48s for nice days and 48s for bad days.

[ruger]

I have about a month to burn before I need to start looking for a job. I have been doing the 48s but plan over the next month to knock off a few more then I have been doing.

My question is which hikes would you save for cloudy, crappy days? Hikes that have really no views or you are in the trees all day. I ask because if it is a day that is just not so good it would be nice not to waste that day on a summit that has great views and is much better summited on a clear day.

So far I have done:
ADAMS,BOND, BONDCLIFF, CANNON, Isolation, LAFAYETTE, LINCOLN, OSCEOLA , OSCEOLA, EAST PEAK and WASHINGTON

so these are out.

Thanks
Ron

 

[bobandgeri]

Peaks on the NH48 list with limited views for a rainy day:

Cabot
Hale
Waumbek
Tecumseh

Some of the others have limited views on the actual peak, but great views along the way, so we didn't list those.

 

[arghman]

I second Waumbek, Tecumseh. (haven't gotten to Hale & Cabot yet)

I hiked the Hancocks on a hot hazy humid day with possible rain, I really didn't think the view was great so I'd nominate them.

I hiked Tom and Field in late spring when it was snowing so I have no idea what I missed there.

Definitely save any of the 4000' Presidentials, Moosilauke, Franconia Ridge for a day of decent weather. The Kinsmans/Cannon (good views across the Notch to Franconia Ridge) and Liberty/Flume also. (note: Liberty and Flume have some short steep slabs that would be somewhat nasty if wet.)

 

[Artex]

Ditto what the others said. Zealand is another peak that lacks views. However, it does have a very cool lookout not terribly far up from the hut, and also from the hut itself.

Galehead is another one that's lacking.

 

[MichaelJ]

Just keep in mind on a rainy day not only the views, but the water crossings. The Hancocks, for example, in principle are a fine wet-weather pair of peaks (depending on how you like a steep, wet trail with a lot of rock and roots; however, not by any means unsafe or risky). BUT ... there are several crossings which can be pretty high along the trail leading in, which could cause you a lot of trouble.

Cabot, Waumbek, Hale, they have to my recollection no crossings to be concerned with. Galehead might leave you issues with the Gale River (what's the bridge status these days?). Tecumseh has only one crossing, I don't know how much it carries.

Something to think about.

 

[sapblatt]

Gale River Trail bridge

Galehead might leave you issues with the Gale River (what's the bridge status these days?).

WMNF Bridge page was last updated on 7/7/05 and reports that the bridge is still out.

 

[dr_wu002]

I have a very opposite view on this subject. I guess if you plan on doing each mountain on the 48 once and only once, well I'd leave the Bondcliffs and Presidentials and Carragains for the nice days and the Waumbeks and South Carters for the lousy days. However, if you plan on hiking a lot like I do, I typically chose the Waumbeks and whatnot for the nice days as, you never know what little view you're going to get and sometimes they're very special. On the ridge between Starr King and Waumbek there are some nice views and if you bushwhack around the summit of Waumbek a bit you can find some good outlooks, including an impressive one to The Presidentials.

The Hancocks in my opinion have great views which turn to spectacular views in winter due to deep snowpack. There are great, unique views all over the place on that mountain.

Some of my greatest hikes have also been to places like Marcy or Washington on cloudy, rainy days because I knew I'd be back (and I was) on a nice day and I just got to experience the mountain on it's own. Majestic mountains are typically majestic regardless of the weather. Less majestic mountains (Waumbek for example) aren't as majestic and, to me, feel diminished and sad on a lousy day. I'm very happy that I saved Waumbek for a nice Winter's Day. However, I fully concur -- if you're doing each peak once and only once, save the best days for the best peaks.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Sherpa John]

...and if you're half Scottish and half German ("VEE MUST CLIMB ZEE MOUNTAIN!!"), there's no such thing as bad weather.

Heehee!


.

I'm Fench and Polish and I believe in the above statement whole heartedly!

 

[Waumbek]

Ditto Zealand and Hale (although there is a view) as good ones to do on less-than-clear days. You can duck into the hut and after Sept. 6, when the bridge closes for repairs, these become much longer hikes for four months.

 

[Steve-o]

I think,

Cabot
Hale
Waumbek
Zealand
The Hancock's
are all fine choices for rainy day weather.
Check on the river crossing hazzards before you go, of course.

Save Franconia ridge and the Prezzie's for fine weather.
The Prezzie's can be a scary place to be in inclement weather.
I will ALWAYS bring a good supply of gor-tex whenever I hike there now.
If I'm not mistaken,I think most of the folks who have perished up there
have been in the month of August!

Steve