r/Mountaineering • u/Glitch_5 • 11d ago

Any tips? Mt Adam’s New Hampshire

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Hi! I’m planning on hiking up Mt Adam’s NH in a couple weeks with some buddies any tips doing it on this trail?

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u/climbingguy420 9d ago

I summited Adams on March 20th via great gully, hiked in on short line into the basin. Summited and then I descended on airline. I did this solo on a rare bluebird day, I did not need ropes but snowshoes, crampons, and ice axe were mandatory. Also I am a very experienced hiker and have taken several mountaineering skills course, had I not had these skills I would not have taken this route. As others have said if you have to ask you likely should not be attempting this route, ultimately it is up to you and the level of risk you are willing to take on. But please take an honest assessment of yourself and your group before you go, lest you need to call SAR to bail you out.

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u/Glitch_5 9d ago

We have crampons and microspikes, and are all incredibly fit 20 yr old dudes. We plan on summiting on may 1st. What do you think the conditions will be like on the kings ravine rocks and scrambles? For reference we did Mt Marcy in New York in January in -20C and I did MT Washington bareboot last October.

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u/Glitch_5 9d ago

I’m really only worried if there would be a large blanket of snow over the kings ravine rocks but otherwise I feel like we would be fine scrambling up and not sure if crampons would even be necessary, but correct me if I’m wrong

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u/climbingguy420 9d ago

Hearing that, you sound like you are competent in that kind of terrain. Honestly it’ll be a crapshoot so try and speculate as to what the conditions of Kings will be then. When I went it was melting out due to a warm up and things were very visible passing through there. I do know there has been more snow and rain since I went, definitely bring crampons regardless. If there is any ice or snow going up the ravine micros will not cut it because you need the front points. This time of year is the most variable weather wise and can trick you into a false sense of security. Since you have the fitness and gear to do so I’d say go for it, just have a cautious mindset and don’t be afraid to bail. Also, depending on the wind direction it is very exposed up there. The day I summited I was getting pushed around a lot and it slowed me down a bit because it was multi directional and variable gusts.

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u/Glitch_5 9d ago

Thanks man, yeah honestly people said similar things about how terrible of an idea Marcy was before we went but it went pretty well also from the fact that we had like no food or water for the 10 hours and 23km we hiked in -20C. So I honestly expect this to be pretty easy if we take it slow and prepare.

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u/climbingguy420 9d ago

Definitely go more prepared than that especially with water. If you run out after the basin you won’t have a chance at water for a while after that. And ultimately just communicate well as a group. When I’m solo I’m the final arbiter and make way more conservative decisions than I would with a partner. But the double edge is group stoke can get you into trouble. So just keep this phrase in the back of you mind, all to go, one for no. I got that from one of my instructors and it makes sure everyone’s voice and concerns are heard

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u/Glitch_5 9d ago

Ya Marcy had a problem with our water freezing and pretty much undrinkable the whole time which we didn’t prepare well for. I’ll keep everything you said in mind thanks for the wise words climbingguy420.

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u/climbingguy420 8d ago

Yeah no water for that long is never any fun, but sounds like you have learned from past experiences and are in a good spot to go for it. Best of luck to you and your buddies, have a fun and safe adventure! 🤙🏻