trail guides (piles of rocks). The landscape was desolate: rocks covered with lichen. And it was cold and very windy. I remember my father took me in very close to keep me warm while we walked. The worst part of the experience was having not the tiniest clue how far we had to walk. Terrible experience. We both remember the moment we knew we were ok: we heard a car door slam. I have warned many people about Mt Washington over the years. Super dangerous mountain.

[@goldenretriever6261]

I experienced the same conditions, but I was near the top and made it to the building. I had to walk down the road.

[@kennethellison9713]

Scary story. We are visiting Mt. Washington now and will opt for the drive. Btw, the trail markers are called cairns.

[@RobertSmith-km6gi]

I ran into the same conditions about half way up the Great Gulf head wall. This is one of the steepest climbs in the Whites. I deemed it to be way too dangerous to climb down so I proceeded to climb and definitely lost the trail. After several scares I topped out but was still about a quarter mile away from the summit. I had a compass and a fair idea of where to go when heard the cog and followed the sound to the tracks and safety.

[@Sharon-yc8if]

I was in the Poconos, the fog was so bad, our vision wasn't more than 3 to 5 feet. I never was so afraid for my life when the sun went down on us, I will never forget it.

[@jacksongatlin5418]

People on the east coast don’t know how to hike

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate your insights. They're straightforward.

[@СолнечныйПарус-р7щ]

You are a very brave man, Chris! I never cease to be amazed at your courage and recklessness! As well as your: adult wisdom, poise and caution.🤩🤩

[@rumrunner1756]

Thanks Chris. I am enjoying revisiting these parts of NH and I can’t wait to revisit parts of Maine with you. 👍💯

[@jburnett8152]

I can see why it could be treacherous but so many things people do can also be. I'm loving these almost daily video's. ❤

[@christinedelman887]

I grew up in Massachusetts, haven't made it there yet. Now I'm back from NC, I'm definitely going to go. Thank you for the nice scenery ❤ RIP to those who have lost their lives on MT Washington

[@tonypike5785]

Thanks Criss after learning of all the deaths i cant blame you for taking the road, stay safe

[@lisacooper3991]

Such a beautiful scenery, yet sad history stories. They should put up some kind of light, like a lighthouse, not too big, but built high enough to to shine out across the area. Might would have saved them that were so close. Thank u for sharing another amazing video.

[@MobileInstinct]

That's not a bad idea

[@danielmoulton4117]

Someone would have to be the light tender, and a way of powering it would be necessary. The person so assigned would have to be a unique individual, and the power source would undoubtedly diminish the experience for most. I've only summited a few times, because I felt the accomplishment was cheapened when people from the auto road and smog Railway were everywhere. Just one perspective.

[@pnjasv]

In the true bad weather that Mount Washington has. You would not see the light just a few yards away

[@gordogo]

maybe a fog horn when weather turns bad

[@kitefan1]

I don't think that would work. Even with decent visibility you can't see the top all of they way up. At least not until above the tree line and even then it would depend on the slope. Much better if people dress for the weather and bring food and water so they can wait out a few hours or go appropriately slow -if it gets difficult. Panic and hypothermia make people crazy.

[@thattowtruckguy436]

There's a B18 bomber that crashed on Mt Watermomee in 1942. The wreckage is still there. You can hike up and still see it today. Trailhead is in Woodstock NH

[@MakerInMotion]

I guess the fact there's anything left proves metal scrappers and souvenir hunters lack ambition and physical fitness.

[@thattowtruckguy436]

Well it has been up there or over 80 years and a 2 mile hike so it would be hard for scrapers. And a memorial spot so people do respect it. There is videos about it here on YT and you could do a Google search and see pictures taken from there.

[@kylem3373]

I'll have to check this out, thanks for sharing, I haven't heard of this somehow

[@meekkeene2218]

My father was one of the rescuers Everett Kinne He lived in North Woodstock the funeral home was his fathers Harvey G Kinne Dad entered the army shortly thereafter came home with a bronze star Medal for something that I have difficulty finding about Anyway beautiful area

[@jimrossi7708]

More excellent content Chris,, Mt Washington was introduced to me at 8 years old by my father !

[@Ockenblock77]

Cool video. I’ve been to the summit of mount Washington twice, by way of the auto road. Very cool. I enjoyed looking through the museum and having lunch at the top. Awesome views on the way up, at the top, and on the way down. Next time I go we’re going to take the cog train.

[@sandysue202]

Thanks for going to the top of Mt Washington and showing me the sights thru your camera lens. That's one place I have not had a desire to go even though it is quite pretty. The cog railroad would probably put me into a panic if, in fact, I ever ventured onto it! Thanks again for a great video, and I am so glad you went on that mountain road and not me! Same thoughts for the road up to the top of Pikes Peak!!

[@robertfolkner9253]

I rode the Cog Railway in 1966. Back then they still used old fashioned steam engines. As we set out, it was a warm day. When we reached the summit, there were white-out conditions up there, an intense blizzard. We couldn’t leave the train car because of the howling snows and low temperatures. When we got back down to the base of the mountain it was once again a warm day with no wind.

[@Lazzie_the_Psilocybe_Deity]

It was such a nerve wracking experience.

[@meanderingwithmuddypaw]

Thank you for this! I've wondered about Mt Washington ... my friend and my brother have both hiked up there. It was nice to see it and all the routes available to summit. The history was great to learn, too. Thank you! - Muddypaw 🐾

[@moparedtn]

Well done as always Chris!

[@m118lr]

Awesome place Chris! THAT road specifically..NO guardrails, reminds me of “Going To The Sun” road in Glacier National Park, Mt.! Beauuuu-tiful! ONLY drive IF you’re confident in YOUR skills!

[@bobzelley5100]

Three of us climbed to the summit in driving snow-sleet storm april 29, 1992. We stopped at hermit shelter to change socks. The manager was alone, listening to a serious news update on the radio . There was nobody else on the mountain that day due to the freezing wet weather and 74 mph wind. We kept the manager company for about a half hour as the rodney king trail verdict was announced. Then we high tailed it non stop to the summit with a quick return to the parking lot for a fun - fast hike.

[@xp7575]

​@@LazloNQlol, he misspelled trial

[@smblair77]

Beautiful area, thanks for the information! And love your shirt as well!

[@TKOSound]

That road scared the crap out of me.... the day i went up it was 90 degrees at the bottom and we had a snowball fight up on the top.... crazy mountain

[@royreynolds108]

A similar thing can happen on Pikes Peak which is 14,110 feet in elevation. Colorado Springs is about 6000 feet in elevation so it is about as high as the top of Mt. Washington.

[@IKCS1]

Great Stuff as always Chris keep them coming bro! Thanks for sharing this experience always educational cheers

[@RCALivingStereo]

Great video Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@paddy160160]

Grew up camping /hiking around the Presidential Range,my buddies father brought us every year, usually May or June,became our right of passage, tradition...so thankful for the experiences shared with my best friends,thank you Jay,I'm eternally grateful

[@RobsNeighbor]

I have been getting notifications asap! Great work Chris!

[@wadd58]

My Wife's parents were on the train when it crashed. Her mother was pregnant with her older sister. Her father was credited with helping the injured that day. To this day my Wife refuses to ride the train and we live only a few miles from it.

[@pamirose8612]

I like your shirt. I loved watching "Salute Your Shorts" on Nickelodeon back in the 1990s. Have you done a video about visiting the filming locations?

[@kellycorcoran528]

Chris , I love every one of your videos , You are great at researching , and my favorite creator , 😊

[@TheCoronerGirl]

Great video journey. Thank you shining light on the ones who passed. Also think of the ones who have to retrieve the decedent's (It's not easy).

[@ithacacomments4811]

Back in 1972, I drove my Dodge Dart up and down Mt. Washington. Beautiful day. The down was so frightening! When I arrived back home, I scheduled a total brake replacement! My mechanic said....."what have you been doing!"

[@kitefan1]

Yep, and maybe a new transmission. I live in RI and we tend to harass folks who drive their own vehicles up and down. As in why would you do that to your car? I think they have a road shuttle now. But I felt better on the train. I think if I drove it my might be afraid of the height.

[@scottrider641]

Such a tragic story of such y beautiful place. Thanks for bringing it to me, Chris

[@JenSmyre]

REST IN PEACE TO ALL WHO PASSED AWAY 🙏🏽✊🏼 🕊️🕊️🕊️🙏🏽

[@fubarlife7776]

And keep on passing on!

[@tracyredding3287]

😢 so sorry to hear this I wasn't aware of so many deaths rest in peace to all..

[@phillipdrake4371]

9:22

[@steventoby3768]

Very interesting history, gives me a new perspective on why my late sister was so proud of having climbed to the summit by herself. She lived near the place where the railroad started, I think in North Conway. The railroad seems to have both steam and diesel locomotives in this video, I never saw it close up in my visits.

[@GoodDayforDecay]

Awesome Job Documenting Mt. Washington

[@RCALivingStereo]

Was just there for the 4th We stay at the hotel a few times a year Beautiful place

[@janmcguire5268]

Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@st2826]

Love watching your vlogs Chris, it might sound strange but you have a great voice for it-cant explain why but you do 😂

[@dlkline27]

I drove the road to the summit and back in 1976, long before it was paved. With no tour guide my friend and I missed a lot of the history of the mountain. Thanks for this video.

[@sallykohorst8803]

Very interesting subject so thanks for sharing.

[@bobbyspapercraft]

You switched to that picture of driving up that road and it literally sent me to a heart attack I thought you were gonna go off the edge for a second

[@kevinnielsen1356]

This is the best offering I've ever seen on Utube. Well done ole boy, I've become a subscriber. On a humorous note, your tshirt looks like it says ' Camp Analwanna'.

[@johanna7254]

Very interesting video! Mt Washington seems like an amazing, wild place. Thanks for sharing this!

[@royreynolds108]

Mt. Washington is the tallest peak on the east coast of the US.

[@violetjessop327]

Hiked up the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail down the Jewell trail with 2 seven year olds & about 9 hours round trip. This is a well travelled hike with beautiful views above treeline. Drove up twice but that hairpin turn scared the crap out of me. It was more enjoyable hiking up with my feet firmly on the ground. Great video & thanks for posting it. 😊

[@Noahinthe802]

Hey Chris love your shirt lol. I’ve driven up and down the auto road before. It will definitely make your hair stand on end In some spots. So beautiful (and windy!) up there but also a lot of sad tragedies over the years. Thanks for covering this. There’s LOTS of spots and tasty history for you to sink your teeth into, to check out in VT or NH one place that comes to mind is the abandoned military radar array in the northeast kingdom area of VT (my home state).

[@TheJagjr4450]

When your brakes overheat it boils the brake fluid.... boiling creates air bubbles... airbubbles compress when you hit the brake pedal... brake fluid without bubbles does not compress it will transfer the pedal movement through the fluid where it moves the brake pads to make the car stop.

[@richarddudley9920]

That's true .I use the transmission to slow my decent. Using a lower gear helps to lessen your speed going down. Also it let's you use far less brakes thus keeping them from overheating and boiling the fluid

[@susancousins8766]

One death is to many! Good grief, I love history and the mountains are beautiful you would never catch me driving up or down those mountains! So sorry for those who perished! Other than people dying it was a good story, Chris ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@BuckNastty]

Thanks for the video like always Chris. Safe travels.

[@MovieMakingMan]

Very interesting history. I’ve never been there but I did drive up a treacherous road in Arizona while exploring with 3 army buddies from Fort Bliss, El Paso. I had a green Chevy panel wagon and I drove up a mountain on a path just wide enough for the car. One side was a steep cliff all the way up the mountain. We were just exploring and probably high but we wanted to see where the road went. When we got close to the top, say 8-10,000 feet, we learned we couldn’t turn the car around so I had to drive backward on the rocky path. That was the hairiest drive of my life. One wrong move and we would’ve plummeted thousands of feet down the side of the mountain. We also though the path could just crumble underneath the car and send us careening to certain death. I wish I could remember where in Arizona that path was. While stationed at Fort Bliss I’d always spend weekends exploring all the cool sites in New Mexico and Arizona with my army buddies. Most of the time I explored with Steve, Mike and Summers. One weekend we camped at a NM lake. When we had to return on Sunday one of the guys left a 5 gallon can with only a couple of quarts of gas inside on top of our dying fire pit. As we drove away we’d look back until we were about 3 miles away when we saw a huge explosion. It was all rock so there was no risk of starting a fire. Another weekend we hiked up the side of Mount Franklin overlooking El Paso and Juarez, Mexico. There were 5 of us. We each carried two bottles of Ripple ‘wine’. By the time we got to the top dusk was settling in so we realized we couldn’t climb back down in the dark. So we camped out on the summit with views of El Paso, Juarez and New Mexico. Because the area is like a desert it got cold at night, very cold. That plus the winds blowing over the top of the mountain made us all shiver through the night. We were smoking pot so it’s good we had lighters. We used them to start a fire after all of us walked all around the summit collecting old brush and dead wood. Even with the fire it was so cold. But we spent our time drinking Ripple, getting stoned and taking turns giving speeches to our commanding officer. Mike Harris stood at full attention looking toward Fort Bliss then saluted the commanding officer and muttering one expletive after another. It was funny. Each of us took turns doing the same thing. None of us liked being in the army. We were all drafted but signed on for sn extra year so we could pick a school to go into. So we were all in the Nike Hercules missile fire control class. The ‘fire’ wasn’t for a lit fire. It was a system to fire missiles. Steve Johns and I were the top two in the class. I was the honor graduate. When I went to the ceremony one of the brass muttered to me onstage “I didn’t want you to get this honor”. That made getting the honor even sweeter because I knew it got under that lifer’s skin. We were all so happy when the sun began to rise. I had my camera with me so I took a lot of great pictures of everyone. As soon as it got light enough to safely hike back down we did. It was easier going down because we didn’t have to carry the wine bottles. We drank all the wine throughout the night. What a great experience. I wonder how many other people have spent the night on top of Mount Franklin, or would want to. It wasn’t easy to climb and if you hike to the top near dusk you have to spend the night.

[@terrycanales23]

Moviemaker, I like your story. I'm glad you got under life's skin! Thanks for sharing!

[@Kingisaac2020]

amazing job Chris keep up the good work i'm think about doing this like you please keep upload the amazing videos

[@greendeane1]

Been up mile-high Mt. Washington three times, twice by rail, once by car. Went up by rail in the mid 1950's with my mother. She grew up in the area. Even though we took the rail in August, she took our winter clothes, it was cloudy and cold on top. Back then there was an "inn" there and one could stay overnight. Then while in college -- 1976 -- I drove some foreign exchange to the top and later took the train again. Because of the altitude it is like being in the arctic circle.

[@matthewgallant3622]

We’re hiking it in a few weeks, fingers crossed with the weather. I’ve been making plans for years to summit Mount Washington and the weather always goes bad. I’ve been snowboarding many times on Tuckerman Ravine and Sherburnes trail and I know how insane things can get. You really have to be patient with this place and wait for the right day and time.

[@iron___]

Hiked Washington in February 2024 with a group from the Alpine Club of Canada. Complete whiteout, 0 degrees F without the windchill. We were well prepared and had all the right gear (layers, ski goggles, balaclava, trekking poles, mountaineering axe, crampons, mountaineering boots) and safely summitted. Our group leader warned us it would be like the Himalayas up there. That evening SAR had to rescue a 22 year old guy near Lake of the Clouds hut who ventured up completely unprepared, and he kept going when others were turning around. He's lucky to be alive, apparently all his clothes were frozen to his body and they had to thaw out his boots to get them off his feet. A lot of the deaths on Washington are probably due to lack of preparedness and/or not bailing when you should have.

[@grannydeen1586]

Good video. We have been there several times. Thanks for showing.

[@ernestj3081]

Never knew the ominous history behind this. Very sad. Amazing place that I’ve never been to🙏🏻Thank you Chris💙🙏🏻🏔

[@RCALivingStereo]

April 14th 1934 Highest wind gust on earth recorded 231 MPH

[@RichardHartness]

I just noticed you're wearing the Camp Anawana shirt. I was thinking about that show just the other day. I need to show it to my kids.

[@b_doc6142]

Love the T-shirt👍

[@Carolbearce]

Such a beautiful area. That road up and down would scare the hell out of me! It sure is beautiful though.

[@APL314159265]

Summiting Mt. Washington the first time was a truly weird experience. It was September 22nd around 1980 or so. We had started two days before at Webster Cliffs and struggling up the last boulder field with 60# packs in shorts & tee shirts with people in huge down coats taking pictures of us instead of the scenery. Getting to the top you are suddenly surrounded by people in penny loafers, pregnant women, and toddlers. By this time we had been on the trail for two weeks and probably looked and smelled like half-man, half-bear hybrids. The tourists were fascinated by these strange creatures.

[@xp7575]

Two weeks?? I hiked it in January in 1 day with some friends about a decade ago, I can't even imagine what could make it take more than a day let alone multiple weeks

[@bigcahuna42366]

My parents and I drove on the auto road to the summit of this mountain in the summer of 1998, and the last third of the course near the top is VERY scary. It was a dirt road that is barely two cars widths wide with no guardrail.

[@kerigoncalves484]

Just drove it yesterday it's absolutely beautiful, and an amazing experience, i didn't realize how many deaths are connected to this mountain, thank you for this information ❤ maybe this is why I got emotional as I arrived , that mountain is haunted with these souls

[@philknerr4587]

Very informative video. Thank you

[@pommydiva1]

what a deadly area. On that list you showed... i noticed there was plane crashes, so hearing how the weather can change so quickly and poor visability - that accounts for the crashes, i dont think id be game enough to go up top and back down in that old rambling train carriage. thanks for showing such an interesting yet death defying mountain

[@bodieb1233]

WOW.. Great job. Very interesting video. I've driven up 3 times and it can be a nail biter but it is beautiful. Thanks.

[@ds-pc7if]

Great video I’m up here now for the first time and I’m from Boston and 43 yrs old

[@StamfordBridge]

One afternoon in ‘83 I thought I was perfectly safe relaxing at home, when there was a quiet knock at the door (I always remember the calm, quiet nature of that knock). When I opened the door, I was brutally attacked by Mount Washington and some of its White Mountain buddies. Barely escaped with my life.

[@Riprock296]

Excellent video and well produced! Glad you popped up on my Home page. Instant like and follow 👍

[@smallestfootprint3247]

You were lucky to go on a nice day, I went in 2015 and the staff stated its a rarity to have clear skys...what a view its not as tall as the rockies but has roughly the same prominence as many of the rockies.

[@colincurley9751]

Mount Washington is somewhat of a holy sight for outdoors people and hikers. Last year I decided to do the whole presidential range traverse in the middle of July after seeing the weather have an opening but one thing with mount Washington is that even if it appears to have a opening in the weather if it says there is a 20% chance of weather that likely means there will be a storm. My friend and I couldn't use the camp site we were shooting for as a trail maintenance crew and a school group had taken up any flat round there was available so we descended lower to get to a RMC hut. We stayed the night there but it put us miles behind for the next day so we started hiking again at 6:00 A.M. and started a hard charge jaunt to cover over 12 miles in one day while still trying to enjoy the hike. This is normally the hardest part to cross the traverse and most dangerous but we knew we would be cutting it close with a large Thunderstorm forecasted to come at night. We got up Mt. Adams again and then got Jefferson an hour or so later. once we came down Jefferson we noticed a mass of clouds gathering and talking with other hikers we were all pretty sure we had 3-4 hours before it reached us which with some pep in the step should be enough to reach the observatory on the Summit of Mount Washington. We got up Mt. Clay the last mountain before Mt. Washington and when we came up we saw that everyone was wrong it was a fast moving storm that was 15 minutes away. We took a moment and planned what the best course of action was we were essentially caught in the most exposed section of the trail. A family we had been bumping into on and off decided they were gonna skip summiting mount Washington and try to stay lower and reach the Lake of the Clouds hut on the other side. I decided we were gonna be in the storm one way or another and although conditions would be worse at the summit we essentially had to as one of our headlamps had stopped working the night before and I knew we could get another while up there. So we pushed right into the storm and let me tell you, that was one of the craziest moments of my life. I knew lightning was coming in the storm cell and hail so we pushed as fast as we could to get out of the valley between Clay and Washington as that was where the lighting would go as it predominantly stays in the bottom of these storms and this was a low laying storm. Wind wiped up my poncho ripped itself to shreds and visibility dropped below 5ft. my friend and I shared a laugh and pushed we had no idea how far away or how close we were to the summit but all of a sudden the cloud parted for a moment and in front of us was the summit. We reached the top and the sign for the summit which had a line but the people waiting saw us emerge from the storm and told us we deserved the picture before them especially as we should go inside after. We went to enter the observatory museum and a train was arriving at the same time so 30-40 people were waiting in the entrance but saw us come in absolutely soaked and they had just witnessed the storm so they parted like we were veterans coming home we got a kick out of it. We went to the cafeteria and had 4 chili dogs each the first two they gave us for free which was pretty cool of them but we needed a recharge after pushing through the storm and I couldn't use my camp stove at the top as it was too windy. After a recharged we set off towards the Lake of the Clouds hut where we would take a turn down the mountainside to a tent site that was 4 miles down the mountain. Along the way it was the most scenic moment I have seen hiking as the clouds were stuck on the other side of the ridgeline and the side facing us exploded in sunlight with a rainbow to match. We reached the hut and grabbed some water and took in the sight of the lake and right before we were to leave an old-timer came up with a map asking us where we were going and we told him the shelter down the valley. Whelp this is where it went south, literally badump bump lol. He told us that the trail had been essentially destroyed and they were in the process of trying to fix it and that the repair crew were all staying at the site we were trying to reach but that they would share room with the storm coming. Whelp that trail was extremely messed up; I had been tracking the coming storm too throughout the day and at the hut the forecast changed, the storm was now coming 2-3 hours earlier and had joined another so it was now 2x the strength. We realized we might not make it but we also realized we needed to find cover if we didn't to set up our tent and somewhere it wouldn't be struck by lightning. The storm picked up its speed even more and it went from arriving at 9 pm to now 7 pm and it was currently 6:30pm, once we realized this we decided it was not worth it to keep going as we would not make the tree line before the storm came and that we had to break a law for our safety and camp in the alpine zone. We both ran around the side of the mountain looking for somewhere sheltered and somewhat flat and I found one nestled between some alpine pines that were 2-3 ft. I rushed to set up the tent and my friend laid down the tarp. This is where it went wrong... the tent I brought was the tent I always had packed away ready to go whenever needed but my father had used it a month earlier and I had forgot when packing and never checked to see if everything was included. my friend and I came to a haunting realization immediately... there were no poles or stakes in the bag. My Eagle Scout immediately came out and I had been trained to make emergency shelters for situations like this for years I just never thought I would use those skills here. I had 50ft of paracord and started making a trapeze to hold the tent up in some form tied between the scrub pines. I then took our bags and propped both up on one side to give us enough room to sit and then we ducked inside right as the stroma arrived. I've had somewhat sleepless nights before hiking in Maine in a snow shelter in -20 degree weather but this was insane. The temps dropped from 70ish to a frigid 44. The tent started to fold in on itself due to the whipping wind so I did something that was risky but understood needed to be done, I took my hiking poles and extended them all the way and jammed them into the ceiling and tried to prop them up but couldn't so I decided I would hold them and that hopefully with the trees around being a little higher and the grips of the pole being rubber I hopefully wouldn't get struck. I tried to get some sleep on and off and managed to get 30 minutes of sleep but that stopped when it started deluging and the tent flooded on my side. Immediately I knew I was in trouble and would have to start fighting back hypothermia so I took all my remaining hand warmers and stuck them in all of my pants pockets and armpits. I had a space blanket ready but only wanted to use it if I got colder as I was still trying to hold the tent together as well. At about 2:30 in the morning the storm just upped and stopped and the wind started picking up. I looked at the weather and the storm had passed, I woke up my friend and said we have to go now as for one we needed to get warmth in us by moving and the shuttle bus we needed to reach at the bottom had only two pickup times in the day and we didn't want to wait longer than needed. We got packed up and set off hiking through the darkness with our headlamps, once out of the wind I changed from my soaked clothes and set off again. We did not stop until sunrise came and we had to pause and take in the moment. I too that break to make us some much needed breakfast as we hadn't been able to make dinner the night before. Let me tell you, even though they were MREs I have never had a better Pad Thai or chicken fettucine alfredo than we shared in that moment. A through hiker of the Appalachian trail came through at the same time and he had just gotten stuck on the mountain the night prior as well and made it. I grabbed another bowl from my bag and gave him some of mine and we shared a calming smoke between us with barely any words to be spoken. We watched the sunrise until it lost its glow and carried on our ways, another 7-8 miles ahead of us. When I go hiking I pack extra protein always just incase its needed and let me tell you we had enough protein in the descent to rival Arnolds intake in his prime. We hard charged our way down not stopping for anything but water or view overlooks. We reached the bottom and got the the AMC visitor center where we immediately went the the cafeteria/restaurant and ordered some honking sandwiches which were 10/10 and a nice tall boy IPA. We went outside and just observed and had the most refreshing and well-deserved beer of our lives... and proceeded to pass out on the lawn waiting for the shuttle bus and managed to get a sunburn lol. Before this I thought my procedures and planning were pretty solid but I see it as a blessing that we weren't prepared with the tent as it taught me a lesson to always check my gear even if I have or haven't lent it out. One of the most thrilling and awesome moments I have gotten to experience in my life and this year I will begin to start pushing my hikes to more extremes with the Pemigwisset loop (34 miles) and a hike through the Adirondacks that will be roughly 40 miles. I am planning on eventually writing a book of these hikes and this story I just shared will definitely be a headliner chapter, cheers and always remember respect and be cautious of Mt. Washington.

[@orionsector]

I did this hike, all the way to the top when I was 19, years old in 1983. Slept out in the mountain shelter overnight.. It was a hard hike, but I was really young 😄

[@ki1red]

I did it in '84. Stayed at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Almost walked into the side of it, it was so foggy. The three of us spread out several feet apart so we could find the next cairn getting there to not get off trail. It cleared that night, and the summit was nice and sunny the next day.

[@EJFXxx]

hope you got your "This car climbed Mt Washington" bumper sticker

[@TammyMullins-jv8wm]

I just now started watching your videos thanks take me long

[@mtadams2009]

The big issue with hiking Mount Washington is a combination of weather, people being very unprepared and most people are not really physically prepared for this hike. I have hiked it many times but I am an avid long distance backpacker. I have also skied it many times. Sometimes the weather is not good and you just don’t summit on those days. I man died of hypothermia in June a couple years ago. It’s no joke up there. The story you tell about the cog is much different than the one I was told. The story I was told is the driver of the cog was very drunk. His nickname was Cassy because he drank so much. We may never know.

[@NaomisAdventures]

Beautiful views from the top.

[@michaelcanney7218]

Great video again my friend

[@veritas41photo]

This is so right. Any of those tall White Mountain peaks around Mt. Washington can reach out to kill you with no warning. Unexpected blizzard weather in August (!) on Mt. Lafayette almost got me and another person hiking with me. We were lucky we had just enough protective clothing with us; we ran down the mountain at dangerous speeds to get safe (back to our warm truck), just in time before visibility dropped to almost zero. We drove out to get away from the snow and ice. Beware people... Personally, I wouldn't even hike anywhere around there anymore.

[@SaltyCado]

Me and my wife just summited last week in my scion TC... Man was it a scary but absolutely incredible achieving experience

[@Nuttyirishman85]

Not without peril is a great book about death in the white mountains. I highly suggest it.

[@mrwdpkr5851]

It get's so bad that even search and rescue members have died looking for lost hikers .

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

I've lived nearby all my 63 years and never heard about those accidents. Very interesting 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@gregorylapointe4157]

For years, I would hike up Mt. Washington every summer and can say first hand that the weather can change very fast and it can get very cold on the ridgeline in the summer time. Mt. Washington sits in the Presidential Range and the winds can get very brutal in this range.

[@JohnShinn1960]

Thanks Chris! 🤠👍

[@walterdanielswalter.r.dani7628]

In the early 70s when we were young and crazy, myself and three buddies decided to climb to the summit. A beautiful sunny day with not a cloud in the sky. Approaching the summit we were greeted with waves from the tourists , maybe 300ft above us. In an instant a front came over the summit and one of the worst thunderstorms I ever experienced hit us with driving rain, lightening striking around us and hail an half inch to three quarter inches in diameter. We had no choice but to retreat as fast as we could to get below timberline. i'll never forget the lightening striking all around us. Some above us and some below us. BTW, that ski area behind the narrator is Wildcat Mt I believe. Some great skiing.

[@veritas41photo]

Wildcat it is. I had many tumbles there in their horrible icy conditions! One fall on ice knocked me out and scratched my fear up so bad they thought they'd have to transfuse me. Ah, the good old days!

[@walterdanielswalter.r.dani7628]

@veritas41photo I liked Loon Mt and Sunapee too have some great skiing.

[@MaineUSA]

You mean, it can get so bad,you can't see the hand in front of your face.....😮 Awesome video! 🎉

[@moharak]

I used to travel in Vermont for business a lot and they shut that mountain down quite a bit due to weather. Lot of folks die up there apparently when storms and winds whip up.

[@kitefan1]

Thanks for this video. I have been up Mt. Washington on the railroad. The old steam one although I think they had started the electric. I noticed all the memorial markers and wondered. I think the biggest group was probably from that train accident. Fortunately I did not know about it before we went up, although I am generally not afraid of railroads. The view from the top on summer is usually short distance.

[@Padoinky]

I did the drive and stayed at the Mt Washington Inn, back in 1998…. Would welcome the opportunity to revisit my New England roots

[@williamogilvie6909]

I hiked up Mount Washington in 2005, when I was 58. I took the route that passes a massive erratic boulder that sits on the East side of the mountain. It's not a difficult trail, but longer than some. I took the 4WD shuttle down, in low gear all the way.

[@ossoduro7794]

My dog, Tonto, died on Mount Washington after being struck by lightning.

[@alisonj9533]

That's very sad, I'm sure it would have been a heartbreaking day. Sorry about your dear dog

[@KariC424]

That is very sad. So sorry it happened.

[@Sharon-yc8if]

So sorry, I'm sure that was traumatic.

[@dnjj1845]

That's crazy

[@drummerr13oy95]

Noice