New Hampshire Alpine Climbing
Our New Hampshire operations are based in North Conway, NH. The town serves as the eastern basecamp for Mount Washington and the surrounding White Mountains.
During the winter many of our south-Atlantic guides relocate to NH for ice and alpine climbing, and skiing. This creates the opportunity for you to climb with familiar faces both in the north during the winter and during the warm months on rock in the south.
NH programs meet in town or at a visitors center closer to specific climbing areas.
Mt. Washington Mountaineering
Climb the east’s most sought after mountaineering objective!
Duration: One or Two Days
Experience: Beginner* - Expert
*with Mountain Skills Day prior
About Mount Washington | Agiocochook Mountaineering
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Climbing Mount Washington in winter is one of the most sought after objectives in the North East. A winter ascent is challenging and demands both physical and mental endurance. Yet, unbelievably rewarding, regardless of your highpoint.
Private Guiding - We only book individuals or private parties. This means your trip will be tailored to your own experience and ability level.
Routes - Our standard route is Winter Lions Head on the Mtn’s east face. However, depending on conditions and goals, your guide(s) may recommend the Ammonoosuc Ravine on the west face.Itinerary (Summit Day)
- 7:30am trailhead meetup
- Fit boots crampons and ice axes if necessary
- 8:00am depart trailhead
- 12:30pm begin descent
- 3:30pm return to trailheadWeather - Conditions frequently make or break summit attempts. We are unable to reschedule trips within 48 hours or provide refunds due to conditions that prevent travel above treeline. Your guide(s) will do everything possible to provide a valuable day regardless of the conditions. This may include the option of changing the day’s objective to ice climbing or skiing, or spending the afternoon working on more advanced mountaineering skills after climbing to a high point on the mountain.
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Prior technical experience and physical conditioning is needed to climb Mt. Washington in a day during winter. If you don’t have at least one day of prior experience using an ice axe and crampons, please book a mountain skills day or day of ice climbing prior to a summit day.
Technical skills:
- Crampon and ice axe use and technique
- Mtn hazard management
- Equipment selection and packing
Minimum Physical Ability:
- Comfortably hike 12 miles within 6 hours. *The winter Lions Head Route is only 8 miles roundtrip.
- Comfortably ascend and descend 4,500’ in elevation on foot, in one day. -
Our Mountain Skills Day is designed to prepare you for a summit day on Mount Washington or other semi-technical mountaineering objectives. Completing this course will fulfill the technical skill prerequisites for a Summit Day on Mt. Washington.
This one day course covers:
- Equipment selection and packing
- Crampon and ice axe use and technique
- Mtn hazard management
Technical Alpine Climbing
Tackle the classic NH alpine routes!
Duration: One or Multiple Days
Experience: Intermediate - Expert
About Technical Alpine Climbing
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Technical alpine climbing during the winter and spring in NH encompasses classic routes such as Shoestring Gully, Pinnacle Gulley, and The Black Dike. These routes entail snow, ice, and mixed climbing, along with milage on approach and descent. Winter alpine climbing is the ultimate test of mountain mobility.
Classic Routes:
- Shoestring Gulley II WI 3 | M2
- Pinnacle Gulley III WI 3
- The Black Dike III WI 4 | M 4 -
Prerequisites:
- Comfortably hike 12 miles within 6 hours.
- Comfortably ascend and descend 4,500’ in elevation on foot, in one day.
- Experience climbing at least the grade of ice or mixed terrain on the desired route.
- Avalanche Rescue Course Completion OR Level 1 Course Completion
