Mount Washington, New Hampshire



At the Lion's Head, summit cone in background

On February 19 I summited Mount Washington via the popular Lion's Head winter route. 

Headwall of Tuckerman's Ravine, from the Lion's Head

Mount Washington is the highest mountain in the northeastern United States, and frequently experiences very bad weather and high winds.  However, the 19th was a beautiful day on the mountain, with mostly clear skies and expansive views of the White Mountains.

Mount Washington summit, observatory instrument tower in background
 

The Mount Washington Observatory, a manned weather observation station, is located on the summit.  While I was there, a snowcat arrived carrying members of the observatory staff.

The northern Presidential Range from Mount Washington's summit

Although I was not making any special effort to climb quickly, I completed the route in a round trip time of approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes - one of my fastest climbs of Mount Washington. 

Wildcat and the Carter Range from Mount Washington's summit, cog railway tracks in foreground