Mt. Washington
Let's go hiking together!July to September Timeline
Yes, I have done harder hikes and yes, I have lived through tougher mental challenges. But Mt. Washington stands out as an epic and awe-inspiring journey both physically and psychologically. I was proud of what my 50-year-old mind and body could accomplish with some training, planning and belief in myself.
Mt. Washington is the stuff dreams are made of and true bucket list material. New England’s highest peak, Washington is 6288 feet, and sits within the 19 mile long Presidential Range. Tens of thousands of visitors attempt a summit every year. Affectionately known as “The Rock Pile”, its native name is Agiocochook, which means “Home of the Great Spirit” or “Mother Goddess of the Storm”.
register today
$300.00
Includes Washington hike and one other pre-Washington hike.
Must sign up 2 weeks in advance to join this hike.
Climb Mt. Washington!
If you are anything like me, you are feeling a desire to accomplish amazing feats, do the things people think you can’t do, prove to yourself that you can meet any challenge, and discover the inner peace that comes from the mountain climbing journey. Also like me, you may be longing for a shared sense of sisterhood and awe that will come from helping each other realize our dreams.
If hiking Washington is on your bucket list, you are a woman over 40, you are willing to put in the work of training, and you want to have fun doing it, then this is the program for you!
There are a few reasons that climbing Mt Washington is so difficult:
1. Climbing Washington is equal to 400 flights of stairs or climbing the Empire State Building 3 times in a row!
2. Every 1000 ft of elevation = 1 additional mile. In this hike, you will be hiking 10 miles and 4450 feet of elevation. The additional elevation can make this hike feel like 14 miles.
3. A beginner hiker typically covers 1 mile per hour and an experienced hiker 1.5-2 miles an hour. We need to build you up to get you closer to the experienced hiker range, otherwise it would take us over 10 hours to finish this hike! I am aiming for 8-9 hours. But don’t worry-we can do this! 😊
My plan is to ascend Ammonoosuc and descend the Jewell Trail. Tuckerman is shorter but steeper, exposed to the elements and extremely crowded. Mt. Washington will challenge you physically and mentally, but you will be rewarded by stunning scenery, self-confidence, pride and an awesome sense of accomplishment.
What is required from you as you prepare to hike Mt. Washington?
1. You need to check in with your doctor to make sure you are ready for this training just like you would before starting any new workout regime. If you have any nagging injuries now is a good time to start fixing them.
2. A commitment to the plan and each other. We will stick with the plan in order to be successful, and we will start and finish safely as a team.
3. You need to be committed to an early start, an overnight in the Whites, a positive attitude and a promise to complete the training.
4. A willingness to be photographed and possibly provide me with a testimonial at the end of our adventure.
5. You will need to wear or carry the following items in your own pack (I recommend an osprey or Gregory small pack with a Camelback or water bladder).
Hiking Boots(that you are comfortable in and have worn previously)
Full water bladder
Hiking poles
Head Lamp
Lunch
Snacks (You need fat, protein, carbs)
Fleece
Rain Jacket
Winter Jacket
Hat
Gloves
Extra Socks
Personal Medication(bee allergy meds/inhaler)
Bug Spray
What I will bring
2. Experience summiting Mt. Washington.
3. Garmin inReach (a compact satellite communicator)
4. Camp stove
5. Emergency Blankets
6. First Aid Kit
7. Tea/coffee/cocoa
8. Hike safe card
9. Waterproof Matches
10. Head lamp
11. Water purifier
12. Swiss army knife
13. Whistle
14. Map
15. Compass
16. CPR Certification
17. Wilderness First Aid Certification
18. A positive attitude, determination, and a sense of humor.
19. A belief in you and our ability to climb this mountain (safely) together!
Pricing
$300 – Includes Washington hike and one other pre-Washington hike. If you need to cancel or re-schedule, your payment will go towards the new hike date.
Training plan
I have put together a 8 week training plan that you will need to follow as closely as possible. You need to start hiking or walking on a treadmill as soon as possible. In addition to hiking or treadmill work, please consider cross training. You need to be strong, flexible and balanced. Think yoga, strength and endurance training such as Spinning, swimming, stair stepping, Pilates) Strength work should include squats, planks, sit ups, push-ups, calf raises or lunges in moderation.
If something hurts, stop doing it! If you have a body area with some weaknesses then don’t push it. For instance, lunges hurt my knees so I modify with squats. The most important training will be completing actual hikes with your pack on.
Hiking will help your body adapt to what is coming.
Week 1&2
You should be walking at least 3 times a week at Level 5 on treadmill. Your weekend hike/walk should be at least 6 miles.
At least once in this period-You should plan a hike of at least 1200’ in elevation with your pack on. There are plenty in this area and I’m happy to go with you here or somewhere closer to your location.
Week 3&4
You should be walking at least 3 times at Level 6 on treadmill with your pack weight on. Your weekend hike/walk should be at least 6 miles with your pack weight on.
At least once in this period-You should plan a hike with at least 1800’ in elevation with your pack on. Think Mount Monadnock or Mount Greylock.
Week 5&6
You should be walking at least 3 times a week at Level 7 or 8 on a treadmill. Your weekend hike should be about 1800-2100’.
At least once in this period-You should do an “easy” 4000 footer-Mt Pierce or Mt Jackson are good options. Both about 6.5 miles and 2400’ of elevation. I can go with you.
Week 7&8
You should be walking at least 3 times a week at Level 8. Your weekend hike should be about 2200-2600’.
I recommend doing Mt Eisenhower in late August. Eisenhower is 2900’ and about 7 miles. Again, I can go with you.
Finale
Keep training like above. I will watch the weather and tentatively plan for a few different dates. I would like to avoid rain on the hike day or day before. It makes the rocks very slippery.