Is there a "White 48"?

[Stash]

Looking at my calendar the notation "Spring Begins" stands out in that March 20 block. Checking my schedule I really don't have any important meetings tomorrow... I wonder if I can squeeze anything last-minute in?? What time does it that Vernal Equinox occur? 2009 Mar 20 7:44 AM EDT according to www.timeanddate.com. Pretty darned early. Nevermind...

Thinking about it, though. I've been up Cannon via High Cannon three times. Each in the snow. Never in the Winter. The same holds true for a number of other peaks. Of course I've also been on more than one peak in the winter with not a speck of white to show.

Is there such a thing, even unofficial, as a "White 48" designation? Summiting all 48 with snow on the ground? I know... How much snow designates "Snow" and does the snow have to be trailhead to peak or just the peak.

Just a thought..

 

[David Metsky]

Is there such a thing, even unofficial, as a "White 48" designation?

I've never heard of one, but you're free to start it.

 

[dug]

I've always semi-kinda-sorta kept track of peaks that I climbed in "winter conditions". If it was December 5th, and I was in a full white-out with crampons and snowshoes, I counted it as a winter peak. If it was December 23rd, and was a balmy 50 and I there was no snow on the ground and little true winter, I didn't.

I'm not big into formalities, so I've never concerned myself with exact dates and such when I hiked. I looked at the conditions to decide if it was a winter hike or not. That's just me. To Dave's point, make your own list. It will have just as much bearing as any other "Official" unoffical list.

 

[Paradox]

I've never heard of one, but you're free to start it.

Yep, design a patch, have it made, designate some rules. IMHO it should be the "White Stash 48" unless of course you determine that the "Paradox 48" sounds better.

 

[Stash]

Yep, design a patch, have it made, designate some rules. IMHO it should be the "White Stash 48" unless of course you determine that the "Paradox 48" sounds better.

Might just do that...

• Part 1 starts 1st snow you can use snow shoes or crampons trailhead to peak without trashing 'em
• Part 1 ends 1st day of Winter
• Part 2 starts 1st day of Spring
• Part 2 ends when you can't wear traction anymore

Patches? We don't need no stinking patches! Maybe tattoos. But no patches!

Now for a name....

 

[RoySwkr]

Snow conditions are often more difficult and trails less likely to be broken in mid-December and early April than in calendar winter.

And official winter doesn't guarantee snow, once during a mid-February thaw I hiked for an hour up Garfield before seeing the first snow. Of course I was glad I carried snowshoes when there was still 3 feet on the summit.

 

[BobC]

I've always semi-kinda-sorta kept track of peaks that I climbed in "winter conditions". If it was December 5th, and I was in a full white-out with crampons and snowshoes, I counted it as a winter peak. If it was December 23rd, and was a balmy 50 and I there was no snow on the ground and little true winter, I didn't.

I'm not big into formalities, so I've never concerned myself with exact dates and such when I hiked. I looked at the conditions to decide if it was a winter hike or not. That's just me. To Dave's point, make your own list. It will have just as much bearing as any other "Official" unoffical list.

I feel the same way....if I've done a peak in winter conditions, that's good enough for me. Doesn't mean I won't go back sometime during winter, but I wouldn't feel like I had to just to meet the rules of a list. I hiked to Isolation in late November with an AMC group, and between the ice coming down from Engine Hill, the icy and questionable stream crossings, and 20-degree temps with 25-mph winds, it sure felt as hard as a true winter hike. I've read recent reports of hikes done to this same peak during actual winter, and it sounds like they had an easier time than we did in November.

 

[Pulker Pete]

Mt Washington

I once hiked Mt Washington in mid-March before the end of the calendar winter and it was easier than some early summer hikes I'd done. Temp was in the mid 40's and a gentle breeze. I have the pic on my wall at work and look at it every day. So there ya go ... it was winter and one of my easiest treks up the big hill.

 

[Jim lombard]

Does it have to be white from the bottom to the top to count?

 

[Stash]

Does it have to be white from the bottom to the top to count?

That's my thinking. Winter conditions but it can't be winter. Of course not being an official anything (no website, no committee, no patch) who's to say???

Paradox... Want yer name on it? You have to enforce da rules.

 

[andrewb]

I've always semi-kinda-sorta kept track of peaks that I climbed in "winter conditions". If it was December 5th, and I was in a full white-out with crampons and snowshoes, I counted it as a winter peak. If it was December 23rd, and was a balmy 50 and I there was no snow on the ground and little true winter, I didn't.

I'm not big into formalities, so I've never concerned myself with exact dates and such when I hiked. I looked at the conditions to decide if it was a winter hike or not. That's just me. To Dave's point, make your own list. It will have just as much bearing as any other "Official" unoffical list.

dug, I agree with you 200%. Formalities and rule nit-picking is not what hiking should be about. For this very reason, I refuse to sign up for any FTFC patches that I qualify for.

 

[Raymond]

‘‘Winter conditions?’’ What a bunch of namby-pambies.

 

[Paradox]

‘‘Winter conditions?’’ What a bunch of namby-pambies.

NEW RULE: All the peaks need to be done barefoot or you will be kneecapped!

 

[Stash]

NEW RULE: All the peaks need to be done barefoot or you will be kneecapped!

Can I put crampons on my bare feet??

 

[J.Dub]

Can I put crampons on my bare feet??

Sure.

But I'd recommend the strap-on type, unless you wanna cut a heel bail notch in the back of your foot.

(Watch out for that Achilles tendon....)

 

[BobC]

‘‘Winter conditions?’’ What a bunch of namby-pambies.

A namby-pamby is someone who completes a winter peak on March 20 in 45-degree weather and still dares to count it for their list. I think the new rule should be that to count in winter, regardless of the calendar date, it must be below 15 degrees with at least a 20-mph wind.

For those over-serious types, it's a joke, folks.

 

[Stash]

Sure.

But I'd recommend the strap-on type, unless you wanna cut a heel bail notch in the back of your foot.

(Watch out for that Achilles tendon....)

...well I don't want to be a namby-pamby!!

 

[cushetunk]

‘‘Winter conditions?’’ What a bunch of namby-pambies.

Well, I got it. You just can't depend on the illiterate, unwashed masses.